Shahid Insaf's 3 Tales of Vengeance is exactly as the title states. In this book are three stories that all have two things in common. The first thing is they are all tales of vengeance. The second is that all the stories have little unexpected surprises in them.

I enjoyed 3 Tales of Vengeance much more than I thought I would. Insaf has gained me as a fan because of the little surprises that he throws in his works. In the first story, Vengeance for a Friend, the main character is trying to avenge his best friend’s death. While reading the story, I was rooting for the main character and even felt bad for him at times. This story caught me by surprise at the very end.

The second story, Vengeance for Life, was my least favorite of the three, but Insaf was still able to surprise me with the ending. In this one, the main character is forced to seek professional help for his depression. I understood why the character was depressed but I actually ended up supporting the doctor more.

The third story, Vengeance of Love, was by far my favorite in this book. When a poker star’s friend is kidnapped, he is forced to pay the ransom. By the time I got to this tale, I knew that Insaf would have a surprise for me. What the surprise was never crossed my mind and it forced me to reread several parts to see how things fitted together. Because I simply adore it when I cannot figure out what will happen in a story is the reason why I highly recommend this book!

Shahid Insaf's 3 Tales of Vengeance is the story of three people from three different walks of life, but they have one thing in common: revenge. There is an aura of mystery around the characters from the very beginning. Writers usually start their novels with introducing the characters by their names. We are introduced to the characters with violence. The three main characters are introduced as a loyal friend who goes out of his way to avenge his friend, Mike, a poker player who is going to use it all to save the one person who matters the most to him, and the third character is a suicidal man and a psychiatrist who is trying to save him.

I won’t say much about the characters because that will ruin the mystery and the fun. You will have to read it to experience it. I will, however, tell you about the novel. It is very well written; the atmosphere is that of intrigue from the beginning. You will be desperate to know the man who swore vengeance against the men who killed his friend and tried to kill the man himself. You will be desperate to know if the poker player won his hand or not. And you will want to know if the suicidal man actually lived.

This is some very powerful writing. I did not want to put it down. I wanted to read till the end to know what was happening, who they were, and if they manage to save themselves and get the revenge they wanted. This is definitely a thriller, a dark thriller that you will like very, very much. Terrifyingly good.

This debut thriller, a trio of novellas, features characters who crave some type of retribution and go about achieving it in diverse ways.

Insaf smartly opens his book with a traditional revenge story...Vengeance for a Friend. The somewhat reserved “Vengeance for a Life” follows Sam Chance, whose daughter Lucy’s death from leukemia led to his mental collapse...The titular vengeance—whose or why—isn’t revealed until later, with a conclusion that, though somber, is surprisingly bittersweet. The final story, “Vengeance for Love,” is both the best and most exhilarating... Insaf’s prose is straightforward, befitting characters like the narrator in “Friend,” whose single-minded goal is the sole driving force...All three stories have laudable endings, but “Love” is a slam-dunk and sure to make most readers peruse the tale again—or possibly the entire book.

Potent stories and strong-willed characters converge to form a well-rounded collection.

Fans of simple but effective prose and carefully-constructed plotting will relish these three superior stories of revenge, told from very different perspectives; one features a quest to avenge a best friend’s death, and a second, a desperate attempt by a winning gambler to protect a friend being held hostage. The tour de force is a sophisticated account of the deepening relationship between a man thinking of ending his life and his psychologist, which makes their therapy sessions as suspenseful as an action thriller. Well-developed characters and a talent for misdirection are other pluses.

Overall Score: 8.75/10

3 Tales of Vengeance will catch you from the beginning. All three stories are intriguing and will keep you wanting to keep those pages turning. In has humor, excitement, wonder and endearment in each story. I didn't want to put it down and when finished wanted to read again. I hope we see more writings from this author.

This book was an incredible journey. The twist at the end of the first story was absolutely mind blowing.

I enjoyed the book with its fast pace and gripping plots. The second tale is a psychological treat, almost brought me to tears. The author has good imagination and he can play with words and thoughts to keep you engaged in the stories, as a seasoned poker player.

3 Gripping,fast-paced stories taking you into the depths of the human psyche,validating human grit and playfully delving into how humans interact. Few short stories are successful in developing their characters as Insaf masterfully did in this debut. Unquestionably a page turner, can't wait to read a sequel.

I read this book in ONE NIGHT. I was hooked from page one! The stories are exciting, terrifying, and wonderful, all at the same time!

Not a fan of fiction.. but this one is an exception!!!
Unbelievable, riveting, vivid stories.. puts you right in the middle of the story as if you are living, smelling and breathing it..
Stories are so palpable!!
I couldn't put it down until it was over!
Can't wait for this author to write more stories!!!