Laxmi Panda: The Story of Netaji’s Youngest Spy

Laxmi Panda: The Story of Netaji’s Youngest Spy
by Savie Karnel.
Westland. Pages 221. Rs 350

From daring escapes to heart-pounding encounters, Laxmi’s missions are fraught with danger and uncertainty. Netaji’s youngest spy, she lost both her parents, railroad workers, in a bomb attack as World War II roiled Burma. She joined Indian National Army’s Rani of Jhansi Regiment, becoming its youngest soldier. Under Netaji’s guidance, she mastered the art of espionage and survival, risking everything to gather intelligence against the British.

Shadows Rising
by Rohan Monteiro.
Westland. Pages 279. Rs 399

All was going well for Akran, a powerful yaksha banished from the celestial kingdom, until a young girl was abducted. Akran finds himself drawn into the investigation, only to discover that this seemingly simple kidnapping case is actually not that simple — gods and demons are all involved. As it comes to his own past threatening his present and turn all that he holds dear to dust, Akran and his friends have to be a match for them.