Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

Prolific writer Rajani Larocca (middle grade NIV Mirror to Mirror and award winning Red, White & Whole, early chapter book Secret of the Dragon Gems, picture book Bracelets for Bina’s Brothers and more) brings middle grade readers a fantasy set in the world of Devia with gods, goddesses and mythology that resemble that of India and the Hindu religion plus an example of colonialism gone bad. The rich land of Devia was invaded by the Malechian people who are stripping the land of its harvest and its jewels. And when something seems to challenge that control, the king of Malech simply outlaws it, i.e. the Devan music that seems to have musical properties, the intermingling & intermarrying of Devan and Malechian people. As the situation worsens and the two peoples seem to be at such odds that biracial children are killed or banished, the legend of the Golden Beasts that have joined with the earth goddess Bhoomi becomes the hope of those who love Devia. Sonia hears the forbidden music and her cousin Raag sings it, together with a rescued wolf and pony, the group travels to the far reaches of the land to save not only a beloved family member, but maybe the entire country.

From the beginning, readers will warm to gentle Sona and her knack with animals. More rough at the edges, Raag will at turns irritate, infuriate and inspire those same readers. And all along their journey, just when it looks like a character is on the side of good, he or she will turn out wrong. The twists and turns keep coming but if readers pay close attention to the words of the legendary songs, some things will be clear but others will be a total surprise. Great characterization with not only Sona and Raag, but Sona’s ayah, the thief Gulappen, and the evil Hunter as well.

Text is free of profanity and sexual content and the violence is not excessive nor overly graphic. Themes of discrimination and working together are clear but the messages of judging a person by their actions and not their ear color or decoration (skin color or other visible representations of heritage!!) are not heavy-handed. Target age range is strong readers in grades 4-8 with the reading stamina to handle 400 pages. This seems to be a stand alone book meaning no waiting to find out the end (and don’t we all get tired of waiting for the next installment for some of those others?).

Thanks to NetGalley & HarperCollins Children's Books for the copy in exchange for an honest review. Sadly, I DNF'ed at 20%.

I really couldn't get into the story and the logic jumps were driving me nuts. How could this girl not notice her GOLD-COLORED EARS her entire life? That's ridiculous! There were a lot of little things such as that which drove me nuts and I didn't think I'd like to keep reading. This is also a very dark title for a children's book, there's plenty out there but this one goes in fighting.

A well-developed middle grade fantasy that explores the ideas colonialism and power. Raised believing herself to be a Malech, those who colonized Devia centuries ago, Sona struggles to understand the way Devans are treated as well as why the Malechian empire has banned the music she hears all around her. When tragedy strikes, Sona, an abandoned wold pup, and a Devan boy must go on a quest to try to save a beloved elder. Along the way. she discovers world-shattering secrets about both her own identity and the empire. LaRocca has provided excellent world-building and an age-appropriate look at how colonialism can impact everyone. Perfect for those who enjoyed The Last Mapmaker (2022) and Black Bird, Blue Road (2022).

This book wobbled for me at first. Grabbed me and then lost me but not enough to not keep me from finding the path again. I liked it and will definitely recommend to our readers.

First off the cover is amazing but the book even more so. As a young girl I would have been enthralled by this book. So much work went into the creation of this alternative world where animals and magic are intertwined. Sona is a devoted young daughter who finds an adorable wolf cub at the same time a wicked and nasty hunter takes up residence in her home. Her homeland is split between invades and native people who are treated as lessers. She runs away in an effort to protect her precious find and ends up finding new family and friends and plenty of peril. everything she knows is called into question. the book is thrilling and wonderful and heartbreaking and so so good.a must read for young animal lovers.

“We saw her worth when others did not. We’ve helped her, and now she’s going to help us, help the whole country. That’s how all healing begins. With respect. With kindness. With love.”

Sona is a Malech in Devia, a land that was conquered by the Malechs centuries ago. The Malechs banned music in an effort to stop the Devans, who are native to Devia, from using their magic. Despite this, Sona still hears music everywhere, even when others don’t, and her affinity for it helps her navigate and understand the world. Her sympathy for animals leads to her taking in a wolf pup, who she suspects to be one of the sacred magical beasts of Devia. After a Hunter shows up at her house in search of the wolf and a close family member falls ill, she embarks on a quest to protect the pup and save her loved one. With the help of a Devan boy, Raag, she searches for the nectar of life and uncovers the truth about the Malechian empire, choosing to fight for what she believes is right.

Sona and the Golden Beasts is a heartfelt story about the power of love and kindness where two kids journey to save the kingdom and the family member they love. Rajani LaRocca masterfully weaved together a tale that was both magical and revealing, tackling the harsh truths of colonization and imperialism. Inspired by the British occupation of India, this book tackled the complex feelings of a girl who has ties to both the Malech, who colonized Devian, and the Devans, who have been suffering under the Malech’s rule for centuries. Sona is so compassionate, and it is her kindness that means the most in the end. I feel like that simple message speaks volumes, and I think the lessons in this book are extremely valuable for middle grade readers and adults alike. The incorporation of magical animals like Swara, the wolf pup, and Willa, Sona’s pony, was a great touch, and they were honestly my favorite characters. While I loved the world-building and the important themes LaRocca touched on, I did feel that some parts of the book felt rushed. There were also some instances where Sona and Raag seemed to dismiss things or forgive each other very easily when I felt there should’ve been a bit more of a discussion between them. However, I still think it was a magical read and a great book for middle grade readers.

Sona and the Golden Beasts is an exploration of the fight against oppression and the desire for freedom, a topic that is particularly important given world events. The world LaRocca builds is fascinating, particularly the role of the golden beasts. Sona’s love of animals helps build a strong connection between the story and the reader. It was a bit darker than I expected for a middle grade book, but if you are reading this with little ones, it can be a good entry point for discussions about death, violence, and grief. The ending felt a bit predictable, even for a middle grade book, and some of the elements felt too easy. Overall, it’s an enjoyable story that covers important topics.

This exciting adventure is led by Sona, a girl who lives with her father and three brothers on a farm. Sona is really good with animals so when she finds an injured baby in her pony's stall, she doesn't hesitate to help. Except the baby is a baby wolf and the wolf's mother was killed by a Hunter who is trying to make money and points with the King. Sona's ayah goes out into a terrible gold storm to get medicine for Sona. Sona feels terrible that her Ayah is risking her life, that Sona takes her pony, rides through the storm to make sure her ayah. Except Ayah isn't ok. The storm has made her really sick and the medicine she needs is far away. So Sona and Raag, her Ayah's grandson, set out to try to get the medicine. This is an epic story with exciting adventures, magical creatures, evil villains and thrilling plot twists. I think it was a really fun read.

Sona lives in Devia, a land where gems are plentiful and just appear on the ground. It was those gems that enticed the Malechs to come and take over, and since the Malechs arrived, things have changed. Devans aren’t allowed to own any gems, and they aren’t allowed to sing their magic songs.

Sona has a peaceful life, taking care of wounded animals and strays that show up at her doorstep, and helping out on her father’s farm. But when an injured wolf puppy with golden ears appears in their barn, closely followed by a Hunter intent on killing it and making sure that its magic is vanquished, Sona has to run to protect it. As she flees and travels through Devia, she comes to learn more about the magic of the land, and even more about herself. Soon, she has to ask herself just what is worth sacrificing for freedom and peace.

I received an advanced reading copy of Sona and the Golden Beasts in exchange for an honest review.

Sona and the Golden Beasts is a middle grade fantasy novel by Rajani LaRocca. It’s a book that combines magic, a discussion of colonialism, and belonging into a single adventurous package!

A few content warnings before I continue with the rest of the review. There are wounded animals and animal deaths in this book. There is also a mention of people dying in a fire, and illness.

I had such a good time reading this book. As soon as I cracked it open, I was swept into the world of Devia, and all I wanted to do was explore it. LaRocca developed this world so fully, giving it history, culture, legends, and even songs. Yes, peppered throughout this book are so many songs and I was so impressed at each and every one of them. It made me wish I was musical so I could imagine them actually being sung, rather than just reading the lyrics. In fact, one thing I’m really hoping for is that once this book is published, a musically-inclined fan of it decides to set these words to music, since they’re so beautiful and about connection and magic, and I can really seeing them being perfect to sing.

But it’s not just the world that drew me in. The story, and all the characters, pulled me in too. The characters were all complex, and LaRocca was not afraid to have them make mistakes and be truly human. In fact, their mistakes often complicated situations for everyone, taking the whole story in a new direction!

I loved how the plot unfolded, and as things grew more and more complicated in Sona’s travels. There were several moments where I grew honestly worried about her and her friends, and there were a few twists I never saw coming! In fact, one of them made me gasp out loud, and actually get really emotional. I won’t name what emotion this was, but if you pick up the book and read it, you’ll know exactly what moment I’m talking about.

Sona and the Golden Beasts was a great read! With its gorgeous world, themes, and the message at its core, I can see readers of both middle grade and older fantasies falling in love with this story, and wanting to return to it again and again.

Sona and the Golden Beasts will be released on March 5. You can preorder your copy from Quill Tree Books here.

Rajani LaRocca has created an amazing world filled with magic, interesting characters, and fascinating, creatures, while also tackling the complexities of colonialism. The structure of the story lends itself better to upper middle grade students.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this e-ARC.

Sona and the Golden Beasts is a fantasy adventure set in Devia, a place where magic, music, and nature are delicately balanced and inextricably intertwined. Or they once were, before the arrival of treasure-seeking intruders. For centuries, the Malechs have methodically and seemingly without remorse unraveled this place of balance and beauty with their unquenchable thirst for riches. Devia stands on the brink of collapse. Sona’s story begins here, with the sudden appearance of both a mythical golden beast—a wolf pup—and the Hunter who means to destroy it. To save the creature, Sona embarks on a perilous journey with the Hunter in pursuit.

While parallels to both colonialism and climate change lie at the core of the novel, those themes are deftly woven through the story without distracting from it. At its heart, I feel the novel explores connection, and the ripples that spread when those connections are broken. Connections between family members, between friends, between the elements of nature. And most of all, the broken connection between the people of Devia and their music, so vital to their bonds of community, their culture, their environment, and their ability to thrive.

Through Sona’s eyes we witness characters struggling to weather these broken connections while enduring the Malechs’ tyranny, and others arising in rebellion. We see the Malechs’ efforts to pull treasure from the land become frustrated and their response: to turn a blind eye to their culpability and double down, spiraling Devia deeper into chaos. We see neighbor pitted against neighbor.

But throughout Sona’s travels we also see the kindness of strangers. We see generosity. Love and trust. Courage and determination. Healing and redemption. All delivered in a page-turning adventure filled with myth and mystery and marvels.

Author Rajani LaRocca has created yet another enchanting middle grade novel. Thank you, Rajani, for such a wonderful addition to the middle grade lexicon. And thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book.

Incredible! I read this in one sitting as I was completely immersed in this fantasy world and could not put it down. I absolutely loved the world building in this Indian inspired fantasy adventure ... the land, sacred animals, the gems, singing and the magic in songs. The quest was amazing. The characters fantastic. So many good plot twists and reveals and surprises along the way that kept me guessing. But what I most appreciated was the complex themes woven in and the overarching narrative about colonialism in this world. Which is a pointed view of the impacts of British colonialism in so many parts of the world, including India and the United States.

It worked. I thought it was brilliant. How can these complex layers exist in a fantasy adventure for children? I am so impressed.

A nod to the writing style, I loved the bits of letters, songs, legends, government rulings, etc. from past years that served as mini chapters in between all the larger chapters set in present day to share more background and info. I loved all of those tidbits.

I would recommend for ages 10+ as the storyline is quite complex. But a standalone fantasy that has a great ending too? This book is a winner.

I may try this again in audiobook form when it's released, but I had a difficult time getting into the world. There was a few too many elements presented without real explanation of what was going on, and it took me out of it a bit.
I think it has some really nice unique ideas though that make me want to give it another shot later, and I can see myself recommending this to my fantasy enjoyers

This is VERY dark for middle grade. And for me, frankly. I was expecting adventures with magical animals and instead got to read about them dying one by one. Even the dog/wolf!! Redeeming them at the end doesn't mean the reader hasn't gone through that drama.

I'm also unsure how middle grade readers will be able to follow some of the fantasy words and letters/texts that are scattered throughout. Just very mature for that age group.

I was expecting adventures with golden/magical animals based on the cover and title and got a hunt for gems instead--and animals being brutally murdered. That was upsetting and disappointing. And having all the kingdom's problems magically solved in a big swoop is not something I'm a fan of. There was real potential for dealing with discrimination that wasn't met.

Since I didn't enjoy the book, I won't be publishing a review online anywhere.

As a fan of this author's work, I went into this middle grade fantasy blind. I immediately connected to Sona, especially her love and care for animals. Her protective and loving family was heartwarming. The world building started off well, but as the novel progressed, parts of it felt forced or assumed and that withdrew my suspended belief. Too often, the pacing dragged and some of the events could have been either shortened or cut. For readers who dislike blood and violence, read this novel with precaution because there is plenty of bloodshed and death. The ending felt too rushed and easy to me after the slow pacing. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-ARC to read and review.

This book is amazing! It is a true must read for middle school students. On the surface it is a fantasy story about Sona, a young girl, who is on a quest to a magic item that will help bring someone she loves back to life. There are plot twists, magic animals, and an epic quest. But the book is so much for than that! It deals with climate change, the impact of colonization, discrimination, family, identity, and more. There are so many deep conversations that you can have with this book while also providing students a fun and engaging read. It is a book that could be read and enjoyed with different levels of understanding for many age groups from around 4th grade to 8th.

What a magical book! You are going to love this story with beautiful animals and strong characters. But who should they trust on this journey?

A magnificent, profound, fast-paced, and utterly engaging story.

One of the great pleasures of contemporary children's literature these days is the innovation with which authors are weaving towering themes into their work. Rajani LaRocca has written a powerful story of a colonized country where natural resources are being torn from the ground and ruling and subordinate groups are defined by the color of their ears. Sona is of the ruling class, and though she doesn't like the cruelty of some of her people, she loves her father, a prosperous farmer, and tries to be a good person in her small ways. But she hears music in the wounded animals she rescues—and sings—which is forbidden. When she rescues a wounded wolf cub with gold-tipped ears, she sets off an adventure that brings her face-to-face with the legendary animals of her country and the evil hunter who is using his government post for the cruel pleasure of destroying them—and thus, the astute reader will notice, destroying the culture of the country. As she seeks to keep her beloved wolf cub safe, Sona discovers secrets, makes unlikely friends, and sees a world she's only heard about in stories.

LaRocca's writing is lyrical and vivid. Legends and songs pepper the novel as interstices between chapters (which also include official writings from the government). The belief system of this world will feel familiar to many, as will the social upheaval (particularly to anyone who reads history). An ambitious, thrilling, tragic, beautiful story that would be a stellar book to read aloud in classrooms.

Sona hears music everywhere, even though it has been outlawed in the land of Devia. Sona is a descendant of the Malechs—foreigners who took over the governing of Devia hundreds of years ago. Malechs put Devans to work mining gems and forbade music so Devans couldn’t cast their magic.

I really enjoyed this. The world-building and characters were really well-done.