#Aparna Verma

[skatesfullofsunshine]

Things I loved about reading The Phoenix King;

The depth of emotions which Aparna Verma painted throughout. Even when I wholeheartedly disagreed with a certain character, I can see how their development had them arrive at that point in their narrative.

A proactive protagonist; Elena is a kickass character, who genuinely made me love her more throughout the book. I appreciated someone who took such charge of her own narrative, leaving no room for any question that she is the main character.

Believable political machinations; the good and the bad, were there, and done well, in my humble opinion. Furthermore, what happened had real consequences for the characters, rather than them just being background to everything else going on.

The promise of the premise was met, in full; what the synopsis said, is what happened.

Overall, I fully recommend this book, and it was a 5 star read for me. I can't wait to get book 2 in my hands one day. If this was Aparna Verma's debut, even as a re-published book, then I definitely will be reading more of her work in the future!

[checkoutmybookshelf]

Elena Isn't Sitting Around Telling Sad Stories of the Deaths of Kings. She's Burning Shit Down

There's a trend in adult fantasy lately of mixing magic and technology and religion in some SUPER interesting ways. I loved it in Fonda Lee's Green Bone Saga, NE Davenport's The Blood Trials, and now in Aparna Verma's The Phoenix King. Quite honestly, I was sold by the Indian-inspired world with morally grey protagonists and firebending, so finding out that there was tech mixing with magic here too was a nice bonus. This book also does one of my favorite things ever, and includes some really stunning character art in the inner cover...of a PAPERBACK. Publishers: More of that, please. I'm going to do my best to avoid spoilers below, because honestly I think more people should read and love this book and it's rich, complex world, phenomenal characters, deliberate pacing, and lovely writing. Let's talk The Phoenix King.

The world of Verma's debut novel explodes onto the pages fully formed, delightfully complex, and on the verge if shattering. Between the Raveni and Jantari enmity, the Ahrohassain twining into those cracks and applying pressure and murder in equal measures, and some twisted history with gods and fire magic, protagonist and heir to Ravence's throne Elena has her work cut out for her.

Elena is the heir to a kingdom and religion that expect her, like their Phoenix, to control fire. The only problem is that our clever, stubborn, ruthless girl cannot, and her father is no help.

Leo, the current king, is grappling with geopolitical machinations, single-parenthood, grief, possibly some low-key madness, and the shattering conflict of wanting his daughter to be a strong queen and maybe not wanting to give up his power. And despite his desperate bids to leave Elena a stable kingdom, bringing in Samson, the landless king with an army, for a political marriage to Elena, just sets everything on the final downward spiral.

And that's before we remember that we have one more wild card in play: Yassen Knight. (Literally it took me this whole book to train myself out of going, "Yassen? As in Gregorovich???" So thanks for nothing there, Anthony Horowitz...) Yassen has all the world-weariness of a soldier who doesn't understand how he is still alive in a world that keeps dragging him back to hell no matter how many times he hears "just one last mission..."

Elena and Yassen's connection is immediate, but their relationship is best described as a slow burn. The parts of each of them that are wounded recognize each other, but it takes their brains a while to catch up.

Generally speaking, the worldbuikdig and character work are the key reasons to read this book. Both are beautifully done independently, and Verma takes it to the next level by having each inform and influence the other. I haven't seen worldbuilding this quietly understated but beautifully intricate in a while, and that background for some genuinely complex characters is just a stunning combination.

I have more to say about this book, but most of it involves fangirling over massive spoilers, so I will leave you for now with a five-star rating and a strong recommendation to read this incredible book. One can only hope that the next two books of the trilogy come out SOON!

[teartra]

The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma is a Miraculous Ladybug fanfic… in this essay I will—

[betterbooksandthings]

The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma

The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma is the perfect slice of sci-fi/ fantasy for anyone longing to sink their teeth into a world filled with political intrigue and magical-religious quandaries. Here, the right to rule comes from the Phoenix who gifts her rulers with the ability to handle flames, but the burden of flames comes with a price. Elena Aadya Ravence is a princess coming into her power as the next ruler on the eve of her twenty-fifth birthday. With rebels threatening the peace in the streets and armies encroaching on their borders, Elena is determined to do anything she can to secure the throne, from an engagement to the commander of a small private army to backdoor political maneuvering to attempting to control the flames that define her family’s right to rule. Her father, Leo Malhari Ravence is preparing his kingdom for his daughter’s rule and he is willing to do anything to control his kingdom and ensure her safety. Finally, Yassen Knight is an ex-assassin who joins the princess’s guard and gives up his old organizations secrets in exchange for a pardon that could give him the free life he longs for. It will be up to the princess, king, and assassin to ensure peace in freedom in the kingdom if they don’t succumb to the very things they are desperately trying to control.

I am going to be honest when I say this is an excellent book with a complex magic system and a well-thought-out religious/ governmental system. The politics behind the political unrest is clear and each character has a clear point of view that fleshes out the world. All that being said, my personal tastes tend to lean a bit funnier and romantic. I don’t need every other line to be a joke, but I tend to enjoy having at least one character that breaks some of the dramatic tension. I also went into the book believing that the romance subplot was going to be a bit bigger than it was. This book had a whisper of a romantic subplot at the end with some mild yearning sprinkled in. Given the ending, I imagine Book Two will cover the impact of the romantic subplot introduced in Book One. That is all to say this is not a particularly funny or romantic book and that is completely fine. Sci-fi fantasy books with heavy political intrigue and complex magic systems are in demand and I think a slow-paced book like this one is perfect for those readers.

Thank you Orbit Books for providing me with an arc for an honest review in anticipation of the release of The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma set to come out August 31, 2021.

[damzelsart]

Leo Ravence from The Phoenix King

ig: @/damzelsart

[starlightshadowsworld]

The urge to write about a Vishkanya.

A young women who is trained from her youth to not only be immune to posions.

Using the good ol mithradates approved methods of course.

But used as assassin's against powerful enemies in Ancient India.

... And have her infiltrate the palace to assassinate the greatest enemy of them all.

Why the Empress of India herself.

Queen Victoria.

That or just the British Raj.

[rrcraft-and-lore]

In addition to my Monkey Man post from earlier, the always kind & sweet Aparna Verma (author of The Phoenix King, check it out) asked that I do a thread on Hijras, & more of the history around them, South Asia, mythology (because that's my thing), & the positive inclusion of them in Monkey Man which I brought up in my gushing review.

Hijra: They are the transgender, eunuch, or intersex people in India who are officially recognized as the third sex throughout most countries in the Indian subcontinent. The trans community and history in India goes back a long way as being documented and officially recognized - far back as 12th century under the Delhi Sultanate in government records, and further back in our stories in Hinduism. The word itself is a Hindi word that's been roughly translated into English as "eunuch" commonly but it's not exactly accurate.

Hijras have been considered the third sex back in our ancient stories, and by 2014 got official recognition to identify as the third gender (neither male or female) legally. Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and India have accepted: eunuch, trans, intersex people & granted them the proper identification options on passports and other government official documents.

But let's get into some of the history surrounding the Hijra community (which for the longest time has been nomadic, and a part of India's long, rich, and sometimes, sadly, troubled history of nomadic tribes/people who have suffered a lot over the ages. Hijras and intersex people are mentioned as far back as in the Kama Sutra, as well as in the early writings of Manu Smriti in the 1st century CE (Common Era), specifically said that a third sex can exist if possessing equal male and female seed.

This concept of balancing male/female energies, seed, and halves is seen in two places in South Asian mythos/culture and connected to the Hijra history.

First, we have Aravan/Iravan (romanized) - who is also the patron deity of the transgender community. He is most commonly seen as a minor/village deity and is depicted in the Indian epic Mahabharata. Aravan is portrayed as having a heroic in the story and his self-sacrifice to the goddess Kali earns him a boon.

He requests to be married before his death. But because he is doomed to die so shortly after marriage, no one wants to marry him.

No one except Krishna, who adopts his female form Mohini (one of the legendary temptresses in mythology I've written about before) and marries him. It is through this union of male, and male presenting as female in the female form of Mohini that the seed of the Hijras is said to begun, and why the transgender community often worships Aravan and, another name for the community is Aravani - of/from Aravan.

But that's not the only place where a gender non conforming divine representation can be seen. Ardhanarishvara is the half female form of lord Shiva, the destroyer god.

Shiva combines with his consort Parvarti and creates a form that represents the balancing/union between male/female energies and physically as a perfectly split down the middle half-male half-female being. This duality in nature has long been part of South Asian culture, spiritual and philosophical beliefs, and it must be noted the sexuality/gender has often been displayed as fluid in South Asian epics and the stories. It's nothing new.

Many celestial or cosmic level beings have expressed this, and defied modern western limiting beliefs on the ideas of these themes/possibilities/forms of existence.

Ardhanarishvara signifies "totality that lies beyond duality", "bi-unity of male and female in God" and "the bisexuality and therefore the non-duality" of the Supreme Being.

Back to the Hijra community.

They have a complex and long history. Throughout time, and as commented on in the movie, Monkey Man, the Hijra community has faced ostracization, but also been incorporated into mainstream society there. During the time of the Dehli Sultanate and then later the Mughal Empire, Hijras actually served in the military and as military commanders in some records, they were also servants for wealthy households, manual laborers, political guardians, and it was seen as wise to put women under the protection of Hijras -- they often specifically served as the bodyguards and overseers of harems. A princess might be appointed a Hijra warrior to guard her.

But by the time of British colonialism, anti-Hijra laws began to come in place folded into laws against the many nomadic tribes of India (also shown in part in Monkey Man with Kid (portrayed by Dev Patel) and his family, who are possibly

one of those nomadic tribes that participated in early theater - sadly by caste often treated horribly and relegated to only the performing arts to make money (this is a guess based on the village play they were performing as no other details were given about his family).

Hijras were criminalized in 1861 by the Indian Penal Code enforced by the British and were labeled specifically as "The Hijra Problem" -- leading to an anti-Hijra campaign across the subcontinent with following laws being enacted: punishing the practices of the Hijra community, and outlawing castration (something many Hijra did to themselves). Though, it should be noted many of the laws were rarely enforced by local Indian officials/officers. But, the British made a point to further the laws against them by later adding the Criminal Tribes Act in 1871, which targeted the Hijra community along with the other nomadic Indian tribes - it subjected them to registration, tracking/monitoring, stripping them of children, and their ability to sequester themselves in their nomadic lifestyle away from the British Colonial Rule.

Today, things have changed and Hijras are being seen once again in a more positive light (though not always and this is something Monkey Man balances by what's happened to the community in a few scenes, and the heroic return/scene with Dev and his warriors). All-hijra communities exist and sort of mirror the western concept of "found families" where they are safe haven/welcoming place trans folks and those identifying as intersex.

These communities also have their own secret language known as Hijra Farsi, which is loosely based on Hindi, but consists of a unique vocabulary of at least 1,000 words.

As noted above, in 2014, the trans community received more legal rights.

Specifically: In April 2014, Justice K. S. Radhakrishnan declared transgender to be the third gender in Indian law in National Legal Services Authority v. Union of India.

Hijras, Eunuchs, apart from binary gender, be treated as "third gender" for the purpose of safeguarding their rights under Part III of our Constitution and the laws made by the Parliament and the State Legislature. Transgender persons' right to decide their self-identified gender is also upheld and the Centre and State Governments are directed to grant legal recognition of their gender identity such as male, female or as third gender.

I've included some screenshots of (some, not all, and certainly not the only/definitive reads) books people can check out about SOME of the history. Not all again. This goes back ages and even our celestial beings/creatures have/do display gender non conforming ways.

There are also films that touch on Hijra history and life. But in regards to Monkey Man, which is what started this thread particularly and being asked to comment - it is a film that positively portrayed India's third sex and normalized it in its depiction. Kid the protagonist encounters a found family of Hijras at one point in the story (no spoilers for plot) and his interactions/acceptance, living with them is just normal. There's no explaining, justifying, anything to/for the audience. It simply is. And, it's a beautiful arc of the story of Kid finding himself in their care/company.

[bookcub]

24 in 2024

so three people have tagged me in this meme soooooo this is for @sixofravens-reads @asexualbookbird and @dustjacketmusings

hopefully this year i wont lose this list as i seem to do every other there

1. the fifth season by nk jemisin

2. the phoenix king by aparna verma

3. the darkening by sunya mara

4. godly heathens by h.e. edgmon

5. burn for me by ilona andrews

6. a power unbound by freya marske

7. emily wilde's map of the otherlands by heather fawcett

8. godkiller by hannah kaner

9. a study in drowning by ava reid

10. a spear cuts through water by simon jimenez

11. mickey chambers shakes it up by charish reid (dnf)

12. oathbound by tracy deonn (2025 pub date)

13. a sorceress comes to call by t kingfisher

14. long live evil by sarah rees brennan

15. the ashfire king by chelsea abdullah (2025 pub date)

16. faebound by saara el-arifi

17. atana and the firebird by vivian zhou

18. gods of jade and shadow by silvia morena-garcia

19. a song of salvation by alechia dow

20. ink blood sister scribe by emma torzs

21. warrior girl unearthed by angeline boulley

22. dragonfall by l r lam

23. bitter medicine by mia tsai

24. before i let go by kennedy ryan

tagging anyone who wants to do this!!

[butimjustagirllll]

Has anyone read The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma? Spoiler free reviews pls

[publishing-pitaara]

JJ Crowns Chose Regal Writing Persona For Inkwell Invitational Writing Contest - 2024

JJ Crowns, an organization dedicated to fostering creativity worldwide, proudly announces the selection of the Majestic Writing Personality for the Inkwell Invitational Writing Contest - 2024. JJ Crowns endeavors to provide endless opportunities to passionate artists worldwide. The underlying ethos of JJ Crowns is to elevate global talent and reflect this through profound insights.

It is an innovative endeavor to uncover the printed talents. The full form of JJ is Jay Jagannath, symbolizing the celebration of achievements globally with the blessings of Lord Jagannath. Miss. Jyotirmayee Panda, the CEO and founder, initiated JJ Crowns with this noble aspiration, which has swiftly gained popularity in a short span of time. SEO Mr. Farhan Alam Lari, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Miss. Mehak Sarna, and other team members have propelled JJ Crowns into the limelight within a brief period.

In the 'Inkwell Invitational Writing Contest - 2024,' we proudly selected the best three winners: Barshita Das, Aparna J, and Dashrath Kumawat 'anajane marusthali.' The results were adjudicated by our esteemed judge Mr. Sharad SP Jain. In this competition, it's not merely about winning or losing; what truly matters is the effort and dedication of all the participants.

To all the writers who generously shared their time to infuse innovation through writing and enhance the beauty of this virtual awards show, the JJ Crowns team has acknowledged and promoted each one, anticipating their continued growth.

JJ Crowns proudly announces the names of the awardees: Apoorva, Rhishabh Gurwara, Usha Shree V, Soniya Goyal, Durgadasi Nath Sharma, Khan Firdous, Karishma, Shweta Ghorawat, Harpreet M Caur, Achyut Umarji, Sonika, Dashrath Kumawat 'anajane marusthali,' Savita Chauhan, Smaranika Shradhanjali, Mahima, Pinky Dewangan, Abinaya GR, Samarth Nandagudi U, Aritra Datta, R.Vaibhav, Pandit KK Prajapati, Swati Vaishnav, Muskan Jain, Tony Sagar. Chiluvuri, Aparna J, Shreyasi Hati, Sneh Jyoti, Krishna Varsha Sagi, Marissa Keen, Lakshmi.R.K, Bhagyashree Singh Dasila, Nidarshana Das, Barshita Das, Meghaa Mundhra, Ashu Verma Chaubey, Dr. Vibhav Saxena, Sandeep Yadav, and others.

In conclusion, JJ Crowns sincerely appreciates your support, love, effort, and cooperation.

[niiiyyyy]

Just finished The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma

Hated the main character, so naturally hated the romance aspect of this book. He's a coward and selfish. Him choosing to save the main protagonist in the last quarter of the book was bc of his desire for her. It was not believable that he changed bc he believed in her. Definitely a character driven novel, dual pov allowed for great insight into multiple characters. Regardless of whether i like or dislike characters, they were all complex and great. Solid plot, slow in some parts, but overall, really good. 4/5

[skatesfullofsunshine]

Me, reading The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma - "I support women's rights, but I also support women's wrongs."

[checkoutmybookshelf]

Reading The Phoenix King and uh...I know Elena didn't bang Yassen explicitly to tire him out so she could go blow up a mine without adding to his emotional burdens...but you will never ever convince me that our girl didn't think that would be a nice side benefit if she could pull it off. She is way too calculating for that.

[delhinewsinenglish]

WPL Final: In-form DC look to win maiden WPL title after falling short last year

In-form Delhi Capitals, led by the inspirational Meg Lanning, would hope to be second time lucky and lift their maiden Women's Premier League title when they take on a plucky Royal Challengers Bangalore in the summit clash here on Sunday.

After missing out on the title in WPL's inaugural edition last year, losing by seven wickets to Mumbai Indians in the final, DC looked a rejuvenated side this year.

DC have been in superb form this year, topping the five-team league standings with 12 points from eight matches.

Lanning has led DC from the front, scoring 308 runs from eight innings, while South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp and Australian left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen are the highest wicket-takers for the side with 11 scalps each.

DC's only two defeats this season came against Mumbai Indians UP Warriorz. Leaving aside those two matches, they have enjoyed a near-perfect campaign.

Going into the final, they will definitely start as favourites, having never lost to RCB in four meetings.

But having said that, past results will hardly have any significance in the final. It will be a new day and the the side which can withstand pressure and expectations will lift the title.

DC will expect the explosive Shafali Verma to provide them with a quick start alongside Lanning.

Jemimah Rodrigues has been in fine nick in the middle, but Lanning would expect more contributions from the likes of all-rounders Alice Capsey and Kapp.

On the bowling front, Jonassen has been the star performer but the likes of Kapp and Shikha Pandey too have contributed.

Left-arm spinner Radha Yadav has also been effective with 10 wickets and the home team will definitely depend a lot on its spinners in a relatively slow Kotla pitch.

RCB, on the other hand, finished third in the league phase after an inconsistent run that yielded eight points from as many games but they clicked when it mattered, knocking out defending champions MI by five runs in the eliminator here on Friday.

All-rounder Ellyse Perry will be key to RCB's success on Sunday as besides being the highest run-getter with 312 runs, the Australian has been impressive with the ball, scalping seven wickets.

If not for Perry's all-round show against MI on Friday, the result could have been different. She first played a vital 50-ball 66-run knock and then returned with figures of 1/29 to play a key role in RCB's journey to the final.

But Perry would look for more support from the likes of skipper Smriti Mandhana, Sophie Devine, Richa Ghosh and Sophie Molineux with the bat.

However if RCB were to stop DC, they would need efforts from their bowlers, especially the likes of Renuka Singh, Shreyanka Patil, Georgia Wareham etc.

All in all it promises to be a cracker of a contest with the balance slightly tilted towards hosts DC.

Teams (from):

Delhi Capitals: Taniya Bhatia (wk), Laura Harris, Meg Lanning (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Alice Capsey, Marizanne Kapp, Shikha Pandey, Annabel Sutherland, Jess Jonassen, Minnu Mani, Poonam Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Titas Sadhu, Radha Yadav, Ashwani Kumari, Aparna Mondal, V Sneha Deepthi.

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Richa Ghosh (wk), Disha Kasat, Smriti Mandhana (c), Sabbhineni Meghana, Indrani Roy, Satheesh Shubha, Heather Knight, Simran Bahadur, Nadine de Klerk, Sophie Devine, Shreyanka Patil, Ellyse Perry, Asha Sobhana, Ekta Bisht, Kate Cross, Sophie Molineux, Shradda Pokharkar, Renuka Singh, Georgia Wareham.

Source : WPL Final: In-form DC look to win maiden WPL title after falling short last year

[davidwarner9615]

Who is the best marriage counsellors in India?

In the kaleidoscope of human emotions and relationships, finding the right guide can make all the difference. Marriage counsellors In india play a pivotal role in helping couples navigate the tumultuous waters of married life. In the context of India, where cultural nuances and diverse backgrounds influence relationships, the search for the best marriage counselor becomes even more crucial.

Understanding the Role: How to Become a Marriage Counsellors in India

Embarking on a journey to become a marriage counselor in India requires a unique blend of empathy, communication skills, and professional training. Aspiring counselors often pursue degrees in psychology, social work, or counseling. Specialized courses in marriage and family therapy further equip them with the tools needed to address the complexities of interpersonal relationships.

In India, recognized institutions and universities offer comprehensive programs tailored to meet the specific challenges of counseling in diverse cultural settings. These programs emphasize the importance of cultural sensitivity, a key attribute for any marriage counselor operating in a multicultural society.

Seeking Guidance: Best Marriage Counsellors in India

When it comes to choosing the best marriage counselor, a one-size-fits-all approach doesn't apply. Different counselors bring unique perspectives and approaches to the table. However, a few names have consistently stood out for their expertise and success in guiding couples towards healthier relationships.

1. Dr. Aparna Gupta: Dr. Gupta's extensive experience in marriage counseling, combined with her empathetic approach, has earned her a reputation as one of the leading marriage counselors in the country. Her client testimonials attest to her ability to foster open communication and understanding between partners.

2. Rajiv and Nandini Verma: This dynamic husband-and-wife counseling duo has gained popularity for their holistic approach to relationship counseling. Their workshops and personalized sessions have positively impacted countless couples, making them a sought-after choice.

3. Priya Sharma: Priya Sharma's unique blend of traditional Indian values and modern counseling techniques has resonated with many. Her commitment to tailoring counseling strategies to individual couples' needs sets her apart in the field.

Opportunities and Challenges: Family and Marriage Counsellor Vacancies in India

The demand for qualified marriage counselors in India has been on the rise. Organizations, both public and private, recognize the importance of providing support to individuals and couples facing relationship challenges. Job portals regularly feature openings for family and marriage counselor positions across the country.

However, entering the field comes with its own set of challenges. The stigma associated with seeking professional help for relationship issues still exists in certain pockets of society. This underscores the need for counselors to not only offer guidance but also work towards destigmatizing the act of seeking help.

Breaking Barriers: Free Pre-Marriage Counselling in India

Recognizing the financial constraints faced by many couples, some counselors and organizations in India have taken the initiative to provide free pre-marriage counseling. These sessions aim to equip couples with the necessary tools for a strong foundation, fostering healthier relationships from the outset.

While these initiatives contribute significantly to community welfare, the challenge lies in making such services more widely accessible. Government support and collaboration with non-profit organizations could play a pivotal role in expanding the reach of free counseling services.

The Human Touch: Crafting Meaningful Connections in Marriage Counseling

Beyond degrees and certifications, what sets the best marriage counselors apart is their ability to establish genuine connections with their clients. A successful counseling session goes beyond providing solutions; it involves creating a safe space for open dialogue, fostering understanding, and guiding couples towards mutual growth.

conclusion

In conclusion, the quest for the best marriage counselor in India involves a nuanced understanding of individual needs, cultural dynamics, and a commitment to fostering healthy relationships. Whether you're considering a career in marriage counseling or seeking guidance for your own relationship, the key lies in recognizing the unique blend of skills and personal touch that defines the best in the field.

[damzelsart]

[Fan Art: Elena Ravence & Yassen Knight from The Phoenix King by Aparna Verma]

This was the first piece I finished in January and back then, the one thing I didn’t really like about it back then was the skin. So, I decided to touch up this piece, especially the skin, the other day!

ig & twt: damzelsart