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(I do want to say that I was unable to find the UK edition with the pretty cover and I was very disappointed)

This is what you would call a cozy fantasy. It reminded me of Legends & Lattes, although the stakes are higher and personal, and there is an actual story. It is an entertaining read with lovable characters and charming folklore.

All the characters were written very well and their chemistry worked for me - a lot of them also had good character development arcs, which I had not expected. Shadow was, of course, adorable. The easy relationship (based on banter) between Emily and Wendell was also fun to read. All the folklore or “fae” lore added magic to the story and were quite enjoyable to read. The story was somewhat slow paced at times but did not feel boring at any point. A quote that I will remember always - "Perhaps it is always restful to be around someone who does not expect anything from you beyond what is in your nature."

It is narrated as Emily’s diary entries, and romance is not the main focus of the book, so people looking to find a fantasy romance may be disappointed.

To summarize - cute and wholesome fantasy novel with magical creatures.

I think I will try and grab the sequels :-)

I was eager to delve into Malayalam fiction, particularly drawn to thrillers over other genres. After scouring Instagram and Goodreads, I stumbled upon Lajo Jose, whose thriller novels boasted a substantial fan following. Amidst the numerous reviews, one title, "Hydrangea," consistently stood out, with readers praising its excellence above others. Naturally, "Hydrangea" became my top pick. The captivating blurb only heightened my anticipation!

The first thing that struck me when I started reading was my limited Malayalam vocabulary. It left me questioning whether my grasp of my native language was not as strong as I had presumed, or if the author intentionally used flowery prose. I had to underline many words and scribble their meanings in the margins!

A peculiar trend that caught my attention was the author's penchant for detailed descriptions of clothing and accessories. Did I really need to know that Imran sir was wearing a pink shirt and grey linen pants? Or that Esther had yellow Nike shoes? Moreover, did I need constant reminders that Imran drove a Ford Endeavor? Was it necessary to mention that Imran owned a Galaxy S Note 9 and used a stylus? It all seemed excessive and unnecessary.

I was also uncomfortable with the excessive sexualization of nearly every female character in the novel. As a thriller, such detailed descriptions of things like thighs showing through a towel or someone removing their panties for a massage felt like unnecessary distractions. These aspects seemed to serve no purpose for the plot and only added unnecessary length to the story. The plot itself could have been condensed to about 150 pages without these elements.

Despite all of the above, I must admit that the plot itself is quite compelling. It features a unique modus operandi that stands out. The author doesn't hold back on the gruesome details and isn't hesitant to eliminate multiple characters. The investigation is depicted in a realistic manner, adding authenticity to the narrative. The differences in cultural context between English fiction and Malayalam may explain why I found certain details and investigative methods surprising. The reveal at the end was truly shocking, although the end felt rushed. I would give the mystery aspect of the book a rating of 3/5, while the writing style and overall book would be a 2/5. I think I can safely conclude that I will not be picking up another book from this author any time soon.