A review by stardustrohrig
Loka by S.B. Divya

adventurous challenging inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was a great book. It was a very quick read and I enjoyed reading Akshaya and Somya's adventure around the world.  Akshaya is a very typical teenager who wants to be able to make her own choices about everything and not feel forced to conform to what her mother wants for her. Both she and her mother have a lot to learn and do so throughout the course of the book. I really enjoyed the additional aspects of how disability was used. Like her mother Akshaya has sickle cell anemia and must figure out how to work with it on Earth where it's more disabling than it would be on Meru due to different conditions. The entire story is about self discovery and figuring out where you belong in the universe. 

While this book is a sequel to the previous book "Meru" - Akshaya's parents are two of the main characters from that book - "Loka" works well enough as a standalone novel. I think anyone could read it without having read the first book. Though some plot points might be helpful to know for additional context. 


Thank you to NetGalley, 47North and S.B. Divya for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.