First of all, I would like to thank Durriya Kapasi for approaching me and giving this opportunity to review her book & also to Half Baked Beans for giving us the platform.
To start with, let me tell one fact about my reading. Ideally I take time to read any book and read part by part on different days as and when the time is convenient. Only few books till now i have read in one go and “Once Upon A Genie” is one of those few books which I read in one go completely.
As the Title suggests this book is about a Genie & the incidents that took place surrounded by him. It is purely a fictional based story, where the beauty lies in the writing of the author who has maintained a perfect balance between narration of modern world & the old traditional Genie’s Aura. I am also a screenplay writer so I know that the explanation of each scene/location/view is very much self explanatory throughout. The author understands the necessity of this very well and has done her work very nicely.
However, as per me, there is always a difference in a story and a screenplay. At some points, the detailed description of scene/location/view etc. somewhat made me feel getting disconnected to the main story line. Author may need to keep this in mind next time she is writing that the detailed description should not be that much that any reader may feel a vibe of disconnection from the main storyline. She can reference the books/works of Late Legend Satyajit Ray sir to understand the difference of detailed description between a screenplay and a story. Moreover to add the positive point on this detailed description apart from self explanatory is that many a times i felt that the explanations are so perfect that it can easily be utilised as a screenplay if someone wants to make a show/movie from this book.
The story is divided in 32 Chapters. Yes, you read correctly 32 different chapters. but i cannot resist myself in praising Author here that despite the count of chapters ‘32’, nowhere you may see any jerk/break in the story line. The transformation from one chapter to another is so flawless, smooth and connecting. I believe this could be the main reason that I could not stop myself from reading it further. All the chapters are Titled very correctly to the subject line it covers except chapter 2, where I think the title must have been something else or it is not justified. But I take here that may be i am wrong here as the rest of the titles I found so justified to its content.
This Book is about a Genie named Khalil aka khali as pronounced sometimes by the lead character Daisy. The story grows and it explores the various segment of Daisy’s life which changes after arrival & due to the presence of Genie in her Life. as the story grows the effect of Genie in Daisy’s life keep on increasing. The basic building block of the story grows gradually and are shaped very nicely by the author. There are other characters like Darren, his parents, Daisy’s parents and all the characters were very nicely built in the story. Not to forget to mention that the story takes place due to Daisy’s Grandma, whose absence in the story line was never felt. Without Grandma’s presence also the storyline has the content that you would feel her presence sometimes. The prologue is about Daisy’s Grandma and is narrated so strongly that it gives a base to the upcoming chapters and story incorporated in it. The story is very Harmonical, and has the blends of the bond of relationships, love, togetherness and of course Genie.
Now, apart from these good points there are a couple of feedback are also here from my side which are purely as per me. Any other Author/Reader may or may not agree with these pointers.
First point, which I feel strongly, that the printing/publication team must be careful for the typo/grammar errors which has been shared with the author. Second, if you are an avid reader or book lover, don’t look at the back cover before reading the book as there is a very special fragrant subject in the story whose fragrance can be demolished if you read the back cover before reading the book.
Overall, I liked the story of Once Upon A Genie, very much. This story has a very harmonical deliciousness about the characters & the incidents which takes place throughout. The author has a great sense of imagination and is very great observer which i can feel in the story. I Congratulate her for this Book and wish her all the very Best for her success and career. Also i would like to give a Big thank to Half Baked Beans team to publish this book and reach it to the reader’s hands and giving a platform to all of us.
With Warm Regards,
Abhishek Bansod (The Dreamerz Walk)
The Dreamer's Walk ! 
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