Publisher: Astitva Prakashan (2025)
Total Pages: 202
Reviewed By: Neel Preet
Author Nikitha Kunta’s debut novel, “Beneath The Burnt Pages” is not your typical love story; in fact, it is far more intimate, fragile and hauntingly profound. Rooted deeply in the genre of literary fiction, this remarkable book offers the readers a soulful meditation on grief, emotional resilience and the beauty of quiet companionship. Set against the evocative backdrop of a Turkish village, the narrative flows like a soft breeze that occasionally cuts sharp like a memory. Interestingly, it is a novel that does not shout; it whispers and slowly unfolding the truths that sit heavy on the heart. Besides, the manner in which the author had carried out the task of storytelling in her book is captivating enough to make the readers quench for more with every turn of the page, and this is something that actually makes this title reading worthy!
Author Nikitha Kunta is known for her book, “Beneath The Burnt Pages” which is a deeply emotional slow-burn novel about love, loss, and healing. She writes stories that gently unravel the human emotions — stories that speak through the silence and linger long after the final page. Originally from India and now based in the United States, Nikitha balances her career in supply chain management with her passion for storytelling. She finds joy in listening to strangers’ stories, telling them in new ways, and spending quiet moments in her own company — often on long walks, soaking in the magic of everyday life. Whereas, this particular title, “Beneath The Burnt Pages” is published by Astitva Prakashan and is released during the period of May 2025. Also, the book is available in both paperback as well as in e-book format and the readers can find this title on all the top online marketplaces.
The story in this book, “Beneath The Burnt Pages” begins when Poo, who is a cultural researcher, stumbles upon a partially burnt diary during her work in a remote Turkish village. What she discovers within those scorched pages is Maya’s story — a woman shaped by silence, burdened by duty and scarred by a love that came too late. From this point forward, author Nikitha Kunta’s narrative switches between the present and the emotional past chronicled in Maya’s diary, immersing the readers in a poignant exploration of what it means to love quietly and suffer silently. The juxtaposition between the researcher and the subject adds a layer of reflection to the storytelling, making it not just Maya’s journey, but also a journey of understanding for those who are able find her words!
On top of that the novel presents the delicate and a reluctant relationship between Maya and Arjun, the two broken people who were brought together by an arranged marriage, which neither of them asked for. Arjun, a man encased in silence and distant grief, mirrors Maya’s internal torment. Both are mourning something, probably someone, and yet find themselves forced into a shared existence. What follows is a slow-burn progression, where the healing does not come in the grand gestures but in subtle shifts. It is this quiet evolution of the emotional intimacy that becomes the soul of this incredible novel. Author’s prose is lyrical yet restrained, capturing the moments with a tenderness that is both rare as well as affecting. She allows her characters space to breathe and bleed. Her writing refuses to rush the journey, mirroring real grief which has no timetable.
One of the Notable Strengths of this book is the author’s deep understanding of the human emotions. She does not seek to entertain with flashy plot twists or high-stakes drama. Instead, she captures the small, quiet revolutions that happen within the people when they finally learn to feel again. There is a certain magic in her portrayal of stillness — in shared silences, in unspoken words, in the soft unraveling of guarded hearts. The novel feels deeply personal, as if the author has poured the pieces of her own soul into its pages. She handles the tensions with sensitivity and realism. Her characters are not superheroes — they make mistakes, they retreat, they hurt and they forgive. The resolution does not come in the form of a happily ever after but in hard earned emotional clarity. It is this honesty that gives the story its quiet power!
Even more, this particular novel also serves as a love letter to those who have experienced love that never reached its full bloom, to those who waited too long, and to those who finally chose themselves. It is for anyone who has been trapped by the circumstance and longed for freedom — not of place, but of heart. And in this way, “Beneath The Burnt Pages” becomes more than a story; it becomes a mirror held up to anyone who has ever loved in silence. As it is only through the character of Maya, that author Nikitha Kunta explored the themes of self-worth, emotional independence and the courage it takes to walk away from something that once felt like love but was never quite enough.
Now, upon reaching the final part of the review, i.e. the Book Verdict, we can conclude that a title like “Beneath The Burnt Pages” is for sure a reading worthy title. The book deserves a chance by the readers as it is a masterful novel that lingers long after the final chapter. It is not a book you simply read; rather it is one that you feel. From the lyrical prose to the emotionally rich character arcs, author Nikitha Kunta has crafted a novel that quietly dismantles the idea of what love stories should be and instead delivers what they can be — raw, healing and profoundly human. Moreover, the author’s writing respects the slowness of emotional healing, the uncomfortable pauses in the conversation and the time it takes to unlearn the sorrow!
For fans of slow-burn literary fiction, emotional depth and stories that speak to the soul, this book is a MUST READ. It reminds us that sometimes, the most powerful transformations happen not with fireworks, but with embers that refuse to die out — embers that glow beneath the burnt pages.
Book’s Link: https://www.amazon.in/dp/9370020675
