(2) 4-6 Pandava series. Aru is accused of stealing the god of love's bow and arrow. She's given ten days to return them or be stripped of her Pandava (reincarnated demigod) memories and banished from the Otherworld. The story moves at a breakneck pace as Aru encounters legendary beings from Hindu mythology, who comically interact with the modern world. The importance of how you see yourself is at the heart of this entertaining second installment. Glos.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2019

(3) 4-6 Pandava series. Twelve-year-old Aru knew she shouldn't light the Lamp of Bharata just to show off to her schoolmates, but she never expected to rouse a demon bent on awakening the God of Destruction. Now she must save her museum-curator mother and, well, everyone else. Witty humor and quick pacing carry readers through the Kingdom of Death in this series-starting fantasy rooted in Hindu mythology. Glos.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(3) 4-6 Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond series. Illustrated by Vivienne To. New Jersey sixth grader Kiranmala's parents have always told her she's a "real Indian princess," and she learns it's true when an inter-dimensional demon swallows the family up on her twelfth birthday. Guided by cranky Prince Neelkamal, Kiran quests through a shifting, wondrous, and frequently snot-soaked galaxy of Indian mythology to rescue her parents. Kiran's first-person narration is assured, appealing, and unfailingly funny.

Reviewer: Amy Bennett-Zendzian

(3) YA In Poison's Kiss, assassin Marinda saved her brother from the Snake King. Now she's committed to destroying the Snake King's secret society, the Naga, from the inside out. Her former partner, Iyla, is also spying on the Naga, but can she be trusted? The plot of this Indian folklore–based adventure twists and turns like the snakes it features right up until the satisfying conclusion.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(3) YA Many people in fictional Sundari think visha kanya (which means "poison maidens" in Sanskrit) are only mythical, but Marinda knows better: she's forced into service as such an assassin to help her sick little brother. But she can't bring herself to assassinate Deven, and together Marinda and Deven expose secrets in their society. A fast-paced fantasy woven together with elements of Indian folklore.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Amanda Hall. Ten stories of Hindu gods and goddesses, kings and queens, including "How Ganesh Got His Elephant's Head" and "The Birth of Lord Krishna," are lyrically told. Highly detailed gouache paintings, inspired by eighteenth-century Indian miniatures, highlight both magical elements and earthly life. Decorative borders and golden elements enhance the attractive book, but no sources are provided. Glos.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(4) 4-6 World of Mythology series. This series provides a glimpse at mythologies of ancient cultures from around the world. After a short introduction to the specific civilization, various gods and heroes are presented. Each deity is given a short section, so only the most cursory treatment is provided. Reproductions of ancient artwork as well as modern illustrations provide colorful portraits of the featured gods. Glos., ind. Review covers these World of Mythology titles: Indian Mythology, Japanese Mythology, Mayan and Aztec Mythology, and Middle Eastern Mythology.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo