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situationnormal's review
4.0
Honestly, I mostly listened to this one at night as I was falling asleep, so I'm pretty sure I missed some of the finer points. That said, I love Aru and there's plenty of action (and humor) so I found myself adding another 20 minutes to my sleep timer so I could stay awake and keep listening waaaay too often. These books are definitely very different from the Percy Jackson series, but they have similar themes (obviously), which I think would make them perfect for someone who has read that series 1000 times and need something else to sink their teeth into.
...and it probably won't take the average person three months to read, either.
...and it probably won't take the average person three months to read, either.
pradyumnab1wso's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
samfah's review against another edition
5.0
I need to get a hobby that doesn’t involve shipping teens
bookswithleigh's review against another edition
4.0
Last Time on Keeping Up with the Pandavas...
Aru Shah has finished saving the world from the Sleeper with the help of her reincarnated sister Mini. She learned some hard truths, enjoyed the ride, and is ready to relax for a weekend. Unfortunately, the zombies have other ideas.
The Book
Aru Shah and the Song of Death is the second in the Pandava Quartet, picking up shortly after the first book ends. Zombies are attacking the Night Bazaar, controlled by a mysterious thief who stole Kamadeva's bow and arrow. It's up to Aru and Mini to save the zombie hoard and this time they're not alone. Brynne -- the third Pandava sister -- and Aiden -- a boy who won't let you forget he isn't a Pandava -- join the two on their quest. Together the four of them must prove their innocence in the divine theft or give up their connection to the Otherworld forever.
My Thoughts
I really liked Aru Shah #1. I think I liked #2 better. I find that typically the second book in a series is the worst, but Aru Shah and the Song of Death delivered just as much, if not more, than its predecessor. The addition to the main cast -- Brynne and Aiden -- was done so well. The two of them added their own dynamic to the group as well as changed the dynamics within that were already established.
I won't say much on the plot -- it's your typical hero's quest in the style of the Lightning Thief -- but the tone and humor of the book continued to deliver throughout. We learn a tad bit more about the Naga from the Night Bazaar in #1 as well, and I'm excited to see where that string leads in the next book. I enjoyed the continual inclusion of diversity, the importance placed on stories, and the mythology we learn along the way. I also felt that #2 delivered on a lot of character development for most of the main characters, which is what I want most out of the books I read.
4 out of 5 stars.
Aru Shah has finished saving the world from the Sleeper with the help of her reincarnated sister Mini. She learned some hard truths, enjoyed the ride, and is ready to relax for a weekend. Unfortunately, the zombies have other ideas.
The Book
Aru Shah and the Song of Death is the second in the Pandava Quartet, picking up shortly after the first book ends. Zombies are attacking the Night Bazaar, controlled by a mysterious thief who stole Kamadeva's bow and arrow. It's up to Aru and Mini to save the zombie hoard and this time they're not alone. Brynne -- the third Pandava sister -- and Aiden -- a boy who won't let you forget he isn't a Pandava -- join the two on their quest. Together the four of them must prove their innocence in the divine theft or give up their connection to the Otherworld forever.
My Thoughts
I really liked Aru Shah #1. I think I liked #2 better. I find that typically the second book in a series is the worst, but Aru Shah and the Song of Death delivered just as much, if not more, than its predecessor. The addition to the main cast -- Brynne and Aiden -- was done so well. The two of them added their own dynamic to the group as well as changed the dynamics within that were already established.
I won't say much on the plot -- it's your typical hero's quest in the style of the Lightning Thief -- but the tone and humor of the book continued to deliver throughout. We learn a tad bit more about the Naga from the Night Bazaar in #1 as well, and I'm excited to see where that string leads in the next book. I enjoyed the continual inclusion of diversity, the importance placed on stories, and the mythology we learn along the way. I also felt that #2 delivered on a lot of character development for most of the main characters, which is what I want most out of the books I read.
4 out of 5 stars.
chamomiledaydreams's review
4.0
I like the pacing of this series, especially how it deals with character introductions. Aru and Mini got the first book to themselves, and now we get to meet Brynne and Aiden. All of the main characters in this series have won my heart, and I adore their group dynamic! Also, the pop culture references in this book made me laugh out loud, especially the references to more recent songs. Combining them with fight scenes is the perfect way to mix humor with intensity.
sheepishreader's review
5.0
Again, I say:
PROTECT MINI AT ALL COSTS OR ELSE
Reread 2022:
Rereading in preparation for the final book in April.
Seriously, I adore the Potatoes. Aru and Mini and amazing as always, and the addition of Wifey (sorry, Aiden) and Brynne was perfect. All of them are spectacularly well written, and they feel extremely real to me.
Also, the subtle queer rep is fantastic. The fact that Brynne is raised by her two uncles is amazing, and it’s not a big deal at all. And in a a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, Brynne mentions that she’s only into guys or girls that can fight. I think that books, middle grade especially, need this.
PROTECT MINI AT ALL COSTS OR ELSE
Reread 2022:
Rereading in preparation for the final book in April.
Seriously, I adore the Potatoes. Aru and Mini and amazing as always, and the addition of Wifey (sorry, Aiden) and Brynne was perfect. All of them are spectacularly well written, and they feel extremely real to me.
Also, the subtle queer rep is fantastic. The fact that Brynne is raised by her two uncles is amazing, and it’s not a big deal at all. And in a a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, Brynne mentions that she’s only into guys or girls that can fight. I think that books, middle grade especially, need this.
mlyald's review
4.0
brown teenagers trying to save the world while also trying to maintain their teenage life? yeah sign me up
pleasejustletmeread's review against another edition
4.0
Serien her har virkelig potentiale til at skulle blive episk, blandt andet takket være det faktum, at den læner sig frygteligt meget op ad Rick Riordans mytologiske fortællinger i forhold til humor, tempo, sprog og hvordan plottet er skruet sammen; til tider kunne det endda lyde som om, det er Rick Riordan selv, der har skrevet historien.
Aru Shah bøgerne er dog stadig helt deres egne, og kan, som Rick Riordans bøger, være med til at skabe nysgerrighed om nogle af de trosretninger og myter, som ellers ikke er så meget i fokus, og de minder os om at huske, at vores verden er større end de Abrahamsreligioner, der er dominerende i det meste af verden (de skal naturligvis også have lov til at være der - men verden rummer bare så meget mere end dem). Ved at målrette bøgerne til mellemtrinnet kan man endda være heldig at fange læserne i en periode, hvor de stadig har tiden og overskuddet til at se alt det, disse bøger og myterne bag dem har at byde på, og det kan være med til at åbne deres øjne for verdens mangfoldigheder og nogle af de ting, som man ellers kunne frygte ville have været oversete.
Humoren er stadig i top, både i forhold til de naturlige platte vittigheder mellem unge på alder med vores hovedpersoner, men også i forhold til mængden af intertekstuelle referencer, der som i Rick Riordans universer ikke nøjes med at være referencer til den pågældende mytologi, men også til en længere række værker fra populærkulturen, som man måske ikke kan forvente, men i hvert fald håbe på at målgruppen kender til; herunder er Harry Potter og Ringenes Herre de helt store spillere i denne bog, mens der også er subtile hints til Rick Riordans univers og flere Disneyfilm.
I kraft af, at der her i bog 2 bliver introduceret to nye karakterer, som har stor betydning for handlingen, opstår der naturligt en række konflikter, som er interessante at følge - både i forhold til at Aru og Mini nu ikke længere er alene på deres quest og nu må ændre den dynamik de har mellem sig fra sidste quest for at gøre plads til to nye, stærke personligheder, som også har deres at ville have sagt i forhold til hvordan tingene skal gøres, og hvem der fører an - men også i forhold til hvordan Aru ser sig selv, hvilket næsten er mere interessant at følge, i og med vi får ety indblik i hendes gradvise modningsproces. Hun er ikke perfekt, men en nuanceret, realistisk karakter med tvivl om, hvorvidt hun slår til, både som datter, veninde, elev og som Pandava, og det gør det bestemt ikke lettere, at der nu er nye ansigter at forholde sig til, som også har nogle forventninger til én. Der er mange ting at tackle, og det er en stor gave, at vi får indblik i hvordan Aru tænker og ser situationen undervejs, og det bliver spændende at se hvordan hun udvikler sig i de kommende bøger.
Det er dog som om, der mangler en lille smule gnist i bogen her i forhold til dens forgænger, hvorfor der også "kun" er givet fire stjerner mod de fem, jeg gav den første bog. Det er svært at finde ud af, nøjagtigt hvad, der gør det, men der er lagt en dæmper på nogle af de positive ting, - ikke, at de er forsvundet, men der er bare en smule mindre af dem, - måske for at gøre plads til, at de nye karakterer skal have lov at fylde lidt? Man kan i hvert fald håbe, at energien kan holdes oppe serien ud, så den ikke mister al sin kraft fremadrettet, nu serien har så meget at byde på.
Aru Shah bøgerne er dog stadig helt deres egne, og kan, som Rick Riordans bøger, være med til at skabe nysgerrighed om nogle af de trosretninger og myter, som ellers ikke er så meget i fokus, og de minder os om at huske, at vores verden er større end de Abrahamsreligioner, der er dominerende i det meste af verden (de skal naturligvis også have lov til at være der - men verden rummer bare så meget mere end dem). Ved at målrette bøgerne til mellemtrinnet kan man endda være heldig at fange læserne i en periode, hvor de stadig har tiden og overskuddet til at se alt det, disse bøger og myterne bag dem har at byde på, og det kan være med til at åbne deres øjne for verdens mangfoldigheder og nogle af de ting, som man ellers kunne frygte ville have været oversete.
Humoren er stadig i top, både i forhold til de naturlige platte vittigheder mellem unge på alder med vores hovedpersoner, men også i forhold til mængden af intertekstuelle referencer, der som i Rick Riordans universer ikke nøjes med at være referencer til den pågældende mytologi, men også til en længere række værker fra populærkulturen, som man måske ikke kan forvente, men i hvert fald håbe på at målgruppen kender til; herunder er Harry Potter og Ringenes Herre de helt store spillere i denne bog, mens der også er subtile hints til Rick Riordans univers og flere Disneyfilm.
I kraft af, at der her i bog 2 bliver introduceret to nye karakterer, som har stor betydning for handlingen, opstår der naturligt en række konflikter, som er interessante at følge - både i forhold til at Aru og Mini nu ikke længere er alene på deres quest og nu må ændre den dynamik de har mellem sig fra sidste quest for at gøre plads til to nye, stærke personligheder, som også har deres at ville have sagt i forhold til hvordan tingene skal gøres, og hvem der fører an - men også i forhold til hvordan Aru ser sig selv, hvilket næsten er mere interessant at følge, i og med vi får ety indblik i hendes gradvise modningsproces. Hun er ikke perfekt, men en nuanceret, realistisk karakter med tvivl om, hvorvidt hun slår til, både som datter, veninde, elev og som Pandava, og det gør det bestemt ikke lettere, at der nu er nye ansigter at forholde sig til, som også har nogle forventninger til én. Der er mange ting at tackle, og det er en stor gave, at vi får indblik i hvordan Aru tænker og ser situationen undervejs, og det bliver spændende at se hvordan hun udvikler sig i de kommende bøger.
Det er dog som om, der mangler en lille smule gnist i bogen her i forhold til dens forgænger, hvorfor der også "kun" er givet fire stjerner mod de fem, jeg gav den første bog. Det er svært at finde ud af, nøjagtigt hvad, der gør det, men der er lagt en dæmper på nogle af de positive ting, - ikke, at de er forsvundet, men der er bare en smule mindre af dem, - måske for at gøre plads til, at de nye karakterer skal have lov at fylde lidt? Man kan i hvert fald håbe, at energien kan holdes oppe serien ud, så den ikke mister al sin kraft fremadrettet, nu serien har så meget at byde på.
lonelyhuman's review
4.0
3.5/5
It's been so long since I read a middle grade book (other than rereads), and it was so nostalgic for some reason. One of the things that I love about middle grade books is the fact that the plot is not as predictable because the authors actually have unique ideas (*gasp*) and the same tropes are not reused until you can tell the end of the book from the summary, and it was kind of nice to see that again.
It's been so long since I read a middle grade book (other than rereads), and it was so nostalgic for some reason. One of the things that I love about middle grade books is the fact that the plot is not as predictable because the authors actually have unique ideas (*gasp*) and the same tropes are not reused until you can tell the end of the book from the summary, and it was kind of nice to see that again.