⭐️ 3.5/5.

NetGalley review.

Whilst the book was very interesting and thought provoking, the presentation I found quite difficult to be able to read. I would have liked to see some images that I can relate what’s being spoken about.

Reading about the internal barriers was very interesting and I found this particularly section very helpful.

“You possess the extraordinary power to reverse this trajectory”.

Not something I would really read normally, but I was drawn in by the cover.

For me, this book presents a powerful thesis: our Intellect, distinct from mere intelligence or knowledge, is humanity’s most formidable asset, shaping not just our personal lives but the world at large. Drawing from metaphysical insight and decades of engineering and consciousness research, Karan invites us readers to recognize and cultivate this inner force as a safeguard against complacency.

What resonated with me was the balance of theory and application. The repetition of reinforcement, some things were revisited many times, which was important, but at the same time, some people might find that a bit overemphasized.
What felt less smooth was the heavy tone; the author’s sense of urgency sometimes tips into intensity. While the call to action feels sincere, a steadier, calmer tone would be better.

Final thoughts:
Cherish or Perish is a bold, reflective prompt to reclaim the power of our inner thinking. Its strength lies in merging deep ideas with real-world applicabilityencouraging readers to shape their destiny with intention rather than drift through life passively.
If you're drawn to self-help that blends philosophical depth with practical steps, and if you're ready to take introspective action, this book offers both the wake-up call and the roadmap.

-Plot/Content: 4/5 — Strong, motivational concept with depth.
-Writing Style: 3.5/5 — Clear and disciplined, though dense in places.
-Originality: 4/5 — The metaphysical angle on intellect stands out.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

Thank you to NetGalley and author Prabha Karan for the opportunity to read Cherish or Perish.
This is my honest review of the ARC I received and I truly appreciate it!

🧠 My thoughts while reading & some inner discussions that I had with myself (that was FUN!) 🧠

🧠 Chapter 1: I couldn’t fully agree with the idea that every action affects your body. Life is unpredictable, and genetics aren’t something you can control with intellect alone. That concept felt a bit too rigid. The book explores life after death through the “subtle body,” which is intriguing, but without scientific backing, it’s hard to accept unless you’re religious or spiritually inclined. Reincarnation is a major theme, and while many people want to believe in something beyond death, it’s a concept that invites skepticism when not supported by research. The idea that every thought shapes your reality felt exaggerated — if that were true, we’d all be living perfect lives. Sadly (or maybe thankfully), reality doesn’t work that way.

🧠 Chapter 2: Yes, people act on impulse sometimes, but ideally, decisions come from intellect and analysis - if someone’s emotionally mature. I liked the author’s emphasis on personal responsibility, but I wish there was more nuance. Fate, illness, and other people’s actions aren’t always within our control. I’ve heard similar ideas from psychologists, and while I get the intention, it can feel invalidating - especially when someone blames your health issues or toxic relationships on your own choices. That’s not always fair.

The idea that indulging in desires is a waste of time? That didn’t sit right with me. If reading brings me joy, is that a waste? I don’t think so. The claim that success is always meticulously crafted also felt off. Sure, discipline matters but luck, privilege, and connections play huge roles too. Social media algorithms, viral moments, and access to resources can make or break someone’s success. It’s not always about effort alone.

Still, I agree that the mind is chaotic and needs guidance from intellect. That part resonated. And yes, discipline is key but it’s not a new idea. The notion that peace comes from eliminating desire reminded me of something I read from the Dalai Lama. But realistically, we’re human. Even monks desire good food sometimes. To desire nothing feels impossible.

🧠 Chapter 3: The idea of never making mistakes? That’s unrealistic. Mistakes are how we grow. The constant push to chase new goals after achieving old ones and that’s exhausting. I really felt that. Meditation was mentioned as a way to calm the mind, and I fully agree. It works. The political commentary at the end of the chapter also struck a chord, the idea that elites benefit from keeping people obedient and distracted is sadly true.

🧠 Chapter 4: Yes, the world is toxic and it’s been that way for a long time. Smartphones are a huge distraction, and the system we live in seems designed to keep us tired and overwhelmed. Systemic suppression is real, and while it’s hard to fight, the least we can do is think critically. I appreciated the reminder to do your own research and question everything you see online. Truth isn’t always on the surface you have to dig for it.

🧠 Chapter 5: This chapter offered some practical wisdom. To succeed, you do need discipline, curiosity, reflection, and introspection. I agreed with most of it. I’ve had my phone on “Do Not Disturb” since 2018, and honestly, it’s been life-changing. But yes, when you’re waiting for something important, the anxiety creeps back in. It’s a cycle.

Analyzing everything around me has always been fun I’ve done it since school, and it’s helped me grow. Sadly, most people don’t take time to reflect. They jump into arguments online without thinking. But it’s comforting to know there are still rational minds out there.

🌀 Final thoughts 🌀
I genuinely enjoyed how Cherish or Perish made me think and even argue with some of its ideas. That’s a good sign. The book is built around the concept of training your intellect and relying on it to shape your life. While I wish it included more practical tools and referenced scientific literature, it still planted some meaningful seeds.

If you’ve read similar philosophical or self-development books before, this might not feel groundbreaking. But it’s a refreshing reminder to pause, reflect, and reconsider how we move through life. In a chaotic world where everyone clings to their own version of truth, Cherish or Perish encourages us to be more observant, more intentional, and maybe - just maybe - a little wiser.

A self-help book, Cherish or Perish (2025) by Prabha Karan explores our minds and how a better understanding of it can improve our lives. A meta-physicist and engineer, Prabha Karan’s methodology is based on five principles - discipline, questioning, liberal education, reflection, and introspection. Through this process, the reader can learn to better use their minds to enable a practical action, orientated life. Whist not for everybody, this timely approach will help clarify our thinking and better assess the avalanche of information that bombards us daily. It’s a small book of 115 pages that can help develop our intellect, independent thinking and spur us to action. A call to thoughtful introspection and strengthening of our intellects makes for a four and a half star read rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement. With the author for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes.