MG Fantasy review of Aru Shah and the Song of Death (Pandava Quartet #2) by Roshani Chokshi

Aru Shah and the Song of Death by Roshani Chokshi
Format:  Ebook
Genre:  MG Mythology/Fantasy
Publisher:  Rick Riordan Presents
Number of Pages: 304
Published: April 30th, 2019
Source:  Publisher 
Opening lines:  "Aru Shah had a gigantic lightning bolt, and she really wanted to use it."

From Goodreads:  Aru is only just getting the hang of this whole Pandava thing when the Otherworld goes into full panic mode. The god of love's bow and arrow have gone missing, and the thief isn't playing Cupid. Instead, they're turning people into heartless fighting-machine zombies. If that weren't bad enough, somehow Aru gets framed as the thief. If she doesn't find the arrow by the next full moon, she'll be kicked out of the Otherworld. For good.

But, for better or worse, she won't be going it alone.

Along with her soul-sister, Mini, Aru will team up with Brynne, an ultra-strong girl who knows more than she lets on, and Aiden, the boy who lives across the street and is also hiding plenty of secrets. Together they'll battle demons, travel through a glittering and dangerous serpent realm, and discover that their enemy isn't at all who they expected.

The final location of my Believathon II:  Journey to the Stronghold readathon was The Bookkeepers Stronghold with the reading prompt of reading the next book in a series.  I selected Aru Shah and the Song of Death as it's been about two years since I read Aru Shah and the End of Time.  At first I was concerned that I might have difficulty recalling the events from the first book, but things pick up pretty much from where they left off.  I quite enjoy reading the Aru Shah stories, there's a lovely group of diverse characters, interesting Indian mythology, they're action-packed, entertaining and the pacing is just right.  Not to mention oh so humorous.  I also like the Lightning Thief sort of vibe that I get from this series.  I do wish that I knew more about Indian mythology and the Hindu religion.  With the first couple of chapters I had to flip back and forth to the glossary to refresh my memory on who some of the characters were.  Especially the soul fathers and some of the God's abilities.  Though this got better the further that I got into the story.  I really enjoyed the new characters, Brynne and Aiden who add some nice dynamics to the plot.  And the locations they go on their quest were interesting and unique.  I'm really looking forward to reading the final book in the series.