I loved Chokshi's teen books, and hearing that she was going to write the first Rick Riordan Presents novel was so exciting to me. I listened to this as an audiobook and I'm really glad I did. The audiobook's narrator, Soneela Nankani, was a great choice. She pronounced the names so well, a way I wouldn't have been able to if I had just read it. She also did a great job at capturing the elegance of how Chokshi writes. Despite it being middle grade, her style of writing didn't feel dumbed-down or simpler. I don't think that means it would be difficult for younger readers to understand, it just means that Chokshi did a great job at keeping her own writing style though writing for a younger audience.
Aru Shah deals with accepting her culture, her knack for lying to fit in, and discovers meaningful friendships. She lives in a museum her mom owns (so cool!) and when she lights a cursed lamp to impress some kids from school she is sucked into a world she only thought were stories her mother told her at night. In order to save the world, though, she has to team up with Minnie on a quest to stop the end of time.
I can't wait to start recommending this book to kids who are looking for a new action trilogy, with a splash of good tidings. And I'm so excited for the next book to come out!
4.5/5 stars!