Age of Vice: A GMA Book Club Pick (A Novel)

This is a book that you’ll either quit on in the first half or persevere towards the end and it fully depends on what you like to read. There a complex interwoven storylines that are occasionally difficult to follow, but I really enjoyed the scenery descriptions and the development of Ajay throughout the novel. I think it lives up to most of the critic hype although I’m reserving the fifth star primarily because Neda felt like an afterthought rather than a main character and didn’t fit in with all the men in the novel that had more complex rationales for their actions than she did. I would’ve been okay in this case for the interactions between the men to have been emphasized more, but I understand why the author may have wanted to add a female perspective on the surrounding events into the mix.

Don’t expect a happy ending with a book titled Age of Vice.

“You are who you are, the past is gone. It’s the present you must master now.”
“I don’t expect you to marry the man or even the family, I expect you to marry the business.”

Do the sins of one's father have to be their legacy? Can you change your destiny? Do you want to?

In the veins of The White Tiger, we have the Wadias where money, power, dignity, and humanity are all questionable. Told in multiple narrations: Ajay, Sunny, and Neda. One act sets off a chain of misery and tragedy.

I enjoyed the novel very much but at times, the interjection of a few new characters during the 75% period started to throw me off. Too much suddenly started happening and the stories were getting a bit too far-fetched. We are now introduced to Sunil Rastogi who later becomes a big part of the story. The ending, be forewarned, leaves us with a cliffhanger. Not nice! Will I read the second novel? You betcha!

This is the first novel of a trilogy.

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4.5/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Predictable and full of cliches: 4/5
Entertainment - 4.5/5
Recommend: 5/5

Triggers⚠️: violence, social class, and misogyny.

I don’t know what’s happening lately with my book picks. They aren’t holding my attention as this one didn’t. DNF @ 25%. Another one that others seemed to enjoy but not me. Returning to library.

Honestly disappointing ending bc I have SO many unanswered questions, the book just kind of ended like... that's it? This took me so long to read bc there was this big boring middle part and I had to take hiatus. The beginning is amazing tho. Takes place in New Delhi India, about gangs, wealth, corruption, family feuds, violence. Flowery choppy writing style. Confusing af bc the timeline goes back and forth and the perspectives keep changing and the end is just a muddled mess of confusion. Theres also so many hidden and unclear implications and hints throughout.

Love the way this was written and a page turner for sure. At times it felt a bit redundant and slow but still kept my interest to keep on going. Not the ending I predicted. Heard there is a sequel to this and if so can’t wait for it! I recommend this book