Aru Shah and the Song of Death

May 10, 2019

Gr 4-8-In this second entry in the series, Aru Shah would like to concentrate on training how to be Pandava with her soul sister, Mini, but that is not to be her fate as she is thrown into another quest she didn't ask for with a different Pandava sister, the incredibly strong and always hungry Brynne. Picking up where the first book ended, Aru continues to learn about the Otherworld, along with the legends, quarrels, and curses that affect both this realm and the human one. This time, if Aru and the other Pandavas do not succeed in returning the stolen bow and arrows of the god of love, they will be thrown out of the realm and innumerable humans will perish. No pressure. In a slightly irreverent tone, this adventure once again delves into some traditional Indian stories with a modern flare (for example, Kamadeva, the love god, monitors social media). With rich descriptions of palaces and Otherworld lands, the colorful tapestry of Aru's life engulfs readers, bringing them along for the experience and leaving them eager to find out what will happen next. With the appearance of two new main characters, this installment feels fresh and the continued pursuit of the evil Sleeper, which is not resolved, hints at more to come. An extensive glossary offers detail about the mythical beings and traditional Indian dishes. VERDICT This adventure throws readers into a magical world, with a lot of attitude on the side. A winning sequel with just as much appeal as Aru Shah and the End of Time.-Clare A. Dombrowski, Amesbury Public Library, MA

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from February 1, 2019
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 heroes--a new Pandava sister, Brynne Rao, and her best friend, Aiden Acharya--to 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)

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April 15, 2019
Grades 4-6 In this adventurous sequel (Aru Shah and the End of Time, 2018), Aru has been framed by a doppelg�nger 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.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)