Best-selling author Rick Riordan introduces this adventure by Roshani Chokshi about twelve-year-old Aru Shah, who 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?
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Hilarious and brilliant—full of wit, warmth, and wonder. Aru Shah is a clever, believable heroine who deserves her place with all the great heroes of legend. I’m so happy this book exists—and that there are still more to come!
A new star is born. Aru Shah and the End of Time is mind-bending and brilliant. Original and spellbinding, the story sparkles with wit and magic. Fantasy has never been so much fun.
Aru Shah is a 12-year-old girl with a tendency to tell elaborate lies in an effort to fit in at her new, upper-class school, and conceal the fact that she and her mom live at the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture, where her mom works. But when three of her classmates show up at her home, Aru feels compelled to do something impressive. So, she lights the cursed Lamp of Bharata and unwittingly releases the Sleeper, whose job it is to awaken the God of Destruction. Now it’s up to her to save the world.
What I liked: I love mythology and this book did not disappoint. I enjoyed reading about Hindu myths (so many books weave in Greek mythology, it’s nice to read about different deities). The side characters were fun and unique, and the storyline was fun and adventurous.
What I did not like: the main character. I just never connected to her like I normally do with main characters. For the first fifty pages or so, I actually didn’t like her, but I thought I would grow to like and connect with her as I did with Artemis Fowl (who I also didn’t like at the beginning of the first book), but it just didn’t happen for me.
Still, a good read for those who enjoy mythology.
4 out of 5 stars
I really loved revisiting the stories told by my grandmother from my childhood. Some of the stories were new and some were a bit different but that’s what makes it so good. I loved Aru and Mini and Boo(especially Boo). I’m looking forward to reading the next book!
Aru Shah finds herself in the midst of an adventure to save her family and friends. During the adventure, she also learns history of her family. The humor between Aru Shah, Mini and Boo kept me laughing along the way. I enjoyed the mythology in this story as well.
felt contrived. I was hoping to read this with my grandchildren but I always read a bit first to see if we will enjoy it. Got a few chapters in but couldn’t get engaged so I didn’t finish it.
Kept my son reading all the way to the end.
Interesting story. Great spin on Indian Mythology.
A good way to introduce yourself to Indian culture.
Aru is strange girl but captivating nonetheles.
Mini teaches you new things and inspires one to be themselves.
I’ve read the first book in this series and I loved it. These kinds of books always grab my attention and Roshani Chokshi has created a fascinating story and world that draws you in and makes you fall in love with her characters.
Oh god- this is a go-to book for a nerd like me, honestly a very good series by roshani chokshi, from rick roirdian presents!
Overall, I had a lot of fun with this book! It was full of humor, wisdom, and child-like wonder. The MC and the villain were wonder characters, and I have a vested interest in knowing how they are going to fair in the next book. The plot wasn’t perfect, but for me it’s still an excellent read.
For my full review, please visit: https://www.krwardbookreview.com/
This was a wild ride and a ton of fun! While it took me a good long while to warm up to Aru- I’m still not sure I would have chosen her to be one of my own friends in middle school- I immediately fell in love with Mimi and Boo had me in stitches (and sympathy) the entire time. My knowledge of Hindu mythology is sadly lacking but the book kept things clear and was graceful with sliding in explainations of who’s who without bogging down the plot or ruining the flow of the story. I look forward to the next book!
I read this book for the first time and laughed at the funny jokes it was such a great book.
I loved how the author made me feel like I was there, and how the characters felt I felt. I have to say it was well done.
Awesome