Roshani has out done herself yet again! Have you ever thought to yourself, “Why aren’t there more eastern mythologies being written?” Well, I have. Thank goodness Roshani clearly had the same thought at least once, only hers was much better because she took it a step further and thought, what if I did for Hindu mythology what Rick Riordan did for Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology?
What results is sheer brillance on every page. Aru is a believable middle grade heroine – she’s sassy, at times anxious, and braver than she knows. She has a completely ordinary life until she discovers that she is actually a reincarnated Pandava brother from Hindu Legend. What ensues is a wild ride through Hindu mythology, with plenty of friendship, antics, and daring acts to keep you entertained throughout.
This may be the best Middle Grade book I’ve read in a long time, because it doesn’t read too childishly or too young adulty. It’s clearly an MG novel but it’s fast-paced and complex enough to be enjoyable even for older readers. I was completely swept up in the story, and I cannot wait for the sequel to come out next year. That’s the trouble with falling in love with a book and a world within a book – the wait for more makes a year feel like an eternity.
Aru is joining my favorite female heroines – Hermione, Feyre, Clary – and I can’t wait to see what she’ll be up to next.
Rating: 5+/5 stars