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shema's review against another edition
5.0
Uh! Feels! Also WTH? WTH?! And I mean it in the best way haha.
mkoehn's review against another edition
dark
funny
sad
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
5.0
worldsunlikeourown's review against another edition
4.0
Read more reviews on my blog at Worlds Unlike Our Own.
War is on the horizon, and when news arrives that a powerful clairvoyant and her sister have been found, Aru, Mini and Brynne are sent to rescue them, and more importantly get them to the Otherworld safely so that any prophecy the clairvoyant issues cannot be heard by the demons. Things go awry however, and not only do the demons manage to hear said prophecy, but the two girls rescued, Sheela and Nikita, turn out to be the last Pandavas. As the devas race to do some damage control and handle the situation, Aru interprets the prophecy to mean that they need to find the Tree of Wishes, the Kalpavriksha, to win the war. This sets off a series of quests on the path to finding the tree which has been well hidden by the goddess of forests, with Rudy, the Naga prince joining them for the wildest ride yet.
I felt that Aru was markedly more mature in this book in some aspects, largely due to her discovering the side of the Sleeper who was just a man who wanted to be her dad before he became a monster. While it maintains the trend of a light hearted narrative, complete with hilarious pop culture references from Aru, the underlying serious tone was unexpected and I really did not expect a middle grade series to take this route - but I'm very happy that this story is starting to gain some significant depth, because I've always found it hard to take the mythological aspects in this series seriously. As someone who has learnt the real stories growing up, these characterizations are somewhat bizarre, and I tend to gloss over them and pay attention to the plot instead. However, this particular installment handled a few of the myths very well indeed. One nice touch was the scene at the Yamuna river with Mini - that was one particular incident I never thought would be mirrored in this series, and it was quite well written too.
I wasn't too fond of the two new additions to the team, and there wasn't all that much character development for either of them apart from a few glimpses into their life before they entered foster care. However, I'm looking forward to seeing more of the twins in the next book - but I'm even more excited to see what becomes of that brilliant cliffhanger. Another humorous, entertaining, fast-paced adventure in this series, and by far, the best one yet.
War is on the horizon, and when news arrives that a powerful clairvoyant and her sister have been found, Aru, Mini and Brynne are sent to rescue them, and more importantly get them to the Otherworld safely so that any prophecy the clairvoyant issues cannot be heard by the demons. Things go awry however, and not only do the demons manage to hear said prophecy, but the two girls rescued, Sheela and Nikita, turn out to be the last Pandavas. As the devas race to do some damage control and handle the situation, Aru interprets the prophecy to mean that they need to find the Tree of Wishes, the Kalpavriksha, to win the war. This sets off a series of quests on the path to finding the tree which has been well hidden by the goddess of forests, with Rudy, the Naga prince joining them for the wildest ride yet.
I felt that Aru was markedly more mature in this book in some aspects, largely due to her discovering the side of the Sleeper who was just a man who wanted to be her dad before he became a monster. While it maintains the trend of a light hearted narrative, complete with hilarious pop culture references from Aru, the underlying serious tone was unexpected and I really did not expect a middle grade series to take this route - but I'm very happy that this story is starting to gain some significant depth, because I've always found it hard to take the mythological aspects in this series seriously. As someone who has learnt the real stories growing up, these characterizations are somewhat bizarre, and I tend to gloss over them and pay attention to the plot instead. However, this particular installment handled a few of the myths very well indeed. One nice touch was the scene at the Yamuna river with Mini - that was one particular incident I never thought would be mirrored in this series, and it was quite well written too.
I wasn't too fond of the two new additions to the team, and there wasn't all that much character development for either of them apart from a few glimpses into their life before they entered foster care. However, I'm looking forward to seeing more of the twins in the next book - but I'm even more excited to see what becomes of that brilliant cliffhanger. Another humorous, entertaining, fast-paced adventure in this series, and by far, the best one yet.
bees_circus's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
3.0
other_worlds_than_these's review against another edition
5.0
YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME I would be more upset if I didn’t have the sequel waiting for me at home bc that cliffhanger oh my god!!!!
monarchsandmyths's review against another edition
5.0
i think that this book is where the pandava series truly comes into its own, and i couldn’t be happier to witness it. don’t get me wrong, i have enjoyed every single book in this series (1-4 as of writing this), but this one truly went to the next level. even though it hasn’t been that long, i wish i’d had these back when i was aru’s age because i think i would have loved reading all that much more.
the worldbuilding in this book is absolutely exquisite, far above and beyond many fantasy books i’ve read in older age categories, which just tells of chokshi’s talent as a writer. although i may not be familiar with the mythology that serves as the inspiration behind the story, it’s never left me confused. in the same vein, it’s not over-explaining, and i don’t think that every element has to be explained. instead, the reader is so thoroughly immersed in the world through vibrant storytelling.
as well as being beautifully written, there are just so many wonderful elements, but most of all the way that this book handles both deep, overarching topics while still being funny and a joy to read. the series as a whole deals with aru coming to terms with her relationship with her mother and father, with the antagonist, with her newfound sisters, and all the others they meet along the way. this book in particular compounds the points of dealing with betrayal, of uncertainty and how to grow beyond just what you’ve been taught. it may be geared toward middle grade readers, but i think that this book can and does speak to readers of all ages. it’s a series about growing up, and this book really showcases just how satisfying it is to see aru grow up.
i could continue to wax poetic about how beautiful and touching this book is, and it is, but i cannot overstate how fun it is too. aru is such a genuinely funny narrator, whether or not she’s intending to. she is flawed and definitely acts like a middle schooler, but still a joy to follow. and even though the pandava sisters are literally trying to save the world, they still get to be realistic tweenagers. and i really can’t help but root for aru and the rest of her companions, their crushes, their adventures, and everything in between.
the worldbuilding in this book is absolutely exquisite, far above and beyond many fantasy books i’ve read in older age categories, which just tells of chokshi’s talent as a writer. although i may not be familiar with the mythology that serves as the inspiration behind the story, it’s never left me confused. in the same vein, it’s not over-explaining, and i don’t think that every element has to be explained. instead, the reader is so thoroughly immersed in the world through vibrant storytelling.
as well as being beautifully written, there are just so many wonderful elements, but most of all the way that this book handles both deep, overarching topics while still being funny and a joy to read. the series as a whole deals with aru coming to terms with her relationship with her mother and father, with the antagonist, with her newfound sisters, and all the others they meet along the way. this book in particular compounds the points of dealing with betrayal, of uncertainty and how to grow beyond just what you’ve been taught. it may be geared toward middle grade readers, but i think that this book can and does speak to readers of all ages. it’s a series about growing up, and this book really showcases just how satisfying it is to see aru grow up.
i could continue to wax poetic about how beautiful and touching this book is, and it is, but i cannot overstate how fun it is too. aru is such a genuinely funny narrator, whether or not she’s intending to. she is flawed and definitely acts like a middle schooler, but still a joy to follow. and even though the pandava sisters are literally trying to save the world, they still get to be realistic tweenagers. and i really can’t help but root for aru and the rest of her companions, their crushes, their adventures, and everything in between.
the_story_girl389's review against another edition
4.0
"Where the deer and the cantaloupes play"
"When I was a young warthog."
"I am.... Groot,"
Will I ever get tired of Aru? Not very likely :)
"When I was a young warthog."
"I am.... Groot,"
Will I ever get tired of Aru? Not very likely :)
mangomage's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25