Aru Shah and the song of death

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.