Reviewing One Fantasy and One Science Fiction Novel in Juvenile Fiction
Aru Shah and the End of Time- Roshani Chokshi
Aru Shah and the End of Time is a fantastic example of a middle grade fantasy done exceptionally well. Aru lives in the Mueum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture with her mom. One day aru lights a lamp awakening "the sleeper" a powerful being who is prophesied to awaken the Lord of Destruction and bring about the end of time.
It's clear from the trajectory of Aru and this story that Chokshi is no stranger to the fantasy genre. Some could argue that the amount of Hindu Mythology could be alot for readers unfamiliar with the legends but I don't personally subscribe to this opinion. I actually like that we are, sort of, thrown into the deep end of the fantasy genre when it comes to the Hindu Mythology. I don't think it's any different that the way the Percy Jackson books introduce young readers to Greek Mythology. The book does an excellent job of shifting from reality to imaginative. In that it follows the classic arc and style of the "Hero's Journey model". Reality is seen at the beginning and the end of the book and our hero is thrust into fantasy for the rest of the story. What I love about this book so much is that I was immediately pulled in. Even just from the small detail that Aru lives at a museum (um, I'm totally jealous), this type of childlike whimsy is precisely what separates the stellar examples of the genre from the rest. I also really loved Aru as a character.
It's interesting, though Chokshi follows the very traditional aspects of the fantasy genre, it still reads as something fresh. Aru is comparable to any hero of the genre. Percy Jackson, Harry Potter even a character like Bilbo Baggins. Like them, Aru starts the stroy as a clever and imaginative indivual but is also unsuspecting and perhaps often unsure of themselves. By the end of the story, Aru has new sense of self, has more confidence and security- not at all unlike the arc of the aformentioned characters. Similarly, Chokshi has cracked the code of worldbuilding. This is an absolutely essential aspect to the fantasy genre. You have to create a world that seems so wonderfully impossible but at the same time comprehendable, otherwise it will be too complicated to keep your readers interest.
Overall, a fantastic choice for a Fantasy middle grade book. I also love that this is book is the perfect opportunity and, perhaps, gateway into Indian art and culture. It feels like great representation and inclusion.
I'm actually really interested to see where the story goes after this book and I'm very tempted to read the next installment.
Sal & Gabi Break the Universe- Carlos Hernandez
Sal & Gabi Break the Universe is an imaginative, humourous, and emotional science fiction adventure that follows two classmates as their friendship forms, they navigate the hardships of life, and try not to disrupt the space time continuum.
For me, the standout aspect of this book is the characters. Hernandez has done a great job creating really relatable and likable main characters in Sal and Gabi. Sal is a young cuban boy struggling with the loss and his grief over his recently deceased mother. Sal is so compassionate and kind-hearted that it comes across so vividly when reading the book. His sense of humor and personality quirks like his love for magic just make him all the more lovable. Similarly, Gabi's fearlessness, drive, and intelligence not only make her a great example of a strong female character, but just a strong character overall. While this seems to be a trend in modern story-telling, the girl being the smart and brave one while the boy is the more reserved and compassionate one, I think it still works. A sort of, "if it ain't broke don't fix it" situation.
I will say that this book is a great choice for someone who's looking to "dip their toe in" the waters of Science fiction, so to speak. Though there is the inherant magic of Sal's ability to journey to other dimensions. The rest of the book reads as more of a contemporary fiction. I would more aptly describe this book as Magical Realism than I would Fantasy or SciFi. Therefore, I would not consider this a good choice for someone who is yearning for the next great space opera or a wild adventure in a magical far off world. I would liken this style to Back to the Future, there's science fiction elements but ultimately the setting is in reality.
Hernandez did a wonderful job incorporating the cuban culture into this book. From his use of spanish words, to references to cuban food and music, and of course the importance of family. Another successful aspect of this book is the major takeaway or the moral of the story. That is just because you can do something, doesn't mean that you always should. That your actions always have consequences, whether they be big or small. And that empathy has a way of transforming relationships. And finally that love, family, and friendships is how we navigate hardships- not by going to alternative dimensions and breaking timelines.
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