A review by lavendermarch
Aru Shah and the Song of Death by Roshani Chokshi
5.0
This was everything I ever wanted and more. I liked the first book after it got going, but the sequel absolutely blew it out of the water!
First and foremost, the new group dynamic - now with Aru, Mini, Aiden, and Brynne - was a lot of fun to read about. It was entertaining to read about them getting to know each other past their (bad) first impressions and seeing everyone's idiosyncrasies and individual challenges. I really liked both Aiden and Brynne once I got to know them, and I look forward to seeing more from them in the next few books in the series!
Secondly, I just love the world(s) that the story takes place in. Chokshi takes myths and legends (that I know nothing about, so no preconceptions here) and spins an imaginative, gloriously rich and immersive tale. I loved reading about the world of the naga, the dreamland, the Soul Exchange, and the different legends of the gods and goddesses. It was so fun and interesting!
Thirdly, I love the complexity that Chokshi brings to the table. This may be a middle grade book, but it is in no way simplistic or cookie cutter. Every character, from Agni to Durvasa to Takshaka, is given good, bad, and morally gray parts. I really appreciated that. Chokshi doesn't try to simply make her characters good or bad, she complicates things for the reader, and for Aru and her friends. It makes for a much more realistic and at times difficult picture of the world Aru finds herself in.
I absolutely loved all of the questions that this complexity raised, and how it intersected with the richly done and casually placed diversity in the series, in terms of race, sexuality, gender, different types of families, etc. It was so nice to see, and I really truly appreciated having it there. It interacted well with the messaging in the book about self-love and growing up.
Finally,
Also, I love the funny chapter titles and how each book so far has completed the story well but also hinted at the plot of the next book in a non-cliffhanger-y way.
All in all, I greatly enjoyed reading this. It pulled me in from the beginning, and brought a lot to the table, from fleshed out characters and fun group dynamics to rich mythology and an exciting plot. I loved the messaging and the complexity of the characters, heroes and villains alike. It was absolutely incredible, and I can't wait to read book three! 5 stars.
First and foremost, the new group dynamic - now with Aru, Mini, Aiden, and Brynne - was a lot of fun to read about. It was entertaining to read about them getting to know each other past their (bad) first impressions and seeing everyone's idiosyncrasies and individual challenges. I really liked both Aiden and Brynne once I got to know them, and I look forward to seeing more from them in the next few books in the series!
Secondly, I just love the world(s) that the story takes place in. Chokshi takes myths and legends (that I know nothing about, so no preconceptions here) and spins an imaginative, gloriously rich and immersive tale. I loved reading about the world of the naga, the dreamland, the Soul Exchange, and the different legends of the gods and goddesses. It was so fun and interesting!
Thirdly, I love the complexity that Chokshi brings to the table. This may be a middle grade book, but it is in no way simplistic or cookie cutter. Every character, from Agni to Durvasa to Takshaka, is given good, bad, and morally gray parts. I really appreciated that. Chokshi doesn't try to simply make her characters good or bad, she complicates things for the reader, and for Aru and her friends. It makes for a much more realistic and at times difficult picture of the world Aru finds herself in.
I absolutely loved all of the questions that this complexity raised, and how it intersected with the richly done and casually placed diversity in the series, in terms of race, sexuality, gender, different types of families, etc. It was so nice to see, and I really truly appreciated having it there. It interacted well with the messaging in the book about self-love and growing up.
Finally,
Spoiler
Aiden and Aru. So awkward, so friend-zoned, yet so much potential! And now we know he was Queen Draupadi in a former life, who apparently loved Arjuna (read: Aru) the most, which has me wheezing. I look forward to future awkwardness!Also, I love the funny chapter titles and how each book so far has completed the story well but also hinted at the plot of the next book in a non-cliffhanger-y way.
All in all, I greatly enjoyed reading this. It pulled me in from the beginning, and brought a lot to the table, from fleshed out characters and fun group dynamics to rich mythology and an exciting plot. I loved the messaging and the complexity of the characters, heroes and villains alike. It was absolutely incredible, and I can't wait to read book three! 5 stars.