Khatron Ke Khiladi - Thiguna

Fear Factor has been one of my favorite shows, F.R.I.E.N.D.S and Caroline in the City, being some of the others. I was usually found glued to the TV screen whenever these shows came on during school and college vacations. When I heard that we would soon have our very own Fear Factor - Khatron Ke Khiladi, I was impressed. Akshay as the host, was the perfect choice given that he is known for his action-oriented roles and his love for death-defying stunts. Having said that - I must add that Akshay was not the best of hosts. However, there was an innate simplicity in him that has stood him in good stead. Also, he grew on you.

After seeing the latest show, Khatron Ke Khiladi - Thiguna, with Priyanka Chopra, I feel that Akshay was simply great. Not only is Priyanka absolutely boring and completely unwatchable, she has with her "anchoring skills" made Akshay seem like a Demi-God. (Don't believe me? Catch the show). Don't even get me started on her outfits or her "filmy" expressions. She totally lacks spontaneity and that is surprising because she is known to have a bubbly, cheerful personality. At times, she is so blunt - the celebrities are taken by surprise. And, then there are times wen she forgets that she is the host and goes "eeee-yuck" or "Ohhh". If thats the bubbly, girlie behavior - well, the less said the better.

So, if I am so fed up - why am I still glued to the show?The celebrities, of course. Rahul Bose, Rahul Dev, Milind Soman, Karan Singh Grover, Cyrus Broacha, Terence Lewis, Shabbir Ahluwalia, Dino Morea, Manjot Singh ... to name a few. If you are a regular viewer, you may notice that the third level is indeed tougher but then the celebrities are also known for their fitness. The show shd have been great but thanks to PC, it is just about OK. This is only my opinion. If you disagree, drop me a comment.

The Lost Symbol

Robert Langdon, arrives at Washington DC, at Peter Solomon's request to be the key note speaker, at a private gala. When he reaches the Hall, where he is supposed to give his speech, he is shocked to see that no one is there. The hall is empty, save for a few casual observers. The security guards are completely unaware of the event and this leaves Robert puzzled. Then, he recieves a call from Peter Solomon's executive assistant, who had actually initiated the discussion and confirmed the plan. Robert explains that there is no one at the Hall, and it does not look like anyone is aware of the gala. The executive assistant replies, "Peter Solomon has no idea that you are here. You are here, Mr. Langdon, because I want you here."

So starts the book.. Actually, all of this happens in the first 10 chapters that also contain detailed descriptions of Washington DC, the landmarks, etc., typical of Dan Brown. This is the latest offering from Dan Brown, and it totally falls short of my expectations. I feel that the book started off interestingly enough but failed to capitalize on any of the interesting bits.

I thot Da Vinci Code was a good book because it combined a murder, cryptic clues, a thrilling chase, an intelligent professor, with some information that some ppl considered anti-christ. I think the fact that we were not aware of that information and the subsequent controversy, helped increase the sale of the book. But, I doubt if the controversy was the reason the book was popular.

Now, in this book, while he has most of the same concepts, the moment you figure out the truth and this is way before the author reveals the truth to you, you get bored. Then, your patience gets stretched as he tries to show you something more which you either already know or when you get to know it, you are not too impressed. I was wondering where he was going after the murder and kept reading, only to be truly disappointed. I had a lot of expectations riding on both these books, and I am now :( Any suggestions for a book that does not disappoint?

Nine Dragons

Michael Connelly is one of my favorite authors. I never seem to have enough of the main character, Bosch. I usually re-read most of the books over and over again. Sadly, this is one of those books, I did not like as much. *Spoilers Ahead*

In this book, Nine Dragons, Harry has had enough of his partner, Iggy, and is contemplating if he shd ask for another partner when they are pulled into a case. The case involves a robbery which also resulted in the murder of the man behind the counter, accidentally or so it seems. The clues they notice point them away from the accidental "murder" theory. First, the missing tape that recorded the robbery/murder. This pointed to the murderer having prior knowledge of the shop, the camera, and the tapes. Second, just behind the counter, slightly above it, sat a shelf containing very expensive alcohol which was untouched. Third, there was a gun taped to the under-side of the counter which the victim would have reached for if he was suspicious. He had not. Because the victim was someone who had offered Sanctuary to Harry at a time when it was very dangerous to be a cop and to be outside, Harry feels he has a debt to be repay and takes on the case with full enthu. After some very quick jumps, Harry with the help of another detective from the Asian Crimes Unit, catches the person who they think has committed the crime (murder of the shop-owner). Everybody including Harry, have doubts regarding the criminal. I, too had some doubts if he was indeed the person who killed the shop-owner. In fact, I felt that Harry was botching up the case big-time because he seemed to have taken major leaps from very basic clues. Amidst this, he receives a phone threat. When he checks his phone, he notices that the message sent by his daughter is actually a video clip. She has been kidnapped.

While it is racy and gripping until the kidnapping, somehow after the kidnapping of his daughter, the book does not do justice to either the kidnapping or the rescue. I was left feeling very blaaah. I am not sure if it is because of the movie, Taken, that handles a similar scenario, of a detective father going in search of his kidnapped teenage daughter. The movie was very very good and somehow I feel that the comparison did not work in the book's favor. Also, I think we all had harboured a hope that Eleanor and Harry would get back together at a later date, and so by killing her, the book evokes "You cannot do that. You did?? Oh come on!" reaction. Somehow that the daughter could actually play such a prank on Harry was a major shocker. All in all - I would rate the book 2.8 out of 5. Do you think I am over-reacting? Read the book and let me know :)