lestaslettering's review
1.0
Ok , bad idea! Very very bad idea!
One time I wanted to try an Indian mytho book and you do this to me? Well its my fault, it must have been for expecting a Percy Jackson repeat on here. Rakshasas and what-not could've been actually fun if you didn't show the entire India as this stupid and a British guy being Ravana? Not even sorry for blurting out a possible spoiler? I wouldn't know, I DNFed at 40%. I will stick with Rick Riordan, thanks.
Ash Mistry? Eddie Singh? I dare you to find one Singh named like that and I'd make pigs fly. Ramayana was actually a story I liked, couldn't you get something better to ruin? And for any non-Indians reading this book, I assure you, no Indian family is this stupid. The bro-sis duo were so annoying. I'd prefer the drawling of Magnus Chase over Ash Mistry anytime. And hell, even Catcher in the Rye was more interesting than this. And Savage? Seriously?
I'm not even going to talk about this anymore. Ramayana is ruined for me, forever. If you don't want to be me, go ahead and skip this book and read the original Ramayana.
One time I wanted to try an Indian mytho book and you do this to me? Well its my fault, it must have been for expecting a Percy Jackson repeat on here. Rakshasas and what-not could've been actually fun if you didn't show the entire India as this stupid and a British guy being Ravana? Not even sorry for blurting out a possible spoiler? I wouldn't know, I DNFed at 40%. I will stick with Rick Riordan, thanks.
Ash Mistry? Eddie Singh? I dare you to find one Singh named like that and I'd make pigs fly. Ramayana was actually a story I liked, couldn't you get something better to ruin? And for any non-Indians reading this book, I assure you, no Indian family is this stupid. The bro-sis duo were so annoying. I'd prefer the drawling of Magnus Chase over Ash Mistry anytime. And hell, even Catcher in the Rye was more interesting than this. And Savage? Seriously?
I'm not even going to talk about this anymore. Ramayana is ruined for me, forever. If you don't want to be me, go ahead and skip this book and read the original Ramayana.
storytimed's review
3.0
Serviceable middle grade. The setting was pretty cool, especially the way Chadda deals with the idea of death, but aside from that it was the same old narrative. The moment the book had Ash learn how to fight and his sister learn "the healing arts", I knew I was going to be disappointed.
chocoblin's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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? No
4.0
jessicaz's review against another edition
3.0
I thought it was cool - I just was hoping for a new Percy Jackson, which Ash Mistry is not.
lazygal's review against another edition
3.0
I had such hopes for this, because it deals with Indian mythology and archaeology. Sadly (and this might just be because I read an ARC, and this will be corrected in the final version) there are no "If you want to know more..." pointers.
Ash and Lucky are on vacation in India, staying with their Uncle Vikram and Aunt Anita. Vik is an expert on ancient Indian languages and as a result the entire group is invited to the Savage Fortress, a former palace in Varanasi. There Ash sees something that's a little odd... perhaps terrifying... but Lord Savage's offering Vik two million pounds for a translation seems to smooth things over. Of course, that's just the start to a tale of reincarnation, ancient gods and wars, Indian history and adventure.
Ash's learning martial arts to fight helps him at the orphanage; having a demon/rakshasa girl/cobra named Parvati helps him as he tries to rescue his sister and fight Lord Savage and the rest of the baddies. As I said, having a way to learn more about Kali, Vishnu, rakshasas and other aspects of Indian culture and mythology would make all that so much more accessible to readers who know little about this. There are other cultural references, like parkour or being a "red shirt" that might not resonate with middle grade readers and need more explanation.
ARC provided by publisher.
Ash and Lucky are on vacation in India, staying with their Uncle Vikram and Aunt Anita. Vik is an expert on ancient Indian languages and as a result the entire group is invited to the Savage Fortress, a former palace in Varanasi. There Ash sees something that's a little odd... perhaps terrifying... but Lord Savage's offering Vik two million pounds for a translation seems to smooth things over. Of course, that's just the start to a tale of reincarnation, ancient gods and wars, Indian history and adventure.
Ash's learning martial arts to fight helps him at the orphanage; having a demon/rakshasa girl/cobra named Parvati helps him as he tries to rescue his sister and fight Lord Savage and the rest of the baddies. As I said, having a way to learn more about Kali, Vishnu, rakshasas and other aspects of Indian culture and mythology would make all that so much more accessible to readers who know little about this. There are other cultural references, like parkour or being a "red shirt" that might not resonate with middle grade readers and need more explanation.
ARC provided by publisher.
snazel's review against another edition
4.0
I learned a lot about indian folklore while reading this.
Indian folklore is TERRIFYING.
Indian folklore is TERRIFYING.
m3l89's review
5.0
Brilliant! Sarwat Chadda does for Indian and Hindu myths and legends what Rick Riordan has done for Greek myths and legends.
Has inspired to read non fiction about the Gods and Goddesses mentioned.
I will definitely read the others in the series.
Has inspired to read non fiction about the Gods and Goddesses mentioned.
I will definitely read the others in the series.
abigailbat's review against another edition
3.0
Not my thing, really, but I would eagerly hand this to kids who love the mythology and adventure of Percy Jackson or The Mark of the Thief. There is a ton of action and adventure and plenty of Indian mythology and monsters.
erin28023's review
5.0
This was an awesome book! If you like Percy Jackson, you will definitely like this book. It is a little darker, but it just makes the plot even better.