Review: Aru Shah and the Song of Death

Aru Shah and the Song of Death by Roshani Chokshi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One of the most enjoyable middle grade fantasy books I read in 2018 was Aru Shah and the End of Time, first in a new series about the Pandavas. You can find my review of the first book here.

The further adventures of Arundhati Shah and her soul sister, and fellow Pandava reincarnate, Yasmini find the girls chasing after a mythical bow and arrows that have been stolen from Kamadeva. And they're doing it with the help of Brynne, their maddening new Pandava soul sister daughter of Lord Vayu, who apparently is better trained and better skilled. (Why does she seem to be driven to be so perfect all the time, wonders Aru!?) If the girls don't recover the bow and arrows within ten days, they will be stripped of their powers and banished from the Otherworld. On top of that, their guardian Boo is being held hostage against their delivering the stolen goods. And on top of that, Boo sends Aiden Acharya with them. That's right, a BOY. Not only that but a boy who Aru has embarrassed herself in front of at school, and who appears to be BFF with the formidably annoying Brynne. Could things get any worse? Aru is sure today, and possibly this whole entire week, should be canceled. But of course, you know it's going to get worse than all this because this is Aru we're talking about and that girl can find trouble like she's a magnet. What's a girl with a lightning bolt vajra to do?!

Roshani Chokshi continues to be at the top of middle grade fantasy game in this series, which is full of humor, adventure, friendship,and wisdom (I just love Aru's mom so hard!). There's never a dull moment and the quality of the writing is excellent. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

I received a paper review copy from Disney Hyperion in exchange for an honest review.


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