Aarti has lived nearly her whole life on the island. Orphaned as little girl, she has been taken care of by Aunt, whose temper is as stormy as the weather. Aarti’s only comforts are her pet fox, Chand, and a colourful storybook about the Hindu gods. Then one day, she finds a tatty toy rabbit hidden in a locked room and memories of another time and place start to surface. She begins to suspect that Aunt has not been truthful about who she and Aarti really are ...
My Thoughts
Jasbinder Bilan is a magical story teller with a turn of phrase that makes my spine tingle. Aarti and the Blue Gods is her third book, and as enchanting and exciting as the last two.
Aarti and the Blue Gods is set on a remote Scottish island (I do love an island), you can literally taste the sea and feel the wind whip your face as you follow the protagonist - Aarti - on her thrilling journey. Aarti is a fabulous character: resourceful, intelligent and brave. Her aunt is intriguing and complex, a beautifully drawn, multi-dimensional damaged woman who tears and tugs the heartstrings in equal measure. Aarti's friend Eamon - a welcome break from the aunt's darkness - is ethereal and enthralling to the very end, the author handling the tinge of sadness that surrounds him with a wonderfully light touch.
Aarti and the Blue Gods is a beautiful mix of magic and mystery, folklore and legend, seamlessly blending cultural references from the author's Indian and Scottish heritage and experiences. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I loved every minute of it.