sad to report that this was kind of disappointing...
the plot seemed so intriguing, and I though it was going to be a nice cozy fantasy, but all it was was kind of slow and boring...
there were so many questionable things that happened and I think the characters could have been a lot more developed
because of my lack of connection to the characters, I couldn't ever get super into this book. I would be willing to try more books by Shveta Thakrar though as this had a lot of potential. it just wasn't executed the best...

Divining the Leaves by Shveta Thakrar is a lush, lyrical collection of poetry that beautifully blends the mystical with the personal. Thakrar’s evocative language and imagery transport readers to a world where nature, magic, and emotions intertwine. Each poem feels like a journey of self-discovery and enchantment, making this a deeply resonant read for those who appreciate delicate yet powerful verse.

Forest worshipper Ridhi worships the plants and trees around her and one day hopes to be allowed into the enchanted forest kingdom of the yakshas. One day, her old best friend, Nilesh, comes to her home needing respite from his parents' failing marriage. But Ridhi and Nilesh haven't been able to get along in a while, ever since Nilesh admitted he didn't believe in Ridhi's magical beliefs. When Ridhi's actions accidentally land Nilesh in the land of yakshas, Ridhi must challenge what she thinks she knows about her magic and risk it all to save Nilesh.

This sounded like a cute middle-grade book, but without a background in Indian mythology, the storyline was difficult to grasp, causing me to struggle with the world-building in the beginning of the book. The story also had a pretty slow pace and neither of the main characters was very likeable in my opinion.

*** I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. ***

The cover of Divining the Leaves is breathtakingly beautiful, which is what drew me to this book and the description seemed interesting as well. Thakrar did a good job building this really beautiful world, which was the high point of the book for me. For all of these reasons I was really expecting to love this book but was disappointed that I didn't. The characters were okay but lacked depth and it felt like they never truly developed. Also, the pacing was very slow. Initially, I assumed it was solely because the author was trying to build this magical world and assumed that the pacing would pick up after a few chapters, but that never happened. I experienced the same thing previously when I read Star Daughter by Thakrar, so I'm starting to think that this is just her writing style. Overall, it was an okay book.


Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is an overall let down! While the writing style itself was good and i liked the overall premise the building and plot itself was kinda boring and the characters were fine, but I didn't connect with anyone or anything and I will promptly forget about the book the second I am finished writing this review

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this! I hate to say it, but this one was not for me. The characters felt all over the place, which is fair, they are teenagers. The word, "Mummy", is now permanently engraved in my skull which is not a word I wanted engraved. The premise for the book is something I really liked. A kind of fantasy escape from the real world, but it felt disorienting. I might just not have been the right audience for this.

Divining the Leaves is a magical, whimsical journey into a world where seasons shift and friendships bloom in unexpected ways. The combination of beautiful prose and rich cultural elements will have you enchanted from start to finish. If you're ready to step into a lush, vibrant world that feels alive on every page, then this book is for you!


Let me start by saying, I LOVE the cover! It’s as magical and enchanting as the world inside the pages. This book is an explosion of color and wonder.

The incorporation of Hindu culture and Buddhist folklore weaves an extra layer of richness into the story. Admittedly, as someone outside of that cultural background, I found myself pausing to research certain terms and concepts—though it wasn’t necessary, it made me feel even more immersed in the story’s enchanting world.

The world-building is truly breathtaking—I could almost smell the blossoms and feel the magic with every turn of the page! This book felt like being invited into a world painted with gorgeous, vivid detail—every leaf, every breeze seemed alive with magic.


"Ridhi drew her curtains to find that an unseen artist had painted spring into existence, shading in foliage here, stippling flower pistils there. The last sleepy breaths of winter had subsided overnight, yielding to a palette of chlorophyll and pastels, and the drowsy land, having yawned and stretched, then shook off its hibernation, rejuvenated for another year."


"The taste of crisp autumn air, of distant woodsmoke and apples, and of a forest dressed up in its fiery finery for a last, defiant celebration before its wintry sleep spread over her tongue."
"Fall was the sunset of seasons, and it smoldered in her veins."


Reading Divining the Leaves felt like stepping into a dream. The slow build-up in the first few chapters may seem like a crawl, but the world is so mesmerizing, you won’t mind getting lost in it! By Chapter 9, the plot truly starts to soar, but with 29 chapters in total, the pacing feels kinda slow with moments of action that balance the lush descriptions.


I'm truly thankful to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read the book pre-release.

The book presents an intriguing premise, blending elements of fantasy, magic, and the natural world, but unfortunately, the execution is sluggish and falls short of creating compelling character dynamics. The plot takes too long to build momentum, with long stretches of introspection and mystical musings that detract from the overall tension. Including the yakshas folklore is promising, and if you’re drawn to slow-paced stories steeped in nature and fantasy, you will appreciate the themes.

I struggled to get into this book in the beginning. At first I had a hard time connecting with the mythology and back story. BUT once I did connect I found it to be a gripping read.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. If you enjoyed Star Daughter & The Dream Runners, you'll love this one too. The mythology was fun, the story was intriguing & I loved the characters. The pacing was a little slow at times, but I still enjoyed it. 3.75 stars.

Similarly to how I enjoyed Star Daughter, I liked this alright but it wasn't outstanding. The writing is a bit juvenile for my taste and the plot drags quite a bit. I enjoyed the characters and pacing throughout the book though. It's an perfectly okay young adult fantasy.

I really enjoy the writing of this book. The way the author describes scenery and characters was great for visuals and world building. My issue came with the tempo of the beginning of the book. While I enjoyed the writing and was excited for a book based on Indian mythology I found the pace slow which made it hard to get into. I wanted to love this more but overall a different and enjoyable read.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley!

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC!

This story had a lot of potential and I think overall it was executed really well. It is YA so there is some corny aspects but in the end it was very cute.

The FMC felt really juvenile for 17 but I think a lot of authors have the bad habit of maturing their MCs wayyyy too much so I think I'm just not used to realistic depictions of teenagers. I really enjoyed learning about Indian history and folklore, so if you're interested in that you'll enjoy the overall story.

I think some parts of the story could be expanded on including the magic system and what exactly the FMC was learning in terms of her magic. I would have enjoyed learning more about that.

Overall it was fun and I enjoyed it, I just think there is room for improvement in some storytelling aspects.

"Divining the Leaves" promises a journey into a world of Indian folklore, blending ancient myths with modern day realities, but unfortunately, it feels more like a missed opportunity than a magical adventure.

The novel introduces us to Ridhi and Nilesh, cousins drawn into a mystical realm of Yakshas and Yakshinis. Initially, the blend of contemporary and mythical elements is intriguing, and the inclusion of Indian folklore through charming folktales at the beginning of each chapter offers a unique touch. Ridhi's passion for nature and perfume adds a refreshing dimension to her character, providing a hint of enchantment. The book's dedication to exploring Indian cultural elements and integrating perfumery into the narrative is commendable, bringing a bit of novelty to the YA fantasy genre.

However, the book’s promise is undermined by several issues. The pacing is sluggish, with the story dragging at multiple points and struggling to captivate. The modern setting of the story, as opposed to a more traditional or purely fantastical backdrop, feels incongruous with the mythological elements and detracts from the overall immersion.

Character development is notably lacking. Ridhi’s growth is somewhat engaging, but Nilesh's journey is disappointing. His character arc is primarily driven by superficial romantic interests rather than meaningful development, making him come across as more annoying than endearing. The instalove dynamics and Nilesh’s self-centered behavior create a frustrating reading experience, and his lack of growth only exacerbates this issue.

The representation of disability and LGBTQ+ identities, while appreciated, feels tokenized rather than integrated into the narrative in a meaningful way. The disability of a side character is mentioned but does not influence the plot or character interactions in any significant manner. Similarly, a brief mention of LGBTQ+ identity at the very end of the book feels abrupt and out of place, failing to contribute to the story’s depth.

Additionally, the story’s structure and language choices contribute to a sense of disorientation. The constant shifts between the real world and the mystical realm are jarring, and the overuse of complex vocabulary can be alienating. The plot lacks clarity, with various elements feeling underdeveloped or glossed over.

In summary, "Divining the Leaves" has potential with its unique cultural integration and magical elements, but it falls short due to sluggish pacing, underdeveloped characters, and a disjointed narrative. It may appeal to younger readers looking for a whimsical escape, but adult readers might find it less compelling. Overall, it’s a book that had the seeds of something great but failed to fully flourish.

I absolutely loved this book! I loved the Indian mythology that was in the book. That combined with the wonderful storytelling made this such a wonderful read. It was so lush and immersive that I was immediately gripped with the story. I also loved our main characters! I loved having Ridhi as a main character because she had her quirks which made her unique and very easy to connect with. I had a great time reading this story!

I really should have looked into the author before requesting this arc. I read Star Child, and it was not my vibe. But, if you liked Star Child, you may like this book, too.

For reference, I am not super familiar with Indian mythology. Every creature and mythology aspect is presented as if you already know it, and, for sure, some people will. But, I didn't, and I didn't always have access to internet to look things up. I knew enough to get a vague understanding of what was happening (thank you Aru Shah books – great middle-grade fantasy with Indian mythology, if you're looking for that), but it was still very confusing.

Then, we get to the plot. Was there a plot? Kinda, maybe, who knows? It definitely wasn't a normal plot structure, and that made me feel like nothing was happening. I didn't feel much tension or suspense, and the stakes felt nonexistent. Since nothing was explained that well, it was really hard to get invested in this book.

Ridhi was a fine character. She wasn't super unique, but she did have a perfume business, which was a really cool idea. Nilish annoyed me to no end. He wasn't a consistent character, for instance, he mocked Ridhi for her love of plants but got a crush on a different character who loved plants simply because she was hot. Go character depth! I felt no sympathy for Nilesh, and his character growth felt forced.

I also didn't notice much difference between the two characters' perspectives despite them being very different people. I had a really hard time knowing who we were focusing on at the moment, and they may have confused me at some pivotal moments in the book, or as pivotal as it could be without a clear plot.

The writing style was also just hard to understand. The author used a lot of complex words to describe nothing. While I appreciate books with interesting language, I needed a dictionary way more often than I would have liked. There were lots of instances where a more recognizable word would have sufficed, which definitely annoyed me.

TLDR; The mythology was confusing, the big words every two sentences were confusing, the plot was confusing, and the characters were confusing. If you have ever wondered how much a book can truly confuse you, make sure to try this out!

In all seriousness, this book felt like it needed more fleshing out. The plot, the characters, and the romances all felt like they were missing something. Just because a book is YA doesn't mean it has to be any less impactful than other books.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins Children's Books for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is a delightful coming of age adventure featuring a plucky young woman who wants to believe in magic, a young man who needs magic, and a world of Indian myths and stories filled with labyrinthine plots, lost love, secrets, betrayal, wonder and whimsy. If you’re into stories about the fae, you should consider giving this book a try. They’re similar enough —- the yashkan are magical, powerful, other — but in soft organic shades of plants and flowers rather than pointed ears and pointed smiles. No less lethal, and no less charming.

It should be noted that this book is YA. As such the romances are shallow and surface level — deliberately so — and there’s nothing more dramatic than a great deal of kissing going on. All of the relationship focus more on family bonds and inner strength than they do romance, and there’s a great deal more focus on the mythology and the magic than action scenes. This is a story where cleverness and compassion wins the day, not cruelty and aggression. In that respect it’s very like a fairy tale with the strong moral messages of kindness, patience, and forgiveness.

I love seeing books from cultures I’m not familiar with, especially with such deep mythologies and rich stories to draw from. If you’re into fairy tales, fae, gardening and world building, this book might be for you. But the characters are, for the most part, fairly generic. Generic girl, generic mother, generic love interest … but Nilesh, whose family is falling apart due to his father’s infidelity, has a more developed character. His casual self-interest, his desire to belong, to be wanted, to escape from the uncertainty of the life he left behind for the yashkan kingdom all make sense. And I enjoyed his part of the story.

Definitely worth reading, and just look at this cover! Thank you so much to Net Galley and the publisher for giving me an ARC.

This is the first fantasy book I’ve read based in Indian mythology, and I absolutely adored it. The world is so vibrantly presented with lush and colourful descriptions. The main characters are charming, yet very much teenagers. Our main character is the “weird girl” who I’m sure most readers will relate to one way or another. Our mmc is a moody teenage boy, a little selfish and self-absorbed, ungrateful for what he has. The challenges they face, both in the real world and the magical realm, are very realistically written. The cast of characters is somehow both diverse and familiar in the best possible way, and all of the intricate relationships are so intriguing! The ending was so satisfying, and Ridhi is now one of my fav YA main characters ever!!

This book is a mesmerizing blend of mythology, nature, and self-discovery. The story follows Ridhi, a passionate and gentle soul who finds solace in plants and the whispers of the forest, and Nilesh, a popular but troubled teenager who finds himself at Ridhi's doorstep after a series of personal crises.

As Ridhi and Nilesh navigate their complicated past and present, they are drawn into a world of magic and wonder. The author masterfully weaves together elements of Indian mythology and the natural world, creating a rich and immersive atmosphere that is both enchanting and unsettling.

The characters are multidimensional and relatable, with Ridhi's quiet strength and Nilesh's vulnerability making them both endearing and authentic. The supporting cast, including the enigmatic Sulochana and the mischievous yakshas, adds depth and complexity to the narrative.

The writing is lyrical and evocative, with vivid descriptions of nature and the magical realm that transported me to another world. The themes of identity, friendship, and the power of listening to one's own heart are beautifully explored.

Overall, this book is a delightful and thought-provoking read that will resonate with fans of mythology, nature, and coming-of-age stories.

I really enjoyed this story! From the beginning, the setting and descriptions were lush and descriptive. The characters has such strong personalities from the moment they were introduced to the story. K agree with other reviewers that there was a certain character who wasnt my favorite but I think he’s supposed to be a bit unlikeable. A beautiful story!