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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
This is one of the best middle-grade books out there, if not the best. Chokshi's writing style is so intoxicating and lyrical while preserving the rapport and humor of a Riordan book. Breathtaking.
"A particularly good book had a way of opening new spaces in one's mind."
This was my first ever time reading a Roshani Chokshi book and I was not disappointed. I know there’s a lot of buzz around her other books, specifically ‘The Gilded Wolves’. I decided to start with a book which is part of the Rick Riordan presents series. I loved Paola Santiago, devoured Tristan Strong and so it was only right to explore Aru Shah.
First things first, I love Aru with all of my being. I feel like in some other world, I am Aru. She just wants her mum’s attention and to be part of the rich kids’ clique at her prestigious school. She lives in the apartment above the museum with her mum who consistently travels. I must admit the entire concept of living at a museum with artefacts sounds fantastic.
She’s forced to show a couple of the school bullies the cursed artefact that Aru has previously told them about. Aru is a dreamer, she concocts stories in her head to escape her boring reality, little does she know the liveliest adventure is literally around the corner.
On this adventure, Aru will figure out who her father is, who her family are and will be claimed by a god. There is something about this story which tugs at the heartstrings because Aru is so likeable and just wants to be liked.
I did get emotional, I can’t even lie. There’s something about Aru on her adventure in her Spiderman PJs, dealing with lively characters that just had me rooting for her all the way.
No guys I can’t explain how much this world is built phenomenally. The mythology? The different universes? Just everything? Fantastic.
*chefs kiss*
-1 star as it felt at times that a lot was going on, I was struggling sometimes to understand what scene/artefact or part of the adventure we were on.
This was my first ever time reading a Roshani Chokshi book and I was not disappointed. I know there’s a lot of buzz around her other books, specifically ‘The Gilded Wolves’. I decided to start with a book which is part of the Rick Riordan presents series. I loved Paola Santiago, devoured Tristan Strong and so it was only right to explore Aru Shah.
First things first, I love Aru with all of my being. I feel like in some other world, I am Aru. She just wants her mum’s attention and to be part of the rich kids’ clique at her prestigious school. She lives in the apartment above the museum with her mum who consistently travels. I must admit the entire concept of living at a museum with artefacts sounds fantastic.
She’s forced to show a couple of the school bullies the cursed artefact that Aru has previously told them about. Aru is a dreamer, she concocts stories in her head to escape her boring reality, little does she know the liveliest adventure is literally around the corner.
On this adventure, Aru will figure out who her father is, who her family are and will be claimed by a god. There is something about this story which tugs at the heartstrings because Aru is so likeable and just wants to be liked.
I did get emotional, I can’t even lie. There’s something about Aru on her adventure in her Spiderman PJs, dealing with lively characters that just had me rooting for her all the way.
No guys I can’t explain how much this world is built phenomenally. The mythology? The different universes? Just everything? Fantastic.
*chefs kiss*
-1 star as it felt at times that a lot was going on, I was struggling sometimes to understand what scene/artefact or part of the adventure we were on.
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
adventurous
inspiring
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
AMAZING
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Rick Riordan presents for an ARC of this book. Below is my honest review.
Chokshi, Roshani. Aruh Shah and the End of Time. Rick Riordan Presents, 2018. Hardcover $14.64, ISBN 978-1-36801-235-5
TL;DR: Do I recommend this book? Yes!!! NOW IMMEDIATELY GO READ IT
Genre: Fantasy, and Mythology retelling!
Part of a series? Yes; this is the first of a new series!
Book Summary:
Aru Shah struggles a bit with the truth. Maaaybe she exaggerates things sometimes, but when your mom is always off at museums or dig sites or historical conventions and you live in a museum and everyone else at your new school is super rich and connected, maybe YOU would fudge the truth a bit, too. Fast-forward to Aru needing to light a cursed lamp that she's been forbidden to light just so three bullies won't expose her lies to the entire class. Well, turns out the lamp was cursed! The Sleeper has been released, and if Aru doesn't stop him in 9 days, Lord Shiva will dance the world to its end. Cool.
Enter a pigeon guide, a new soul sister, and a thrilling adventure through the Otherworld, Kingdom of Death, and more. Can Aru stop the Sleeper?
Reader’s Comments:
WHAT THIS IS SO GOOD. Unsurprisingly, it's a great pick for Percy Jackson fans, but it's also just straight up a great book. Humor, great references (was that a Doctor Who reference I spotted?), gross jokes, and quick wit. Such a great read!
Grade Level: 3-6
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Rick Riordan presents for an ARC of this book. Below is my honest review.
Chokshi, Roshani. Aruh Shah and the End of Time. Rick Riordan Presents, 2018. Hardcover $14.64, ISBN 978-1-36801-235-5
TL;DR: Do I recommend this book? Yes!!! NOW IMMEDIATELY GO READ IT
Genre: Fantasy, and Mythology retelling!
Part of a series? Yes; this is the first of a new series!
Book Summary:
Aru Shah struggles a bit with the truth. Maaaybe she exaggerates things sometimes, but when your mom is always off at museums or dig sites or historical conventions and you live in a museum and everyone else at your new school is super rich and connected, maybe YOU would fudge the truth a bit, too. Fast-forward to Aru needing to light a cursed lamp that she's been forbidden to light just so three bullies won't expose her lies to the entire class. Well, turns out the lamp was cursed! The Sleeper has been released, and if Aru doesn't stop him in 9 days, Lord Shiva will dance the world to its end. Cool.
Enter a pigeon guide, a new soul sister, and a thrilling adventure through the Otherworld, Kingdom of Death, and more. Can Aru stop the Sleeper?
Reader’s Comments:
WHAT THIS IS SO GOOD. Unsurprisingly, it's a great pick for Percy Jackson fans, but it's also just straight up a great book. Humor, great references (was that a Doctor Who reference I spotted?), gross jokes, and quick wit. Such a great read!
Grade Level: 3-6
This definitely fulfills the promise of Rick Riordan's Imprints. Aru is a quirky character who is fun to read. I mean, who can predict how hard it would be to fight the apocalypse when you're stuck in your pajamas? Then again, I guess I know a few people who would prefer it that way.
I do hope the writing flows a little better in the sequel. Sometimes it just came across as a new author, but I suppose it's just a matter of being new to the genre. I worry that a few of the pop culture references might unfairly date the book later but they were funny And amazingly recent. I'd almost think they got put in just before printing.
But seriously, all told, I'm ready for book two. Now.
I do hope the writing flows a little better in the sequel. Sometimes it just came across as a new author, but I suppose it's just a matter of being new to the genre. I worry that a few of the pop culture references might unfairly date the book later but they were funny And amazingly recent. I'd almost think they got put in just before printing.
But seriously, all told, I'm ready for book two. Now.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
relaxing
fast-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
I am really glad there is an Indian mythology equivalent for kids to the Percy Jackson series, and am especially tickled that the author has the same heritage as me (Filipino and Indian)!
I like the prose Chokshi uses here more than the prose of the original PJO books - she employs a better balance of contemporary, everyday language, witty quips, and more reflective, even artistic turns of phrase. My main issue with the novel is while it is overall very fast-paced, the opening and rising action feel rougher and less complete than the rest of the story, and readers are not really given time to really take in the way Aru’s life is changed by her mythological destiny. There is also not much depth yet to the characters, and some of Aru’s traits are talked about a lot more than actually shown.
I found the use of Indian mythology really interesting, clever, and accessible. It is so correct that the vehicle for mythological heritage here is REINCARNATION, and that brief line from Aru's mom about being more than a womb to carry a divine child hits really hard. The cultural touchstones and issues brought up ring very true, even if deeper themes are mostly only hinted at. I also appreciate howDuryodhana/Suyodhana is implied to be a complex figure, not entirely evil, as this too is in line with my favourite interpretations of him from the Mahabharata.
Overall this is a promising start to a series, but I would hope for it to go more in-depth and for stronger characterisation as it goes on.
I like the prose Chokshi uses here more than the prose of the original PJO books - she employs a better balance of contemporary, everyday language, witty quips, and more reflective, even artistic turns of phrase. My main issue with the novel is while it is overall very fast-paced, the opening and rising action feel rougher and less complete than the rest of the story, and readers are not really given time to really take in the way Aru’s life is changed by her mythological destiny. There is also not much depth yet to the characters, and some of Aru’s traits are talked about a lot more than actually shown.
I found the use of Indian mythology really interesting, clever, and accessible. It is so correct that the vehicle for mythological heritage here is REINCARNATION, and that brief line from Aru's mom about being more than a womb to carry a divine child hits really hard. The cultural touchstones and issues brought up ring very true, even if deeper themes are mostly only hinted at. I also appreciate how
Overall this is a promising start to a series, but I would hope for it to go more in-depth and for stronger characterisation as it goes on.
adventurous
informative
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes