Review: Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond: The Serpent's Secret and Game of Stars

The Serpent's Secret by Sayantani DasGupta
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

One of the first new middle grade books employing Indian mythology as the basis for a fantasy story, Sayantani DasGupta gives us a princess of legend, Kiranmala,* who was living a quiet life with parents she didn't realize were her adoptive parents, in Parsippany, New Jersey. But one day her parents vanish and a rakkhosh shows up in her kitchen, planning to eat her. In burst two princes, Lal and Neel, purportedly to rescue her, only they don't seem to be particularly good at rescuing people. Kiranmala gets drawn into a secret world and is rather shocked to find out her biological father dad is, um, a scaly terror. And he's not good with children, either. How is she going to get her real parents (you know, the ones that raised her?) back and just go home?

Full of adventure and humor, Kiranmala's first story evolves at a breathless pace. She's an inspiring character for girls because of her moxie.


Game of Stars by Sayantani DasGupta
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's great when you find out that you're an Indian Princess and that your mother is the Moon. It's horrible when you find out your father is Sesha the Serpent King, that he's got a horrible way of dealing with his children, and that he definitely bears you no affection. But you know what's worse? When you destroy him and his kingdom only to find he bounces right back and ends up right there on the evening program on the Kingdom Beyond's TV show. But you know what's worst of all? When you get sucked into a rigged competition called the "Who Wants to be a Demon Slayer?," trying to rescue one imprisoned prince friend, while you wonder if your other prince friend, his half-brother, is trying to get him killed. Don't get me wrong, Kiranmala is up for the job (in spite of countless Mini-Me-s trying to emulate her). She's filled out her Hopeful Contestant Form, and even though her parents don't want her to go and she's 100% sure it's all a trap, she's headed back to the Kingdom Beyond to rescue Prince Neel. But...hey now... is that really Prince Lal?

I found much to love about this second book in the series, including its social commentary on the reality TV world and its hat tip to the real life Gulabi Gang. I really can't wait to see what Kiranmala does next.

I received Advance Reader Copies/Uncorrected Proofs of both books in exchange for an honest review.


*Kiranmala's story was also developed as a very popular children's TV show (21 seasons!) in Bengali on Star Jalsha channel. You can find episodes with English subtitles on line. It's pure Bollywood fun!

View all my reviews