Rick Riordan Presents: Aru Shah and the End of Time-A Pandava Novel, Book 1 (Pandava, #1)

by Roshani Chokshi

Twelve-year-old Aru stretches the truth to fit in at her private school, but when she is dared to prove an ancient lamp is cursed, she inadvertently frees an ancient demon.

• ISBN10: 1368012353
• ISBN13: 9781368012355
• Publish Date: 27 March 2018
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Rick Riordan Presents
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 368
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9781368012355

Reviews

[writehollydavis]

4.5/5. What a delightful read! Such a colorful middle grade fantasy full of interesting characters, rich and diverse worldbuilding, and moments of beautiful prose and description that made me step back and appreciate it. Definitely not one to miss!

[Beth C.]

Having read one book in Rick Riordan's imprint (Race to the Sun, by Rebecca Roanhorse), I was excited to pick up another one. As these are all #ownauthor stories, Aru is Indian - a young lady who doesn't feel like she fits in anywhere, whose mother is always working, and who knows the museum she also calls home like the back of her hand. She also has a tendency to...stretch the truth...to try and be part of the crowd, and that comes back to bite her when she tries a little *too* hard - and releases an ancient demon. Ooops.

I decided I quite liked Aru - and Mini, the other main character who ends up involved for reasons I shall not name (no spoilers!). I like how their relationship develops, though Mini can be...a bit much. Slightly over the top in her continual worries.

As was the case with Roanhorse's book, I enjoyed the interspersing of Hindu culture - though in this case, it could be a bit overwhelming with how much there was. However, having said that - this book is part of a quartet, so I'm hoping that as it goes along, it will become a little less burdensome.

Overall, this is definitely a book that libraries (school and town) should make an effort to have on hand. The representation here is fabulous, and there are many out there that will be thrilled to see someone like them gracing the cover, and having her own book.

[Liz (Bent Bookworm)]

~*Check out all my reviews over on The Bent Bookworm!*~

“We must go to the Otherworld, of course. Not quite what it used to be. It dwindles with humanity’s imagination, so I suspect it is currently the size of a closet. Or perhaps a shoe box.”

I absolutely loved this book! I wish I had been able to read it when I was a kid. It would have opened my eyes to a mythology completely different from any others I knew (it still did, it would have just been…nice to have it earlier in life). Aru is completely relatable, even though her situation is far and away from my own in some respects. I got a real Percy Jackson vibe, but it didn’t feel at all like a copycat. Hopefully that makes sense to my fellow readers!

This book isn’t only educational but EXTREMELY entertaining. I found myself snickering quite a few times and laughing out loud at least once. I love the pot shots Roshani takes at current issues/politics.

“This is what we get for thinking that scaly orange skin and fake hair could keep that former demon out of elected office!”

It’s not all fun and games though, as Aru and her friends soon discover…the lives of everyone they care about really are at stake, and not all are as they seem…

“Villains could be heroic, and heroes could do evil…everyone has a bit of good and bad in them.”

Basically this whole book is quotable, and I want to scoop Aru up into a hug (that she probably wouldn’t appreciate). So eager to read the next one!

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[alindstadtcorbeax]

Star Rating: 4.5 Stars

RTC 😊

[emruth13]

This was such an enjoyable book! I loved the story and learning about Hindu mythology! I'm definitely looking forward to the forthcoming books because I want to see how Aru and Mini learn and develop!