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A review by gabriele_queerbookdom
Rea and the Blood of the Nectar by Payal Doshi
3.0
DRC provided by Mango and Marigold Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Representation: Indian protagonist, Indian secondary characters.
Content Warning: sexism, bullying, violence, kidnapping.
Rea and the Blood of the Nectar by Payal Doshi is a magical middle-grade filled with adventures, splendid creatures, self-introspection and familiar love.
Lonely Rea is infuriated once she discovers her twin brother is going to celebrate their birthday with his friends and he did not invite her. She decides then to hatch a plan to spoil his cricket match. After the game, Rohan leaves her behind and walks home alone. Upon returning Rea notices Rohan is not there and his cricket kit has been abandoned near their house. Panicked, she wakes their mother and grandmother who start looking for him. The only clue, a piece of crimson paper left in front of their house.
The days after her brother’s disappearance, Rea’s dreams are troubled by mysterious images which she cannot comprehend. She then decides, with the help of her neighbour Leela, to consult the local fortune teller. The woman’s prophecy and the puzzle it holds within will lead the two girls into a world of court intrigues, spectacular beings, unveiled secrets and adventures.
I quite liked the fantastical flora-inspired world with its captivating inhabitants, I just wished the author had thought outside the binary and included diversity. An aspect that confused me a tad though, or at least I wished was explored more, was the history of the floral realm of Astranthia and the source of its existence, the Som. I hoped for more details about the loss of the two petals of the flower.
As for the characters, no one shone brighter that Rea’s bespectacled, sunny neighbour and friend, Leela. She easily conquered the gold among all characters with her fierce loyalty and optimistic and loving nature. Rea, on the other hand, kind of irked me. I understood completely her cynicism and caution towards others and the walls she built around herself for protection; indeed, it was her self-centredness and the easiness with which she fell back in old behavioural patterns that bothered me more. The rest of the characters did not leave really a mark.
Rea and The Blood of the Nectar is an easy read, perfect if you are looking for something quick, but still substantial.
Representation: Indian protagonist, Indian secondary characters.
Content Warning: sexism, bullying, violence, kidnapping.
Rea and the Blood of the Nectar by Payal Doshi is a magical middle-grade filled with adventures, splendid creatures, self-introspection and familiar love.
Lonely Rea is infuriated once she discovers her twin brother is going to celebrate their birthday with his friends and he did not invite her. She decides then to hatch a plan to spoil his cricket match. After the game, Rohan leaves her behind and walks home alone. Upon returning Rea notices Rohan is not there and his cricket kit has been abandoned near their house. Panicked, she wakes their mother and grandmother who start looking for him. The only clue, a piece of crimson paper left in front of their house.
The days after her brother’s disappearance, Rea’s dreams are troubled by mysterious images which she cannot comprehend. She then decides, with the help of her neighbour Leela, to consult the local fortune teller. The woman’s prophecy and the puzzle it holds within will lead the two girls into a world of court intrigues, spectacular beings, unveiled secrets and adventures.
I quite liked the fantastical flora-inspired world with its captivating inhabitants, I just wished the author had thought outside the binary and included diversity. An aspect that confused me a tad though, or at least I wished was explored more, was the history of the floral realm of Astranthia and the source of its existence, the Som. I hoped for more details about the loss of the two petals of the flower.
As for the characters, no one shone brighter that Rea’s bespectacled, sunny neighbour and friend, Leela. She easily conquered the gold among all characters with her fierce loyalty and optimistic and loving nature. Rea, on the other hand, kind of irked me. I understood completely her cynicism and caution towards others and the walls she built around herself for protection; indeed, it was her self-centredness and the easiness with which she fell back in old behavioural patterns that bothered me more. The rest of the characters did not leave really a mark.
Rea and The Blood of the Nectar is an easy read, perfect if you are looking for something quick, but still substantial.