yoshiluvstoread's review against another edition
5.0
I just effing love this series! They're so fun to read and the references of pop culture are so hilarious they had me cackling like a dumbass more than once.
katarinamar13's review against another edition
4.0
4/5 stars .
I don't have a lot of experience reviewing middle grade books, but overall I really enjoyed this one! I've read the first book in the series a while back, and the sequel did not disappoint.
I don't have a lot of experience reviewing middle grade books, but overall I really enjoyed this one! I've read the first book in the series a while back, and the sequel did not disappoint.
glkrose's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.0
I enjoyed this a lot more than the first one. It didn't fall into the same Percy Jackson pattern, and I thought Aru had grown a little. I mean, she stopped lying all the time! But really, I loved the new additions to the group, Aiden and Brynne. I think they really brought a lot out of both Aru and Mini. My heart truly broke for Brynne at times. It was a fun adventure, so many pop culture references. A delight.
lavendermarch's review against another edition
5.0
This was everything I ever wanted and more. I liked the first book after it got going, but the sequel absolutely blew it out of the water!
First and foremost, the new group dynamic - now with Aru, Mini, Aiden, and Brynne - was a lot of fun to read about. It was entertaining to read about them getting to know each other past their (bad) first impressions and seeing everyone's idiosyncrasies and individual challenges. I really liked both Aiden and Brynne once I got to know them, and I look forward to seeing more from them in the next few books in the series!
Secondly, I just love the world(s) that the story takes place in. Chokshi takes myths and legends (that I know nothing about, so no preconceptions here) and spins an imaginative, gloriously rich and immersive tale. I loved reading about the world of the naga, the dreamland, the Soul Exchange, and the different legends of the gods and goddesses. It was so fun and interesting!
Thirdly, I love the complexity that Chokshi brings to the table. This may be a middle grade book, but it is in no way simplistic or cookie cutter. Every character, from Agni to Durvasa to Takshaka, is given good, bad, and morally gray parts. I really appreciated that. Chokshi doesn't try to simply make her characters good or bad, she complicates things for the reader, and for Aru and her friends. It makes for a much more realistic and at times difficult picture of the world Aru finds herself in.
I absolutely loved all of the questions that this complexity raised, and how it intersected with the richly done and casually placed diversity in the series, in terms of race, sexuality, gender, different types of families, etc. It was so nice to see, and I really truly appreciated having it there. It interacted well with the messaging in the book about self-love and growing up.
Finally,
Also, I love the funny chapter titles and how each book so far has completed the story well but also hinted at the plot of the next book in a non-cliffhanger-y way.
All in all, I greatly enjoyed reading this. It pulled me in from the beginning, and brought a lot to the table, from fleshed out characters and fun group dynamics to rich mythology and an exciting plot. I loved the messaging and the complexity of the characters, heroes and villains alike. It was absolutely incredible, and I can't wait to read book three! 5 stars.
First and foremost, the new group dynamic - now with Aru, Mini, Aiden, and Brynne - was a lot of fun to read about. It was entertaining to read about them getting to know each other past their (bad) first impressions and seeing everyone's idiosyncrasies and individual challenges. I really liked both Aiden and Brynne once I got to know them, and I look forward to seeing more from them in the next few books in the series!
Secondly, I just love the world(s) that the story takes place in. Chokshi takes myths and legends (that I know nothing about, so no preconceptions here) and spins an imaginative, gloriously rich and immersive tale. I loved reading about the world of the naga, the dreamland, the Soul Exchange, and the different legends of the gods and goddesses. It was so fun and interesting!
Thirdly, I love the complexity that Chokshi brings to the table. This may be a middle grade book, but it is in no way simplistic or cookie cutter. Every character, from Agni to Durvasa to Takshaka, is given good, bad, and morally gray parts. I really appreciated that. Chokshi doesn't try to simply make her characters good or bad, she complicates things for the reader, and for Aru and her friends. It makes for a much more realistic and at times difficult picture of the world Aru finds herself in.
I absolutely loved all of the questions that this complexity raised, and how it intersected with the richly done and casually placed diversity in the series, in terms of race, sexuality, gender, different types of families, etc. It was so nice to see, and I really truly appreciated having it there. It interacted well with the messaging in the book about self-love and growing up.
Finally,
Spoiler
Aiden and Aru. So awkward, so friend-zoned, yet so much potential! And now we know he was Queen Draupadi in a former life, who apparently loved Arjuna (read: Aru) the most, which has me wheezing. I look forward to future awkwardness!Also, I love the funny chapter titles and how each book so far has completed the story well but also hinted at the plot of the next book in a non-cliffhanger-y way.
All in all, I greatly enjoyed reading this. It pulled me in from the beginning, and brought a lot to the table, from fleshed out characters and fun group dynamics to rich mythology and an exciting plot. I loved the messaging and the complexity of the characters, heroes and villains alike. It was absolutely incredible, and I can't wait to read book three! 5 stars.
nadiahes's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
4.75
kansas_b's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
brulereads's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.0
I appreciated the mythology, friend group and overall lessons. Yet, I felt there were endless challenges in the quest. This should be way more popular with the kids and would make for a great movie series.
rainbow_reader's review against another edition
4.5
This series really is so enjoyable and I very much so recommend.
mcquay123's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
henleymadelyn's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.5