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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
Atlanta, GA
Aru Shah & Mini
Funny, clever, cute middle grade mythology read. Part of Rick Riordan presents. For fans of Percy Jackson.
Retelling of the Mahabhrata, one of two ancient poems, of the Pandava brothers. Aru & Mini are reincarnated Pandava sisters. Aru accidentally awakens the Sleeper, and, along with Mini, must complete a series of tasks and riddles, while meeting or battling various mythological figures.
Pandava brothers: Arjuna-heavens (Aru), Yudhistira- death (Mini), Bhima- wind, Nakula, and Sahadeva - twin gods of medicine & sunset, born of the blessings of the Ashvins.
Karna, secret Pandava, son of sun god
Author does a good job weaving vocab into the story:
p. 23: "She wasn't shocked by the idea that gods and goddesses existed, only that a person could actually get to know them. They were like the moon: distant enough not to enter her thoughts too often; bright enough to inspire wonder."
p. 25: "Questing requires families."
p. 36: "She had done it all her life: looked at something not so great and told herself all the things that made it great."
p. 102: "'Valmiki's very wise....but, be warned, he's still awful'
'Why?' asked Aru, shocked. 'Because he's a murderer?'
'Worse,' said Boo. 'He's a...writer.'"
p. 224: "Literally. Metaphorically. All the -allys."
p. 228: "People are a lot like magical pockets. They're far bigger on the inside than they appear to be on the outside."
p. 273: "Secrets are curious things. They are flimsy and easily broken. For this reason, they prefer to remain hidden. A fact, on the other hand, is strong and powerful. It's proven. Unlike a secret, it's out there for everyone to see and know. And that can make it more terrifying than even the deepest, darkest secret.
p. 338: "Love looked different to everyone."
Aru Shah & Mini
Funny, clever, cute middle grade mythology read. Part of Rick Riordan presents. For fans of Percy Jackson.
Spoiler
Retelling of the Mahabhrata, one of two ancient poems, of the Pandava brothers. Aru & Mini are reincarnated Pandava sisters. Aru accidentally awakens the Sleeper, and, along with Mini, must complete a series of tasks and riddles, while meeting or battling various mythological figures.
Pandava brothers: Arjuna-heavens (Aru), Yudhistira- death (Mini), Bhima- wind, Nakula, and Sahadeva - twin gods of medicine & sunset, born of the blessings of the Ashvins.
Karna, secret Pandava, son of sun god
Author does a good job weaving vocab into the story:
And why did the bird say dormant? Didn't that mean sleeping?
p. 23: "She wasn't shocked by the idea that gods and goddesses existed, only that a person could actually get to know them. They were like the moon: distant enough not to enter her thoughts too often; bright enough to inspire wonder."
p. 25: "Questing requires families."
p. 36: "She had done it all her life: looked at something not so great and told herself all the things that made it great."
p. 102: "'Valmiki's very wise....but, be warned, he's still awful'
'Why?' asked Aru, shocked. 'Because he's a murderer?'
'Worse,' said Boo. 'He's a...writer.'"
p. 224: "Literally. Metaphorically. All the -allys."
p. 228: "People are a lot like magical pockets. They're far bigger on the inside than they appear to be on the outside."
p. 273: "Secrets are curious things. They are flimsy and easily broken. For this reason, they prefer to remain hidden. A fact, on the other hand, is strong and powerful. It's proven. Unlike a secret, it's out there for everyone to see and know. And that can make it more terrifying than even the deepest, darkest secret.
p. 338: "Love looked different to everyone."
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Every time I read a new Roshani Chokshi book all I think about is how I wish I could write half as good as her. ARU SHAH AND THE END OF TIME is an adventure read. There’s a handful of marvelous stories embedded inside the main plot. I love the beautifully world building. This would translate beautifully on screen. I’m crossing my fingers for that. Now, off to read the second book!
I’ve been excited about reading this book for a while, as soon as I saw it on the shelves. I’m a sucker for middle grade fantasy with female main characters, especially since so many of the “big” fantasy series are male-dominated (Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Gregor the Overlander). And I liked this book. But I didn’t love it as I hooped I might. The use of Hindu gods was great, but in many ways felt like a “reskin” of Percy Jackson. I didn’t feel nearly as connected to Aru as a character; I wanted her to have more depth.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
This suffered a bit from a "it's not you, it's me" problem, but mostly it was an enjoyable read.
My few problems were that:
- I haven't read MG in a while and I'm not used to it anymore, plus I don't think it's the age range I like to read the most. I'm an adult now (sobs) and it doesn't appeal to me the way it used to. I won't read many anymore, I think, but it's still a breath of fresh air once in a while.
- Since it's MG it oftens works with the same mechanic. The girls go through something, they find an object or someone give them something, and then it saves them a few chapters after that. It doesn't... work well on me anymore? That it's regularly the same structure. But it's a minor problem, honestly.
- It took me some time to get into it. It probably also had to do with the fact this was my Work Read, so I could only read one or two chapters a day when work was slow. Not a book problem, I don't think so.
Okay now onto the Good Stuff.
This was very, very good. It had all the stuff I once loved in Percy Jackson, but even better because it was focused on Indian girls. It was funny, weird and creative, with lovable characters and a great adventure at its core.
I learned a ton about Hindu mythology (my white ass didn't know much, unfortunately), and I think it'll be such a great read for kids who grew up with these stories, too.
The main characters were super cool. I loved that Aru was a liar, because we don't see that too often, but I think it happens to quite a lot of kids, to lie a lot to get friends that are too different from you to understand Real You. She was great and bold and a true heroine and I love her. My undying love goes to Mini, though. I love her and she was such a mood at times. She was more like young me than Aru, that's why I loved her so much, I think.
Boo was also INCREDIBLE and the idea of him, a king-turned-pigeon-mentor, gives me life. He's so annoying. He's perfect. I love him.
I was a tad bit disappointed that most creatures/people encountered never stuck around or weren't seen again. It goes well with the plot, but god I loved the palace so much (my fave of all the encounters of the books, for sure) and I wanted to see it again (if it doesn't happen in the sequels I'll riot).
Aru Shah and the End of Time was a fun, interesting read. I think it was an excellent MG book, I'm just not big on MG anymore. I'll definitely read the sequels whenever I need that Percy Jackson vibe again, and I can't wait to meet the other Pandava sisters <3
This suffered a bit from a "it's not you, it's me" problem, but mostly it was an enjoyable read.
My few problems were that:
- I haven't read MG in a while and I'm not used to it anymore, plus I don't think it's the age range I like to read the most. I'm an adult now (sobs) and it doesn't appeal to me the way it used to. I won't read many anymore, I think, but it's still a breath of fresh air once in a while.
- Since it's MG it oftens works with the same mechanic. The girls go through something, they find an object or someone give them something, and then it saves them a few chapters after that. It doesn't... work well on me anymore? That it's regularly the same structure. But it's a minor problem, honestly.
- It took me some time to get into it. It probably also had to do with the fact this was my Work Read, so I could only read one or two chapters a day when work was slow. Not a book problem, I don't think so.
Okay now onto the Good Stuff.
This was very, very good. It had all the stuff I once loved in Percy Jackson, but even better because it was focused on Indian girls. It was funny, weird and creative, with lovable characters and a great adventure at its core.
I learned a ton about Hindu mythology (my white ass didn't know much, unfortunately), and I think it'll be such a great read for kids who grew up with these stories, too.
The main characters were super cool. I loved that Aru was a liar, because we don't see that too often, but I think it happens to quite a lot of kids, to lie a lot to get friends that are too different from you to understand Real You. She was great and bold and a true heroine and I love her. My undying love goes to Mini, though. I love her and she was such a mood at times. She was more like young me than Aru, that's why I loved her so much, I think.
Boo was also INCREDIBLE and the idea of him, a king-turned-pigeon-mentor, gives me life. He's so annoying. He's perfect. I love him.
I was a tad bit disappointed that most creatures/people encountered never stuck around or weren't seen again. It goes well with the plot, but god I loved the palace so much (my fave of all the encounters of the books, for sure) and I wanted to see it again (if it doesn't happen in the sequels I'll riot).
Aru Shah and the End of Time was a fun, interesting read. I think it was an excellent MG book, I'm just not big on MG anymore. I'll definitely read the sequels whenever I need that Percy Jackson vibe again, and I can't wait to meet the other Pandava sisters <3
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
- About Hindu mythology
So good! I love Aru's voice, and I think she'll appeal to so many kids. The Hindu mythology is fascinating. Fans of Percy Jackson will love it.
I really liked this book. There where twist and turns I did not expect. And I kept on reading even though I did not feel like reading.
Similar in structure to the Percy Jackson books but with a less familiar mythology. Love how this story features such different tween girls as the heroines and emphasizes the strengths of both.
