Blog - Page 16 of 38 - Booked4Books

20 Dec

8 Cringiest Romance Tropes Ever!

Pranjali WakdeArticlesBook Tropes, Cringe Romance, Exciting Read, Fiction, Romance Novels, Romance That Make You Cringe, Romance Tropes, Story Tropes

Under the umbrella of romance novels exists a list of tropes, from the fun enemies-to-lovers to exciting fake dating trope. These elements are essential to move the story forward, adding much-needed tension and intrigue as they move. However, just like good romance tropes exist, there are tropes that are utterly cringey. These tropes, ranging from accidental pregnancy to Stockholm syndrome, are problematic in more than one way. And it is uncomfortable to see many romance books adopting these tropes casually without a care in the world! Want to steer clear of these tropes while diving into the world of romance?…

01 Dec

Captive Love: Stockholm Syndrome in Romance

Pranjali WakdeArticlesBook Love, Captive Love, Dangerous Love, Fiction, New Age Romance, New Genre, Novels, Stockholm Syndrome, Weird Romance

No other literary genre is as light and fluffy yet daring and dark as romance. It gives the readers the best of both worlds – from tooth-rotting love stories to twisted relationships. The latter category is nuanced, even more so today, where authors explore every dark theme possible. One of them is Stockholm Syndrome, a real-life theorized phenomenon filtered in romance fiction, where every other novel comes with trigger warnings. What is Stockholm Syndrome? Stockholm Syndrome is a condition where the kidnapped person forges a psychological bond with their kidnapper. This bond is often positive, with the victim protecting the…

25 Nov

Book Review: “I Hear You”

Jasmeet WaliaBook ReviewsI Hear You

In the riveting psychological thriller, "I Hear You," author Nidhi Upadhyay explores the complex interplay between science, morality, and the human psyche. The story revolves around Mahika, a woman desperate to breathe life into her deteriorating marriage through the hope of impending motherhood. The narrative takes an unexpected turn when Mahika discovers that her husband, Shivam, a genius geneticist, has manipulated the genetic makeup of their unborn child, Rudra. Rudra, the world's first genetically altered fetus, becomes Mahika's last hope for a perfect family. However, the revelation of a dark secret shatters Mahika's dreams and confines her to the very…

02 Nov

Investigating the Supernatural – The Genre of Occult Detective Fiction

Pranjali WakdeArticles

Introducing themes of one genre into another genre has always been a common practice in literature. For example, horror and comedy, history and fiction, and everyone’s favourite, any genre and romance. One of the more obscure combinations is the one with detective fiction and supernatural, called occult detective fiction. It is a sub-genre of detective fiction where horror, fantasy, and supernatural intersect. As opposed to traditional detectives, who hunt down human criminals, an occult detective investigates cases with shades of the supernatural. That refers to exciting encounters with demons, ghosts, vampires, as well as monsters, magical entities, and curses. The…

24 Oct

Book Review: World’s Best Girlfriend

Jasmeet WaliaBook ReviewsWorld's Best Girlfriend

In Durjoy Datta's latest novel, "World's Best Girlfriend," readers are taken on a rollercoaster journey through the lives of Daksh and Aanchal, two individuals from vastly different backgrounds who, against all odds, find themselves inexplicably drawn to each other. This is a story of unlikely connections, heartfelt emotions, and the power of destiny. Datta, a well-known author celebrated for his quirky book titles and relatable characters, once again delivers a narrative that resonates with young adults and fans of contemporary romance. "World's Best Girlfriend" is no exception, as it weaves a tale of love and longing with a generous sprinkling…

19 Oct

Creepypasta: Exploring the Unknown and Unfamiliar Abyss of Internet Horror

Pranjali WakdeArticlesbully story, Creepypasta

Movies and short films like Slender Man (2018), The Sleep Experiment (2022), and The Backrooms: Found Footage (2022) have two things in common. Firstly, they belong to the horror genre, designed to make you freeze in terror. And secondly, they have the same origin – Creepypasta! Creepypasta has been quite popular since the last decade, the term always used in the context of horror and terror. It is an all-encompassing word for horror-related legends that you may find on the Internet. That includes not just paranormal stories but also images, videos and audio. You can also say it is fanfiction…

11 Oct

The Dark Allure of Ero Guro Nansensu

Pranjali WakdeArticles

When society is oppressed, they find a way to resist it, may it be a violent way or an artistic way. Euro guro genre and the subsequent movement, ero guro nansensu, comes under the latter category. The genre was limited, perused by only a set percentage of people. However, it soon transformed into a social movement as a response to the suffocating cultural complexities of the times. It provided a way for people to express their dissatisfaction with the state of affairs with provocative means. Ero guro nansensu is an artistic rebellion, holding a mirror for society’s anxieties, hidden desires…

09 Oct

Book Review: Saturday Stories by Rashmi Bansal

Jasmeet WaliaBook Reviews

In her latest literary offering, "Saturday Stories," Rashmi Bansal takes readers on a journey through a collection of short stories that delve into the intricate tapestry of human emotions and experiences. With a writing style that is both engaging and accessible, Bansal explores a range of themes that resonate with the essence of our times. The strength of "Saturday Stories" lies in its simplicity. The narratives are deceptively straightforward, each offering a unique glimpse into the lives of diverse characters. Rashmi Bansal's ability to craft relatable characters and situations is evident throughout the book, making it easy for readers to…

03 Oct

The Battle of Disturbing Genres – Bizarro Fiction & Ero Guro!

Pranjali WakdeArticlesBizarro Fiction, Ero Guro

Literature is no short of weird genres, ranging from New Weird and Literary Nonsense to Ergodic Literature and Incoherent Writing. The books of such genres evoke the most intense emotions in readers, challenging their perception of the bizarre. But standing somewhere on this range are two genres, possibly the weirdest of all – Bizarro Fiction and Ero Guro. The two genres come from opposite ends of the world but have similar yet different characteristics at the same time. One thing is for sure – both Bizarro Fiction and Ero Guro will unsettle you in the most bewitching way possible! …

01 Oct

The 3rd Survivor: A Unit 22 Thriller Author: Mainak Dhar

Pranjali WakdeArticles, Book Reviews

As an avid reader of military thrillers, I was intrigued when I picked up "The 3rd Survivor" by Mainak Dhar. With its promising premise of a covert military unit and a high-stakes mission, I was ready for an adrenaline-pumping adventure. However, while the book delivered on some fronts, it fell short in others. The story revolves around Unit 22, a group of operatives who undertake missions that officially never happened. When their latest operation garners unwanted media attention, they are sent into hiding at a remote base. But just when they think they can catch their breath, they are thrust…