The Reading Bud

Book Blog by Heena Rathore-Pardeshi

Book Review: Playtime in Vella Dera by Benzon Ray Barbin

Book Details:

Author: Benzon Ray Barbin
Release Date: 27th October 2021
Genre: Science-Fiction Fantasy, Speculative Fiction, Short Story
Series:
Format: E-book 
Pages: 54 pages
Publisher:
Blurb:
What are the consequences of denying one’s true self?
A traveler named Enauria has returned home for the first time in many years. She connects with a psychiatrist and renews a plan to fulfill a promise to an old friend.
“Playtime in Vella Dera” is a speculative fiction short story. Set in the future, it unfolds a familiar, contemporary vibe with jazz music, lounge life, and varying cityscapes. Adventure and danger intensify as lore and concealed magic intersect.
Enjoy Vella Dera as a stand-alone, or as a companion piece to the novella Reflections of Destiny.

Review

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Playtime In Vella Dera by Benzon Ray Barbin is a well-written, concise story that packs a powerful punch.

I loved reading it as the story was good, moved quickly and had a lot to offer in such few pages! The character of Enauria is beautifully crafted and as I already knew her, it felt like meeting an old friend. It felt like a side-quest in an RPG – that is how relatable the main character is.

This book is a companion story to Reflections Of Destiny but as the author clarifies it can also be read as a standalone novella. It intersects the world and the events of the RoD so I’d highly suggest reading them both as they both are great pieces of speculative fiction/fantasy.


You can also read this review on:

Goodreads


Amazon


I love reading your comments, so please go ahead…

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

I’m Heena

Welcome to The Reading Bud, my cosy corner of the internet dedicated to all things books and authors. Here, I invite you to join me on a journey of discovering under-represented books, independent and small press authors, and all things book with a touch of love and loud purrs. Let’s get Reading!

Book of the Month

Read this captivating story on the adventures and hardships of Frank Knightlite, a man who strives to illuminate darkness with his lantern in search of answers to life’s questions.
You can get it here.
November 2021
M T W T F S S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
2930  

Reading is like breathing to me.

Recent Posts

  • Book Review: Naji And The Mystery Of The Dig By Vahid Imani

    Author: Vahid Imani Release Date: 9th May 2014 Genre: Middle-Grade Fiction Series: Edition: E-book Pages: 198 Publisher: Stormtop Publishing Blurb: One summer morning, eight-year old Naji woke up to an unusual sound. Three strangers were digging in her courtyard.…

  • Book Review: In The Shadow Of The Kingmakers by Vahid Imani

    Author: Vahid Imani Release Date: 9th February 2019 Genre: Historical Fiction, Thriller, Suspense, Mystery Series: Edition: E-book Pages: 300 Publisher: Stormtop Publishing Blurb: The shadows were closer than he thought … Tehran in 1924 is the stage for a…

  • Book Review: We Call It Monster by Lachlan Walter

    Author: Lachlan Walter Release Date: 10th February 2019 Genre: Speculative Fiction, Monster Fiction, Apocalyptic Fiction Series: Edition: E-book Pages: 251 Publisher: Severed Press Blurb: One ordinary day, an enormous creature dragged itself out of the ocean and laid waste…

  • Book Review: The Sicilian Woman’s Daughter by Linda Lo Scuro

    Author: Linda Lo Scuro Release Date: 22nd October 2018 Genre: Crime, Mystery, Suspense Series:  Edition: Paperback Pages: 296 Publisher: Sparkling Books Blurb: Most victims of the mafia are the Sicilians themselves. The role of women both as perpetrators and…

  • Book Review: A Dance Of Lies (The Outlands Pentalogy #4) by Rebecca Crunden

    Author: Rebecca Crunden Release Date: – Genre: Dystopian, Science-Fiction Fantasy, Young Adult Series: The Outlands Pentalogy (Book #4) Edition: E-book Pages: Publisher: – Blurb: A year into the Outlands and life has only become more dangerous and complex for Kitty…