Books review

Recently, I have read three books: "હીરાનો ખજાનો," "સાથીદારની શોધમાં," and "લોલટુનની ગુફ઼ાઓમાં." These books are written by the famous Gujarati doctor and writer I. K. Vijlivala. They are part of the adventure stories genre.

1. હીરાનો ખજાનો (Treasure of Diamonds)

The story begins with Dick, the main character and narrator of the entire series. Dick’s father worked on a ship traveling between Bira Port and Congo, Africa. When his father failed to return home, Dick discovered that he had been arrested by pirates. Determined to rescue him, Dick set out for Congo. Along the way, he was joined by Maicle Kaka, Poll, Hesling, Robert, and Jack. Later, Abira, Abana, and Matadi also became part of the group.

Their journey from Bira Port was full of challenges, including encounters with a mysterious man, the threats of John Hesling and Cobra, attacks from cannibals (Zulu), and being captured by the pirates. However, each member of the team possessed unique qualities that helped them navigate these dangers:

Dick – Intelligent and a profound reader.

Abira, Abana, and Matadi – Physically fit.

Abana – An expert in herbal medicine.

Poll – Always asking interesting questions.

Hesling – Often seen watching through a telescope.

In the end, they discovered a pot full of diamonds. Instead of keeping it all to themselves, they distributed it equally among the group and even gave a share to the pirates.

2. સાથીદારની શોધમાં (In Search of a Companion)

All the characters had settled into their lives when, unexpectedly, they discovered that their friend Abira, who was presumed dead, was actually alive in Egypt. Determined to find him, they started preparing for their journey to Egypt. A new friend, Kazi, also joined them.

Upon reaching Egypt’s vast desert, they lost their way, and two of their friends went missing. Fortunately, Kazi, who was a curator, had knowledge of ancient scripts (Lipikra). He realized that they were sitting on top of the pyramid of Pharaoh Akhenaten and Queen Nefertiti. Akhenaten was a king of Egypt who worshipped Aten, the Sun God.

Inside the pyramid, they encountered a vast and breathtaking cave, filled with dangers as well as mesmerizing sights. During their exploration, they discovered the hidden treasure of the king and his daughter—and most importantly, they found Abira. He chose a precious blue sapphire from the treasure.

However, something strange happened when they left the pyramid. While they were sleeping, Dick felt that someone had opened his bag. He later suspected that it might have been Pharaoh Akhenaten himself, as he was believed to be immortal. His and Queen Nefertiti’s mummies had never been found, possibly due to the presence of Sanjivani, a mysterious life-restoring substance.

3. લોલટુનની ગુફ઼ાઓમા (In the Caves of Loltun)

After their previous two adventures, the group was enjoying a peaceful life when Jack and Hesling received an invitation from their Mexican friend, Alberto, to visit Loltun’s caves. Alberto’s daughter, Itzel, was also there.

Upon reaching Mexico, they learned that the Maya tribe was preparing for a martyrdom ritual, in which a boy was to be sacrificed. The boy and his mother were devastated, so Dick and his friends decided to save him. Through careful planning and great courage, they managed to succeed. However, their actions angered Chilan (the high priest) and his followers, who began pursuing them.

While escaping, Dick and his group entered Loltun’s caves, which were deep and confusing. According to legend, the original Mayans still lived inside these caves. During their exploration, they made shocking discoveries:

A 12-foot-tall human skeleton—far larger than a normal human being.Normal-sized human skeletons, but with evidence of brutal killings.

Despite facing numerous challenges, they finally managed to escape the cave, taking with them a sacred staff decorated with gold and blue sapphires.

However, Chilan and his army captured the entire group, except for Abana. Abana, being a herbalist, sought the help of a group of Christian agents who opposed the ritual sacrifice. He used a special herbal root with the power to make people unconscious, which helped the group escape.

Themes

1. Nature – The beauty and dangers of different landscapes.

2. Treasure – The pursuit of hidden riches.

3. Adventure – The thrill of exploration and discovery.

4. Teamwork – How different skills and strengths contribute to success.

5. The Benefits of Helping Others – Compassion and selflessness lead to rewards.

6. Satire on Conservative Mindsets – Criticism of outdated beliefs. 

I had wrote a adventure story as  The Adventure of Shivesh's Treasure. 

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