maggiementions's review against another edition
5.0
In an effort to escape her scandalized high school past Tara ends up as a guide for a youth group’s summer trek through the Himalayas. Silas wants to follow in his moms’ footsteps by being a part of the temple tour where they met and fell in love. Silas immediately sees Tara as young woman with good intentions and strong convictions, if she would just let down her walls. That’s hard for Tara to do as her past doesn’t seem to want to be left behind. As the summer goes on and the group travels through India Tara and Silas learn more about themselves and come to terms with their Indian culture, faith, spirituality and sexuality. This story beautifully blends all the complex questions we face as we are coming into our own person with beautiful and picturesque locations I would love to see some day!
hopeamarsu's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
alishampat's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.75
scorcheded's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
sakshis28's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kenshinj12's review against another edition
5.0
It’s been a while since I read a YA novel and starting with Nisha Sharma new release was the best choice. The Karma Map was perfect. To me it was a love letter to immigrant children who are born and raised in western societies. I found myself relating to these characters when I was a teen whenever it came down to their culture and western identities and trying to find that balance and in the end try to hide it. Always with comments like you’re not too Indian or even Australian but you’re just a person. For me it took a while to embrace my culture and like Tara I do respect and value some things from my faith and culture there are just some things I cannot agree with.
This book made me miss India. I haven’t been back since I was 11 or 12 years old and I love reading about people visiting the golden temple. It’s one of my favourite places in the world and favourite place to visit in India. Would always go each time will visit. I love how in every book Nisha describes food made me very hungry especially for the maccas (McDonald’s) aloo tikki burger. Really wanted it. This book made me want to visit some of these places maybe for the next time I go back. Shimla has always been on the list.
Now the characters. I love all of them even Sunny at one point
This book made me miss India. I haven’t been back since I was 11 or 12 years old and I love reading about people visiting the golden temple. It’s one of my favourite places in the world and favourite place to visit in India. Would always go each time will visit. I love how in every book Nisha describes food made me very hungry especially for the maccas (McDonald’s) aloo tikki burger. Really wanted it. This book made me want to visit some of these places maybe for the next time I go back. Shimla has always been on the list.
Now the characters. I love all of them even Sunny at one point
mistermipsy's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Solid ya romance! I hate romance but still enjoyed this thanks to the travel aspect of the story and the food descriptions made me crave Indian food... and the happy, positive, supportive Silas was a nice example for ya readers who get a lot of bizarrely glorified gloomy, dark, borderline abusive (or straight up abusive) male romantic partners in their books... Great ya option for grades 11-12 (not bc there's anything inappropriate, but just bc the main characters are 18 and heading off to college after this trip)
sydneelea's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
shanthecitygirl's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kaylab's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5