REA AND THE BLOOD OF THE NECTAR

Rea Chettri is tired of living in her twin brother Rohan’s shadow.

He gets better grades, has more friends, and gets off easy on his chores. Her feelings of insecurity and questions about their absent father have driven the twins apart. When Rohan goes missing on their 12th birthday, the strange way her family reacts prompts Rea to investigate. She embarks on an otherworldly quest to rescue her brother and save the Kingdom of Astranthia. During this journey, Rea is challenged both by the dangers of this magical land and by her own selfishness. Through new friendships with neighbor Leela, who accompanies her, and Xeranther, an Astranthian they encounter, Rea develops empathy and becomes more altruistic. Her personal growth unlocks a powerful family secret that is the key to saving both Rohan and Astranthia. This original fantasy features an Indian heroine alongside mythical creatures with origins from various cultures. Reflecting the Darjeeling setting, Hindi and Nepali terms are naturally woven throughout the text. Though the pacing is uneven and Rea’s feelings and motivations are sometimes too explicitly spelled out for readers, her adventure is full of action and humor, and her development from selfish to selfless is an admirable one.

A highly inventive, magic-filled fantasy.