by Roshani Chokshi (Author) Anu Chouhan (Illustrator)
Twelve-year-old Aru Shah has a tendency to stretch the truth in order to fit in at school. While her classmates are jetting off to family vacations in exotic locales, she'll be spending her autumn break at home, in the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture, waiting for her mom to return from her latest archeological trip. Is it any wonder that Aru makes up stories about being royalty, traveling to Paris, and having a chauffeur? One day, three schoolmates show up at Aru's doorstep to catch her in a lie. They don't believe her claim that the museum's Lamp of Bharata is cursed, and they dare Aru to prove it. Just a quick light, Aru thinks. Then she can get herself out of this mess and never ever fib again. But lighting the lamp has dire consequences. She unwittingly frees the Sleeper, an ancient demon whose duty it is to awaken the God of Destruction. Her classmates and beloved mother are frozen in time, and it's up to Aru to save them. The only way to stop the demon is to find the reincarnations of the five legendary Pandava brothers, protagonists of the Hindu epic poem, the Mahabharata, and journey through the Kingdom of Death. But how is one girl in Spider-Man pajamas supposed to do all that?
This hilarious and inventive fantasy is perfect for the graphic novel format. Enjoy the entire Aru Shah Pandava series!
Aru Shah and the End of Time (Book 1)
Aru Shah and the Song of Death (Book 2)
Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes (Book 3)
Aru Shah and the City of Gold (Book 4)
Aru Shah and the Nectar of Immortality (Book 5)
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Gr 6-8—Those looking for a briskly-paced, colorful, engaging fantasy adventure starring diverse characters and featuring imaginative creatures inspired by folklore and myth need look no further than this book. Starting out with a dare—as most adventures do—the narrative follows Aru, an Indian American girl, who awakens an ancient deity meant to bring about the world's end. She must defeat this otherworldly foe before all is lost. Joined by a talking bird she nicknames Boo, who informs her that she is this generation's Pandava (hero), Aru soon meets her counterpart, Mini, and they embark on their quest to save the world. While this book is heavy on dialogue, which may scare off reluctant readers, there are plenty of bright and colorful images, grand locations, and fantastical elements to draw in and retain any young reader's interest. With deep lore rivaling other fantasy works, Aru Shah and the End of Time is an excellent alternative to the adventure stories that are almost always occupied by the same generic heroes we've grown accustomed to rooting for. VERDICT A perfect pick for readers desiring a fantasy adventure that breaks the mold when it comes to lore and characters.—M. Brandon Robbins
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