Reviews

Aru Shah and the Song of Death, by Roshani Chokshi

camille_andherbooks's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny informative inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

licensetoshelbs's review against another edition

adventurous funny medium-paced

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

4.0

jessica_8675's review against another edition

5.0

This is a sequel that builds off of the previous novel, its not just a retread of the previous story. It doesn't feel as Percy Jacksonish as the previous one. It felt more like its own thing that can stand by itself. Also the characters were phenomenal. The girls were all clearly there own persons with their own strengths and weaknesses. The girls showed how different girls will have different complex relationships with each other. Even the male character was great. Normally when a story tries to prop up girls what happens is boys get left in the dust. Either just being cardboard cutouts of characters or simply left out all together. But not in this book. Everyone works together and off of each other. They became friends in a very natural way. I think that this book is an improvement on the previous installment and is a must read for young readers.

dhanushri's review against another edition

adventurous funny fast-paced

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

4.0

gcamelopardalis's review against another edition

3.0

(I audio'd this so excuse me if I misspell any of the names)

I'm gonna keep reading these and gonna keep hoping that they get better. They kinda seem like less good Percy Jackson books, and Percy Jackson books arent even that good. I really want to like these, I loved Chokshi's first couple books and I've been hoping since then she would write something as good cause like? Desi retellings? Sign me up! But then idk, I think she are too laden with pop culture references and the story so far is a little too straightforward for my taste. I know they're kids books but I think people don't give kids enough credit.

Unlike with the Percy Jackson books I actually do like the main characters. Aru is brash and awkward but in an endearing way. Minnie is sweet, and Bryn has a tough exterior with a sensitive core. Aidan is whatever imo, though I did like the subplot with his mom a lot. I really like all the Hindu retellings in this, I think they're a lot of fun, and I do think that the world Chokshi has built is very cool.

tthe_cancerian's review

4.0

It's always so much fun reading Aru Shah. I really enjoyed the balance of humour and dangerous, magical quests. The dynamic between the new characters and old characters was also nice. I loved how we saw the stories about the "side characters" in the story of Gods. Meenakhsi's whole cause was really heartbreaking.

Can't wait for the next book.

shadeyc's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful sad medium-paced

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

3.5

I think this will be a series that gets better as it goes along - I definitely liked this one better than the first one. I liked the introduction of the new characters and this books myths and legends. I'm still not completely convinced I like Aru (and I'm 50/50 on Brynne), but they're tweens, they're supposed to be dickheads. 

ckreads28's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I really do adore these characters and this series. I will say I guessed the plot twist with Aiden, but I love these characters and group so much. Found family is one of the best tropes. I also loved the analogies about families and I feel like it might help a lot of the audience it is based for and heal a lot of our inner children. The action, humor, and mythology, keeps you hooked into these books.

bronsonmh's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

 I thought this was such a great book. Once I got started it was hard to put down. I think this is a great continuation of the Pandava series. I love how we have added a new character and thought this was such a big and sometime heavy mission. I still think Aru is such a great main character and her love for Adien and Mini is amazing.. I love their friend group. I also love Brynne as the new character. I think she is a great addition. I can not wait to the next book in the series 

otaryseal's review against another edition

adventurous funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.25