Pandava, the Finale: “It’s the best”

How can I do this? How can I review this wonder? If I say “It’s the best!” it’d be an understatement. This book had been on the top of my want-to-read booklist, a subdivision of my 2022 bucket list. What I am talking about is none other than the long-awaited finale of the Pandava series, Aru Shah and the Nectar of Immortality. Here’s what I could write from all the thoughts swirling inside my head.

We’re going to divide it into parts as I’ve done in the predictions (which mostly turned out wrong, HURRAY! I just like books which I cannot predict) article and try to make out of something that I am trying to write. And I am just very happy to write an article after a long time, which I, unfortunately, couldn’t do for some latest books.

Another thing, this article features my first original art for an article. So happy to draw V, DD, and G!

Warning: As usual, please note that I tried to avoid any spoilers, but for the sake of writing a review I had to bring some mild spoilers at least. Though I wouldn’t recommend it to those who haven’t read the book yet, you can take the risk. For new-to-series, JUST READ THE SERIES NOW!

Part A: Trials

We all know that Rick Riordan Presents (next time I will just write “RRP”) books features quests that include many trials (there is even a whole series by Rick Riordan called The Trials of Apollo), and Roshani Chokshi is a very talented in designing a trial that features both a myth and deep meaning in that too.

Chapter 1: Deep Meaning

The trials of Aru Shah and the others are all designed to converge with the myth. But Roshani is very expert in bringing deeper meaning to the result and the way the trial is executed. Normally we might expect heroes to just fight through the trial and win it, as does the Pandavas – but soon they learn that such a thing is quite impossible (that happens most of the time) and their approach changes where related to myth and the behind the scenes is shown to us.

Chapter 2: Behind the Myths

The stories behind all the myths are quite not familiar to us while the main stories of the myths are popular. We often forget the side characters of the stories, we don’t search for the reason why a good guy can be a bad guy too, and we just don’t understand the back story completely. Roshani Chokshi’s writing brings what most of us don’t do. Her writing features why we should sympathize with a demon, why we should accuse the rulers, and why the celebrated characters of the myths shouldn’t always be celebrated. We get this similar thing in all the books, and for instance, Aru Shah and the Song of Death, the second book of the series, features a villain of a different kind.

Chapter 3: Discovery

Not of the channel or about the merger, we’re talking about the discovery of oneself. Through the deeper meaning the trials provide via the forgotten or ignored story of a myth, the Pandavas discover themselves. We all know they’re heroes (or “heroines”) but they’re not beyond flaws of their own. The Pandavas either discover their flaws or their secrets through trials. For that reason, all Pandava trials are always important whether it’s funny or not.

Part B: Characters

As well as featuring new characters from myths and Roshani’s own imagination, we get a bunch of characters from older books of the series. Each of them played a vital role in bringing the finale to a perfect end. Here are some of the characters worth mentioning (maybe beside the Pandavas) –

Chapter 1: Kara

One of my favorite characters in the series is Kara, the reincarnation of Karna in the Pandava series. Not only because she reads a lot of books, but she’s also a very complex character. The way she enters the series, and the way she is featured in the fourth book were great. We all know what Kara had done at the end of the fourth book, but I still don’t think Kara should’ve faced such a situation as she did in the final book. Kara has been pushed and pulled so much that she is always hesitating about what to do. I felt really bad for Kara and I don’t think the end should be that much cruel to a child who’s very much constantly shaped like a slime ball by people she trusts (except maybe some). Still, I accept the story as it is, and hope there’s more left to share.

Chapter 2: Rudy

I don’t think I will ever forget how naive is Rudy. If anyone gets sad about anything, I say stay eager for a Rudy moment. I cannot say that Rudy is just a comic relief character, but I think he’s a big contributor to the encouraging of the Pandavas. Yes, he’s helped them in many ways and we’ll know he also did (from the cover) in this book too, but somehow he keeps the group’s spirit alive. And don’t forget that Rudy is a proud member of the Potatoes, and also Rudy Rocks.

Chapter 3: Others

There are other characters featuring from different myths, new imagination, or from older books of the series. I wouldn’t name them or describe them which would spoil the book for you. My opinion in the fact that Roshani crafted these excellent characters from her own or from the myths was very brilliant. We all know that the characters of the trials stitch deep meaning in the heart of the Pandavas, but Rosh is very talented in conveying the unheard messages through those characters and ultimately helping Aru on her way. But don’t worry, we’ll go more through some characters in the next parts.

Part C: Decisions

The decision is an important aspect of the Pandava series. They might not seem important or they’re important, but the decision the character takes essentially stirs the story in a different direction. Here’s some more to say –

Chapter 1: Aiden & Aru

This dilemma that takes place between these two key characters is very amusing. But the chemistry between them is an important part of the story. And through the whole series, we get to see their rise and downfall. But what happened in the coming-last part of the story was something that made me stir (and really cry at least a bit!). While I was happy when I read what happened last, I don’t think this quickness should’ve been made. Maybe a big situation like Percy in Olympus at the Percy Jackson and the Olympians finale should’ve been brought and then Aru should’ve done something. Still, I believe in Rosh and accept this as a satisfying part of the story. And another thing – I think the band’s song was superb and it was very much filled with emotions that touched me too.

Chapter 2: Family

In the Pandava series, Aru Shah’s family is the most broken. We know that the Sleeper is the main antagonist of the series, but I still feel really bad about all the things Aru could’ve done with him if he stayed her father. Then there came Kara who complicated the whole thing by changing the triangle to a quadrilateral. With the whole family divided inside, it was really hard to see Aru’s emotions and Kara’s dilemmas throughout the book. Though it is sad and complicated, I think the readers will be able to interpret the whole book in a whole new way when reading all related to this. They’ll be deeply touched by the decisions each family members take for what they think is better.

Chapter 3: Indecisions

Okay, there was some indecision between Mini and Rudy. We know that the chemistry between them has been very mysterious. With the Potatoes being obvious about it, it was great to see how both reacted to one other’s remarks and actions. I don’t know what I expected in the end, but it really wasn’t this. Maybe these indecisions might spark something in the future, who knows!

Part D: Always a Surprise

We’ll know that each book of the Pandava series is always a surprise. But what I didn’t expect was all the other unexpected surprises in those books. The finale was also the same but filled with more explosive ones.

Chapter 1: Connections

I just cannot tell how surprised I was reading this. I can only say that read the conversations with a certain music artist and celebrity carefully and you’ll be blown away with a sudden something that the celebrity says. We’re all informed about that celebrity appearing in the book, but still, I won’t make it very obvious and spoil the book. So, RRP fans buckle up, because the wind is stronger than ever.

Chapter 2: Rock n’ Roll

Aru Shah and the Nectar of Immortality is full of Rock n’ Roll. I mean it’s literally filled with all kinds of Rock. Thanks to Rudy, we’ll know a lot more about all these rocks than we’ve ever known. The powerful magical rocks enchanted by Rudy to conjure at his will are always mesmerizing. Then all the rocks that aren’t actually rocks are more surprising. What was the most surprising of all was when we were informed of the theory provided by Rudy about a certain Rock on a poster. You’ll be hurting yourself with laughter.

Chapter 3: More Laughter

Here’s a spoiler you’ll expect in all books and the same here too: you’ll laugh a lot. With delightful and always joking Roshani writing the book, you’ll never be able to stop laughing even in serious moments. You’ve known about Aru’s obsession with The Lords of the Rings trilogy and sometimes Marvel Cinematic Universe works (and some other movies too!), and you’re more sure about it from the Q&A video of Roshani Chokshi published by Read Riordan; and the same thing in the finale too. And don’t start me on “WHY ARU IS ALWAYS IN MISERABLE SITUATIONS?” The fountain, the instrument, or a lot of other things – I am not sure why Roshani does that, but it always makes me laugh. You’ll too!

Part E: Conclusion

I don’t how to conclude this article. The reason there’s a lot to say, but I don’t know how to say it without spoiling the book. So, READ THE BOOK! And of course, don’t forget to get Aru Shah and the End of Time: The Graphic Novel, the graphic novel adaptation of the first book of the Pandava series by Roshani Chokshi released on 19^th April, some days ago. The adapter is Joe Caramanga and the art is by Anu Chouhan. You can also experience a sneak peek of the first few pages of the book provided by Read Riordan. If you’ve not yet read the book there’s a sneak peek by Read Riordan for you. And of course, don’t forget to check out the Read Riordan website for the latest Aru Shah article featuring several scenes or characters from the book.

Lastly, the thing I want most is the continuation of this universe (already a series has been announced before if you know what I mean!) featuring the Pandavas or one of the Potatoes (or former Potatoes). I know that extending the book more would’ve been a very bad idea, but I miss the whole series already, and I miss all the fun I’ve had with the Potatoes and all the other characters. And I am eager about any screen adaptation (and to the people related to that project – don’t mess it up!) And hope you like the feature arts of the lost weapons.

Epilogue

Author’s note: First, I want to apologize for any mistakes and sorry if the article art isn’t what you expected. I used a normal app primarily for the work to see if it is fruitful and designed on a professional platform after. If it’s not what you expected then I’ll try another method. Lastly thanks to Roshani Chokshi for her amazing work and for creating a whole new universe for us to experience. And thanks to all the artists who inspired the concepts and designs, and of course enriched my imagination for building the Pandava universe. Farewell, for now.

Copyright info: Pandava, Aru Shah, and related works are copyright owned by © Roshani Chokshi. The article-art, Lightning, Mace, and Scepter is completely illustrated and designed by Md. Iman Anwar and an Iman Awakens Original work, © 2022 by Iman Awakens, Ltd.

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