Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks (2012), 320 pages
Description
When British schoolboy Ash Mistry goes to India for a vacation, he quickly falls into a world of rakshasas, or demons, overseen by the evil Lord Alexander Savage.
User reviews
LibraryThing member JRlibrary
Ash discovers a weapon, a golden arrowhead, which can be used to defeat Ravana and prevent the end of the world. I predict that this book would be enjoyed by Lightning Thief readers.
LibraryThing member DarkFaerieTales
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: A boy stumbles upon a mythical arrowhead and has to save the world.
Opening Sentence: “That is so not a cobra,” said Ash.
The Review:
You’ve probably heard of Greek and Roman mythology (Any Percy Jackson fans out there?) Or maybe even a bit of
While in India on a vacation to visit his Aunt and Uncle, Ash Mistry accidentally comes across an arrowhead in the middle of a excavation site. But it’s just an arrowhead, right? Only, when Ash first touches it, he saw a vision from the past — of the last battle against the evil demon king Ravana. The arrowhead that he holds in his hands is actually the blessed arrowhead of Kali–the goddess of death. But Lord Alexander Savage is also looking for the arrowhead in order to release Ravana from his iron prison. Now Ash has a sliver of the arrowhead in his thumb, a little sister that’s been kidnapped and an immortal rakshaska that claims to be on the good side. Add the responsibility to save the world from a bloodthirsty demon king, and it makes for an eventful summer.
The Savage Fortress gives a creative twist to India’s mythology. There are relatable characters and some absolutely cooky characters. Overall it’s a fun (and really graphic, violence and gore wise, for a middle school book) fast-paced novel that has a lot of potential. I think Sarwat does a great job in creating the busy Indian streets and markets. The world building was great throughout. But the main highlight of the book was the characters.
By far my favorite character is Parvati. She’s a rakshaska that has a secret — or more like nobody asks so she doesn’t tell. Although she has a sketchy background, she helps Ash as he tries to save the world (but honestly in my opinion, Parvati is the heroine because she has the actual ability to kill Ravana and Ash just happens to be there at the same time). This strong, determined character has been reincarnated for thousands of years, failing each time she tries to help the hero. But this time, she’s going to stop Ravana, with or without the destined hero.
Ash is a very normal character. He has no special powers or talents. In fact, he’s a bit chubby and out of shape. He’s a character that happens to be in the right place at the right time. This makes him very relatable, and his point of view is realistic. He’s completely petrified when it comes to fighting an unstoppable demon. But he has a responsibility to his little sister that allows him to plow on to overcome his fear. He may not have the best fighting skills, but he has the perseverance to keep getting back up.
The humor in this book is probably my second favorite part of this book. It’s focused toward a younger audience, so new adults and probably some young adults might get bored with this book. But overall it’s great for middle school readers. Also note: like I said before, there are very graphic blood-and-gore scenes in this book, but nothing rated R. Just a warning to parents.
Notable Scene:
“You don’t feel fear, do you?” he asked.
She blinked her slow reptilian blink. “What is it you’re afraid of?”
“What else? Death.”
“No. You’re afraid of what you’ll miss, being dead.”
“Yeah, that too.” He looked around, lost. “I’m not even fourteen. I’ve never kissed a girl. Not been to first base, let alone anywhere beyond that. Not one decent kiss, and here I am, trying to save the world!”
“Look, I’ll kiss you if it’s so important,” said Parvati, flicking her hair out of her face. “But then can we get a move on, please?”
“Stop right there,” said Ash. “A charity kiss wouldn’t count. Anyway, knowing my luck, you’d bite my tongue and kill me.”
Parvati shrugged and began walking. Ash, after a moment, hurried up and fell into step beside her. She looked at him out of the corner of her eye.
“We could hold hands, if you like,” she said.
“Just shut up, Parvati.”
FTC Advisory: Arthur A. Levine Books / Scholastic provided me with a copy of The Savage Fortress. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: A boy stumbles upon a mythical arrowhead and has to save the world.
Opening Sentence: “That is so not a cobra,” said Ash.
The Review:
You’ve probably heard of Greek and Roman mythology (Any Percy Jackson fans out there?) Or maybe even a bit of
Show More
Norse mythology (Thor, son of Odin, a.k.a. Chris Hemsworth *sighs*). But have you even thought of India’s mythology? Sarwat’s The Savage Fortress gives you just enough information to wet your pallet in this enjoyable adventure-filled novel for middle-graders.While in India on a vacation to visit his Aunt and Uncle, Ash Mistry accidentally comes across an arrowhead in the middle of a excavation site. But it’s just an arrowhead, right? Only, when Ash first touches it, he saw a vision from the past — of the last battle against the evil demon king Ravana. The arrowhead that he holds in his hands is actually the blessed arrowhead of Kali–the goddess of death. But Lord Alexander Savage is also looking for the arrowhead in order to release Ravana from his iron prison. Now Ash has a sliver of the arrowhead in his thumb, a little sister that’s been kidnapped and an immortal rakshaska that claims to be on the good side. Add the responsibility to save the world from a bloodthirsty demon king, and it makes for an eventful summer.
The Savage Fortress gives a creative twist to India’s mythology. There are relatable characters and some absolutely cooky characters. Overall it’s a fun (and really graphic, violence and gore wise, for a middle school book) fast-paced novel that has a lot of potential. I think Sarwat does a great job in creating the busy Indian streets and markets. The world building was great throughout. But the main highlight of the book was the characters.
By far my favorite character is Parvati. She’s a rakshaska that has a secret — or more like nobody asks so she doesn’t tell. Although she has a sketchy background, she helps Ash as he tries to save the world (but honestly in my opinion, Parvati is the heroine because she has the actual ability to kill Ravana and Ash just happens to be there at the same time). This strong, determined character has been reincarnated for thousands of years, failing each time she tries to help the hero. But this time, she’s going to stop Ravana, with or without the destined hero.
Ash is a very normal character. He has no special powers or talents. In fact, he’s a bit chubby and out of shape. He’s a character that happens to be in the right place at the right time. This makes him very relatable, and his point of view is realistic. He’s completely petrified when it comes to fighting an unstoppable demon. But he has a responsibility to his little sister that allows him to plow on to overcome his fear. He may not have the best fighting skills, but he has the perseverance to keep getting back up.
The humor in this book is probably my second favorite part of this book. It’s focused toward a younger audience, so new adults and probably some young adults might get bored with this book. But overall it’s great for middle school readers. Also note: like I said before, there are very graphic blood-and-gore scenes in this book, but nothing rated R. Just a warning to parents.
Notable Scene:
“You don’t feel fear, do you?” he asked.
She blinked her slow reptilian blink. “What is it you’re afraid of?”
“What else? Death.”
“No. You’re afraid of what you’ll miss, being dead.”
“Yeah, that too.” He looked around, lost. “I’m not even fourteen. I’ve never kissed a girl. Not been to first base, let alone anywhere beyond that. Not one decent kiss, and here I am, trying to save the world!”
“Look, I’ll kiss you if it’s so important,” said Parvati, flicking her hair out of her face. “But then can we get a move on, please?”
“Stop right there,” said Ash. “A charity kiss wouldn’t count. Anyway, knowing my luck, you’d bite my tongue and kill me.”
Parvati shrugged and began walking. Ash, after a moment, hurried up and fell into step beside her. She looked at him out of the corner of her eye.
“We could hold hands, if you like,” she said.
“Just shut up, Parvati.”
FTC Advisory: Arthur A. Levine Books / Scholastic provided me with a copy of The Savage Fortress. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
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LibraryThing member Sullywriter
Quite an exciting and suspenseful supernatural mystery featuring gods, monsters, and demons from Indian mythology.
LibraryThing member alidevnz
Blimmen brilliant - fascinating hindu mythology with gruesome Gods and Demons. Will give Percy Jackson a run for his money.
LibraryThing member othersam
The Ash Mistry books by Sarwat Chadda are a blast. It's great to see a series about a young hero of colour - especially one as spiky and complex as Ash - but what most tickles me is reading about a fresh set of monsters. And boy, does this series pack one of those.
As well as a respectful yet
For pace and thrills this is right up there with Alexander Gordon Smith's ferociously fabulous Furnace books. But Sarwat Chadda's particular triumph with Ash Mistry is the lightly-worn but ever-present erudition he brings to Ash's saga: these books are steeped in history, opening the scope of this fast, fun trilogy into territories epic and inspiring.
As well as a respectful yet
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startlingly modern take on the creatures of Indian Mythology, Chadda summons from the darkest corners of imagination a bestiary of a breadth and variety rarely seen in Middle Grade and YA fiction lately. My personal favourite monster from the series, from Ash Mistry and the World of Darkness? The 'Carnival of Flesh'. Hee hee hee!For pace and thrills this is right up there with Alexander Gordon Smith's ferociously fabulous Furnace books. But Sarwat Chadda's particular triumph with Ash Mistry is the lightly-worn but ever-present erudition he brings to Ash's saga: these books are steeped in history, opening the scope of this fast, fun trilogy into territories epic and inspiring.
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LibraryThing member etborg
This book was so much fun! Take a pretty normal summer vacation in India, throw in a some demons, some monsters, just a few gods, and a sizable dash of Indiana Jones and you'll have a pretty good idea of what you are in for when you read this book.
While it is predominantly marketed to boys, it will
Adventure stories based on god and myths are nothing new--one of the biggest markets for this book in the shop where I worked was fans of Percy Jackson who had read all Riordan's books--but Indian mythology is rich, exciting and (until now) largely unexplored in children's adventure stories. The book is well writing and engaging; a fast, fun read that will delight fans of Percy Jackson and Skulduggery Pleasant.
While it is predominantly marketed to boys, it will
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definitely appeal to many girls as well. Ash is a great (if reluctant) hero: well developed, likable and very much a teenage boy. I liked the supporting cast as well and hope they continue to be developed as the series goes on. Don't worry about brushing up on your Indian gods before reading this (though it's a fascinating topic) the necessary mythological background is given in flashbacks, so even if you aren't too familiar with Indian myths when you start you won't miss out.Adventure stories based on god and myths are nothing new--one of the biggest markets for this book in the shop where I worked was fans of Percy Jackson who had read all Riordan's books--but Indian mythology is rich, exciting and (until now) largely unexplored in children's adventure stories. The book is well writing and engaging; a fast, fun read that will delight fans of Percy Jackson and Skulduggery Pleasant.
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LibraryThing member 2wonderY
Eh. Not nearly as good as his Billi Sangreal book.
LibraryThing member bookbrig
Fast paced action and good writing. A bit gory near the end, but not awful. My one complaint is the hyper irritating transformation of the main character from chubby to skinny, and the way that's portrayed as him losing his weakness and growing into a fierce hero. Cause fat kids can't be heroes or
Anyway. I think kids will enjoy it, I was just annoyed.
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anything. He even says something like "I guess I just had to diet and exercise" to lose weight. Ugh. I just... chubby or fat kids don't need to hear that more than they already do. I don't know why he couldn't just get stronger, and not have to discuss how "easy" it is to lose weight when "you put your mind to it." For some kids, no, it's not easy. And they shouldn't have to feel ashamed of that, but this message that weight is really simple to control pops up all the time. It's a small part of the overall book, which is partly why it bugged me so much. It would have been VERY easy to leave out completely, and the story wouldn't have been altered.Anyway. I think kids will enjoy it, I was just annoyed.
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Awards
USBBY Outstanding International Book (Grades 6-8 — 2013)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
5.08 inches
ISBN
0007447329 / 9780007447329
Similar in this library
DDC/MDS
| 823.92 |