Aru Shah and the City of Gold

I've been waiting to read this since a while but I couldn't find the audiobook in my library, so I couldn't. But I finally got it and had to finish it immediately.

This was as fun as expected. There were still a couple of times I had to remind myself that these characters are kids, so if they do some things or react in a way that I find irrational, it's normal for them and I can't judge them for it. Other than that hiccup, it was mostly a very entertaining ride. The adventure never lets up, we also have a few trails this time, lots more banter, an unexpected new sister character whose addition I absolutely adored, and a few twists which were quite cool. The major one towards the end was something I did guess early on because I know the Mahabharata too well and it seemed pretty obvious to me, and the author also did a good job of foreshadowing. This time, she also gives us glimpses into the tales of Shikhandi, Uttanka, Chhaya and also Kubera and the land of Lanka. It always excites me when I read stories I know told in a new manner and this time was no different.

Overall, I had a good time reading this installment and especially enjoyed my favorite narrator Sneha Mathan's audiobook performance. And I'm excited to finally get to the end of this series next year.

This series is... not for me. I love the hindu mythology and concepts. I just do not like the pop culture references and the humor. Everything feels one note. Characters are all the same, personality-wise, with only one or two traits that are unique to the individual, and one of those is their celestial weapon. The world is hard to imagine as little information is given on the setting and it's set in a fantasy realm, instead of our real world.

It's fine. i just don't love it and did not want to finish the book, but just kept reading to get done with the series. I just wish that this book was more adult and not in the Rick Riordan-esque style/format