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Shakti: A Graphic Novel
A fierce, feminist, and fun middle grade fantasy graphic novel about a twelve-year-old Indian American girl named Shakti who must learn the power of her ancestral magic if she wants to save her family and town from a dangerous curse. Written by Stonewall Honor Book recipient and Lambda Literary Fellow SJ Sindu and illustrated by Nabi H. Ali.
Shakti is used to being the new girl at school. She and her two moms have moved more times than she can count. With her unborn baby brother on the way, Shakti hopes her family has found their forever home in Amherst, Massachusetts, and that she can finally make friends. On her first day of seventh grade, she meets Xi and they bond over their shared passion for manga (and pizza with mayo). But the three meanest girls in school—Harini, Emily, and Kelly (aka “HEK”)—are determined to make life miserable for Shakti and her new friends.
When Shakti and Xi discover HEK casting spells in the woods, they fear what might happen to the other kids at school. Drawing on ancient Indian magic, Shakti seeks the aid of Durga Ma to stop HEK. But instead, Shakti accidentally conjures Kali Ma, the destroyer—Durga Ma's dangerous twin. Kali Ma punishes HEK by transforming them into monsters and curses the entire town. As more and more people begin to fall ill, including Shakti’s mom, will Shakti be able to harness her own strength, power, and empathy to save those she loves—and put an end to all the hate?
Shakti is used to being the new girl at school. She and her two moms have moved more times than she can count. With her unborn baby brother on the way, Shakti hopes her family has found their forever home in Amherst, Massachusetts, and that she can finally make friends. On her first day of seventh grade, she meets Xi and they bond over their shared passion for manga (and pizza with mayo). But the three meanest girls in school—Harini, Emily, and Kelly (aka “HEK”)—are determined to make life miserable for Shakti and her new friends.
When Shakti and Xi discover HEK casting spells in the woods, they fear what might happen to the other kids at school. Drawing on ancient Indian magic, Shakti seeks the aid of Durga Ma to stop HEK. But instead, Shakti accidentally conjures Kali Ma, the destroyer—Durga Ma's dangerous twin. Kali Ma punishes HEK by transforming them into monsters and curses the entire town. As more and more people begin to fall ill, including Shakti’s mom, will Shakti be able to harness her own strength, power, and empathy to save those she loves—and put an end to all the hate?
256 pages, Hardcover
First published May 23, 2023
55 people are currently reading
3839 people want to read
About the author
S.J. Sindu
12 books462 followersSJ Sindu is a Tamil diaspora author of two novels, Marriage of a Thousand Lies and Blue-Skinned Gods, as well as the hybrid fiction and nonfiction chapbook I Once Met You But You Were Dead. A 2013 Lambda Literary Fellow, Sindu holds a PhD in English from Florida State University, and teaches at the University of Toronto.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
May 13, 2023
I received a copy of this title for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This was an interesting and fun graphic novel. I've been going back and forth on my rating for a while. I've been thinking between a 3.5 and 4, but because it's a middle grade graphic novel, I think I'm going to go with a 4.
Shakti is a middle grade graphic novel that follows Shakti and her Amma and Mom as they moved into a new house in a new town. Although they've moved a lot in the past, they're hoping that this move to Massachusetts will be their final move before Shakti's baby brother is born. On her first day at the new school, Shakti encounters a trio of mean girls who seem to magically have the school under their spell. With the help of her new friend Xi, Shakti realizes that they need magic to assist them in releasing the students and teachers from the power of HEK. Woven with Hindu mythology, this is a fast-paced, feminist graphic novel with beautiful art.
What Worked: I really loved the incorporation of Hindu mythology and feminist themes. Sindu uses them to address the power and destruction that comes with feelings like anger. There is a point at which Shakti realizes that anger is a healthy emotion just like other feelings; however, holding on to it can be a means of destruction for all involved. This is clearly evoked in the introduction of Durga Ma and Kali Ma. The artwork in this one was absolutely beautiful. I was originally drawn to the story because of the cover; however, I can definitely state that the artwork inside is just as gorgeous. The text and the artwork work together to create such a fun and exciting story. I also love the emphasis on family. Shakti has support from both her moms and I found that to be particularly important to Shakti's narrative.
What Didn't Work: My biggest criticism of this one is that I wasn't a huge fan of how the antagonists were handled. Unfortunately, there isn't much that I can reveal due to spoilers; however, readers do learn why HEK is so mean and it's unfortunate in the context of them being children. I wish that they were provided with a better resolution.
Overall, this was a good middle grade graphic novel. I'm looking forward to checking out more from this author in the future.
Shakti is a middle grade graphic novel that follows Shakti and her Amma and Mom as they moved into a new house in a new town. Although they've moved a lot in the past, they're hoping that this move to Massachusetts will be their final move before Shakti's baby brother is born. On her first day at the new school, Shakti encounters a trio of mean girls who seem to magically have the school under their spell. With the help of her new friend Xi, Shakti realizes that they need magic to assist them in releasing the students and teachers from the power of HEK. Woven with Hindu mythology, this is a fast-paced, feminist graphic novel with beautiful art.
What Worked: I really loved the incorporation of Hindu mythology and feminist themes. Sindu uses them to address the power and destruction that comes with feelings like anger. There is a point at which Shakti realizes that anger is a healthy emotion just like other feelings; however, holding on to it can be a means of destruction for all involved. This is clearly evoked in the introduction of Durga Ma and Kali Ma. The artwork in this one was absolutely beautiful. I was originally drawn to the story because of the cover; however, I can definitely state that the artwork inside is just as gorgeous. The text and the artwork work together to create such a fun and exciting story. I also love the emphasis on family. Shakti has support from both her moms and I found that to be particularly important to Shakti's narrative.
What Didn't Work: My biggest criticism of this one is that I wasn't a huge fan of how the antagonists were handled. Unfortunately, there isn't much that I can reveal due to spoilers; however, readers do learn why HEK is so mean and it's unfortunate in the context of them being children. I wish that they were provided with a better resolution.
Overall, this was a good middle grade graphic novel. I'm looking forward to checking out more from this author in the future.
May 6, 2023
Wow, this absolutely blew me away. This is pretty much a perfect graphic novel. It has so much heart, the right amount of magic and mythology mixed into a contemporary setting, and amazing family and friend relationships. I'm definitely going to have to pick up a physical copy so I can reread it lots!
February 16, 2023
I received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes; this in no way influences my review.
The cover and premise of this graphic novel immediately caught my attention, and I’m so glad I was able to read it. Shakti and her moms have just moved to Amherst and she immediately makes a new friend in Xi, but they quickly realize something isn’t quite right in the town. A group of three girls - Harini, Emily, and Kelly (aka: HEK) - have been casting ingratiation spells to make the whole school seem them positively, even as they actively bully the other students. When Shakti and Xi learn of HEK’s plan to cast the spell in a bigger way so the whole town will be under their spell, they try to call on Durga Ma to stop it from happening. Unfortunately Shakti isn’t as peaceful in her heart as she needs to be and instead they summon Kali Ma.
This is a really great story of friendship, community, and family. I also really loved the mythology and story of Durga Ma and Kali Ma, as I’m not as familiar with them. The art is also such a perfect accompaniment to the story and flowed really well. Overall I really loved this graphic novel and Shakti’s story.
The cover and premise of this graphic novel immediately caught my attention, and I’m so glad I was able to read it. Shakti and her moms have just moved to Amherst and she immediately makes a new friend in Xi, but they quickly realize something isn’t quite right in the town. A group of three girls - Harini, Emily, and Kelly (aka: HEK) - have been casting ingratiation spells to make the whole school seem them positively, even as they actively bully the other students. When Shakti and Xi learn of HEK’s plan to cast the spell in a bigger way so the whole town will be under their spell, they try to call on Durga Ma to stop it from happening. Unfortunately Shakti isn’t as peaceful in her heart as she needs to be and instead they summon Kali Ma.
This is a really great story of friendship, community, and family. I also really loved the mythology and story of Durga Ma and Kali Ma, as I’m not as familiar with them. The art is also such a perfect accompaniment to the story and flowed really well. Overall I really loved this graphic novel and Shakti’s story.
September 3, 2023
This middle grade fantasy graphic novel would be ideal to read with the littles around Halloween. A fun mix of magic, mythology, and diversity. The illustrations are cute and colorful, and there's just the right amount of creepy vibes for young readers.
May 7, 2025
A super cute middle grade graphic novel
August 3, 2023
Ohhhhh! This was good! Art was beautiful and the story was brilliant, though I wished the ending/resolution went a little more in depth.
September 11, 2023
This was a terrific short read - a YA graphic novel that I adored and can't wait to gift the kiddos in my life! It's a story of a middle-schooler who has had to move with her queer moms AGAIN and finds herself in a school that is run by three bullies, who just happen to use magic to stay popular. They don't count on the main character, Shakti, having her OWN Hindu-specific magic and matrilineal witchcraft practice to bring to the party. The ways that Shakti and her best friend Xi navigate this is the crux of the book and the story arc allows for a beautiful sharing of information about Durga Ma and Kali Ma within the story of Shakti's own family and friends taking on the bullies at the center of the story.
I would expect nothing less from SJ Sindu, whose adult novels are among my favorites of the last years (go read them if you haven't yet - Blue-Skinned Gods and Marriage of a Thousand Lies - and thank me later). This beautiful story is exactly the book I would have hoped for, with two moms who just ARE and whose queerness is not even a plot point, a racially diverse set of schoolmates, and lots of Hindu-specific culture! Check out a portion of an interview with them below to hear more about why this book was the book that needed to be written.
"Question - Your book ties in with themes in your other works – it’s a story that centers the lived experiences of those within the Tamil diaspora and that touches on LGBTQIA+ identities. Tell us more about those themes and why you want to reach middle-grade readers.
Answer - I think I’m just trying to go back in time and give myself the stories I needed. And that’s been a perpetual theme in my work and obsession in my work for a long time. I grew up really without any mirrors around me. Not that mirrors are the end-all be-all – visual representation is not the end-all be-all of having an inclusive and diverse society. But at the same time, when you’re really young and you’re watching and consuming a lot of Disney and children’s media, when that representation doesn’t exist, it really does make you feel like an outsider. And that’s something I write about a lot is outsiders in various different ways – loners and artists, outsiders because of different identities that people might have.
I think there’s been a lot of representation lately in the adult literary space with South Asian narratives. A lot of big awards have been given to South Asian novels. The New York Times has covered South Asian literary novels, but I still don’t see a lot of that in the middle-grade and YA space. We definitely don’t see it on TV or in the movies, especially with children’s media. So I think putting my efforts into YA and middle-grade has been a recent interest of mine because it doesn’t seem to quite exist in the same way. And if it does, the representation in the children’s space seems really reductive and very simple and does not reflect the kind of diversity that even South Asian identities have.
South Asia is a large space, and mostly it’s dominated by Indian and Pakistani narratives, especially North Indian and Pakistani narratives. And people from places like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh – we’re not represented very well, especially with Tamil identity. Tamil identity is a very specific thing, and linguistically, ethnically, culturally, religiously sometimes, it’s a very unique space. And I wanted to bring that to the middle-grade and YA space because I don’t really see it there."
https://news.vcu.edu/article/2023/05/...
I would expect nothing less from SJ Sindu, whose adult novels are among my favorites of the last years (go read them if you haven't yet - Blue-Skinned Gods and Marriage of a Thousand Lies - and thank me later). This beautiful story is exactly the book I would have hoped for, with two moms who just ARE and whose queerness is not even a plot point, a racially diverse set of schoolmates, and lots of Hindu-specific culture! Check out a portion of an interview with them below to hear more about why this book was the book that needed to be written.
"Question - Your book ties in with themes in your other works – it’s a story that centers the lived experiences of those within the Tamil diaspora and that touches on LGBTQIA+ identities. Tell us more about those themes and why you want to reach middle-grade readers.
Answer - I think I’m just trying to go back in time and give myself the stories I needed. And that’s been a perpetual theme in my work and obsession in my work for a long time. I grew up really without any mirrors around me. Not that mirrors are the end-all be-all – visual representation is not the end-all be-all of having an inclusive and diverse society. But at the same time, when you’re really young and you’re watching and consuming a lot of Disney and children’s media, when that representation doesn’t exist, it really does make you feel like an outsider. And that’s something I write about a lot is outsiders in various different ways – loners and artists, outsiders because of different identities that people might have.
I think there’s been a lot of representation lately in the adult literary space with South Asian narratives. A lot of big awards have been given to South Asian novels. The New York Times has covered South Asian literary novels, but I still don’t see a lot of that in the middle-grade and YA space. We definitely don’t see it on TV or in the movies, especially with children’s media. So I think putting my efforts into YA and middle-grade has been a recent interest of mine because it doesn’t seem to quite exist in the same way. And if it does, the representation in the children’s space seems really reductive and very simple and does not reflect the kind of diversity that even South Asian identities have.
South Asia is a large space, and mostly it’s dominated by Indian and Pakistani narratives, especially North Indian and Pakistani narratives. And people from places like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh – we’re not represented very well, especially with Tamil identity. Tamil identity is a very specific thing, and linguistically, ethnically, culturally, religiously sometimes, it’s a very unique space. And I wanted to bring that to the middle-grade and YA space because I don’t really see it there."
https://news.vcu.edu/article/2023/05/...
May 2, 2025
Sometimes when I pick up a graphic novel, I don’t pay attention to the intended audience. That doesn’t really matter, as long as the art is beautiful and there is enough story to keep my attention. Which is definitely the case when it comes to Shakti.
Not only did we get a lesson in Hindu Gods, mythology, and religion, but this book was full of magic. The characters received their power from Durga Ma, the warrior Goddess of power, strength, protection and motherhood. And with her being full of light, we learned about the other side of the coin, her twin, Kali Ma: the Goddess of time, death, destruction and chaos. Now even though they are the light and dark, neither are good or evil, because without one, you wouldn’t have the other. Which is such an iconic lesson to have in a middle grade book.
My favorite part is how diverse and queer normative this book is. Shakti has two moms and her best friend Xi is also queer. They didn’t talk about sexuality at all, they were just accepted for being who they are and liking who they like. If only that was what everyone was like. 😭
Not only did we get a lesson in Hindu Gods, mythology, and religion, but this book was full of magic. The characters received their power from Durga Ma, the warrior Goddess of power, strength, protection and motherhood. And with her being full of light, we learned about the other side of the coin, her twin, Kali Ma: the Goddess of time, death, destruction and chaos. Now even though they are the light and dark, neither are good or evil, because without one, you wouldn’t have the other. Which is such an iconic lesson to have in a middle grade book.
My favorite part is how diverse and queer normative this book is. Shakti has two moms and her best friend Xi is also queer. They didn’t talk about sexuality at all, they were just accepted for being who they are and liking who they like. If only that was what everyone was like. 😭
December 25, 2024
3.5 stars MAGIC AND WITCHES AND SPELL BREAKING. It had a pretty typical plot but it was strong! And the cultural history stories of the different goddesses Durga and Mali were really strong. I loved the discussion of balance and misinterpreting “evil”. I loved the resolution and such too! I would definitely read a sequel.
It had some really strong pieces, and some just average. Overall I didn’t love the art style at all. It felt like I was looking at 2D TV animation which I didn’t like much. Wish it was a little more dynamic like the cover.
Would recommend!
It had some really strong pieces, and some just average. Overall I didn’t love the art style at all. It felt like I was looking at 2D TV animation which I didn’t like much. Wish it was a little more dynamic like the cover.
Would recommend!
June 4, 2023
“You might be wondering if she’s a good witch or a bad witch, but magic doesn’t really work like that. Magic is simply a tool, like a sword. It exists all around us, woven into the universe itself.”
This was an amazing middle grade graphic novel about a 12-year-old Indian-American girl learning how to use her ancestral magic. Shakti is used to being the new girl at school. She and her two moms have moved more times than she can count, so she hopes they will call Amherst, Massachusetts their forever home.
On her first day of seventh grade, she meets Xi and they bond over their shared passion for manga (and pizza with mayo). There are three mean girls in school, Harini, Emily, and Kelly (aka HEK), and they are determined to make life miserable for Shakti and her new friends.
My favorite part of this graphic novel was learning about Durga Ma and Kali Ma; it was so fun how there were educational interludes to really educate the reader. I thought the themes of friendship and family, and dealing with bullying, were so well done. And I loved how Shakti found a sense of community in this new town.
The art was expressive and so beautiful, and I loved the vibrant colors. I highly recommend this one if you’re looking for a magical story woven with Hindu mythology.
This was an amazing middle grade graphic novel about a 12-year-old Indian-American girl learning how to use her ancestral magic. Shakti is used to being the new girl at school. She and her two moms have moved more times than she can count, so she hopes they will call Amherst, Massachusetts their forever home.
On her first day of seventh grade, she meets Xi and they bond over their shared passion for manga (and pizza with mayo). There are three mean girls in school, Harini, Emily, and Kelly (aka HEK), and they are determined to make life miserable for Shakti and her new friends.
My favorite part of this graphic novel was learning about Durga Ma and Kali Ma; it was so fun how there were educational interludes to really educate the reader. I thought the themes of friendship and family, and dealing with bullying, were so well done. And I loved how Shakti found a sense of community in this new town.
The art was expressive and so beautiful, and I loved the vibrant colors. I highly recommend this one if you’re looking for a magical story woven with Hindu mythology.
March 9, 2024
This was a quick and fun middle grade graphic novel. Nabi H. Ali’s illustrations are lovely.
November 14, 2024
i’m not exaggerating when i say this is in my top 5 books i’ve read this year. maybe top 3
June 22, 2023
Shakti by S.J. Sindu and Nabi H. Ali is a graphic novel about an Indian-American girl with magical powers passed on to her by her ancestors. Shakti is a fierce and feminist character with a lovely and healthy family, emphasis on her two super cool moms! The story shines a much needed light on Hindu mythology as Shakti conjures Durga Ma to aid her in a battling the mean girls at school. Mean girls who are casting spells to get away with doing the bare minimum! Shakti accidentally conjures Durga Ma’s twin, Kali Ma, the destroyer. Read this beautifully illustrated graphic novel to see if Shakti can fix her mistake and save everyone she loves.
Shakti is perfect for middle grade readers and can be read to your children as a bedtime story. It highlights important topics like bullying, inclusivity and diversity. Overall a quick and fun read about a fearless protagonist!
Thank you #SJSindu & #HarperAlley for a finished copy of #Shakti. The book is available now!
Shakti is perfect for middle grade readers and can be read to your children as a bedtime story. It highlights important topics like bullying, inclusivity and diversity. Overall a quick and fun read about a fearless protagonist!
Thank you #SJSindu & #HarperAlley for a finished copy of #Shakti. The book is available now!
March 27, 2023
This graphic novel is both heart warming and eye opening. Its illustrations are dynamic and deeply affecting. The story is layered, nuanced and deftly written.
Shakti is unlike anything I’ve read as yet.
Like many readers everywhere, I have been eagerly awaiting new kinds of representations, and stories written with such attentiveness to nuances. This book is distinctively a path opener and breaker in KidLit in many regards.
I highly recommend accessing a copy.
*I am grateful for my gifted advance copy. My recommendation is earnest.
Shakti is unlike anything I’ve read as yet.
Like many readers everywhere, I have been eagerly awaiting new kinds of representations, and stories written with such attentiveness to nuances. This book is distinctively a path opener and breaker in KidLit in many regards.
I highly recommend accessing a copy.
*I am grateful for my gifted advance copy. My recommendation is earnest.
February 22, 2023
Middle school mean girls, witches, binary goddesses and a fiery protagonist. Love the Moms.
March 29, 2023
Shakti is the new girl in school. After a few weeks of noticing some strange activities relating two a group of students, nicknamed HEK. The teachers always call on them, and they never get in trouble. One of Shakti's moms helps Shakti defend herself and her new friends from HEK's magic. #Shakti #NetGalley
September 2, 2025
I adored this middle grade graphic novel!
Young Shakti is upset that she is the new girl at school again. Her family moves around a lot and she finds friends in the outcasts at school. However, the teachers' behavior is odd, and when she and her friends investigate they find that the bullies are casting spells in a nearby forest. Can they stop the troublemakers from wreaking havoc on their town?
First and foremost, I have to give credit to the cultural aspect of this graphic novel. It delved into mythology that was intertwined with the magic system and felt both exciting and seamless.
The art was phenomenal and each page was easy to read. I blazed through this in no time because it was all so beautiful and well executed.
Shakti and her friends were great main characters. Shakti's journey has her struggling with the anger in her heart at the bullies, and her friends were very supportive, making the perfect found family for Shakti.
The plot didn't waste any time. It moved at a fast pace and covered themes of bullying, found family, and doing the right thing no matter the cost, something I think even adults can learn from these days. From front to back, this book is a must read if you like magic and an unforgettable coming of age story.
Young Shakti is upset that she is the new girl at school again. Her family moves around a lot and she finds friends in the outcasts at school. However, the teachers' behavior is odd, and when she and her friends investigate they find that the bullies are casting spells in a nearby forest. Can they stop the troublemakers from wreaking havoc on their town?
First and foremost, I have to give credit to the cultural aspect of this graphic novel. It delved into mythology that was intertwined with the magic system and felt both exciting and seamless.
The art was phenomenal and each page was easy to read. I blazed through this in no time because it was all so beautiful and well executed.
Shakti and her friends were great main characters. Shakti's journey has her struggling with the anger in her heart at the bullies, and her friends were very supportive, making the perfect found family for Shakti.
The plot didn't waste any time. It moved at a fast pace and covered themes of bullying, found family, and doing the right thing no matter the cost, something I think even adults can learn from these days. From front to back, this book is a must read if you like magic and an unforgettable coming of age story.
May 10, 2023
You know when you only intend to look inside a book and actually sit down to read it later? Yeah, that is what I thought I was going to do with this book. I ended up reading it when I should have been doing other things, because it grabbed me from the first page, and took me on a wild ride.
Shakti is the first born in her family, and because of that, she has been gifted with power from the goddess Durga Ma. There is magic everywhere, but having the goddess help you focus it, makes it work better and stronger.
And in typical middle grade stories, there are bullies, and the teachers don’t seem to notice the bullies. But for once, there is a good reason for that. The bullies have used magic to make it so that the adults only see them do good things.
Shakti, who is new to the school, refuses to let them win, so she calls on the goddess, but on the dark side, because she is angry, and all heck brakes loose.
Beautiful illustrations. Fun, quick adventure. What more could you ask for?
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book comes out from Harper Collins the 23rd of May 2023.
Shakti is the first born in her family, and because of that, she has been gifted with power from the goddess Durga Ma. There is magic everywhere, but having the goddess help you focus it, makes it work better and stronger.
And in typical middle grade stories, there are bullies, and the teachers don’t seem to notice the bullies. But for once, there is a good reason for that. The bullies have used magic to make it so that the adults only see them do good things.
Shakti, who is new to the school, refuses to let them win, so she calls on the goddess, but on the dark side, because she is angry, and all heck brakes loose.
Beautiful illustrations. Fun, quick adventure. What more could you ask for?
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book comes out from Harper Collins the 23rd of May 2023.
May 27, 2024
This was a solid read. I appreciate the way Kali Ma and Durga Ma were explained and it was interesting to explore their lore as it was incorperated into this book. I also think it holds a great message about seeing the pain others hold when they attack people, like the bullies in Shaktis school. They shouldn't get away with bullying but they had hurt in their lives they were spreading. That part of the story may get too dark for a middle grade audience, as examples of verbal assault from parents, parental battles and cheating, familial alcoholism and physical assault, all on minors, were displayed on page. Especially the physical assault depiction took me aback and was quite unsettling, despite it being short. So I would recommend with caution. I know it's not a kids job to solve these issues but I wish there were adults notified of these children's incredibly unsafe situations and some resolution to that was demonstrated in the story. I dont like that Shakti saw her fellow classmates being assulted and abused and the end was just like "now I know why they are the way they are and theres a happy ending for me."
However I could see a lot of people identifying with Shaktis story.
However I could see a lot of people identifying with Shaktis story.
June 20, 2024
A sus once años, Shakti llega a un nuevo colegio en una nueva ciudad y enseguida descubre que las tres bullies del cole se sirven de hechizos para acosar a todo el mundo. Junto a su amiga Xi y gracias a las enseñanzas mágicas de tradición hindú de una de sus dos madres, Shakti invocará a la diosa Durga para enfrentarse a las tres chicas. Pero la ira acumulada en su corazón provocará un efecto inesperado con el que tendrá que aprender a convivir.
Maravilloso. Maravilloso. Qué gusto que la ficción percyjacksonesca de inspiración hindú no se haya quedado en los extraordinarios libros de Aru Shah sino que continúe explorando su grandísimo panteón con historias tan inclusivas y emocionantes como esta.
¿A quién no le va a gustar un cómic middle grade creado por autores queer de la diáspora tamil sobre la aceptación de tu propia ira gracias a la intervención divina de Kali-Ma tras haber sufrido cualquier tipo de abuso?
Maravilloso. Maravilloso. Qué gusto que la ficción percyjacksonesca de inspiración hindú no se haya quedado en los extraordinarios libros de Aru Shah sino que continúe explorando su grandísimo panteón con historias tan inclusivas y emocionantes como esta.
¿A quién no le va a gustar un cómic middle grade creado por autores queer de la diáspora tamil sobre la aceptación de tu propia ira gracias a la intervención divina de Kali-Ma tras haber sufrido cualquier tipo de abuso?
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May 12, 2023This witchy middle grade graphic novel about an Indian-American girl learning to use her ancestral magic was so cute and fun, while also dealing with bullying and holding/letting go of anger. The art was amazing and I loved the casual queer rep too. It comes out soon (May 23), so definitely keep your eye out for this one! 10/10 would recommend.
October 20, 2023
Okay this was AWESOME. Witchy, wholesome, queer, found family, good hearts triumph over bullies, two-mom family, best friend magical bonding, etc etc. Super cool art and ADORED the South Asian folklore throughout the book. Shakti's moms are the coolest, how can I get adopted??
July 10, 2023
Great middle grade graphic novel. It’s a fantasy novel that incorporates Indian culture and the trials and tribulations of middle school - everything from bullying to shaving your legs. 😂 It’s also LGBTQIA friendly as the main character, Shakti, has two moms and one of the characters has a crush on another girl. It would be fine for upper elementary too except page 204 gives me pause as a dad character says to a mom character “maybe if you weren’t such a frigid b—-“. Not sure I’d want to explain that to elementary students but it’s perfect for middle school.
July 26, 2023
Gorgeous art, great lessons for kids to learn, and a compelling story. Those who love learning about mythologies across the world will certainly enjoy this!
July 29, 2023
This enthralling MG graphic novel is going to capture the attention of my students. Hindu mythicism, social emotional themes, and an exciting adventure make this a must read for middle schoolers.
August 25, 2023
While nothing groundbreaking this is an adorable graphic novel. I wasn't a huge fan of the art style but I thought it was an enjoyable story and perfect for middle grade readers.
June 9, 2025
My 9yo loved it - confessed to staying up late to finish. I read it after him and loved the anti-bullying central narratives. Highly recommended for 7/8+
September 2, 2025
Very quick and good read. I really enjoyed the theme, the mythology, the witches and spells. There was a lot of growth for the character, but also a happy ending.
December 26, 2023
Magic, mythology, and family; three of my favorite things to read about. I enjoyed Shakti’s growth, as well as the immersion into another culture and this specific type of witchcraft.
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