Privilege

WP Trilogy #1

by Bharat Krishnan

In this epic saga about privilege and power, Rakshan Baliga will have to choose between the American Dream…and his own.

New York’s drug problem is Rakshan's solution. Getting his hands on a super drug called WP could earn him glory, power, and a chance to win back his ex. But stealing it from the Top 1% is costly, and if Rakshan isn’t careful he’ll pay with his life.

Discover how Rakshan’s journey sets off a chain of events that changes his city, his country…and the world. This ensemble political thriller is perfect for fans of Ocean’s 11 and House of Cards.

Genres: Adult, Suspense

ebook

Published July 1, 2020

About the author

Bharat Krishnan writes about family, ambition, and the crushing weight of success. He’s the author of seven books, including a memoir he had the audacity to publish at 27. He is still trying to recreate his dad’s quesadillas.

Reviews

[Mihir · Rating 3 out of 5]

OVERVIEW/ANALYSIS: Privilege by Bharat Krishnan is an interesting alt-history story with the presence of superpowers. I was given a PDF ARC of this title and the blurb really excited me with its mix of super powers, and politics.

The main focus of the story is this artificially produced called “WP” which grants its users and applicants different types of superpowers while also being mortally deadly to some (you won’t know how or who until you use and fond out to your peril). The biggest problem with it, is that it’s only legally allowed for consumption for Caucasians and illegal for all other races. The main character is Rakshan Baliga who works for Aditya Shetty’s Adrsta a hedge fund company and is hoping to land a deal that can propel him to success and get him to realize his immigrant parents’ dreams. There’s also his girlfriend Sadiya with whom he’s trying make their relationship work and of course make it formal (inspite of the religious and cultural differences). The bigger background is set against the legalization battle of WP for the non-Caucasian races and several events that occur due to some horrific events.

Bharat Krishnan really tries to immerse the readers into dual experiences the primary one of being an immigrant to the USA as well as the Indian/desi perspective. This is very much a fun one as the story encaptures multiple genres such a superhero story, a fight for civil rights, a heist caper and more. I liked this multi mix of genres which kept the story interesting. The pace of the story is lightning quick and it’s helpful that the story is only 50K-plus and things move rather quickly. The characters are a bit two-dimensional and this perhaps could be due to the small length of the book. I would have liked the author to have given the characters more depth and spent some more time developing and showcasing their backgrounds. This would have helped better understand their actions and reactions within the story.

The main plot of the story is a perfect allegory for the civil rights movement in the USA and of course with the things that are happening in 2020, it becomes more and more on the nose for many readers. I enjoyed this aspect of the story but I’m not sure whether other readers might share the same enthusiasm. Another front which would have been helpful would have been the worldbuilding front. The author just plants the readers in this world and there’s not much explained as to the whys and hows. Many readers (including me) will just go with the flow and can still enjoy the story but I would have loved it if the author could have done a bit more on the worldbuilding front and developed the rest of the world as well.

Overall this story has bit of an issue with the dialogue as it appears a bit stilted and forced in some circumstances. While I enjoyed the characters, I felt that they could have used a bit more fleshing to them. This would have helped a lot with the story as well as their actions within the story. There’s quite a few desi quips and angles to the story which might be lost to the western audiences and this is no way a criticism of the book. This kinda enriches the story as it is about Indian immigrants and Indian-Americans so to a western audience this will help getting to know these views better.

CONCLUSION: Privilege is an exciting story about the human condition and how mankind is often its worst enemy. Privilege is fast paced, has multiple plot twists and has a crackerjack ending that will leave the readers wanting the sequels pronto. It has its faults and I hope the author can correct the shortcomings in the sequels to better help the story that he intends to tell. In the immortal words of Gully Boy “Aapna Time Aayega” and this is indeed what I hope the author encapsulates superbly in the sequels.

[Tim Hardie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sci-fi/fantasy thriller Privilege by Bharat Krishnan was a title I noticed during the 2021 Self Published Fantasy Blog Off writing competition. I’m so glad this novel finally rose to the top of my reading pile as it’s refreshingly different and thought-provoking.

The novel, set in 2020, is an alternative history satire. This world is identical to ours with one exception, since during the Gold Rush in the 1800s a mysterious drug called WP was discovered. WP grants you super powers, such as increased physical strength and heightened perception. Some people are even able to alter someone else’s memories and perception of reality. This powerful drug is only legally available to Caucasians, based around the argument its use is dangerous for people of other races. There's political debate in the US about making it available to non-whites but the wheels of the legislature run slow. In the meantime, the world’s top 1% jealously guard their power and influence.

The central character, Indian American Rakshan, isn’t prepared to wait. Together with his friends, Rakshan plans a heist, with his former boss as the mark. They intend to steal his WP. Rakshan is naive at times and, as the story develops, he and his friends quickly find themselves out of their depth.

Alongside the heist, there are two main sub-plots. There’s Rakshan’s relationship with Sadiya, his girlfriend for the past three years, and the story of the teenager Jerome, who is manipulated by the underworld criminal known as Spartacus. As the story develops Krishnan also introduces a romance between two of the female characters, which I thought was handled well and felt believable, especially the uncertainty the pair have about their feelings and how their wider family might react.

One of the most notable features of Privilege is how Krishnan manages to successfully blend together the worries and concerns of ordinary life within an overarching story about politics and crime. This is an ambitious book which, despite its short length, explores lots of important themes and issues. Privilege tackles cultural identity, asking what does it mean to be a second or third generation Indian in the US? There’s biting criticism of American politics, where there's always a battle against prejudice and those who want to maintain the status quo. Krishnan shines a light on the uncomfortable truths around racism, including unaccountable Police violence against black people. There’s also commentary on how the legal system inherently favours white people. I particularly loved the line “The courtroom was packed; America loved the illusion of justice.”

I think the length of Privilege occasionally worked against it, as it sometimes felt like there weren’t quite enough pages to do justice to all of its amazing ideas. The heist aspect of the plot lacked a little bit of tension for me as well. I think that could have been developed more to increase that sense of high stakes and maybe make it more complex than a simple break in.

Overall, though, I enjoyed this novel, which was a quick, fun read at under 200 pages, and leaves things nicely set up for the sequel. This political thriller is one that fans of Ocean’s 11 and those who appreciate positive LGBTQ+ representation will enjoy.

[Abigael | A City Girl's Thoughts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Bharat Krishnan, Shealea, and Caffeine Book Tours for giving me an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

ATTN: My scheduled review date is on November 19th, but Shealea's going by Filipino time - which means I'm supposed to post tomorrow, November 18th at 11 AM U.S. EST. I won't be able to do that so I'm posting now. Just wanted to put that out there.

This Desi Own Voices work touches on relevant topics that affect all racial minorities today, such as economic inequity, illegal drug use to gatekeep minorities, and the delicate balance Asians - especially South Asians - face as a member of the U.S. Census Bureau's minority category but simultaneously known as the most privileged. We follow Rakshan as he tries to achieve the American Dream through his corrupt boss Aditya Shetty and the obstacles rich Whites use to gatekeep minorites through WP - a fictional drug similar to Crack. This drug is only available to rich Whites but minorities can own some by connecting (often illegally) with said Whites, thus giving them a shot at climbing up the economic ladder. Certain politicians try to persuade the government to legalize it but there's opposition from lobbyists, other politicians, and - you guessed it - Whites. After Rakshan is unjustly fired by Aditya, he and his friends decide to tackle the discrimination they face by planning an elaborate heist to take down Aditya while obtaining enough WP to boost their status. What ensues are hilarious obstacles and a serious delve into the ethical and moral reasons to legalize WP.

Krishnan does an excellent job incorporating fictional elements that are similar to real life events: fictional WP, its side effects, and the fight to legalize it = U.S. government's real life scenario regarding legalizing Weed; Connections to move up in one's career or avoiding jail = the rich using connections to do the same in real life. Police brutality between cops and Blacks are also covered, as well as the yearning by Americans to have someone who will seriously represent them through the public's yearning for Indigenous Senator Joseph Begaye to run for president. The writing keeps you engrossed with the right mix of politics and sci fi, and I could empathize with Rakshan, Sadiya (Rakshan' girlfriend), Rakshan's friends, and Aditya - whose more of an anti hero than villain.

The only con I'll say is Sadiya's refusal to marry Rakshan is underdeveloped. I don't get why she didn't break up with him a long time ago if she knew she nor her parents didn't love him.

Overall this is a great start to the WP Trilogy; I look forward to the second one!

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of this novel from the author and I am voluntarily reviewing it.

I read Oasis and absolutely LOVED it. When I read the blurb for this book I thought, "eh, its not what I am usually into but Bharat wrote it so I am going to give it a try." I am really very glad that I did. The plot is kind of complex but still fairly easy to keep track of. It does explore race and privileges attached to being of a certain group in a way that I have never seen done in fiction. The story was fast-paced and pretty emotionally wrenching in a few places. The characters were so believable because they weren't your typical perfect storybook people. The main character is fairly flawed but in an understandable way. If you are interested in socio-political novels this is definitely something that should be checked out. I really can't wait to see what happens with the rest of this series!

[Jennie Rosenblum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in a high powered business environment, this story also deals with the fringes of that world. The main plot follows Rakshan in his quest, but there are two other subplots going on that add to the fullness of the story.

What would you do if the answer to all your problems was at your fingertips? And would your friends be in for the plan or running the other way. Luckily for Rakshan, his friends are assisting. Being the first book in a Trilogy, I am always leary of too much of a cliffhanger. However, the author wraps up the story nicely and still gives a glimpse of what might be coming next. I was intrigued enough to see where it may go. And I am curious if the author will be brave enough to continue the storyline of Sadiya with the finesse he has shown so far.

[decklededgess · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Read more here :https://decklededgess.wordpress.com/2...

[Thomas King · Rating 2 out of 5]

4/10 Fundamentally flawed with some strong ideas.

A copy of the PDF was provided by the author as an advanced review copy.

WP is a drug that grants superhuman powers, but only white people can get it legally. Aditya Shetty, an Indian-American, runs a hedge fund where he can acquire WP through business, but it’s not enough for him. Rakshan is a young Indian-American man that works for Aditya but is swiftly fired after losing a client. After then losing his girlfriend, Sadiya, Rakshan enlists his friends and plots his revenge against his former boss.

One of the core issues of the book is that our antagonist’s big evil deed, murdering his former boss and his mistress to take over the company, isn’t why our protagonist plots against him. Rakshan’s motivations are centered on revenge and theft. He wants to steal Aditya’s supply of WP and convinces himself that getting WP will win back his ex-girlfriend, Sadiya. If he wasn’t unlikable already, he convinces his friends to organize and execute the dangerous and illegal heist and yet treats them horribly. Rakshan never shows self-awareness or a desire to change; though, he has a sudden turnaround at the end and apologizes to his friends (yet never sees Sadiya as anything but an object).

Sadiya, on the other hand, is a much more likable, well-developed character with a more complete, though perhaps rushed, character arc. The problem is that her story is too far removed from the rest of the jumble of plots. Her only role in the rest of the story is as an object of Rakshan’s obsession.

There’s another subplot, the most interesting in the book to me, involving a black teen, Jerome, who comes across a ring with WP in it (Rakshan’s discarded engagement ring). He then gets involved with a dark underworld, using the ring to inflict vigilante justice. I would have liked to see more of him, though I think his story could have used a sensitivity reader. In general, the book needed sensitivity readers, as the portrayals of white characters are flat, negative stereotypes. We also get a glimpse of the political subplot halfway into the book. We meet a few new characters and then never see them again. Presumably, they come back in book two, but why are they here if they have nothing to do?

So, the drug WP can grant superpowers to those who use it, but it can cause changes in a person’s mental state and even alter memories, or just kill you if you take too much. Just being close to enough WP can affect someone. One would think a volatile and dangerous drug would be illegal, but in this strange world, it’s legal for white people (though no reason is given other than likely being a clumsy metaphor for white power (?WP?)). Except, people of color can also acquire it legally through less direct means such as business transactions. But how does a superpower-giving drug alter the world after over a hundred years of its existence in society? Not at all. The world presented is pretty much ours outside the narrow confines of the narrative, and even inside the narrative, WP is little more than a MacGuffin, mostly serving the theme rather than the plot.

Inconsistencies and leaps of logic run throughout the book, as does a tremendous amount of hand-waving. For instance, characters use WP several times in the book, even characters who have never used it before smear it on their arms and legs with no ill effects. The only time it could have been deadly to a character, we’re told that a doctor saved him and he has no lasting side-effects. That memory altering aspect? It only plays a part when the plot needs it to (completely ignoring plot-holes along the way); it never affects the characters as they carelessly use WP.

There are a few problems with the writing itself. For one, the scenes are chopped into tiny pieces for no reason. We get a scene break, and then the scene continues where it left off. Why have a scene break? And most of the scenes suffer from white-room syndrome in which not enough concrete details of the environment are established and the characters aren’t given anything to do, so it’s just a lot of talking back and forth, sometimes bouncing between POV, and then the scene ends. The world feels empty except for our characters when even a car crash and street brawl goes without consequences; no cops, no paramedics called for the injured driver, no crowd of gawkers taking video to upload online, nothing. We just go to the next scene. And products and brands are constantly named as a shorthand for actual description, to where it feels like product-placement.

There’s a scene when Jerome meets with a character, Spartacus, and it’s one of the best scenes in the book because we are given strong details about the environment, and both Jerome and Spartacus have good characterization. There just aren’t enough scenes like it in the book. Most of the time, we jump around from place to place, get dialogue, then move on.

The idea of tackling racism with a drug that in a literal sense is white power is solid, but there are logical holes, and the racism is approached with the subtlety of being run over with a bulldozer. There are moments, brief and infrequent, when the book is good. But as a whole, the book feels rushed, as if a draft was published before it was ready—a problem many self-published books have. A developmental editor and a line editor could have done a lot to help focus the storyline, clean up the characters, establish stronger motivations, and fix the scene-level problems. But it’s clear that the book comes from genuine passion, as the dedication puts it:

For anyone who’s ever been embarrassed to bring food from their native country to school.

I was first introduced to Indian food by one of my best friends in elementary school. Even now, one of my best friends is an Indian immigrant—who sadly doesn’t like reading very much, he’s more of a movie guy. I wanted to like the book more, but who knows, maybe my friend will read it and get more out of it.

This review and others can be found on my website: https://thomasking895391518.wordpress...

[Rajiv S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been following Krishnan's writing for quite some time. I'm amazed at his ability to move easily between genres: political memoir, social unrest, fantasy, sci-fi...he's quite talented and versatile.
Reading Privilege, I felt this was a book of purpose that is incredibly timely for our age. The context of the book reads like a social justice version of the movie Limitless...but instead of incredible logical insight, this drug provides the unwritten tools for success in modern America. This book spoke to me in the context of extreme assimilation. Though being an Indian-born immigrant with Hindu roots, raised vegetarian, and generally being a chubby intellectual...I've spent my entire career with highly conservative, white, and male organizations like the US Army and enterprise sales teams. I have no regrets, and I love my life and the choices I've made, but this book asked me to consider what I actually gave up for the "WP" drug that has allowed me to excel. My brand, some social customs, my identity, a forced chuckle at off-color jokes or letting people mispronounce my name? It was something I hadn't really considered, and I'm grateful to have read this book to start the exploration.

[Margaret Adelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the author first offered me a review copy of this work, he described it as "Oceans 11 with brown people." So naturally, I was hooked.

It admittedly too me longer than it should have to get the analogy. The book is literally titled privilege and the drug goes by the initials WP, and is forbidden for people of color. But once I understood this was a giant metaphor for white privilege, the story made a lot more sense. And I appreciated the little nuances it brought around the idea of white privilege, like the Italian brothers selling the "we're descended from immigrants" story, while still benefitting from their privilege.

As for the characters, I don't now that I could call most of them likeable, but they were all interesting. Rakshan is admittedly an idiot, but the dynamics between him and his friends are interesting. They're DEFINITELY not professionals, but their utter incompetence in performing a heist is somehow compelling.

The best part for me was the relationship between Sadiya and Maadhini. As a queer woman that realized her sexuality in her 20s, I could relate to Sadiya's struggles. But the downside was I didn't want Rakshan to get her back, I want her to stay with her adorable girlfriend. And it's a bit difficult to root for the protagonist when you don't want the full outcome as he wants it.

The biggest reason for the three star rating was the pacing. It's a fairly short book (the copy I read was 168 pages) and it stuffs a lot in. There's a heist, an f/f romance, and an subplot about police brutality against the Black community. As a result, certain things felt rushed. Near the end, it feels like there's a giant deus ex machina. And while it was foreshadowed earlier, it still feels like problems are just being swept away with a too-simple explanation.

While the pacing felt rushed and I definitely want Sadiya living her best lesbian life instead of being with Rakshan, there's a lot of really intriguing discussion on race relations and the state of people of color in America, both in relation to white people and each other. And while I may not be compelled to continue on with the trilogy myself, I believe there are others that would enjoy it a lot.

[Shaurya Verma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in the WP trilogy, Privilege sucks you in. Complex, emotive and candid is what describes the book best. A drug lord in a high powered business environment, privilege of WP and the ultimate socio-political commentary on class privileges sets the narrative apart. Described as 'Oceans 11 with Brown people,' it spikes interest and keeps one's attention held till the end. The protagonist, Rakshan Bagila works for Aditya Shetty's Adhrst and is looking forward to get a promotion and to propose to Sadiya the same day. However, things take an ugly turn for him when he's been fired by Aditya. That's when Rakshan and his friends decide to bring down Aditya and obtaining WP to boost their status in the society.
WP is a fictional drug that it available to only the privileged ones, the rich Whites and to minor communities only if they acquire it illegally for them to climb the economic ladder. Rakshan aims for the same and in a desperation for economic gain, he resorts to all the illegal acts and the narrative grows dark with raw obsession thick in the air.
Making my way through the narrative, I stepped into the world of racial discrimination, injustice, class, wealth, race, power and privilege. The book assesses closely everything in a fast-paced, twisting and turning environment that had me sitting on the edge of my seat (rather bed) till the end. One might get deceived considering the short length of the book but that's what is stunning, the short length but the wide range of issues it covers made all the more thrilling by the multifaceted and absolutely raw characters.
There are many POV changes within a single chapter, an LGBTQ reference which I so loved, the miss-a-line-and-you-are-lost thing, the sweet romance, the portrayal of the individuality of each character and the ownvoices representation, these all make it an enlightening and engrossing read that as, I said, sucks you in, presents to you the real world in its ugly form, makes you relate to the characters and spits you out at the end of it revealing and unrevealing all the same.
(Waiting for the next two books :))

[Anushka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Find this and other reviews in my blog.

I received a free copy of the book from the author and Caffeine Book Tours in exchange of an honest review

Privilege is set in an alternative United States where a drug named WP is accessible only to the Caucasians while on the other hand, it was illegal for people of colour to possess it, except on getting business deals and on the occasion of birth in the family.
The main character Rakshan is an Indian American man who decides to break into and steal WP from his boss's house after being fired. He is also overly obsessed with his ex-girlfriend Sadiya, which is very disturbing.

Rakshan, the main protagonist goes down the dark path into theft and robbery. He plans to pull off the heist with his friends but constantly insults them. The book shows how drug addiction made every one of Rakshan's friend destructive in their own way.

The idea of the drug not being given to people of other races symbolised the racial injustice in America. The novel, although, quite short, is very thought-provoking and involves complex characters and exposes their dark sides. Except for the legalisation of the drugs, the world seemed pretty much replica of modern-day America.

I loved Sadiya, and I feel she is the most likeable character. Moreover, the introduction of an LGBTQ+ character made the book more inclusive and added more layers to the story.
The book feels a bit rushed due to its short length but pulls off a variety of issues within it. However, the subplot of Jerome, a black boy getting his hand accidentally on the drugs could use more comprehensive storyline.

Overall, the book does an excellent job of talking about racism in modern American society by using metaphors and also skillfully describes the struggles of Indian American people there. Although it has a few flaws, I think reading the other two novels in the series will present a more clear storyline.

[Morgan Bernard · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a world very similar to our own, a super powered drug is given to the rich, white, and privileged. On the other hand, immigrants and the not-so-rich can be arrested, imprisoned and even killed on sight for possession. That is the world of Privilege.

I'll admit, this book wasn't really for me. I struggled with the overall concept of a drug given to people of specific heritage yet completely illegal for everyone else. The regulatory issues behind such a product are mind boggling (Are they doing genetic testing before handing it out? Wouldn't other countries jump into the market to fill that niche like our modern-day drug trade?) Also, the science behind such claims just doesn't add up.

Despite my issues with the general concept, I loved the mixing of Indian culture throughout the story. This story also did a nice job addressing many of the challenges faced by immigrants and second-generation citizens like the main character, Rakshan.

Rakshan's story plays out like a villain origin story more than a true protagonist. He turns to violence, theft, and even mind control to destroy his boss's life and get his hand on this drug. His obsession with his girlfriend is also disturbing and overtly controlling. Interactions with his friends start out as fun as they reminisce about old times but grow so much darker as the story moves forward into their bumbling heist. By the end, you can see how tainted all of them are by their obsession with the drug. The author did a great job showing how addiction seeps into all parts of a person's life and changes them.

The secondary story lines were intriguing, though the characters felt a bit flat. I really loved the sweet romance and kudos for LGBT representation. Reader beware--trigger warnings for police brutality, extreme racism, addiction, and violence.

The writing style overall was smooth and easy to read. There were a few spots that got overly flowery, but otherwise the dialogue was quippy and moved right along. Overall I give Privilege 3 out of 5 stars. I'd recommend it for anyone looking for a story addressing racial inequality who enjoys a slapdash heist.

[Musing of Souls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well! I do not have words for this one. This was kind of a new read for me. Most of the times I'm hovering around Fantasy and Crime/Mystery stuff but I decided to give the book a try as the blurb intrigued me.

The moment I started reading the words, I was hooked. The characters are absolutely strong. The emotions of each character are super strong and can be felt through Krishnan's way of words. The story is written from different points of view which makes it an excellent read.

Rakshan has a dream to achieve something (something which has got out of his hands) and due to that he wishes to reach the top. He also wishes to own the powerful drug WP which can help him have everything he wants. But, there is someone who is stopping him from doing so. Who is the one stopping him? What does Rakshan want? To find out grab a copy of this amazing book.

Bharat's way of narrating the point of view of each character seems very different to me and yet very intriguing and subtle. The flow of scenes and the upcoming events set up finely, even when the chapters are divided between the characters. Well, you need to read each line carefully. Miss a line and you might not understand what will come soon.

This is perfect example of thriller. And while I am not someone who likes political thrillers, I definitely recommend this to anyone who is atleast sixteen years old! I hope you all enjoy this book as much as I did!

[Elouise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has everything to make a great read. It has bad guys and good guys, it has drugs, it has a plot to take over a business man and his life, it has conspiracy, it has power and more. There is a new drug out in the market. It is apparently for whites only, with bad effects on Indian people who use it. So already we have racial lines drawn. The story begins with Aditya Shetty, a successful, Indian businessman taking a drug in his penthouse apartment for a measured high. He is meticulous in measuring out the exact dosage to get the precise high he wants. Once there, he is entranced with the sheer power of the drug to heighten his senses and make him feel powerful. A sense of power that is corrupting him absolutely and completely. He is investing in his business acumen to get more powerful in business and thus get more of the drug of choice, WP. And so it begins. There is a plot to obtain power in business and with the drug too. We have conspiracy rearing its ugly head, a quest for power that will not be denied and a takeover plot all part of attaining the power that the drug is promising to deliver. The story is mesmerizing, once begun it is difficult to take a break from. Well written, it captures the reader completely. I am waiting for the next book, where Power becomes the force to be reckoned with. Excellent book.

[Jea Song · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙜𝙪𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙞𝙩.”
-𝘽𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙩 𝙆𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙣𝙖𝙣, 𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙚

📚✨𝓟𝓻𝓲𝓿𝓲𝓵𝓮𝓰𝓮 𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓣𝓸𝓾𝓻✨

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✨✨✨
Privilege is like an embodiment of both good and evil.

This book was mind-blowing and terrifying at the same time. Imagine living in a country that has a super drug called “WP” accessible only to Caucasians—those who are privileged and in power, and it’s illegal especially for people of color unless they get it through their business deals. People are also willing to kill for it.

The plot also focused on first-generation Indian-Americans and the Black-American community. The representation, diversity, and skillful storytelling made me love this book.

Racism, injustice, discrimination at work, illegal drugs, gun shootings, and killings—things that we always see in the news. It’s a political fiction book but these things are real and happening everywhere.

While reading, I could understand what motivated Rakshan and his friends, but at the same time, I wanted them to fail. But what exactly is right and wrong in a place where WP controls everyone and everything?

“...𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙣. 𝘼𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨.”

This book was a mirror of a messed up justice system. Although WP isn’t a real thing, the message of this book was clear. Up to what extent will you go to have privilege and power?

I recommend this to everyone!!!!! Check it out on Goodreads!

I received an ARC from the author, and Caffeine Book Tours (@CaffeineTours) in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much!!!!

✨✨✨
Tour Schedule: Nov 16-20
Author: Bharat Krishnan
Genre: adult, political thriller
Diversity tags: own voices, POC representation (all Indian-American cast)
Publication date: Oct. 12, 2020
Publisher: Self-published

Content warnings: police brutality, drug addiction, extreme racism, violence

[Icy_Space_Cobwebs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got a lot of fun out of this novel, by which I mean I found it entertaining, engrossing, AND enlightening. In the first couple of pages I thought, "What's interesting about some Wall Street tycoon with a drug habit?" Well that was selling short the story. It's not "any" drug, it's not "just" a thriller.


In 2020 a lot is addressed about the lives of Blacks and Latinx. I don't think we read as much about those whose genetic heritage is of the subcontinent of India. So first of all, the enlightenment: I'he learned at length about Indian-Americans, and how they still suffer as Celtic immigrants and Chinese immigrants did in the 19th century. I learned about friendships and the importance of family to those who don't have it. I learned about a controlled substance which is solely the property, the entitlement, of Caucasians, forbidden to all other ethnicities.


Author Bharat Krishnan enabled me to see and feel what it is like to be excluded, and how the excluded experience inclusion (through the acquisition of the controlled substance "WP"). I came away thinking how little progress Society has made toward inclusion (ethnicity, race, religion, orientation, gender). I also am totally eager to read the sequel.

[Chas Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this novel from the author.

Initially, I was under the impression that this was a contemporary fantasy novel, so I’ll lead with saying that I am chiefly a historical/secondary world/ fantasy reader and it was a little out of my usually genres, but it felt original to me.

The story is set in a contemporary—yet historically alternative—United States, where a drug (WP) is unfairly accessibly to certain, mostly white or wealthy, people. It follows an Indian American man and his friends as they attempt to steal the drug from his ex-employer. The comps are Ocean’s 11 and House of Cards—I’ve seen neither, but I’m sure that’s spot on. While Rakshan’s (the MC) motivations seem to center around creating a family for himself, the story tackles relevant political and social justice issues, and presents a set of characters who are all flawed and trying to thrive in a system that, at the end of the day, serves no one, not even the people who seem to benefit from it. Most importantly, it’s an own voice narrative, which I would always encourage readers to seek out and support books from diverse storytellers in whatever genre they enjoy!

Overall, I thought it was a solid beginning and I wish the author the best of luck on his future installments.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy from the publisher and Caffeine Book Tours, as part of my participation in the blog tour from November 16-20, 2020.

This is a good introduction to a trilogy. It's highly political and I enjoyed it, but for entirely different reasons. I didn't like the main character, as well as his love interest -- they're both annoying and immature. I liked the friendship dynamic in this book; it wasn't entirely "thrilling" but again, I enjoyed the political aspect more, though it tends to be extremely technical at times.

There were multiple storylines to follow, though they're all intertwined one way or another. What I didn't like about it was that it shifted the focus away from the "main" plot; and this is why I say I enjoyed the book for a different reason, that reason being I loved reading about one of the subplots. I wish the book was written for that plot alone, and that it would've made it an even more interesting book if that was the case.

Nonetheless, it was okay. I don't read a lot of politically inclined books but this was entertaining and timely, with everything that happened in the US this 2020.

[Megan Elder Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully crafted socio-political commentary on class privilege. A mix of House of Cards and the Oceans movies, this book kept me hooked from start to finish. The characters are dynamic and all have at least some sympathetic qualities, even Aditya, who deserved exactly what he got. The plot is complex, with multiple story lines that all wind together seamlessly. The moral arguments put forth through the character's struggles to gain more of the highly addictive WP, as well as other goals they feel WP will aid them in achieving, align with a host of themes present throughout, such as privelege, family, injustice and justice, and so many more. I can't wait to read more from the author. (I recieved an ARC copy of the book with no expectation by the author that I give a review.)

[Destiny Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fall into the world of Bharat Krishnan’s Privilege, where the super-human drug WP serves as an allagory for racism prevalent in America. This novel takes on a number of social issues including white privilege, black lives matter, LGBTQ, and corrupt political systems. Don’t let all that heaviness weigh you down; Krishnan delivers these topics amidst the action-packed heist plot and tender love scenes. Krishnan also provides an incredibly immersive look at Indian culture, which is both fascinating and eye-opening. Acceptance, friendship, and unrelenting love are central ideas explored through the motivations and actions of the characters in the novel. The story is well-written, and a fun read. I’m excited to see what happens next!

[Nilesh Gogineni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in an alternate version of the world and New York as we know it, Privilege explores the dynamics of equality, power, and identity. These are all themes that are stitched into an Oceans 11-esque setting with the action to boot and intertwined storylines to keep things interesting. It's a fairly fast-paced book and there is a lot going on but I was still drawn in by the depth of the characters. Their individual stories felt relatable within my life while still providing that escape that I look for in a good book. I can't wait to read part 2 and see how these different - but connected - storylines play out.

[Emily Malek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I was given a free PDF copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In all of my years of reading, I have never come across a political thriller. However, I’m glad that I started this website, so I could read novels that I would normally not pay much attention to. I’m glad that I lost my political thriller virginity to "Privilege" by Bharat Krishnan – a wonderfully fast-paced book with complex characters that addresses privilege, power, wealth, class, and race.

To see more of this review, click on this link: https://chick-who-reads-everything.co...

[Lindsay Maple · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book to look through the eyes of citizens who have long belonged to our community but do not receive the same privileges as others. Bharat makes a great use of metaphor to bring to light many issues facing our society, all while creating a fun, fast-paced narrative that sucks you in and doesn't let you go. The characters are all multi-faceted, real, and raw. Can't wait for books two and three!

[Stuthi Iyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve had the “privilege” of reading this book and the trilogy as a whole through its evolution. I loved it from the first time and adored it the second go-around! This is easily Bharat’s best creation—a fiction with many intersecting plots, dynamic characters, a political narrative reflective of his past experiences and our current environment, social and cultural issues aplenty...it is a gripping series that will satisfy and surprise, and I believe that’s the best type of book.

[Ashwin Seshadri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down once I started. The plot, the characterizations, and the real world implications are all incredibly well-written. A fast-paced story with twists and turns had me sitting on the edge of my seat. Each chapter is filled powerful moments that made me laugh, feel pain, and so many other emotions all at once. The ending left me craving for the next book!! I highly recommend!

[Deena Short · Rating 5 out of 5]

Privilege is a timely, thought-provoking, political fantasy. An intellectual read, there are many concepts that highlight the real psychological affects of classism and privilege in our society. It's also rich with culture (fantastic food :-)), brotherhood, interesting speculative fiction, and complex characters that the author has cleverly woven together.

[Joana Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a dynamic book. Complex characters, fully developed scenes and constantly moving parts. The relationship the characters have with each other good, bad and ugly really connects you to the human side of their individual stories. Thank you for this great book!

[Kritika · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this but I just had too many issues with it (mainly the stilted writing style and conflation of the social construct of race with genetics). This could have been a great book, and it has some really cool ideas, but I felt like it didn't execute the vision very well.

[Robert Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

solid thriller in the hands of a very capable author. The themes are current and realistic, so much so it will encourage readers to reflect on what might be going on out of public view that influences on our lives. I highly recommend it. 5- Stars BJE

[Juan Zapata · Rating 5 out of 5]

A metaphoric narrative that hits the mark. Emotive, candid, and complex, this story produces a crystal-clear mirror to our ugly world.