Hi, dear readers! The New Year is here and with it, I set my reading goals for the year as well. Last year’s #TBRChallenge served as a huge motivation and I proudly ended up striking off some amazing titles from my wishlist. This year too I’ve aimed at reading new authors, regional languages as well as dabbling in different genres. Horror is fascinating me of late; hence Young Blood by Chandrima Das was my first pick in this genre.
About the book
College life is incomplete without its share of over-the-top drama, isn’t it? Sometimes true and often imaginative, campuses and hostels are crawling with chilling stories that are meant to terrify the weak-hearted. How does one differentiate between an urban legend and a prank gone wrong though? Young Blood is a collection of ten scary tales that are backed by first-person accounts and are horrifyingly real. Does the reader have an appetite for it?
Abandoned Khairatabad Science College, Pune’s Fergusson College, IIT Kharagpur, Kasturba Medical College, Manipur, and others, the book has stories from campuses around the country. Various make-believe versions of their origin have trickled down over the years. However, what’s true is the bloody, uncomfortable history of each place and the haunting element that comes with it. Doubting the existence of supernatural powers isn’t an option.
My thoughts
I’ve had my share of spooky college stories complete with planchette (amateurs, us), banging windows (winds, duh!) and abandoned buildings (well, girl safety). I expected the same from Young Blood and could I be more wrong! Although Chandrima has used her creativity and liberty to weave fictional stories, they are backed by physical pieces of evidence and landmarks that are as clear as day.
I was impressed with how she has incorporated societal prejudices in her stories. A North-East girl facing racism in Delhi University, IITs with their unaddressed student suicides, or my favourite, the typical ‘good girl’ mold that we’re expected to fit in. The powerful line “A ruined reputation is one of the most effective ways devised by society to control women.” is going to stay with me.
Chandrima’s writing style is beautiful, engaging, and creates perfect imagery in the reader’s mind. Every physical assault on a victim manages to rattle you mentally making you silently pray for the best. That said, I needed time to process each story and couldn’t read the book in one go. Good horror does that to you, right?
If God is true then so are spirits, at least that’s what Young Blood manages to convince you. Do give it a read for some real goosebumps!
My rating: **** 4/5 stars
About the author
Chandrima Das holds a B.Tech Computer degree from NIT Durgapur and MBA from IIM Calcutta. She has a decade-long career in management consulting and is now pursuing her writing passion full-time. Her first ebook The Talking Dead made it to the bestsellers list in the horror category. She is based in Mumbai.
Book Details
Language: English
Genre: Fiction
Available in: Paperback, Audiobook, and Kindle Edition
You can order your copy of this book from Amazon.
Written as part of the Book Review Program by Blogchatter
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Seems like an interesting read. Will surely check it out.
Do give it a read!
Loved this book. Chandrima is a wonderful storyteller. The writing, so crisp! And this quotation: I’ve also mentioned this in my review. Even shared the quote on Twitter.
Lovely review.
I loved it too. Her writing takes the book to another level. You used the quote too? So well put. Will check out your review. Thanks, Tarang!
In today’s reading, I am reading your review as third one for the same. the book seems like a great read for those who love horror genera. though, I did not prefer that genera much but your review has made me curios to know more about this book.
I have been hearing some rave reviews about this book. While I personally dont subscribe to horror genre will definitely recommend it to friends and relatives who love it.
I have read this book too.
I must say, its one of a kind for me, my first horror and its was love.
Thanks for the review
I will surely going to give it a read in this winter.
It seems like a my type of book and interesting read.
From your review, it seems like that’s a fantastic read. Though I don’t like horror stories so much, I’d recommend this to my younger son.
Well written and crisp review. I have read this book and reviewed too. The best thing about this book is every story have some take away values which we generally don’t expect from horror genre books.
The book, “Young Blood,” sounds really interesting. The genre too is fascinating and something we like. Based on your review, will be checking it out.
I am one of the weak-hearted Varsh but there is this perfect amalgamation backed by real history of each of these places you mentioned that wants me to pick this one
I am a fan of such horror genre books. Chandrima seems to have penned all the fears we usually face during our hostel days.
The book name itself very interesting. The story seems great to read . I will check out this.
This was my first read of this year. Though horror is not my genre the author definition made it a worthy read for me.
I’ve been reading a lot of reviews about this book and every one has come out appreciating it. But horror is not my genre as I get super scared by even reading horror books.
I have been hearing a lot about this book. It seems like a compelling read
Reading rave reviews about this book. Though not much into this genre, but shall surely recommend it to my friends.
This book looks to be an interesting read as college stories are actually quite full of drama. I am inclined to read more so because of mention of Fergusson college which was my college’s parent institution.
I have been hearing a lot about this book by Chandrima. It sure seems to have caught the attention of book lovers. The review done by you seems really nice and helps in making informed decision for the readers,