Mundie Moms

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

ARU SHAH and the END OF TIME by Roshani Chokshi / Book Review #AruShah #AruShahandtheEndofTime


By: Roshani Chokshi
Published by: Disney Hyperion / Rick Rioridan Presents
Released on: March 27th, 2018 - TODAY!
Series: A Pandava Novel #1
Ages: 8 & up
Add it to Goodreads
Rating: 5 Owlets
Thank you to Disney Hyperion for providing an arc in exchange for my honest review

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?


An enchanting debut! Roshani's middle grade debut is a clever, beautifully written book. Rich in Hindu mythology, humor, and characters you'll easily find yourself falling in love with, this is a middle grade book I highly recommend picking up!

I have long been a fan of Roshani's beautifully writing. It's so detail orienatated  making it easily spring to life and feel as though you stepped into a whole new world. Much like her YA books, her debut MG book has all of her trademark elements. Rich world building, easy to connect with in-depth characters, and a richly detailed mythology that feels incredibly real. I loved the Hindu mythology this book is centered on. It's one that I can see Rick Riordan fans enjoying. 

At the heart of this story is a heroine I loved getting to know. Aru is the kind of heroine I can both easily cheer one, and find myself identifying with one some level. As a middle schooler, who doesn't want to feel like they fit in. Aru wants to fit in, but she soon realizes, is there is power in her uniqueness. Not only does this girl conquer her fears, her journey into the mythology world she finds herself in teaches her a lot about the inner strengths she never knew she had. I loved how fun, and fearless she becomes. 

I quickly fell in love with this book. It's such a beautifully crafted story. I loved the world in which Roshani created. She made this story's mythology feel as though it was real. From the stories that Aru is told, to the things she has to learn, and defeat, all of it felt so realistic. Mixed into a this exciting storyline is plenty of humor, great characters, and an ending that has me really looking forward to the next book in this series! 

If the cover, and synopsis of this book doesn't hook you, hopefully knowing that this the first book in Rick Riordan's new line, will! It's incredibly easy to see why he picked this book to be his debut book. It's one I'd recommend picking up!

OUT TODAY! 3/27/18 New YA Releases + 2 New MG Releases


 Happy Book Birthday to today's newest YA releases! There are some fantastic new YA books out today. Here's what you'll find on bookstore shelves:




ALSO OUT TODAY, these two new MG (middle grade) releases from beloved YA authors, Roshani Chokshi & Amie Kaufman. Trust us, these books are worth checking out!



Which new releases are you looking forward to reading? If you know of a new releases out today not on the list, please leave me a comment so I can add it. Happy Reading! 

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