Adventure awaits in this tale of two Pandava sisters, Aru and Mini, and their quest to put an end to the Sleeper and free their frozen families. Based on Hindu Mythology, this book has everything you need for a great read: monsters, obstacles, a trip to a magical Night Bazaar and the Underworld, gods/goddesses, a sidekick/mentor Pigeon named Boo, mythical creatures, a sinister villain, and a twist at the end that will keep you wanting more. Don't miss out on adding this great book to your classroom libraries or personal collections. (My 3rd graders are going to fight over this one.)

"Aru Shah and the End of Time" is perfect for fans of Rick Riordan and Neil Gaiman. Chokshi's use of imaginative imagery, complex world building, and relatable, wry humor makes Aru's journey a perfect fit for adventurous middle grades readers. If you've read a book in the Percy Jackson series, you know what to expect-- ample cliffhangers, clever puns, and pop-culture references. But also expect some refreshing diversity. Chokshi does to Hindu mythology what Riordan did to Greek mythology, and it is beautiful. Also, can we just talk one more time about how gorgeous the cover art is?)

Fans of Rick Riordan's books and their take on mythology will be delighted to learn that he now has an imprint that shares the works of other authors. Roshani Chokshi has taken the complex tales of Indian mythology and created a new series. This first book introduces readers to Aru Shah, whose mother runs a museum in Atlanta. When Aru lights a cursed lamp, she sets off events that could mean the end of time. And what do the gods of India give her to help prevent this? A pigeon. Yup, you read that correctly. A pigeon. Okay, she also finds out that she has a sister of sorts, they are both related by the soul rather than biologically. So Aru, her new sister Mini, and the pigeon that they nickname Boo, set out to find some celestial weapons that can defeat the fierce demon that escaped from the lamp.

Although there is plenty of danger and even some painful self-discovery in the story, there is plenty of humor to keep things from becoming too depressing. Mini is a germophobic good girl, who comes on the quest with her own epi-pen and a backpack of supplies. Aru comes empty-handed and wearing her Spider-Man pajamas. Boo comes complete with attitude and seems convinced that guiding the girls is punishment for past misdeeds. He can be found beating his head against things in frustration, calling the girls "ungrateful," or longing for the good old days when heroes came properly trained.

Many points of the story seem very similar to the Percy Jackson books. There is a claiming, where the girls need to find out which of the gods will endorse them. They receive gifts that are deceptively innocent looking, like Percy's "pen" Riptide. Their quest takes them to several spots around the country and even into the Otherworld. But these elements were borrowed by Riordan from the earlier myths, so it's all traditional really.

The amazing variety of gods, goddesses, and creatures will keep readers feeling gobsmacked - especially if they have never heard of naga, rakshasa, or devas before. And while folks have probably heard of chai if they've been to a grocery store or Starbucks, other cultural elements may have them flipping to the glossary for a quick explanation.

This is aimed at the middle grade audience, and has appropriate language and levels of violence for that group, but it can be enjoyed by readers of that age and up.

I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

I was thrilled when I saw that there was a new book on mythology. More to my surprise, it was about Indian Mythology. And then it is being presented by Rick Riordan himself. How could you go wrong? Turns out, you cannot. Chokshi appears to be a skilled writer with a great sense of humor and a wonderful ability to appeal to children (or the inner child, I suppose). I loved this book!
The characters were a great start. Aru and Mini are relatable characters, with many flaws, who continually overcome their fears and misgivings. They create a friendship bond that starts off rocky, goes through its own trials, and then becomes everlasting. They are great examples for kids who feel left out or not good enough. Each of the many creatures that our two heroines encounter, are larger than life, yet completely within grasp. They have just enough normalcy to them to be able to picture in one’s mind, but are brought to life with wonderful personalities that make them memorable.
The mythology throughout the novel is well researched and thoroughly thought out. Readers will be learning something new at every turn. I liked her incorporation of many of the well-known gods mixed in with the lesser known ones.
The storyline was well paced and entertaining. It was much like a children’s Inferno with ever deepening rings of hell that carried more and more frightening creatures. Luckily, those creatures are not too terrifying for the younger reader and are splashed with a good amount of fun for good measure. This book is a great starter to mythology to pair alongside Percy Jackson and a great include of the Indian cultures and mythos that are sometimes overlooked for more popular and mainstream myths.

What a disappointing debut. The protagonist is unlikable and the plot is confusing.

*I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

This book was honestly a delight. Chokshi really has a great sense of humor that is very present in this book. As someone with little knowledge of Hindu mythology, this novel does an excellent job of introducing the folklore. The glossary at the end is very handy as well!

The main character, Aru, is very likable and relatable to younger audiences. Despite some hiccups along the way, Mini and Aru’s friendship is very sweet. The addition of Boo the talking pigeon is definitely a plus.

The only problem I had with this book was the rather rushed ending. I felt like the last ten pages or so could’ve been utilized better as an opening for the sequel.

At its heart, Aru Shah and the End of Time is a novel about family and working together through trying times, making tough decisions along the way to protect those you love. Roshani Chokshi is definitely in her element with this series, and I can’t wait for the next installment.

Aru is a stong, feisty female character who lives with her mom at the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture, Aru does not know anything about her heritage or the fact that she is a reincarnated spirit of of one of the five Pandavas. Aru has a tendency to lie, though she likes to think of it as having a big imagination. When she lights the cursed lamp, she unleashes way more than she bargained for. She awakens the Sleeper, time is frozen, and now she must go on a quest to fiex her mistake.

What I enjoyed about the book is the witty humor, fast pace, and fun characters. Indian folklore is fascinating and the gods have a sense of humor. Aru and her newly found sister, Mini, battle demons and other worldly beings using their wits and a few celestial weapons. There was never a slow moment in the story. As Aru’s unknown past is revealed, she gains more confidence in herself. This is the perfect story for fans of Percy Jackson and all of Rick Riordan’s other books.

I picked up this book because I like the Rick Riordan books, but found that it was not as good (in my opinion) as RR books. It was still a good story, but not in the vein that was expected. I liked that it was written in the same style, with a mythology base, and that I learned a lot about a mythology culture I had heretofore not known much about. There weren't many twists and turns, much of the book was predictable, which is the main reason I didn't like it as much.

A fun and engaging YA the-ancient-Gods-are-real tale in the style of Rick Riordan (who offers up a forward, in fact).