Title: Jasmine's Secret
Subtitle: A chain of catastrophic event is set in motion by a terrible act.
Author: Ummu Hurayrah (Author, writer, blogger, ghost writer and writer's coach)
Characters: Jasmine Adewole-Smith, Kay, Donald Adewole-Smith, Amanda and others
Genre: Fiction (Betrayal and revenge)
Book Analysis:
Do you know what it feels like to be sexually abused by a relative when you're still a minor?
That's the dire situation the protagonist, Jasmine Adewole-Smith finds herself at the minor age of nine. The sexual abuser, Donald Adewole-Smith is a gubernatorial candidate who lobbies the people's support with flashy manifesto and incentives. Jasmine subjects her uncle to series of blackmail as she threatens to expose him if he fails to carry out any of her demands. Jasmine seeks to bring her uncle's downfall because of his terrible act to her when she was young. Then comes Kay, the private franchise investigator who introduces himself to Jasmine as Ben and helps her to get the revenge she needs. He works for the political opponent of Donald; he feeds them with incriminating information that he gets from the RF transmitters bug he plants in Donald's office.
Jasmine set up an NGO known as Healing Hearts. It's main aim was providing help for sexually abused children. Her past propells her to set it up.
Jasmine finds out Kay's intention of getting at his Uncle as she tags it taking advantage of her to get to his uncle when she visits his house. She reads the message on his mobile phone; flares up and calls it over with Kay. She has Kay's house set ablaze and rendered him homeless in a bid to pay his old scores off. The deed is carried out by 'The Cabal' whom she gives an Intel about his uncle, both the account of the sexual molestation by her uncle.
Fate brings Kay and Jasmine back again as they joined hands with Dave to mar Donald's chances of emerging as a governor. Jasmine makes a broadcast of all the evidence she has against her uncle. Donald finally meets his waterloo as he loses in the election.
Point of view: The author accurately used a third person point of view as she was able to relate the feelings, emotions and the next line of actions of the characters.
Style: The professional usage of words by the author made her style formal as she was able
to use fitting words to show the genre of the book.
Diction: The choice of words of the author is simple but aesthetic, enlightening and develops the vocabulary of the readers.
Themes: √Repercussion for sin is absolutely inevitable
√ Sexual abuse of a child can subject her to a life of worry, pains and emotional destabilization
√Blackmail mars the political chance of a politician
√The unflinching quest for a revenge
√The crime that men do lives with them
Plot structure: The plot structure is sequential as the author unfolded the incidences bit by bit. The plot structure was arranged in order of rising action, climax, falling action and denouement/resolution. I can tell the plot is solid and explains the genre very well.
My opinion: My opinion about this book evolved immediately I started reading too. I knew I wouldn't have a bored reading. There are certain literary terms the author used that impressed me. Like,
………a much younger version of herself(line 6 of page one)
………in her place was woman, all out in a mission (line 9 of page 2)
………He was little on the short side (this is euphemism, line 14 of page 15)
……….the Don deflated like a balloon (this is simile, line 14 of page 16)
A myriads of emotions (this is partitive of an abstract noun)
My favourite part of the book is page 87 to 91 of chapter 7. The tactical defense of Jasmine and Kay against the assassinator that hides in Jasmine's house to kill her and Kay made me nod in approval. It reminded me the female heroes in all these Kung Fu movies.
Recommendation: I recommend this blockbuster to all lovers of literature, precisely fiction lovers. People who have gone through sexual abuse should read this book and find solace. Crime perpetrators should read this book and retrace their steps as crime never pays.
Critical Analysis: Frankly, the narrative strength of this book is well suited, pertinent and solid that I couldn't find any weakness in the book. The little disappointment I got was that Kay who has a feeling for Jasmine is not romantic at all. The author should have given him a cue on romance (Hahahaha, I too like romance)
Finally, the genre, plot, setting, and diction of this book make the book one of the best I have ever read. It was this book that spurned me to write my book 'Victoria's stunt.' I can attest that you won't regret getting one.
How To get the book: You can add up the author, Ummu Hurayrah to get a copy or you download it at https://okadabooks.com/book/about/jasmines_secret_/17021
Book Reviewer: Daphne Chiamaka
√Writer
√Author
√Proofreader
√Book reviewer
√Blogger
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