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thelogophilereader's review
5.0
Wrapped up 2021 with this amazing middle grade by @payaldoshiauthor. I love middle grade novels and the favourites list is never ending okay ? But another new addition to the list which made it straight to the top is Rea and the blood of nectar. I mean, what an extremely engaging read.
2 twins living in Darjeeling with their mother, grandmother and a missing father their mother wouldn’t talk about. One night, Rohan goes missing and while searching for him, Rea is teleported to another different world which thrives on shadow magic. Rea has to cross several hurdles to save Rohan. Will she succeed?
Read a middle grade after a long and couldn’t put it down. The book was so engaging and fascinating that the epilogue felt like a warm hug. What an extremely delightful read. The best part about this book was the Indian Reps – how appropriate was that ?! Even the setting was in India and not in NYC or some other part of the world like most of the middle grade novels with Indian female protagonists. And how can I not talk about the side characters? Not only that characters, but the whole plot was like a vessel filled with magic upto the very brim. Kudos to the author on writing such a book, cuz this requires some real creativity. Writing a 350 pages novel so intriguing, that can keep readers of all ages engaged till the very last page, is no joke !
A highly recommended middle grade novel!! Already excited for the sequel!!
illustrativepages's review
2.0
Content Warnings: Dead parent. Blood and gore. Suicide attempt. Violence. Unrightful imprisonment.
The plot is interesting and the story is original, but the writing was not very good, and I had trouble with a lot of descriptions and the pacing of the story.
The plot is interesting and the story is original, but the writing was not very good, and I had trouble with a lot of descriptions and the pacing of the story.
sapphothegreat's review
4.0
OH FUCK. IT IS SET IN INDIA. FINALLY A BOOK SET IN INDIA.
Tell me one book other than this where the Indian protagonist actually lives in India. They mostly butcher the stories and all they show is America. Well wake up. There is world outside that.
Tell me one book other than this where the Indian protagonist actually lives in India. They mostly butcher the stories and all they show is America. Well wake up. There is world outside that.
nobookendinsight's review
4.0
I loved this recent release and debut middle-grade fantasy novel from Payal Doshi! This is a hefty book for middle grade - 350 pages - but it moves along quickly. I appreciated the time Doshi took at the beginning to describe Rea’s home in India, what life was like in her village, and how her family dynamics affected her personally and within her relationships - both with family and friends. Rea is struggling, has no friends, and senses that her mother and grandmother are keeping secrets from her. All of this background is essential for the reveal of the magical fantasy land that Rea and her new friend Leela eventually discover. We get to experience it right along with them and we get to witness their budding friendship. The plan is for this book to be the first in a series and I can’t wait for book two!I loved this recent release and debut middle-grade fantasy novel from Payal Doshi! This is a hefty book for middle grade - 350 pages - but it moves along quickly. I appreciated the time Doshi took at the beginning to describe Rea’s home in India, what life was like in her village, and how her family dynamics affected her personally and within her relationships - both with family and friends. Rea is struggling, has no friends, and senses that her mother and grandmother are keeping secrets from her. All of this background is essential for the reveal of the magical fantasy land that Rea and her new friend Leela eventually discover. We get to experience it right along with them and we get to witness their budding friendship. The plan is for this book to be the first in a series and I can’t wait for book two!
astraeal's review
2.75
Read this book for:
- Indian MC with the story set part in India and part in a fantasy world
- power of family and friendship
- children going on quests and adventures
- MagIC! FLORA magic
Sadly the negative points:
- the story was kind of predictable (for me at least. Seeing as it is middle grade I think children would enjoy it way more)
- while Rea was flawed, and had great character development, sometimes I couldn't avoid getting annoyed with her and her actions and/or thoughts, making reading the book more difficult seeing as it was her POV.
- while Rea lives in India, the fantasy world she travels to (and spends most of the story in) was just,, very Not Indian. What interested me the most in reading this book was that it was set in India, but it is kind of blurred next to Astranthia
- Indian MC with the story set part in India and part in a fantasy world
- power of family and friendship
- children going on quests and adventures
- MagIC! FLORA magic
Sadly the negative points:
- the story was kind of predictable (for me at least. Seeing as it is middle grade I think children would enjoy it way more)
- while Rea was flawed, and had great character development, sometimes I couldn't avoid getting annoyed with her and her actions and/or thoughts, making reading the book more difficult seeing as it was her POV.
- while Rea lives in India, the fantasy world she travels to (and spends most of the story in) was just,, very Not Indian. What interested me the most in reading this book was that it was set in India, but it is kind of blurred next to Astranthia
qemorio's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
bibliosini's review
4.0
Many thanks to NetGalley, Mango and Marigold Press and the author for the advanced reader’s copy of Rea and the Blood of the Nectar in exchange for my honest review.
A full review is available on my blog.
Though it took me some time to warm up to the story and its characters, I ultimately loved the adventure, magic and messages behind this story. Would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a good quest with plenty of magical creatures and secret plots!
A full review is available on my blog.
Though it took me some time to warm up to the story and its characters, I ultimately loved the adventure, magic and messages behind this story. Would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a good quest with plenty of magical creatures and secret plots!
bibliophilicrichard's review
3.0
I received an e-ARC of this book via Books Forward and will not affect my opinion/review in any way.
RTC
RTC
haunshaul's review
3.0
Originally a high two, but discussing it with a friend bumped it into the three-star range. Either way, I can definitely see this author picking up momentum.
mehakkk's review
3.0
If you want to read a book about friendship, family and sacrifice, tied together with an adventure of a lifetime, this book is for you!
Overall Rating: 3.75
Plot: 3.5/5
Characters: 4/5
Representation: 4/5
*I’d like to thank Books Forward Friends for sending me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*
(Before I start let me just say I was super excited to read this book just looking at the cover and synopsis because it deals with south Asian characters. As a member of this community myself I love to see representation of my culture in the media, especially in middle grade novels!)
About the book:
Rea and Rohan may be twins but they have nothing in common. Rea is a shy introverted girl who prefers to keep to herself whereas Rohan is popular, smart and the centre of attention. But when Rohan goes missing on their 12 th birthday, it’s up to Rea and her friend Leela to unfold the secrets revolving his disappearance and save Rohan. In the process they go on an amazing adventure and discover the realm of Astranthia.
My review:
This was a good debut to this future series! I loved how the author was able to accurately capture all aspects of Indian culture from stigmas, gender roles, lifestyle and food. It’s so refreshing to see a female POC lead who is fierce, brave and loving. Rea is probably one of my new favourite book characters because I was so inspired by her drive and courage to risk everything for her family. I also loved the found family trope of this book and the growth in friendship between Xee, Rea, Floo and Leela. My only wish was that there was more focus on pacing and world building to add to the reading experience.
But regardless this book was truly unique and magical and I can’t wait for book 2!
Overall Rating: 3.75
Plot: 3.5/5
Characters: 4/5
Representation: 4/5
*I’d like to thank Books Forward Friends for sending me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*
(Before I start let me just say I was super excited to read this book just looking at the cover and synopsis because it deals with south Asian characters. As a member of this community myself I love to see representation of my culture in the media, especially in middle grade novels!)
About the book:
Rea and Rohan may be twins but they have nothing in common. Rea is a shy introverted girl who prefers to keep to herself whereas Rohan is popular, smart and the centre of attention. But when Rohan goes missing on their 12 th birthday, it’s up to Rea and her friend Leela to unfold the secrets revolving his disappearance and save Rohan. In the process they go on an amazing adventure and discover the realm of Astranthia.
My review:
This was a good debut to this future series! I loved how the author was able to accurately capture all aspects of Indian culture from stigmas, gender roles, lifestyle and food. It’s so refreshing to see a female POC lead who is fierce, brave and loving. Rea is probably one of my new favourite book characters because I was so inspired by her drive and courage to risk everything for her family. I also loved the found family trope of this book and the growth in friendship between Xee, Rea, Floo and Leela. My only wish was that there was more focus on pacing and world building to add to the reading experience.
But regardless this book was truly unique and magical and I can’t wait for book 2!