honkytonkwitch's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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
shivani_reads's review against another edition
I really wanted to like this book.
I thought it would be everything I would have wanted as a young Desi girl but couldn't get back then. Unfortunately instead I just found myself getting irritated a lot and having to force myself to read it? Until I decided it wasn't worth it when my TBR has 200+ other books waiting for me!
I did wonder very early on if this book wouldn't be for me when the MC talks about TikTok (something I hate to see in fantasy books in particular), but then I also could not get along with the constant attempts at humour that, to me, were just not funny and became tiresome after a bit.
Maybe I'm just way too beyond middle grade at this point in life (but then again, I've enjoyed others in the past year just fine!).
Sorry fellow Desi gang, this one just ain't it for me. But I genuinely hope it's working for the Desi kids it's aimed at <3
I thought it would be everything I would have wanted as a young Desi girl but couldn't get back then. Unfortunately instead I just found myself getting irritated a lot and having to force myself to read it? Until I decided it wasn't worth it when my TBR has 200+ other books waiting for me!
I did wonder very early on if this book wouldn't be for me when the MC talks about TikTok (something I hate to see in fantasy books in particular), but then I also could not get along with the constant attempts at humour that, to me, were just not funny and became tiresome after a bit.
Maybe I'm just way too beyond middle grade at this point in life (but then again, I've enjoyed others in the past year just fine!).
Sorry fellow Desi gang, this one just ain't it for me. But I genuinely hope it's working for the Desi kids it's aimed at <3
revengelyne's review
5.0
Sailor Moon and Hindu Mythology together?
Yes please!
When I first heard that this would be part of Rick Riordan’s imprint, I was excited. I had never read anything by Roshani Chokshi and this would be my first book from her I wanted to read.
I was not at all disappointed. This book kept me glued from the first page to the last.
Aru Shah is a seventh grader with a vivid imagination. Unfortunately that imagination has gotten her in trouble in the past and now three of her classmates have come to visit her to see this cursed lamp. Aru has no choice but to light the lamp or be the laughing stock at school. When she lights the lamp, she releases the Sleeper whom will now go out of his way to awaken the Lord of Destruction. Even worse all those around are suddenly hit with a frozen spell. Aru embarks on a journey to not only stop the Sleeper from awakening the Lord of Destruction but to find a way to free those who were caught in the spell. Along the way she meets Mini and the two girls form a sisterly bond that will help the both of them on this journey but this journey will be wrought with perils and secrets that were meant to never be known. Will Aru be strong enough to take on the Sleeper when the time comes?
For the rest of this review, you can find it at The Book Review
Yes please!
When I first heard that this would be part of Rick Riordan’s imprint, I was excited. I had never read anything by Roshani Chokshi and this would be my first book from her I wanted to read.
I was not at all disappointed. This book kept me glued from the first page to the last.
Aru Shah is a seventh grader with a vivid imagination. Unfortunately that imagination has gotten her in trouble in the past and now three of her classmates have come to visit her to see this cursed lamp. Aru has no choice but to light the lamp or be the laughing stock at school. When she lights the lamp, she releases the Sleeper whom will now go out of his way to awaken the Lord of Destruction. Even worse all those around are suddenly hit with a frozen spell. Aru embarks on a journey to not only stop the Sleeper from awakening the Lord of Destruction but to find a way to free those who were caught in the spell. Along the way she meets Mini and the two girls form a sisterly bond that will help the both of them on this journey but this journey will be wrought with perils and secrets that were meant to never be known. Will Aru be strong enough to take on the Sleeper when the time comes?
For the rest of this review, you can find it at The Book Review
sc104906's review
4.0
Aru lives in the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture with her mother. Her father left when she was young and her mother travels all over to find more artifacts for the museum. Aru wishes she was cooler, had more friends, and had a mom who spent more time with her. Aru's way of escaping is by using her imagination and creating elaborate stories to explain her life. These stories frustrate her classmates, who feel lied to. When several classmates call Aru on a lie and force her to light the Lamp of Bharata, which enacts the curse tied to it. Now everyone around Aru is frozen. She must join her soul sister and their pigeon guide, Boo, to save the universe from ending.
This book is funny. It is unique, by bringing in Indian mythology. I enjoy the fact that the main characters are heroines as opposed to the traditional heroes. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
This book is funny. It is unique, by bringing in Indian mythology. I enjoy the fact that the main characters are heroines as opposed to the traditional heroes. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
lizmarkus's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.25
aclopez6's review
4.0
I would recommend this book for young adults and middle-grade readers who like fantasy, folktales, mythology, and adventure. There are also a lot of characters to keep track of, but the glossary at the back is helpful! Features Hindu mythology, and two perfectly imperfect heroines
CW: multiple gods, demons
CW: multiple gods, demons
m4tr1m0ny's review
3.0
Very cute -- loved Aru and Mini as characters, Aru in particular was very original in her talents. I guessed the twist when they were in the library, which made me feel good. It was a bit too young for me so the simplicity of the writing wasn't super interesting. I do think that it stands out because of this, though, because I often think middle-grade books are written like the characters are 16 even when they're meant to be 12. Aru and Mini both read like they're actually 12. They're both very likable and I looove Aru's character arc.
womanon's review
4.0
I read this in one day, and I enjoyed it so much! It has suspense, wit, and the characters are very in-depth. Can't wait for the next one!
steffi_23's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0