Scan barcode
ohyouread's review against another edition
5.0
Aru Shah & the End of Time has been on my TBR since 2018, so when the opportunity to read the graphic novel came up, I jumped. I am genuinely fascinated by polytheistic cultures and the deities they worship. I learn about them mostly through fantasy books, but I enjoy every second of them!
Aru Shah might be a middle grade book, but the world is so beautiful and inviting (albeit an action/adventure book about saving the world from an evil). The magic and story itself were really exciting and I now need to go read the book to spend more time in the world. I’m also the type of person who wants to know what happens next IMMEDIATELY!! I can’t wait for the other graphic novels to come out to know. I need the answers NOWWWWWWW!
Aru Shah might be a middle grade book, but the world is so beautiful and inviting (albeit an action/adventure book about saving the world from an evil). The magic and story itself were really exciting and I now need to go read the book to spend more time in the world. I’m also the type of person who wants to know what happens next IMMEDIATELY!! I can’t wait for the other graphic novels to come out to know. I need the answers NOWWWWWWW!
strange's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
While I did enjoy the element of Aru being a liar (I think this is a character trait that Many people, and especially kids, have and it’s nice to see a main character learning to manage it while not necessarily becoming entirely honest overnight), the quippiness in this was just way too much to handle. Something in this era of books that is the opposite of timeless and I really don’t love.
meiror13's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Aru Shah and the End of Time is the first book in a children's fantasy series of novels based off of Hindu mythology. It follows twelve-year-old Aru after she finds out that she is a reincarnation of one of the legendary Pandava brothers and is now responsible for saving the world.
This book is perfect in my mind. I have read it five times now and every time I love it just as much, if not more, than the previous times. The plot, the characters, and the mythology elements of this book all come together to create a masterpiece.
The characters really make this book. Aru is not the average children's book heroine; she is not perfect and she is basically responsible for the main conflict of the book. She also has some internal conflicts throughout the book that are very well-written. The other main character, Aru's "soul sister", is Mini, who is just as easy to fall in love with. She is very intelligent and she and Aru working together is just amazingly written; they support each other so well.
The plot of this book is exquisite; the girls face many demons before reaching their final battle at the end, but the humor and heartwarming moments never let it become overwhelming. That being said, there are some moments where I was genuinely nervous for the main characters, and I don't often feel that way while reading. This book was perfectly paced as well. I was never bored while reading, but I also never felt like it was rushing the plot in any way.
What really makes this book one of the best I've ever read is the Hindu mythology woven into it. As someone who didn't know too much about this mythology going in, I learned a lot from reading this book and felt encouraged to learn more. I never felt like it was info-dumping; every single aspect of the mythology covered in this book is so wonderfully integrated into the story and it is explained in such an understandable way. It gives the book so much more meaning, and was just perfect.
I have endless amounts of praise for this book. I cannot recommend it enough. It is a timeless novel that deserves so much attention. Please just read this book. You won't regret it.
This book is perfect in my mind. I have read it five times now and every time I love it just as much, if not more, than the previous times. The plot, the characters, and the mythology elements of this book all come together to create a masterpiece.
The characters really make this book. Aru is not the average children's book heroine; she is not perfect and she is basically responsible for the main conflict of the book. She also has some internal conflicts throughout the book that are very well-written. The other main character, Aru's "soul sister", is Mini, who is just as easy to fall in love with. She is very intelligent and she and Aru working together is just amazingly written; they support each other so well.
The plot of this book is exquisite; the girls face many demons before reaching their final battle at the end, but the humor and heartwarming moments never let it become overwhelming. That being said, there are some moments where I was genuinely nervous for the main characters, and I don't often feel that way while reading. This book was perfectly paced as well. I was never bored while reading, but I also never felt like it was rushing the plot in any way.
What really makes this book one of the best I've ever read is the Hindu mythology woven into it. As someone who didn't know too much about this mythology going in, I learned a lot from reading this book and felt encouraged to learn more. I never felt like it was info-dumping; every single aspect of the mythology covered in this book is so wonderfully integrated into the story and it is explained in such an understandable way. It gives the book so much more meaning, and was just perfect.
I have endless amounts of praise for this book. I cannot recommend it enough. It is a timeless novel that deserves so much attention. Please just read this book. You won't regret it.
takinreads's review against another edition
5.0
THE STORY, WORLBUILDING NYA BAGUS BANGET. IF U LIKE CERITA TENTANG MITOLOGI, PLS READ THIS
2ktakai's review against another edition
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
marialg9497's review against another edition
4.0
This book is hilarious my favorite line will forever be “I know where you live”. I fell off my chair because Ii was laughing so much. Talking about Aru who is the Aiden guy and why can he see the girl when no one else can (except for Mini, Boo, and Aru). April can’t come fast enough!
lavendermarch's review against another edition
4.0
I liked Aru. She felt very real. Mini and Boo were also great characters. I will admit, I picked this book up because the cover reminded me of Percy Jackson, my favorite series of all time. And I may or may not have spent a good amount of the book comparing this to The Lightning Thief. But while the books share some similarities (young protagonists, heroes, demigods, mythology, funny chapter titles) Roshani Chokshi presents something completely new and exciting.
I know pretty much zilch about Hindu mythology, so that was really interesting to learn about, and I also enjoyed the emotional journey that Aru went on. I am definitely looking forward to book two, and seeing what happens to Aru next! Also, that plot twist at the end and the romance hint were fabulous! 4.5 stars! Sign me up for book two! Aru Shah and the End of Time is a proper middle grade adventure fantasy novel, and if you like Percy Jackson, the Kane Chronicles, or Magnus Chase (so Rick Riordan's stuff, honestly) you should like this!
Reread December 12th-13th, 2021
I read this a couple of years ago, and reread it so that I could read the sequel, which has been in my TBR pile for around a year. While the first half was okay, the second half was amazing! I love Aru, Mini, and Boo. The pigeon was hilarious, and Aru and Mini's friendship/sisterhood is wonderful. Th plot was interesting, exciting, and dramatic. I can't wait to read book two! 4 stars.
I know pretty much zilch about Hindu mythology, so that was really interesting to learn about, and I also enjoyed the emotional journey that Aru went on. I am definitely looking forward to book two, and seeing what happens to Aru next! Also, that plot twist at the end and the romance hint were fabulous! 4.5 stars! Sign me up for book two! Aru Shah and the End of Time is a proper middle grade adventure fantasy novel, and if you like Percy Jackson, the Kane Chronicles, or Magnus Chase (so Rick Riordan's stuff, honestly) you should like this!
Reread December 12th-13th, 2021
I read this a couple of years ago, and reread it so that I could read the sequel, which has been in my TBR pile for around a year. While the first half was okay, the second half was amazing! I love Aru, Mini, and Boo. The pigeon was hilarious, and Aru and Mini's friendship/sisterhood is wonderful. Th plot was interesting, exciting, and dramatic. I can't wait to read book two! 4 stars.
legobitar's review against another edition
4.0
I honestly don’t know why it took me 1,5 years to finish this book (except from the part where I have misplaced and possibly recycled my physical copy) because it’s a good and very funny book! I enjoyed it a lot.
jspeight49's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
madison_gleason's review against another edition
4.0
This was really good it had strong Percy Jackson vibes. I liked the Indian mythology and the Gods. It was fun to learn about all of that. I like Aru as a character. Also the running joke about noise goes was really fun. And that they made it clear that they were heroines and not hero’s was really nice.