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A review by penguinjv
Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi
4.0
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."