A Journey to the Heart of Kumari

A family vacationing in Nepal becomes entangled in a prophecy and the hunt for a mythical relic in Nayampalli’s YA series-starter.

Ravi Sharma and his family live in Bahrain. They collectively decide to head to India for two weeks along with Ravi’s parents, who are visiting from New York. Rather than wait on visas, they catch a flight to India’s neighbor, Nepal, which they’ve only just traced the Sharma lineage to. Everyone is excited, save Ravi and his wife Sophie’s oldest child, 16-year-old Harrison, who’d rather stay in Bahrain with friends. But his mood quickly lightens up as the family basks in Nepal’s rich culture, stops by the Monkey Temple, and embarks on a jungle safari. All the while, members of an ancient order secretly watch them. This is because Harrison may very well be the prophesied Seeker slated to find the legendary Heart of Kumari, a red diamond containing untold power. The Sharmas face great danger—four earlier prospective Seekers have died in the past year. Nayampalli’s opening series installment is a love letter to Nepal—sparkling descriptions of the country fill the pages, including paeans to its fiery cuisine, centuries of history, and luxurious scenery. The author’s prose is simply impeccable, making even meals sound adventurous: “There was also chiura, or beaten rice, a dish whose origins dated back to ancient times. Served with a dollop of thick, creamy yogurt, it is a beloved part of Nepali culture.” For most of the novel, the family vacation takes precedence, generally eclipsing Harrison’s date with destiny and the diamond everyone seems to be clamoring for. Still, there are periodic signs of brewing menaces, from an ever-looming “shadowy figure” to more than one ostensibly friendly local keeping secrets from the Sharmas.

A leisurely, sublimely detailed introduction to an adventure series with potential.