You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
This is one of those books that I don't really love myself, but am glad exists in the world for other people. I'm sure many young Hindu readers will see themselves in the heroine, and children in general will likely learn a lot about the mythological figures that author Roshani Chokshi has incorporated into her tale. (It's the first release in Disney-Hyperion's "Rick Riordan Presents" publishing line, which is explicitly aimed at delivering folklore-inspired #ownvoices stories from writers of underrepresented cultural backgrounds.)
Where the novel fails for me is in its macguffin-collecting plotline, along with some perpetual wisecracking about things like selfies and Oreos. I haven't read any of Riordan's Percy Jackson series, so I don't know how that compares, but this volume also skews closer to middle-grade urban fantasy than the young-adult epic fantasy I generally prefer. I may check out some of the other RRP titles, and I'll happily recommend this one to a certain sort of reader, but I don't feel particularly drawn to continue on with its sequels.
Where the novel fails for me is in its macguffin-collecting plotline, along with some perpetual wisecracking about things like selfies and Oreos. I haven't read any of Riordan's Percy Jackson series, so I don't know how that compares, but this volume also skews closer to middle-grade urban fantasy than the young-adult epic fantasy I generally prefer. I may check out some of the other RRP titles, and I'll happily recommend this one to a certain sort of reader, but I don't feel particularly drawn to continue on with its sequels.
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
I just finished reading this book today and OMG it was such a fantastic read. I loved Aru’s character so much. She may have lied a lot (to try to fit in of course...what kid doesn’t want to fit in), but she has a wild imagination and she’s sarcastic and loads of fun. I’ve heard many stories from my own boss at work about Hindu mythology and it’s pretty complicated stuff. I mean everyone has heard of Greek mythology which can get pretty complicated as well, but Greek mythology is NOTHING compared to Hindu mythology and I applaud Roshani for being able to write something as wonderful as this and introduce us to her beautiful crazy world. I cannot wait until Book 2 comes out next April.
I don’t know why I had such trouble getting into this, but I really struggled with the print and ebook versions. The audio is great though, and I finally found my way into the story. It was thrilling, fun, funny, and full of brave heroines.
I really enjoyed the Hindu atmosphere, which was delightfully dark, and which balanced nicely with Aru and Mini’s middle school personalities.
The whole concept of lifting up #ownvoices to tell their own stories is fantastic. I only managed to make it through one Percy Jackson, but I am disproportionately looking forward to the other books coming from this imprint.
I really enjoyed the Hindu atmosphere, which was delightfully dark, and which balanced nicely with Aru and Mini’s middle school personalities.
The whole concept of lifting up #ownvoices to tell their own stories is fantastic. I only managed to make it through one Percy Jackson, but I am disproportionately looking forward to the other books coming from this imprint.
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Oookay. Hindu mythology transformed to meet modern-day requirements. I must say, it was fun. Sure, she stretched the characters and their roles in a totally new, and maybe slightly bizarre way — but man, was I glad to see the book based on the tales I grew up with, the tales I've read and heard hundreds of times. The familiar characters peeking from behind words on every page. Finally.
I also loved the sneaky (or maybe not-so-sneaky) thing the author did with Mini's name. Yamini means night/darkness, and considering who her soul father is, it's pretty accurate.
Just. It's just- Indian myths, they're so complex and beautiful and she wrote about them in a way so accessible to everyone. T_T
I also loved the sneaky (or maybe not-so-sneaky) thing the author did with Mini's name. Yamini means night/darkness, and considering who her soul father is, it's pretty accurate.
Just. It's just- Indian myths, they're so complex and beautiful and she wrote about them in a way so accessible to everyone. T_T
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-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:
Complicated
Was a great book, i did a buddy read on this one for my son. we are working our way through the second one as we speak. it really highlighted how aru dealt with things from life that happen everyday at her age.
Aru Shah and the End of Time is easily one of my favorite books of 2018. Angry twelve-year-old girls who kick ass and make jokes are my kryptonite, but there are so many things to adore in this story, like the main friendship, the ways Hindu mythology* was used to create an incredible, new adventure, and the hilarity, pacing, and pop culture references that do not let up. It's been years since I laughed so much while reading or listening to an audiobook. I haven't read anything by Roshani Chokshi before, so I clearly need to do more of that.
Soneela Nankani's comedic timing in her narration of the audiobook is absolutely brilliant. I haven't seen the print version, so take this for what it's worth, but by all means GET THE AUDIOBOOK if you can. It is 10-1/2 hours of pure joy.
*To be clearer, the accuracy or respectfulness of these portrayals is way out of my lane. I'm trying to say how much I love great stories about young people taking on gods, demons, and/or mythical creatures.
Spoiler
/sibling relationshipSoneela Nankani's comedic timing in her narration of the audiobook is absolutely brilliant. I haven't seen the print version, so take this for what it's worth, but by all means GET THE AUDIOBOOK if you can. It is 10-1/2 hours of pure joy.
*To be clearer, the accuracy or respectfulness of these portrayals is way out of my lane. I'm trying to say how much I love great stories about young people taking on gods, demons, and/or mythical creatures.