REVIEW: Shadow Of The Past by Mayank Manohar

--Blurb--

Life throws up tough choices that often control your life, forcing you to carry the baggage of your past. In the process, you have no option but to fall in love with your own shadow. Your pain and loneliness are your best friends. But there comes a breaking point and when you reach it, there is a good chance it can destroy you completely. 

Shadow of the Past is a story about three young people crippled by their own past and insecurities and how their life changes when they stop running away and start embracing it. But the question always remains: to what extent can anyone go to get rid of their past? 

Meet Lavanya, deprived of the love that she deserved and fighting a seven-year-long battle for Rehan, who is crippled by the complexity of his own mind, then takes a major U-turn. Arpita, who yearns for Rehan’s love, suddenly finds herself trapped between the incomplete love saga of Rehan and Lavanya. Rehan comes out of the void he is in, only to Tumble into another. 

Will the shadow of their past destroy their lives completely or will life give them another chance to redeem what is lost?

TITLE- Shadow Of The Past

AUTHOR- Mayank Manohar
PUBLISHER- Fingerprint Publications
FORMAT- Paperback

*Thanks to the author for a review copy.*
(All opinions are my own)

“And no, it is not a bad thing to think about your past-- after all, it makes you the person you are today. But if the past continues to haunt you, then there is something wrong.”

We have all read about the good side of love, the love that has happily ever after but this story is not about that, it focuses on the other side of love, the side with insecurities, disagreements, and heartache.

This is a story of acceptance. It's not only about accepting others the way they are but it's also about accepting yourself the way you are. 

'Shadow Of The Past' revolves around Rehan, Lavanya, Arpita (the protagonists) and Gaurav (another important character). Rehan, a small-town boy from Bihar, moves to Hyderabad for his studies where he meets Lavanya and eventually they both fall in love but things take a turn for worse and they break up. For 7 years they try to move on thinking that the other has moved on but the reality? It is not that easy when you really love someone. 

Enters Arpita, who yearns for Rehan's love. She has loved him for so long, She loves him with everything she is and wants him to love her back but soon finds herself entangled in Rehan and Lavanya's relationship. 

Enters Gaurav, who loves Lavanya unconditionally and doesn't care about the hefty baggage she carries. 

4 Lives

3 love stories

1 book

Lot's of heartache

But who will choose whom? 

COVER & TITLE: Both compliments the story well. The cover could have been a little better but it justifies the content inside.

This is the author's debut novel and kudos to him for such a great job! The story is so beautifully written and is full of raw emotions. It's not a regular love story, as you keep on reading it, you understand the depth of the plot and the message hidden inside. Rehan's character is well developed but Lavanya's and Arpita's character lacked that development. Also, I would have loved some more scenes which could explore Rehan's and Arpita's relationship. Letters by Arpita to Rehan was the best part of the book!

I loved how the author has used the flashback thing to unveil the past. Talking about the writing style, the narration was easy, the language used was simple, though there were a lot of editing errors, so it needs a better proofreader. Emotions were depicted with raw intensity. The pace of the story is well maintained, it is a quick and easy read but with good content. I would love to read a sequel! 

It is a book worth reading. Totally recommended.