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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
I was really excited to read this book, a Rick Riordan author telling a story of a young heroine with Vedic themes. But even as a person who knows the characters and mythology in the story, I found many of the plot points and reveals confusing and hard to follow. When Aru and Mini would get an object or a clue, it was hard to predict when it would come back to be useful, or remember where it came from when they reference it again hundreds of pages later. Maybe this isn’t a great book to read aloud one chapter at a time - maybe it’s one you have to more deeply absorb - but we had fun reading it.
This was a great melding of Hindu myths and a young girl's learning to take responsibility and reach out to others. And it was funny! While I was a little annoyed with Aru initially, as her stretching the truth actually often was outright lying or not taking responsibility for her actions, by midway through the book, Aru was changing for the better. And her soul-sister Yamini/Mini was such a hoot! Her rule-following, hypochondria and fears about just about everything were a great contrast to Aru's sarcasm, slacker tendencies and brashness. And dammit, this was just the female-centric and feminist take I wanted for the myths I grew up with, myths that are rife with illogic and misogyny. One of my favourite moments was when Chitragupta just accepted Mini and Aru as Pandavas:
I recognized so many gods, demi-gods and rakshasas; I kept grinning at the unexpected inclusion of so many familiar details.
The glossary is worth reading completely for its funny explanations for the godlike persons or items, and the occasional inclusion of author's personal connection to the reference. And as this is the beginning of a series, there are bound to be more humour and fun times with Aru and Mini.
When the text finished scrolling, he leaned forward again. Tears shone in his eyes. “Never been a girl before,” he said, looking between Mini and Aru. “How unusual…”
Aru braced herself, waiting to hear the usual lines that they couldn’t possibly be heroes, or that they were too weak, too young, or too…girly.
“And how refreshing!” he said. His shirt changed to say: THIS IS WHAT A FEMINIST LOOKS LIKE. “Upend the patriarchy! R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Et cetera, et cetera. And you got past Ek and Do, too. Well done, well done.”
I recognized so many gods, demi-gods and rakshasas; I kept grinning at the unexpected inclusion of so many familiar details.
The glossary is worth reading completely for its funny explanations for the godlike persons or items, and the occasional inclusion of author's personal connection to the reference. And as this is the beginning of a series, there are bound to be more humour and fun times with Aru and Mini.
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I loved this book best middle-grade book I have read in awhile it was interesting funny and everything in-between. I liked this book just about the same amount that I would like a Rick Riordan book it was so good so well written with edge of your seat action. I loved the characters especially Aru , Mini, and Boo they were so well written and genuinely interesting characters I can't wait to read about them again. I really loved the story it was action packed while also being really funny in all the right moments like I said before I am looking forward to book 2. So overall I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next one.
So cute! Thoroughly enjoyed reading this. I was hesitant about it just because the characters are quite young but I found it very nostalgic reading about Indian mythology. I'm so glad books like this exist and I know if I read this growing up, I would have loved and related much more.
That said, it was a fun adventure, Roshani Chokshi does a great job of simplifying a lot of complicated mythological stories while keeping their integrity intact. Loved Aru and Mini and Boo and am excited to read more of their adventures!
That said, it was a fun adventure, Roshani Chokshi does a great job of simplifying a lot of complicated mythological stories while keeping their integrity intact. Loved Aru and Mini and Boo and am excited to read more of their adventures!
This was a very enjoyable middle grade read. I haven't read many books featuring Hindu gods and goddesses, myths and legends.
This was a fun adventure (think Percy Jackson). I admit I didn't quite connect with Aru and I am not familiar with the Hindu legends Aru becomes part of.
Summary: Twelve-year-old Aru stretches the truth to fit in at her private school, but when she is dared to prove an ancient lamp is cursed, she inadvertently frees an ancient demon.
Summary: Twelve-year-old Aru stretches the truth to fit in at her private school, but when she is dared to prove an ancient lamp is cursed, she inadvertently frees an ancient demon.
Aru Shah lives with her mother in the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture. She goes to an exclusive private school where all the kids are much more well off than she is. So she lies to get by. She gets caught when some of her classmates show up at her door. To prove to them that she is worthy she lights the Diya of Bharata, a cursed lamp she knows she is not supposed to light. When she lights it the world freezes and a demon called the Sleeper escapes. Aru discovers she is a Pandava, reincarnated from the Pandava Princes of legend and together with Mini, another Pandava, and their godly guide Boo, a pigeon, they must travel to the Kingdom of Death to find what they need to stop the Sleeper and save the world.
I love Roshani Chokshi's books. I think it is amazing that she is bringing Indian Mythology into American reading culture. This book reads like so many of the other middle grade mythology books though. Young hero/heroine discovers they are descended from the gods and must go on a quest to save the world. Teams up with other heroes who show up over time. I wish this book had more of the originality of Chokshi's teen books, but it is still an entertaining read. Fans of Rick Riordan will definitely enjoy this one.
I received this book from Netgalley.
I love Roshani Chokshi's books. I think it is amazing that she is bringing Indian Mythology into American reading culture. This book reads like so many of the other middle grade mythology books though. Young hero/heroine discovers they are descended from the gods and must go on a quest to save the world. Teams up with other heroes who show up over time. I wish this book had more of the originality of Chokshi's teen books, but it is still an entertaining read. Fans of Rick Riordan will definitely enjoy this one.
I received this book from Netgalley.
A fun adventure through Hindu mythology.
Three stars only because the narrator on the audiobook sounded shocked all the time, dimming the effect of any actually shocking moments.
Three stars only because the narrator on the audiobook sounded shocked all the time, dimming the effect of any actually shocking moments.