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evief_'s review against another edition
3.0
Great take on Hindu mythology. Incredible story line and character development.
literately's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book with my kids (ages 8 + 7) for our homeschool curriculum (Build Your Library).
I was SO EXCITED for this book based on the premise, and the fact that it delves into the Hindu belief system and Indian culture. To be honest, I was pretty disappointed when it comes to how those two subjects were represented in the book.
The book is written so casually, and so AMERICANIZED. But… Americanized in a very gen x or millennial generation mainstream way. The references often felt like they were more for adult readers than children. It made many elements of the story feel very superficial… lacking true depth and ignoring the rich cultural roots it was meant to be tied to.
While I was disappointed, overall my children did enjoy the story (although some chapters felt very long and dull while others crammed in a bunch of action into just a few short paragraphs). Along with the other books in our curriculum, I believe it helped introduce them to some beliefs and tales from Hinduism in a lighthearted way. Now when we explore these topics further, they will recognize them and it will be fun to expand on the imagery and concepts that were presented in this story.
Honestly, I’m not tempted to read the rest of the series or allow my 8 year old to keep reading until he is older.
I was SO EXCITED for this book based on the premise, and the fact that it delves into the Hindu belief system and Indian culture. To be honest, I was pretty disappointed when it comes to how those two subjects were represented in the book.
The book is written so casually, and so AMERICANIZED. But… Americanized in a very gen x or millennial generation mainstream way. The references often felt like they were more for adult readers than children. It made many elements of the story feel very superficial… lacking true depth and ignoring the rich cultural roots it was meant to be tied to.
While I was disappointed, overall my children did enjoy the story (although some chapters felt very long and dull while others crammed in a bunch of action into just a few short paragraphs). Along with the other books in our curriculum, I believe it helped introduce them to some beliefs and tales from Hinduism in a lighthearted way. Now when we explore these topics further, they will recognize them and it will be fun to expand on the imagery and concepts that were presented in this story.
Honestly, I’m not tempted to read the rest of the series or allow my 8 year old to keep reading until he is older.
millhl's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
robintinani's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
suzukabunny's review against another edition
5.0
ini bagus banget
formulanya masih sama seperti harry potter atau percy jackson. Sebagai orang Jawa, nama-nama mitologi Hindu di dalamnya lebih familiar dibanding nama-nama mitologi yunani atau nordik.
Saking familiarnya, kita bisa menebak arah cerita begitu suatu nama disebut.
Alurnya pun seru, bikin tidak bisa berhenti baca.
Terima kasih atas ceritanya, Mba Roshani
formulanya masih sama seperti harry potter atau percy jackson. Sebagai orang Jawa, nama-nama mitologi Hindu di dalamnya lebih familiar dibanding nama-nama mitologi yunani atau nordik.
Saking familiarnya, kita bisa menebak arah cerita begitu suatu nama disebut.
Alurnya pun seru, bikin tidak bisa berhenti baca.
Terima kasih atas ceritanya, Mba Roshani
gabalodon's review against another edition
5.0
This was very fun and I would have loved it even more as a pre-teen and I am now inclined to throw it at all my nibblings but they're still too young. I'll just have to sit on it and wait...
This is the third work I've read by Roshani Chokshi (Gilded Wolves and Star-Touched Queen being the other two). Like those, Aru Shah is hugely imaginative, which is one of Chokshi's strengths, but unlike those, Aru Shah really showcases Chokshi's sense of humor, which I think is her other strength. Her characters were very well-developed and dynamic and relatable and there were some emotional moments that hit me hard in the feels.
I'm very intrigued to see where the rest of the series goes!
This is the third work I've read by Roshani Chokshi (Gilded Wolves and Star-Touched Queen being the other two). Like those, Aru Shah is hugely imaginative, which is one of Chokshi's strengths, but unlike those, Aru Shah really showcases Chokshi's sense of humor, which I think is her other strength. Her characters were very well-developed and dynamic and relatable and there were some emotional moments that hit me hard in the feels.
I'm very intrigued to see where the rest of the series goes!
bluelishi's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting plot, cohesive fusion of the mythology, fascinating characters (hi Boo) and overall solid storytelling.
alyssaindira's review against another edition
5.0
Update: I have so many questions. they best be answerd in the next book. The main ones are about that boy and about theapparent shifter????// And I just love how funny this book would, perfect gems of humor right in those pages. ANd it was action packed. And the myhtology is killer
*NO spoilers were harmed in the making of this review*
"Imagination was neither good nor bad. It was a little bit of both. Just like her." ~Aru
Hey guys, so I finished Aru Shah and the End of Time (Pandava Quartet, #1) by Roshani Chokshi and man, I am surprised that I had doubts about this book. Now, my doubts about reading this stemmed from my ehh feeling towards Chokshi's other book, Star-Queen. However, I decided to give Aru's book a chance because well one, Riordan(one of my fav fav authors) endorsed it, practically got it published, and two, this was suppose to separate from that series, geared towards a different audience. So, I gave it chance. I am glad that I did. I was sucked into the story thoroughly, it felt like I was not even reading. I loved all the Indian myths sprinkled throughout the story. I also enjoyed the humor. Granted, it was not as potent was RIordan Humor (thats one of a kind), but it still made me laugh and enhanced the story, as it was surely intended to do. I also loved how the author used humorous metaphors and unique and relatable images to explains stuff in the book. Ultimately, I enjoyed how this novel was written and it truly was unique. Though, I do have to say that I thought the last few chapters were a bit rushed and just threw one problem or new event after another into the story without really...needing to? Well,I guess the author needed to set up the next book. But I felt she kind of did that already, and didnt need all the extra issues cramped in. Oh well.
Okay, onto the characters. Aru was great. Seriously, i love this girl's wit and sarcasm. I also liked how she grew throughout this novel. At first, she believed that "lying" was her worst most not heroic quality of all time, when in fact, it kinda of proved to be just the opposite. Well, when looking at it in a difference angle. A different, perspective. Okay, there was also Mini. She was...interesting. I enjoyed her little facts and tidbits and realistic POV at times. Her quick thinking and plans were also neat as well. Then, there is Boo. Gods..that bird. I loved him. I could never bring myself to fully hate the little guy. Boo is just...boo. Along with those characters, there are many other creatures and people that the main characters interact with. Some of them stood out more to me than others, enough for me to hope that I dont forget them in the course of a year. I would mention them because I just was enthralled by their interactions with the main characters so much I feel like they should be mentioned, but...I dont want to spoiler anything? SO....yeah. OH well. Wait, I will say this. Seasons. Sad monster house. Greek equal of narc. Okay. Thats not spoiling anything. But for people who have read the book, do you agree that these words were intriguing? Wait, maybe dont answer that. Ha, okay. Well, I am going to stop now because I dont have much more to say without spoiling anything else. Alright, well, if you guys have any comments or questions drop em below. Till next time. Bye.
*NO spoilers were harmed in the making of this review*
"Imagination was neither good nor bad. It was a little bit of both. Just like her." ~Aru
Hey guys, so I finished Aru Shah and the End of Time (Pandava Quartet, #1) by Roshani Chokshi and man, I am surprised that I had doubts about this book. Now, my doubts about reading this stemmed from my ehh feeling towards Chokshi's other book, Star-Queen. However, I decided to give Aru's book a chance because well one, Riordan(one of my fav fav authors) endorsed it, practically got it published, and two, this was suppose to separate from that series, geared towards a different audience. So, I gave it chance. I am glad that I did. I was sucked into the story thoroughly, it felt like I was not even reading. I loved all the Indian myths sprinkled throughout the story. I also enjoyed the humor. Granted, it was not as potent was RIordan Humor (thats one of a kind), but it still made me laugh and enhanced the story, as it was surely intended to do. I also loved how the author used humorous metaphors and unique and relatable images to explains stuff in the book. Ultimately, I enjoyed how this novel was written and it truly was unique. Though, I do have to say that I thought the last few chapters were a bit rushed and just threw one problem or new event after another into the story without really...needing to? Well,I guess the author needed to set up the next book. But I felt she kind of did that already, and didnt need all the extra issues cramped in. Oh well.
Okay, onto the characters. Aru was great. Seriously, i love this girl's wit and sarcasm. I also liked how she grew throughout this novel. At first, she believed that "lying" was her worst most not heroic quality of all time, when in fact, it kinda of proved to be just the opposite. Well, when looking at it in a difference angle. A different, perspective. Okay, there was also Mini. She was...interesting. I enjoyed her little facts and tidbits and realistic POV at times. Her quick thinking and plans were also neat as well. Then, there is Boo. Gods..that bird. I loved him. I could never bring myself to fully hate the little guy. Boo is just...boo. Along with those characters, there are many other creatures and people that the main characters interact with. Some of them stood out more to me than others, enough for me to hope that I dont forget them in the course of a year. I would mention them because I just was enthralled by their interactions with the main characters so much I feel like they should be mentioned, but...I dont want to spoiler anything? SO....yeah. OH well. Wait, I will say this. Seasons. Sad monster house. Greek equal of narc. Okay. Thats not spoiling anything. But for people who have read the book, do you agree that these words were intriguing? Wait, maybe dont answer that. Ha, okay. Well, I am going to stop now because I dont have much more to say without spoiling anything else. Alright, well, if you guys have any comments or questions drop em below. Till next time. Bye.
aradhnak's review against another edition
5.0
I finished it in less than four hours, and I think it's broken my reading slump! Going to start book 2 tomorrow, I love so much.
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
theresa_timber's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0