Queen & King: Each is Growing a Devil Within. It Takes One Devil to Punish Another

Avanti and Dhairya haven’t had perfect lives. She’s waited tables, sold newspapers, and cleaned houses to get by, with no parental shield over her. He’s worked at a bakery to earn enough money to keep away from his troubled family.

When the two meet, they find comfort in each other’s company, forgetting that they’re trapped in a vicious cycle that society has created for people like them.

Then, the two have a baby. But what they had hoped would be a beam of light soon turns into the darkest days of their lives.

Cracks emerge in their relationship as soon as the realities of their world creep up on them. Avanti has secrets of her own, while Dhairya brews newfound trouble. She’s passionate and possessive, while he’s adamant and obsessive. When conflicts emerge, the person most affected is their baby.

But Avanti won’t let Dhairya’s changed behaviour jeopardize her child’s future.

How far will she go to protect her baby? And how much is she willing to lose?
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“Once again, Nandini Gupta leads us into a modern-day landscape of profoundly human drama, cultural tug-of-war, and tremendously satisfying storytelling. This world she creates is rich, surprising, and vital, embracing the pathos of the ordinary and transforming it into the riveting. Consumed and haunted by the past, her characters are desperate to rise beyond their personal demons and simply survive in the hopes of one day finding contentment and happiness.” – John Dietrich - Teaching faculty at Dramatists Guild Institute and New York University Tisch School of the Arts, Director, Choreographer, Educator, Writer

“Nandini delves into dreams, human frailty, and truths with an obsession that matches that of the protagonists. The fascinating structure of the narrative makes this book an engaging experience.” – Ananth Mahadevan - Indian screenwriter, actor, and film director.

“Gripping and unsettling in equal parts, Gupta skilfully leads us through the complex dance between a couple’s ideals and society’s standards. A must-read!” – Neha Hiranandani - Author of “Girl Power: Indian Women Who Broke the Rules,” Columns in The Indian Express, Vogue, Huffington Post, NDTV

“Get ready to be blown away by the unparalleled storytelling ability and vivid imagination of Nandini. Her characters are complex, their plotlines are intricate, and her writing is nothing short of poetic. Get the book and experience the magic for yourself !” – Priya Kumar - Internationally acclaimed motivational speaker, Executive coach, Author of fifteen award-winning books.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nandini Gupta is an Indian novelist. She is the author of Daughter of the Night. Currently, she is studying journalism and dramatic literature at New York University. She also works as a journalist, with her articles appearing in various publications, including The Times of India. She lives in New York.