Official Review: The Fifth Season by Rayna Dee

[L_Therese]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Fifth Season" by Rayna Dee.]

At one point or another, every little girl is told that fairy-tales don’t come true. In The Fifth Season, though this adage is stood on its head. The novel recounts the love story of Muskaan and Daman through infatuation, betrayal, and devastation. Yet though their fairy-tale had collapsed, the two find, after a chance meeting, that it isn't necessarily over yet. As Muskaan and Daman come to terms with the feelings that drew them together and the events that drove them apart, they must decide what it means to be in love.

Meanwhile, other new friends and acquaintances present more than just a foil to the former lovers. Muskaan strives to maintain friendship with a new admirer, whose infatuation provokes him to inexplicable bursts of ire, while she cultivates a budding relationship with his lonely younger sister. For his part, Daman must resist the deliciously tempting Amaira if he intends to preserve any shred of a chance with Muskaan. Amaira, though, isn't too shy to threaten Muskaan in her efforts to capture Daman. Among the confusion of feelings, fears, and hidden agendas, an awful but crucial question rises: what would you do for love?

Too often romance novels are either steeped in sex or thriller-type violence (or both) in order to fabricate a plot. While there is both sex and violence in this novel, the book unquestionably revolves around the central characters, using their personalities to move the story-line forward. Because the author saves the extraordinary for the climax, the novel becomes infinitely more relate-able for the average person. For most of the novel’s build-up, the reader is shown a collection of mostly-average people and given a glimpse into the stresses and pleasures of their lives.

By word of criticism, my chief complaint is the overall predictability of the novel, but this is common flaw in the genre and hard to escape without infuriating the targeted readership. It certainly doesn't ruin the experience, and the author does throw in a fairly clever twist to reach the climax. Another element that may cause some readers to struggle is the emphasis on Indian culture. At the beginning, there seems to be at least one footnote on every page explaining words used for items of clothing, foods, or similar matters specific to the culture presented. As the reader learns more about the characters’ lives, the necessity for footnotes wanes, but it can be overwhelming at the start. However, that element, in my opinion, serves to enrich the plot, and the characters were the more interesting for the way that their culture stayed with them even when they were away from their native country.

In conclusion, this was an entertaining novel - perhaps not extraordinary, but solidly enjoyable nonetheless. As such, I give it three out of four stars. For anyone in the market for a wholesome romance, please enjoy this one.

***
Buy "The Fifth Season" on Amazon

[kwamemeloy]

I applaud your skill in weaving your thoughts into this compelling analysis.

[Leona Rodrigues]

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Fifth Season" by Rayna Dee.]

At one point or another, every little girl is told that fairy-tales don’t come true. In The Fifth Season, though this adage is stood on its head. The novel recounts the love story of Muskaan and Daman through infatuation, betrayal, and devastation. Yet though their fairy-tale had collapsed, the two find, after a chance meeting, that it isn't necessarily over yet. As Muskaan and Daman come to terms with the feelings that drew them together and the events that drove them apart, they must decide what it means to be in love.

Meanwhile, other new friends and acquaintances present more than just a foil to the former lovers. Muskaan strives to maintain friendship with a new admirer, whose infatuation provokes him to inexplicable bursts of ire, while she cultivates a budding relationship with his lonely younger sister. For his part, Daman must resist the deliciously tempting Amaira if he intends to preserve any shred of a chance with Muskaan. Amaira, though, isn't too shy to threaten Muskaan in her efforts to capture Daman. Among the confusion of feelings, fears, and hidden agendas, an awful but crucial question rises: what would you do for love?

Too often romance novels are either steeped in sex or thriller-type violence (or both) in order to fabricate a plot. While there is both sex and violence in this novel, the book unquestionably revolves around the central characters, using their personalities to move the story-line forward. Because the author saves the extraordinary for the climax, the novel becomes infinitely more relate-able for the average person. For most of the novel’s build-up, the reader is shown a collection of mostly-average people and given a glimpse into the stresses and pleasures of their lives.

By word of criticism, my chief complaint is the overall predictability of the novel, but this is common flaw in the genre and hard to escape without infuriating the targeted readership. It certainly doesn't ruin the experience, and the author does throw in a fairly clever twist to reach the climax. Another element that may cause some readers to struggle is the emphasis on Indian culture. At the beginning, there seems to be at least one footnote on every page explaining words used for items of clothing, foods, or similar matters specific to the culture presented. As the reader learns more about the characters’ lives, the necessity for footnotes wanes, but it can be overwhelming at the start. However, that element, in my opinion, serves to enrich the plot, and the characters were the more interesting for the way that their culture stayed with them even when they were away from their native country.

In conclusion, this was an entertaining novel - perhaps not extraordinary, but solidly enjoyable nonetheless. As such, I give it three out of four stars. For anyone in the market for a wholesome romance, please enjoy this one.

***
Buy "The Fifth Season" on Amazon

The review is beautifully written, highlighting all the key aspects of the book.

[Nneka Bridget]

This review of The Fifth Season highlights the book's relatable characters and emotional depth, which are essential for a compelling romance. The focus on cultural elements adds richness to the narrative, making it more engaging. While predictability is noted, it doesn't seem to detract from the overall enjoyment. I'm intrigued by the themes of love and personal growth, making me consider adding this to my reading list.

[Neto Onuoha]

Your review of The Fifth season is applaudable, though this isn’t my type of book because I don’t believe in fairy tales especially those that have to do with love. Seems like a good book for all those who believe in fairytale love stories.