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

  • ARC Review: Stillwater Girls by Minka Kent

    Author: Minka Kent Release Date: 9th April 2019 Genre: Thriller, Mystery Series: Edition: E-book Pages: 256 Publisher: Thomas & Mercer Blurb: Two sisters raised in fear are about to find out why in a chilling novel of psychological suspense from…

  • Book Review: The Curse Of Time (Bloodstone #1) by M.J. Mallon

    Author: M.J. Mallon Release Date: 2nd April 2018 Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy Series: Bloodstone (Book #1) Edition: E-book Pages: 237 Publisher: Kyrosmagica Publishing Blurb: Fifteen-year-old Amelina Scott lives in Cambridge with her dysfunctional family, a mysterious black cat, and an unusual girl…

  • Author Interview: Erin Rhew

    Welcome to the TRB Lounge, the part of TRB that helps authors and publishers promote their titles. Today, we are featuring Erin Rhew, author of The Transhuman Project, for our feature, Author Interview. About The Author Dwayne Gill…

  • Author Spotlight: Erin Rhew

    Welcome to TRB Lounge, the part of TRB that helps authors and publishers promote their titles. Today, we are featuring Erin Rhew, author of The Transhuman Project, for the Author Spotlight feature. About The Author Erin Rhew is…

  • ARC Review: Treading The Uneven Road by L.M. Brown

    Author: L.M. Brown Release Date: 15th March 2019 Genre: Short Story Collection, World Fiction Series:  Edition: E-book Pages: 206 Publisher: Fomite Blurb: The stories in this linked collection are set in a small village in the Northwest of Ireland in the early…