Review by Booklist Review
In this adventurous sequel (Aru Shah and the End of Time, 2018), Aru has been framed by a doppelgänger who has stolen Cupid's bow and arrow and is turning humans into zombies, which, in a nod to the Kingdom Hearts games, are referred to as Heartless. This brand-new adventure features more pop-culture-wielding characters who are all imbued with the charm and nerdy one-liners that readers have come to expect from Chokshi's characters. As Aru and her crew explore the Otherworld, they interact with mythological creatures, all of which are defined further in the book's glossary. Chokshi mentions that India is GINORMOUS, and these myths and legends vary from state to state, and in this Otherworld, readers will encounter fiery cows and nightmare hounds, as, ultimately, they learn to listen to every side with empathy. An entertaining ride filled with gods, goddesses, mythical creatures, and even a birthday celebration. Series fans will be thrilled to dive back into this rich and layered world.--Jessica Anne Bratt Copyright 2019 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Horn Book Review
Aru Shah only recently found out that she is a Pandava, a reincarnation of one of the five demigod brothers from Hindu mythology, and yet shes already been on one quest (Aru Shah and the End of Time). Now, just as shes getting some much-needed training, she is accused of stealing the god of loves bow and arrow. Shes given ten days by the Council of Guardians to return the items or shell be stripped of her Pandava memories and banished from the Otherworld forever. The story moves at a breakneck pace as Aruassisted by hypochondriacal Mini, courageous and contentious Brynne, and new neighbor Aidenencounters many legendary beings (readers may struggle to keep track). Each mythological figure comically interacts with the modern world in ways true to the legends, such as when the goddess of the dawn, Ushas, sings along to a remix of Here Comes the Sun. Chokshi also provides plenty of entertaining dialogue: Do you think the Ocean of Milk is filled with actual milk?Because Im lactose intolerant. But the themes at this tales heart seem particularly aimed at young women in todays society: people are more than the part of their story you hear or read; and more important than the way others see you is how you see yourself. lisa catherine findlay July/Aug p.125(c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
The second book in the Pandava Quartet begins with Aru Shah and her best friend, Mini, in an enchanted shopping center fending off zombies.Someone has stolen the god of love's enchanted bow and arrow, and they are using it to turn innocent humans into (literally) heartless, zombielike fighting machines. To make matters worse, Aru gets framed as the thief. The council of gods and Uloopi, the naga queen, give the two Pandavas an ultimatum: find and defeat the real thief in 10 days' time or be exiled from the Otherworld forever. Aru and Mini unite with two other heroesa new Pandava sister, Brynne Rao, and her best friend, Aiden Acharyato save the world from mass destruction. On their numerous adventures in the Otherworld, from a giant-swan attack to their journey to the Ocean of Milk, Aru contemplates difficult questions about what it means to be good or evil, the role of duty, and the power of a good story. In this sequel to Aru Shah and the End of Time (2018), Chokshi seamlessly weaves Indian cosmology and pop culture into a refreshingly feminist plot laced with witty dialogue. The most compelling feature of the novel, however, is the complexity of its characters, who, despite their divinity or semidivinity, are at their core very human.This will leave fans enthralled and clamoring for more. (Fantasy. 10-13) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
