TW: Rape and Violence
A fast-paced, suspense thriller, Amongst the Believers by author Shibu Kochery spans multiple countries and war-torn scenes to bring its readers the ultimate experience.
'Wonderfully original' is a term used to describe a dance in the book, but I would use it to refer to the book itself. Hailing from a military background, the author has brought his expertise from the battlefield onto the pages. The storyline is unique and different, the characters are complex and dimensional, and the writing style is subtle yet impactful. At times, the writing did remind me of Lee Child because of the sparse emotions used and providing information only where necessary.
Talking about the characters, the story revolves around three people, each with varied backgrounds and heart-breaking storylines. As they move from East to West, the risk increases, action-packed scenes adorn the pages, and betrayal lurks in every corner. Amid this chaos of twists and turns, love finds its way to bloom, and it is exceptionally beautiful to witness it unfold. The element of dance included in the book adds an artistic angle to the otherwise violent storyline. No character is black and white; everyone has a degree of grey in them, and it is this realistic portrayal which brings authenticity to the narrative.
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoings and right doings, there is a field. I'll meet you there."
Although the fast-paced writing, at times, does make it confusing for the readers to make sense of the timeline and all the scenes happening simultaneously.
Overall, the depth of the characters, the vivid scenes and the phenomenal writing make the book a must-read for fans of drama, suspense and action.