Published: 30. April .2019
Genre: Middle Grade | Fantasy | Mythology
Pages: 304
Publisher: Scholastic
What is it about?
Aru is only just getting the hang of this whole Pandava thing when the Otherworld goes into full panic mode. The god of love’s bow and arrow have gone missing, and the thief isn’t playing Cupid. Instead, they’re turning people into heartless fighting-machine zombies. If that weren’t bad enough, somehow Aru gets framed as the thief. If she doesn’t find the arrow by the next full moon, she’ll be kicked out of the Otherworld. For good. But, for better or worse, she won’t be going it alone. Along with her soul-sister, Mini, Aru will team up with Brynne, an ultra-strong girl who knows more than she lets on, and Aiden, the boy who lives across the street and is also hiding plenty of secrets. Together they’ll battle demons, travel through a glittering and dangerous serpent realm, and discover that their enemy isn’t at all who they expected.
Review
Plot:
Apart from being one of the anticipated releases of the year, I was also more keen on reading it for the #asianreadathon I participated in last month and since it’s based on Hindu Mythology, and written by an author of Half-Indian descent, like me. Its more of a middle grade book than a young adult book, and I believe its important to understand that before picking up this book.
Even with some serious action scenes, the humor was on point as well the friendship between Aru, Mini, Brynne and Aiden.
I really love the fact that it opens a conversation with subtle LGBT hints in the book. I loved how it isn’t the theme of the book, but does allow room for potential discussion about the topic which makes this middle grade novel even so special and important.
I personally feel there are extremely rare middle grade novels that will do it so gracefully. This is a sequel , and I am so glad to see how much better this one is. It entertains, and also educates about important themes like LGBT, Equal Rights, Friendship, Good and Evil and many more.
Setting:
It is similar to Rick Riordan’s Writing. Yes! But it’s worth reading it. Such a fun way to learn about Hindu Mythology, and me being half Hindu, I really appreciate the fact I can read about Hindu Mythology in a Fantasy Setting.
I absolutely loved the Otherworld adventures!
Characters:
Aru, Aiden, Mini and Brynne had teir own distinct voices which really made this book so special for me. They all were dealing with their own demons, and it was fun to watch them overcome them .
Brynne’s character is an extremely strong representation of being you, and the surroundings or the past should not be able to define you. Aru herself, is dealing with the same kind of issue, but suffers from insecurity and the worry of being accepted. Mini has to keep up with her rank against her brothers, and is worried about hygiene. ( okay we seriously need more people like her in India, maybe not that paranoid but we do ! ) and Aiden, who is a mama’s boy, and wants his mother to be happy. I love how he is so caring towards his friends and even though is cute, doesn’t have the slightest hint of it.
I sure do recommend to read this book for the sole purpose of it representing Hindu Mythology and its Gods in a Fantasy Setting.
I absolutely adored the first book in this series! I didn’t realize that there was LGBT representation in this book, but I’m very glad to hear it!!
A very subtle representation, since its middle grads but it does open a conversation to it which was pleasant surprise for me too. I loved the first book as well 😍