Aru Shah and the City of Gold

In the fourth installment of the Pandava Quintet, fourteen-year-old Aru Shah grapples with profound questions of trust and identity as a war between gods and demons looms. She encounters a mysterious new sister, Kara, who challenges her understanding of family and loyalty. Aru and her Pandava sisters must undertake perilous trials in the city of gold to secure powerful weapons, all while Aru struggles with the perceived betrayals of adults she once admired. This fast-paced adventure, rich with Hindu mythology, explores complex emotional themes like sibling rivalry, the pain of betrayal, and the journey of self-discovery, making it ideal for middle-grade readers aged 9-13.

Aru Shah and her sisters--including one who also claims to be the Sleeper's daughter--must find their mentors Hanuman and Urvashi in Lanka, the city of gold, before war breaks out between the devas and asuras. Aru has just made a wish on the tree of wishes, but she can't remember what it was. She's pretty sure she didn't wish for a new sister, one who looks strangely familiar and claims to be the Sleeper's daughter, like her. Aru also isn't sure she still wants to fight on behalf of the devas in the war against the Sleeper and his demon army. The gods have been too devious up to now. Case in point: Kubera, ruler of the city of gold, promises to give the Pandavas two powerful weapons, but only if they win his trials. If they lose, they won't stand a chance against the Sleeper's troops, which will soon march on Lanka to take over the Otherworld. Aru's biggest question, though, is why every adult she has loved and trusted so far has failed her. Will she come to peace with what they've done before she has to wage the battle of her life?