adoraafina's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
5.0
chandraleereads's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this books just as much as the first one in the series!! The Pandava Quartet is totally a contender for my favorite book series (depending on books 3 and 4, but I’m confident they will be awesome)! I can’t wait until April so I can read the next book!! I wish I had been friends with Aru Shah, Minnie, and Brynne when I was in middle school!!! On top of the fantastical story telling and lovable characters I also really love learning about Hindu mythology! I am in love with this series!
robyn_willow's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
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? No
5.0
cammcamm's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
dkragick's review against another edition
4.0
I really do love this series (the whole Rick Riordan Presents). This second novel in the Pandava series grew quite a bit from the first. I love that the author is finding their own voice. I've got the third book on pre-order.
"May all the chocolate chip cookies you reach for turn out to be cleverly disguised oatmeal raisin."
"Aru's mom had taught her that many tales from around the world were similar. That didn't make them unoriginal or bad, but rather proof that people cared about and were frightened of the same things no matter where they lived. Each culture put their own spin on the same universal story, keeping it alive in many different versions."
"May all the chocolate chip cookies you reach for turn out to be cleverly disguised oatmeal raisin."
"Aru's mom had taught her that many tales from around the world were similar. That didn't make them unoriginal or bad, but rather proof that people cared about and were frightened of the same things no matter where they lived. Each culture put their own spin on the same universal story, keeping it alive in many different versions."
khushg's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mandler_'s review against another edition
3.0
Rating: 3/5 stars
I am enjoying these books enough to finish, however, I really don't know how I feel about them. They're okay, but nothing special. I echo what I said in my review of the first book, I honestly think the wonderfully beautiful (and largely unknown to me) stories of Hindu mythologies are constrained and held back by the Riordan universe/formula. I guess that could be a positive thing though, maybe these stories are more approachable. Not that other mythologies are less beautiful and therefore better with this formula....
I don't really know what it is about this story. This book (and the first) get off to a rocky start. Even though the action starts right away, I think that is actually a weakness. Comparing it (as obviously one will) to Percy Jackson, we got a lot more time in the human world where Percy just... lives his life. I honestly don't feel like I know these characters very much outside of their jokes. The middle of the book is the best part (I thought the inherited powers and traits from past lives is super interesting). I enjoyed the additional characters and story lines and the ambiguous nature of morality with the villains. There is just something about everything that it feels... strange and not as good as it could be.
Perhaps it's because Percy Jackson takes place largely in our human world, so I can connect to the locations better, while this series focuses on magical travel and different realms, so it is hard to place and connect as much. The overhanded pop culture and technology references were annoying, but it makes sense why they are there--I just prefer a more subtle use.
I am enjoying these books enough to finish, however, I really don't know how I feel about them. They're okay, but nothing special. I echo what I said in my review of the first book, I honestly think the wonderfully beautiful (and largely unknown to me) stories of Hindu mythologies are constrained and held back by the Riordan universe/formula. I guess that could be a positive thing though, maybe these stories are more approachable. Not that other mythologies are less beautiful and therefore better with this formula....
I don't really know what it is about this story. This book (and the first) get off to a rocky start. Even though the action starts right away, I think that is actually a weakness. Comparing it (as obviously one will) to Percy Jackson, we got a lot more time in the human world where Percy just... lives his life. I honestly don't feel like I know these characters very much outside of their jokes. The middle of the book is the best part (I thought the inherited powers and traits from past lives is super interesting). I enjoyed the additional characters and story lines and the ambiguous nature of morality with the villains. There is just something about everything that it feels... strange and not as good as it could be.
Perhaps it's because Percy Jackson takes place largely in our human world, so I can connect to the locations better, while this series focuses on magical travel and different realms, so it is hard to place and connect as much. The overhanded pop culture and technology references were annoying, but it makes sense why they are there--I just prefer a more subtle use.
im_robbie's review against another edition
5.0
i fly through these books! it made me so happy that brynne was telugu…i’m literally bursting with pride!!!