Rutabaga's Reads 2020: Part 3

Whenever I construct compilation posts, I save them under a nickname. This one had two nicknames. It’s my first middle-grade post of the year, but all three books are also from Rick Riordan Presents, an imprint of Disney-Hyperion Publishing. All of the stories within this imprint are mythology-based, though there is a good chance these mythologies may be unknown or slimly known by wider audiences (by this reader included). Considering they all have Rick Riordan’s approval, I have high expectations, and I was not disappointed.

Aru Shah and the End of Time (Mar. 27, 2018) by Roshani Chokshi.

*This is the first novel in a tetralogy.*

Truth-bender. A girl with an active imagination. In all honesty, 12-year-old Aru Shah is a liar, not out of a sense of meanness, but in a way that makes her life seem more prominent than it is. She boasts of things that are not, because she desires them to be. Aru and her mother, Dr. Krithika P. Shah, live in the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture in Atlanta. Aru was always told she should never light the lamp, though she didn’t know why, so when she’s dared to light it, she does. In so doing, she awakes the Sleeper. Now, suddenly, she’s being berated by a very judgmental pigeon she christens Boo, and she has a soul-related sister (not blood-related) named Mini. It turns out that she and Mini are the reincarnations of two of the Pandava brothers (from the Mahabharata); there have never been Pandava sisters, and they are the soul-children of a major Hindu god. Those gods are: the Dharma Raja (the Lord of Death and Justice), Indra (the king of heaven, god of thunder and lightning), Vayu (god of the wind) and the Ashvins – Nasatya and Dasra (twin horsemen gods of medicine and healing who symbolize sunrise and sunset). They meet with Urvashi and Hanuman, members of the Council of Guardians (like a celestial board of directors). They are tasked with a quest to find the keys to the Kingdom of Death, which in turn will lead them to the celestial weapons. And they have to do all of this while preventing the Sleeper from getting the keys or the weapons. There’s also a time frame. Anywhere the Sleeper ventures, life is frozen in time (including Aru’s mom and Mini’s family). If they do not stop the Sleeper before the new moon (in nine days), they’ll be frozen forever. Saving the world from a forever freeze and death? Should be a cake walk, right? Ha. Ha. Ha.

            As soon as I began reading this story, I loved it. With Aru’s quick wit and sarcasm, this story reminds me of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series (which I also love), albeit with a female lead character and a different mythology. The first in the Pandava series, Chokshi strikes fast with a roaring adventure and plenty of mythology to make someone’s head spin (and it’s likely not even the tip of the iceberg). The writing crackles with magic and is bright like lightning, and Aru takes to the quest as gracefully as a bull loose in a china shop while wearing Spider-Man pajamas. This first in Chokshi’s middle-grade debut (she has also written YA) is an absorbing, high-octane, fun and funny novel that seems to effortlessly intertwine Hindu mythology, simultaneously teaching and entertaining readers as the story runs along. Despite my lack of Hindu mythology knowledge, I connected quickly with this story, which includes lessons on family and friendship. Before I was done with this book, I’d ordered the second and pre-ordered the third! This book is great for fans of Rick Riordan and anyone who enjoys mythological tales.

            P.S. That Palace of Illusions, I would adopt it.

Dragon Pearl (Jan. 15, 2019) by Yoon Ha Lee.

*This is a standalone novel.*

Young gumiho (fox spirit in Korean mythology) Kim Min is 13 years old and has attacked an investigator with a saucepan (Disney’s Rapunzel would be so proud of her). Lest she be sent away to a remote village on the already desolate planet of Jinju that they reside on, Min runs away. The investigator accused her older brother, Jun, of desertion from his service aboard the Pale Lightning in the Space Forces. Min knows that Jun would never desert, and she is determined to find him. After surviving an attack by mercenaries, Min finds herself aboard the Pale Lightning and uses her fox gift to assume the form of Bae Jang, a Space Forces cadet who died in the attack (she did get Ghost Jang’s permission to use his persona as long as she finds out who killed him), as well as her gift of Charm to convince others that Jang lived while Min died. She finds friendship in Jang’s friends: Haneul, a female dragon, and Sujin, a non-binary dokkaebi (Korean goblin folk).

            Min is told that Jun deserted to go in search of the legendary Dragon Pearl, a mystical object rumored to have such tremendous power as to build up or destroy entire worlds. In the right hands, the Dragon Pearl could terraform an entire planet … or finish terraforming a planet, say, like Jinju. In the wrong hands, well, picture the destruction for yourself. Min’s research aboard a ship impersonating a cadet on the fly brings her investigation to Captain Hwan’s office. She doesn’t want to cross him, predatory tiger form that he is, but he is hiding something major. What does he know? Where is he hiding Jun? Can sister and brother reunite to explore the Thousand Worlds together (there aren’t actually a thousand worlds)?

            When one envisions Korean mythology, one probably doesn’t think space odyssey, but it works marvelously in Lee’s capable mind. The universal appeal of this story isn’t solely because it takes place in space, but in that Lee makes Korean mythology accessible to those who aren’t familiar with the folklore. There is complexity in the diverse personalities of the characters and the struggles within, be it that they stem from family, magic (or lack thereof), duty to the Space Forces or loyalty to friends. The mythology, plot and overall narrative are woven so well, that I think this story would appeal to guys, gals and those who are non-binary. I also wouldn’t flag this as being for middle-grade students only; adults shouldn’t dismiss this story. With magic, deception, sabotage, mercenaries (pretty much space pirates) and vengeful ghosts tied together with dynamic characters and a propulsive storyline, this adventure will appeal to a wide audience.

The Storm Runner (Sept. 18, 2018) by J.C. Cervantes.

*This is the first novel in a trilogy.*

There is a Beast in Zane Obispo’s backyard. It’s a volcano in New Mexico. Despite his leg (one is shorter than the other), Zane has explored his volcano countless times with his trusty dog, Rosie, eventually finding a secret entrance to the volcano. He’s at his first day at Holy Ghost Catholic School, where he manages to get sent to the headmaster’s office before the day’s done, and he meets Brooks. It turns out Brooks is a nawal (shapeshifter), and she’s there to warn him of great danger and a legendary prophecy. All of that Mayan mythology Zane enjoys reading? Turns out it’s real, and Ah-Puch, the Mayan god of death, darkness and destruction, really is as terrible as the stories say and exudes a stench just as putrid. It turns out that there’s a reason for Zane’s short leg, and it goes back to his birthfather. Looks like Mom left out a major detail or two, like the fact that his dad isn’t human?! Being a godborn should come with amazing powers, right? But all Zane can tell is that he can see really well in the dark, Ms. Cab (real name: Antonia Caballero) is a Seer who makes a very cranky chicken and Mr. O (Ortiz), well, there’s nothing magical about him, but he’s a hot pepper connoisseur. (If it can decommission a god or a godborn, might it have magical properties?) Without alerting his mom to the threat against his life, Zane leaves town with Brooks and Uncle Hondo (it’s okay, Hondo and Zane left a note). They meet Jazz-E (not to be confused with rapper Jay-Z), a descendant of the great Maya giants (but he comes from much better stock than Sipakna) who’s friends with Brooks, a couple of egotistical, beauty-obsessed, power-greedy godborn twins (who go by Jordan and Bird) and some gods. The gods don’t all stink: to name a few, there are the creator gods Hurakan and Kukumatz/Kukuulkaan and Ixtab, the goddess/caretaker of people who were sacrificed or died a violent death (though Ixtab does wear a garment whose hem is lined with teeth). When an “idiot bonehead” releases Ah-Puch from his prison, can Zane find a way to kill Ah-Puch before the other gods reach him? Because if Zane doesn’t, he’ll either become a soldier of death (pleasant) or go to Xib’alb’a, the Maya underworld and land of darkness, upon his impending death (probably better than becoming the Sinking One’s death soldier).

            As the headliner in a trilogy, this adventurous storm packs a gargantuan punch (or maybe that’s Jazz when he finds out you’re a godborn). The characters are relatable; they have their perceived flaws, as we have ours, and they don’t always make smart choices, same as us. Our very basic knowledge of Mayan mythology alights with this tale, told truthfully by Zane, because the magical paper he wrote on made it so and was provided by Itzam-yée’ (can see the three planes like Heimdall can see the nine worlds in Norse mythology, except Itzam is a bird deity). “The Storm Runner” is thrilling, witty and immersed with a noxious villain and his repulsive underlings (beware the slime the demon runners secrete; it is poisonous and will do terrible things to your clothes and skin). While I didn’t love this telling as much as anything from Rick Riordan or Roshani Chokski’s Aru Shah series, I found the spirit of this story to be entertaining as well as informative. Additionally, as a godborn of Ixkakaw, the goddess of chocolate, I expect to have access to the finest chocolate at a thought. Also, the calories and fat content won’t count.