Title: Over-rated, over-hyped, amateurish and disappointing
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed the author's previous book (a collection of short stories called "Arranged Marriage") but this foray into magical realism left me cold. I was totally unimpressed by the plot, the main characters, and the writing style in general. There were a few bright spots, but the book just never came together.Magical realism is a powerful tool demanding a deft touch; unfortunately, "Mistress of Spices" was just plain clunky. It's a shame, because it probably could have been saved by a good editor and some thoughtful rewriting. I hope the author's next book is better.
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