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Playthings: Toys of Terror
240 pages, Paperback
Published April 15, 2023
1 person is currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Neil D'Silva
32 books174 followersWith 12 books to his credit, Neil D’Silva is a known name in the Indian literary world. His unique stories have struck a chord with a wide range of readers, eliciting praise from various quarters. He is published with leading publishers such as Penguin Random House, Rupa Publications, and Hachette among others, and has won screen adaptation deals on four of his books.
He has been named as one of the Top 7 Indian horror writers to be read by UK’s DESIblitz magazine. Considered as one of the forerunners of contemporary Indian horror literature, he has been covered by several leading publications and is invited to speak at prominent litfests around the country.
He was a winner at the Delhi Literature Festival Short Story Competition of 2015. His book Maya’s New Husband won the title of Entertainer of the Year at the Literary Awards 2015 that was co-hosted by Authors’ Ink Publications and Inside Stories.
He has been named as one of the Top 7 Indian horror writers to be read by UK’s DESIblitz magazine. Considered as one of the forerunners of contemporary Indian horror literature, he has been covered by several leading publications and is invited to speak at prominent litfests around the country.
He was a winner at the Delhi Literature Festival Short Story Competition of 2015. His book Maya’s New Husband won the title of Entertainer of the Year at the Literary Awards 2015 that was co-hosted by Authors’ Ink Publications and Inside Stories.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 15, 2023
"Playthings" by Neil D'Silva is a gripping and chilling supernatural thriller that delves into the sinister world of haunted childhood toys and the horrors they can unleash. This book combines elements of horror, suspense, and paranormal investigation to create a spine-tingling narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
The story centers around Karun, a young boy who becomes convinced that his childhood toy, a clown named Jokko, is not only alive but also malevolent. The tale takes a dark turn as Jokko seemingly follows Karun relentlessly, engaging in terrifying acts that escalate from eerie to downright life-threatening. The author skillfully builds tension and suspense as Karun's fear intensifies, making the reader share in his growing dread.
The introduction of The Fearless Four, a paranormal investigation agency run by four brave youngsters, adds an intriguing layer to the narrative. These young investigators bring their unique skills and determination to uncover the truth behind the haunted toys. Their dynamic and the camaraderie among the team members add depth to the story, and readers will find themselves rooting for them as they face increasingly dangerous challenges.
D'Silva excels at creating a sense of unease and dread throughout the book. The descriptions of the vengeful toys and their malevolent actions are genuinely unsettling, making "Playthings" a gripping horror novel. The pacing is well-executed, with each revelation and encounter with the supernatural adding to the suspense.
One of the strengths of the book is its exploration of the theme of childhood fears and the idea that seemingly innocent toys can harbor dark secrets. This concept taps into a primal fear many readers can relate to, adding an extra layer of psychological horror to the story.
As the investigators delve deeper into the mystery, they uncover a broader and more sinister plot involving other haunted toys and the transformation of their owners into living zombies. This overarching storyline adds complexity and depth to the plot, keeping readers engaged as they piece together the puzzle.
All-in-all, "Playthings" by Neil D'Silva is a well-crafted and spine-tingling horror novel that skillfully blends supernatural elements with psychological terror. It keeps readers enthralled with its suspenseful plot, well-drawn characters, and exploration of the darker side of childhood nostalgia. Fans of horror fiction, especially those who enjoy stories involving haunted objects and paranormal investigations, will find "Playthings" to be a thrilling and unsettling read.
The story centers around Karun, a young boy who becomes convinced that his childhood toy, a clown named Jokko, is not only alive but also malevolent. The tale takes a dark turn as Jokko seemingly follows Karun relentlessly, engaging in terrifying acts that escalate from eerie to downright life-threatening. The author skillfully builds tension and suspense as Karun's fear intensifies, making the reader share in his growing dread.
The introduction of The Fearless Four, a paranormal investigation agency run by four brave youngsters, adds an intriguing layer to the narrative. These young investigators bring their unique skills and determination to uncover the truth behind the haunted toys. Their dynamic and the camaraderie among the team members add depth to the story, and readers will find themselves rooting for them as they face increasingly dangerous challenges.
D'Silva excels at creating a sense of unease and dread throughout the book. The descriptions of the vengeful toys and their malevolent actions are genuinely unsettling, making "Playthings" a gripping horror novel. The pacing is well-executed, with each revelation and encounter with the supernatural adding to the suspense.
One of the strengths of the book is its exploration of the theme of childhood fears and the idea that seemingly innocent toys can harbor dark secrets. This concept taps into a primal fear many readers can relate to, adding an extra layer of psychological horror to the story.
As the investigators delve deeper into the mystery, they uncover a broader and more sinister plot involving other haunted toys and the transformation of their owners into living zombies. This overarching storyline adds complexity and depth to the plot, keeping readers engaged as they piece together the puzzle.
All-in-all, "Playthings" by Neil D'Silva is a well-crafted and spine-tingling horror novel that skillfully blends supernatural elements with psychological terror. It keeps readers enthralled with its suspenseful plot, well-drawn characters, and exploration of the darker side of childhood nostalgia. Fans of horror fiction, especially those who enjoy stories involving haunted objects and paranormal investigations, will find "Playthings" to be a thrilling and unsettling read.
January 14, 2023
I've started off 2023 with Neil D'Souza's latest book, "Playthings: Toys of Terror." A book based on paranormal activity wrapped with an essence of mystery.
Flipping through the pages will bring back your youth. You'll feel like you're reading a repackaged Famous Five/Hardy Boys novel. Characters that are slightly different yet equally witty have made the reading experience so memorable for me.
Karun, a seventeen-year-old boy, fears his childhood toy, a clown named Jokko, is out to get him. During Karun's childhood, Jokko was a harmless clown doll that gradually and covertly became sentient. Even though Karun tried to toss it away, it kept returning to attack him every night. Running for his life, he seeks the assistance of the fearless four, a paranormal investigation agency operated by four doughty teenagers. Anvita, Tiana, Riz, and Palash manage the agency. As they delve more into the case, they discover a more nefarious plot at work. More spiteful toys are awakening, assaulting their owners, and transforming them into living zombies. Can The Fearless Four save Karun and the other youngsters in time?
The narrative is packed with actions, thrill, nail-biting moments, intriguing characters, and humor—an extremely fast-paced novel which will keep you hooked right from the first page.
I feel this book will make a great summer/Halloween read.
Thanks, Penguin India, for sending me the review copy!
Flipping through the pages will bring back your youth. You'll feel like you're reading a repackaged Famous Five/Hardy Boys novel. Characters that are slightly different yet equally witty have made the reading experience so memorable for me.
Karun, a seventeen-year-old boy, fears his childhood toy, a clown named Jokko, is out to get him. During Karun's childhood, Jokko was a harmless clown doll that gradually and covertly became sentient. Even though Karun tried to toss it away, it kept returning to attack him every night. Running for his life, he seeks the assistance of the fearless four, a paranormal investigation agency operated by four doughty teenagers. Anvita, Tiana, Riz, and Palash manage the agency. As they delve more into the case, they discover a more nefarious plot at work. More spiteful toys are awakening, assaulting their owners, and transforming them into living zombies. Can The Fearless Four save Karun and the other youngsters in time?
The narrative is packed with actions, thrill, nail-biting moments, intriguing characters, and humor—an extremely fast-paced novel which will keep you hooked right from the first page.
I feel this book will make a great summer/Halloween read.
Thanks, Penguin India, for sending me the review copy!
March 24, 2023
I got this one for my daughter and read it when she recommended it to me. I can understand why she liked it. It has a lot of fast twists, and the heroes are young children.
April 5, 2025
Just amazing!!!!!!!!!
Mind blowing plot, absolutely loved it!!
Mind blowing plot, absolutely loved it!!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews