"Rea And The Blood of the Nectar" by Payal Doshi is an Ownvoices middle grade desi fantasy novel with an Indian main character and so much more to offer. The book definitely will adventurous and full of short and sweet twists and turns. The story is about a twelve-year-old Rea Chettri, who portals into an otherworldly realm to go on a secret quest to find her missing twin brother Rohan. The clock is ticking in this fast-paced, thrilling, and exciting adventure rife with evil creatures, a ruthless villain, and unforgettable friendships.

First set in a small town called Darjeeling, in India and then in an outwardly realm and place called Astranthia. I loved the character of Rhea and Leela. The Indian culture explained is just perfect. Seeing an indian girl made me think of myself and related with Rea and her journey.

I haven't seen many Indian Culture based fantasy novels, for that matter I can say this was my first such middle grade novel that I read and I absolutely loved it. The Indian culture and Literature has so much more to offer. Payal Doshi's writing style is flawless and lucid. I absolutely loved her descriptions of various characters. Loved how Rea's character grew as well as others along with her on the journey.
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Thank You NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for a honest opinion.

Trigger Warnings*: alienation (feeling alienated by family), blood (bleeding, blood sacrifice), bullying/physical assault (the main character is beaten up by a bunch of classmates), death, injury (cuts), suicide attempt

Rea and the Blood of the Nectar is an enjoyable middle grade fantasy novel.

One of the highlights of the book was the budding friendship between Leela and Rea. Leela was such a loyal friend, and it was great to see Rea realise that there are people who care for her and like her for who she is. Leela was a great character, supportive, encouraging, intellectual, and not afraid to call Rea out on her behaviour. She balanced out Rea's character greatly.

The world building, especially that of Astranthia was fantastic. The descriptions were creative and vivid, it felt like you were transported to another fantastical word. However, while I enjoyed that I found the writing lacked in other places - sometimes the POV switched and it felt incredibly jarring. Sometimes I had to go back and re-read because I was confused whose perspective we were seeing from. The pacing sometimes felt a little off too. It would take a while for any action to happen, and then it would all be over in a second.

Overall, this was a decent read and I am interested in reading a sequel, however I will not be counting down the days in excitement for it.

Thank you to Netgalley and independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles for sending me this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

‘Nooooooooooooooo! This book is not even out yet; when will there be a sequel? Oh My God, there better be a sequel.’ is what I internally yelled on the last page of this middle grade read. Note: I was internally yelling, because it was 2 am and I didn’t want to wake my husband who was lying next to me completely unaware of my devastating realisation.

If you haven’t figured it out yet, you NEED to go preorder ‘Rea and the Blood of the Nectar’ by like right now.

Synopsis: Rea Chettri’s twin brother goes missing in the wee hours of the morning on the day of their birthday. Her Amma and Bajai, who have given up all hope, are suspiciously complacent in trying to locate Rohan. With the help of her friend Leela and premonitions given by a fortune-teller, Rea goes on an adventure to find her brother and hopes to rescue him from impending death. Will she succeed? Read to find out!

Thoughts: Initially, I found Rea extremely irritating; however, as time went I really enjoyed watching her character evolve. Leela was by far my favourite character and I really liked the values she stood for. Ultimately, I think the style of writing just really worked for me and I’m really excited to share this book with others.

Verdict: Buy this book now and/or request a copy for your local library!

P.s. Thanks NetGalley and Mango & Marigold Press for the opportunity to read this in advance.

I received a pre-release of this book in exchange for an honest review

LEELA APPRECIATION! that is all.

Ok. I'll say a bit more, This middle-grade Indian-based fantasy comes out in May and I highly recommend it as an after-school snack! the worldbuilding is gorgeous, this is an incredibly well put together world of colorful characters and creations, the theming suits nicely, there's a fun villain, Leela is the best character like I said and while Rea is very unlikeable at times and the adults are not only that but also very hard to understand they develop throughout the story quite well. Honestly, this has the potential to be as big as Percy Jackson.

Payal Doshi's debut is a big recommendation for the library shelves this summer and the school bags this autumn.

Rea and the Blood of the Nectar is truly a book I wish I had when I was younger. I related to Rea a great deal as she struggled with feeling lonely and friendless, sometimes because of her own actions and attitudes, and I liked how she eventually relented and found a great friend in Leela. Also, Payal Doshi built a beautifully vivid fantasy world with Astranthia and nestled it within the existing world of tea plantations in Darjeeling, India, and I loved exploring the spaces that were described. I'm really eager to keep reading this series and delve into the world and the characters' stories more. I am hopeful that many young readers, especially South Asian kids, will find this middle-grade and enjoy it entirely!

I wish I had this book when I was younger. You don't know how much it means to me to see a Bengali MC in a middle grade fantasy. Payal Doshi has created such a vivid and beautiful fantasy world called Astranthia. From the night market Hex Hollow to the parifolk to the bud-houses, I really wish I could visit. I also connected strongly to the main character Rea. I remember being a stubborn girl and not always being a good friend. I loved seeing her relationship with Leela grow into a strong friendship. The plot line kept me turning the page and there were some twists and turns that I couldn't have predicted. I am excited to see what happens in the next book. I highly recommend checking this book out!

DRC provided by Mango and Marigold Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Representation: Indian protagonist, Indian secondary characters.

Content Warning: sexism, bullying, violence, kidnapping.

Rea and the Blood of the Nectar by Payal Doshi is a magical middle-grade filled with adventures, splendid creatures, self-introspection and familiar love.

Lonely Rea is infuriated once she discovers her twin brother is going to celebrate their birthday with his friends and he did not invite her. She decides then to hatch a plan to spoil his cricket match. After the game, Rohan leaves her behind and walks home alone. Upon returning Rea notices Rohan is not there and his cricket kit has been abandoned near their house. Panicked, she wakes their mother and grandmother who start looking for him. The only clue, a piece of crimson paper left in front of their house.
The days after her brother’s disappearance, Rea’s dreams are troubled by mysterious images which she cannot comprehend. She then decides, with the help of her neighbour Leela, to consult the local fortune teller. The woman’s prophecy and the puzzle it holds within will lead the two girls into a world of court intrigues, spectacular beings, unveiled secrets and adventures.

I quite liked the fantastical flora-inspired world with its captivating inhabitants, I just wished the author had thought outside the binary and included diversity. An aspect that confused me a tad though, or at least I wished was explored more, was the history of the floral realm of Astranthia and the source of its existence, the Som. I hoped for more details about the loss of the two petals of the flower.

As for the characters, no one shone brighter that Rea’s bespectacled, sunny neighbour and friend, Leela. She easily conquered the gold among all characters with her fierce loyalty and optimistic and loving nature. Rea, on the other hand, kind of irked me. I understood completely her cynicism and caution towards others and the walls she built around herself for protection; indeed, it was her self-centredness and the easiness with which she fell back in old behavioural patterns that bothered me more. The rest of the characters did not leave really a mark.

Rea and The Blood of the Nectar is an easy read, perfect if you are looking for something quick, but still substantial.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I am so excited and pleased that this not only has an Indian protagonist, but it's set there too! We need more middle-grade books not set in the UK and US coming to the mainstream. This does an utterly fantastic job of making you feel like you are there, and to understand what Rea's life is like.

Rea starts out fairly sympathetic - she is frustrated with her brother and feeling a little lonely because she doesn't really have any friends. But as the book progresses it gets more nuanced - we see that she is pushing people away without really realising it, and that she has more positives in her life than she realises. I love this because it felt so real - I suspect we have all felt sorry for ourselves at some point when there was actually more depth to the situation. I especially felt that her actions were something I may have done at Rea's age.

I loved the friendships in this book - especially Rea and Leela, but all of them. Leela is so lovely and supportive, even though she seems to know that Rea maybe didn't see her as a friend at the start.

Astranthia has a Narnia-esque feel (possibly due to the portal there and evil queen!) but also stands completely alone. I would have loved to get a little more time to explore there, but that's why there will be more books. I found the people of Astranthia interesting, and so I definitely hope we see more of them.

There are parts that feel a little rushed - Rohan's disappearance could have used a little more emotion to it, and some of the adventuring in Astranthia could possibly have been a little longer, but overall I felt it was a really solid and enjoyable book. I like that we get a decent amount of conclusion while still being wide open for book 2. I will definitely be picking that up when it comes out, as I need more of this fab world. 4 stars.

Books like Rea and the Blood of the Nectar are the reason I love reading.

This story was beautiful and I adored every bit of it! Rea is a truly wonderful main character; she's strong, kind, and selfless. Each and every character is incredibly well-developed and the world-building is stellar. Xeranther and Flula were so lovely and my heart is happy. It was also so nice to see how Rea and Rohan's bond developed! Sibling relationships are very difficult, but they clearly cared for and loved each other.

The mystery aspect of this book was such a great addition! I especially liked how, when Leela and Rea are originally writing down everything they know about Rohan's disappearance, the tables and annotations they make are shown on the page.

I'm an absolute sucker for cute/quirky little details in fantasy novels so this was perfect. It made me so happy I even wanted to hug a little moving clump of grass.

This book does a fantastic job of showing loving friendships and familial relationships, as well as showcasing amazing #ownvoices Indian rep! Don't mind me, I'll be over here (im)patiently waiting for the rest of the series to be published.

I love MG books even though I have long aged past their target market because they are not afraid to discuss difficult and sensitive topics in life without taking away the fun, adventure, and magic. Rea and the Blood of the Nectar is a great example of that, and it shows in the love and attention given to developing the themes and characters.

The book is set in Darjeeling, India, and it shows much of the descriptions is deeply drawn from the author’s experiences. Although I have never been to India, I can practically ride the train home with Amma and Rea or smell all the goodness from Bajai’s kitchen. The descriptions are very immersive, and it helps to see what the world looks like a few timezones away.

Unlike many modern MG fantasies, this is not set in a city but rather in villages where work in tea plantations strongly influence the local economy and daily lifestyle. Though not overtly discussed, it does not shy away from depictions of backbreaking labor involved in picking tea leaves and harsh punishments for minor infractions. This is also mirrored in the kindred realm of Astranthia, where the workers strain under the selfish interests of the Queen, and in the character of Xeranther, who struggles for the rights of his people. I love how these scenes and themes–with the help of a few guide questions–can open up discussions about labor rights and humane treatment.

It is in this beautiful yet deeply flawed backdrop that we meet Rea and her family members. I love how well her character is written, and her struggles of fighting for recognition within her family and bearing the weight of expectations for women and girls are very relatable. Who here hasn’t felt overshowed by a sibling? Who hasn’t complained about girls are forced to grow up faster? Rea’s pains are given care and nuance, and I love how the author makes sure that her voice is loud and clear enough to speak for herself the way she has never been given space before.

I also love how friendships are treated in this book. As someone who has always struggled with making friends, I totally relate with Rea and Leela’s awkward dance around the word “friend”: are we really friends, or do we simply have no choice but to stay with each other? This feels so real and raw, and I’m happy that an MG book like this does not take a squad or a friend for granted because not everyone is born with one. I am so proud to witness Rea and Leela learning to depend on each other and to see them open up themselves to even more people whom they have learned to trust and call friends.

One minor thing that I also appreciate in this book ia the whole chapter devoted to Rea and Leela’s sleuthing! I’m ao happy to see them use several variations of the Facts-Assumptions-Inferences table for their investigation notes! I love how the boring worksheets we have to do for school are used in a totally different and much more fun way. Yes to good representation of homework activity sheets!

However, I had a bit of hard time with the pacing. There were a lot of information dumps which sometimes slowed the action or made me impatient for the next scene. Though the lore is useful for understanding how Astranthian society works, it can sometimes be quite dragging. I understand that this is the first book in the series, so all the details might probably be key plot points in future books!

Overall, I really liked this book, and I’m excited to follow the rest of the series!

I wanted something fun and easy to read, given how messy the past week was for me and Rea and the Blood of the Nectar was just that. I’d missed how much fun MG books could be, despite not being the target audience for it.

First, my heart swelled with the Indian rep in this book. I wish I had books like this in my school library back when I was a kid. From the terms used, to the setting, everything was so authentically Indian, I had a fabulous time reading it. Mentions of food like pakoras, roti and dal, thupkas as well the festival of Diwali or kids playing cricket, everything was a delight. Own Voices just make me really happy.

From the tea plantations in Darjeeling to the sparkling fantasy world of Astranthia with its plants, fairies, and magical creatures, the beautifully pictured worldbuilding takes us through an action packed story about Rea on a quest to save her twin brother.

This book thoroughly explores sibling relationships and friendships. Rea starts out as feeling inferior to her brother, not blending with the children around her and pushing people away, which is something children and pre-teens do experience in their lives. As she embarks on her adventure and learns of the secrets she comes to appreciate the people around her. I particularly loved her friendship with Leela as well as the ones from Astranthia and I cannot wait to see more scenes between the twins in the coming books.

Rea’s character development is also commendable. She’s strong-minded and strong-willed for a twelve year old. From drifting apart from her brother to risking her life in an unknown world to save him, she has come a far way. It’s refreshing to see a young girl with magical powers discover family and learn the lessons of life, which could be applied to readers of our ages too.

"No memory of her past was worth more than Rohan’s freedom."

Did I say I loved the magical world of Astranthia? Let me say it again. Doshi painted a spectacular picture that literally transported me to it. It was so creative and exciting.

Rea and the Blood of the Nectar is a promising middle-grade debut about an adventurous fantasy imbibed with Indian culture, vivid settings, thoughtful relationships dynamics and interesting plot. I cannot see what happens in the sequel! If you’re a MG reader or looking for an enjoyable, quick tale or you simply want more South-Asian books, I definitely recommend this book to you.

On her twelfth birthday, all Rea Chettri wants is to beat her twin brother Rohan in a cricket match. But when she sneaks out to do just that at the midnight match, Rohan doesn’t make it home. With Rohan nowhere to be found, her Amma acting like he’s gone forever, and her grandmother behaving strangely, Rea has no choice but to turn to the practically ancient fortune-teller in their small town of Darjeeling, India. Following clues from the fortune-teller, Rea and her friend Leela accidentally end up portaling into the otherworldly realm of Astranthia, a land full of strange inhabitants like paries, serpent-lilies, and banshees. They discover that Rohan has been captured to complete a magical rite and that Rea herself has magic…except, she has no clue how to use it. With time running out and the odds stacked against them, Rea and her friends must uncover long-buried secrets and face a ruthless enemy if they want to save Rohan and the land of Astranthia. Otherwise, they may not make it out of Astranthia alive.

Full of heart-pounding moments and bursting with creativity, Payal Doshi’s debut is an unforgettable, magical adventure. Rea is a brilliant character and the oh-so-real heroine we all need. With her courage and stubborn pride, she reminded me of myself at twelve…well, myself if I’d had to go on a death-defying adventure to save my nonexistent twin brother. Readers will be able to identify with themes of family complexities, discovering oneself, and fighting for what’s right—but maybe without the magic. And speaking of the magic, I absolutely loved learning about each otherworldly creature and the fascinating magic system. Both settings, Darjeeling and Astranthia, bring the story to life so vividly that it seemed as if the pages had become a window to another world. Fans of races against the clock and magical middle-grade adventures will enjoy this sensational story.

(Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing us with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)

Rea and the Blood of the Nectar is an amazing adventure filled story that follows Rea as she embarks on a journey to find her kidnapped twin brother. The author brings out the differences in characters between Rea and Rohan as we start of the book observing their sibling rivalry. Almost twelve years old, the two are more alike than they care to admit, but have drifted apart with Rohan developing new interests. When Rohan disappears and their mother and grandmother go into a worried frenzy, Rea takes it upon herself to find her brother.

The book gives us a glimpse into the tea gardens of Darjeeling and then takes us into flower filled Astranthia, making this a delightful read for both the young and old! There are portals, magic, secrets, mystical creatures and so much more that add to this captivating read! Rea makes friends along the way and slowly learns to trust people as well as let go of jealousy. She also learns the importance of thinking about other people and not just how things affect her. All these messages and lessons are brought out very well through their experiences and I am sure that they will serve as a learning for our young readers!

Set against the backdrop of India, the author also brings out some of the culture and food which are for me quite relatable. However, the best parts of the story are in the magic filled adventure that the children and fairy embark on. The plan to save Rohan turns into one of revelations and truths which serve to help everyone in Astranthia.

I loved reading this book and am looking forward to more adventures for Rea. She is strong for a twelve year old and quite determined. I also enjoyed how she opens herself up to new experiences and learns to form bonds of friendship. A thoroughly enjoyable tale, Payal Doshi has brought to us a page turner as her debut novel!

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC of this book.
Read and reviewed by ten-year-old Ayan.

I love to read books set in different places in the world, and I was so happy to read a book that was set in Darjeeling, India. This story follows a twelve-year-old girl Rea and the escapades of finding her twin brother Rohan.
The night Rea and her brother Rohan turn twelve, they had a huge fight. And strangely early in the morning, Rohan went missing.
Their Amma was in shock and acted as if Rohan was missing forever, and their grandmother, too, started acting weirdly. Rea and her friends set off on a quest to find Rohan. They met an old fortune-teller who helped them in the pursuit, and they found a portal to Astranthia. And then started the magical and adventurous quest of “Rea and the Blood of the Nectar.”
Will Rea ever find her brother? Or will she be lost in the magical world forever?
Join Rea as she solves the clues to find her brother and save the land of Astranthia.
The themes in this book include family values, friendship, and perseverance. Rea’s development as a character is wonderful, as she learns to come out of her comfort zone and make friends along the way. There were no boring or confusing parts, making the entire story was easy to follow.
I recommend this book to children 8 years and above. I give this book 5/5 stars as this is a very engaging read, and I couldn’t wait for our family reading time.

In this fantasy-family-friendship filled Middle grade novel, Rea and her friend Leela venture out into the unknown world of Astranthia. Awesome book, by the way! I loved this book so so much!

Rea's family doesn't have an easy life in Darjeeling, India, but her mother and grandmother work hard to provide a comfortable life for Rea and her twin brother Rohan without their father. Sometimes Rea has to pick tea leaves with her mother, even though she is technically too young, in order to provide more income. It irks her that Rohan isn't expected to work as hard, and when he makes plans without her on their birthday, she finds a way to pay him back. Along with her neighbor, Leela, Rea sneaks out of the house and takes over her brother's cricket game, embarrassing him. The next day, Rohan hasn't come home, and her mother is angry and scared. She had told the children to stay inside and lock the doors. The reason is soon made clear by a fortune teller whom the mother has recently consulted, and Rea and Leela find themselves in the magical realm of Delphinus, in the flowery kingdom of Astranthia, trying to find him. They meet Xeranther, who tells them about the kingdom, and Rea finds out that she and her brother have royal blood that allows them to travel between worlds. It is this blood that has caused Queen Rayza to take Rohan for her evil purposes. She is practicing Shadow Magic and slowly destroying the kingdom. Through Xeranther, the girls also meet paries and other magical creatures, and set out on their quest to save Rohan by finding a magical flower petal. They must work with Oleandra, who is trying to overthrow the queen, deal with banshees and other creatures, and ask the Ceffyldwer to help them get across the lake. Even if they manage to get the petal, will the queen release Rohan? And will everything in Astranthia be peaceful?
Strengths: Sibling rivalry happens even with twins, and Rea and Rohan's problems are a great way to start the story, especially when Rea must then save her annoying brother. The magical realm is well developed, and the descriptions of flowers were particularly appealing. The quest brings Rea into contact with a wide variety of creatures, and the interactions are engaging and interesting. Queen Rayza is certainly evil, but in a sort of White Witch way that almost makes me think she might not be too bad, which adds a nice tension. I especially liked that Leela was involved, even though she and Rea weren't particularly good friends back in the real world. I'll be keeping an eye out for the next book in the series, since the book ends on a bit of a teaser.
Weaknesses: Rea doesn't start out as a likable character, and the very helpful glossary in the back is not in alphabetical order. There also seems to be a bit of Welsh mythology (the Ceffyldwer) mixed in with the Indian characters and creatures, and it would have been nice to have a note about that.
What I really think: This reminded me somehow of Lynne Reid Banks' 1976 The Farthest-Away Mountain, which was popular with my readers until it fell apart, and Kerr's 2004 Children of the Lamp series. There's also a bit of Mull's 2006 Fablehaven, with all of the descriptions of fairies (paries). Fantasy adventure quests where children get powers when they reach adolescence and must use them to save the world are always in demand. Rea's life in India added a fresh twist, although what I would really like would be a realistic novel about her everyday life.

This was such a great read. I loved the adventure. The setting was great, so unusual and so mesmerizing. I couldn't put this book down

This was such a great read. I loved the adventure. The setting was great, so unusual and so mesmerizing. I loved the character's arc and growth through the book. I was really rooting for her! I think the plot was great and the pacing was perfect. I really enjoyed reading this book!

Really and the blood of Nectar, First book in the Chronicles of Astranthia series, filled with magic and mystical beings was a wonderful read.

On the night of the twin's 12th birthday, they play cricket at midnight and Rohan goes missing. When her mom and grandma seem unbothered Rea has more questions she needs answers for.

CW: Bullying

Rea, our MC feels neglected by her family, overlooked in favor of her twin brother. She is bullied. Usually MG main characters arent thi flawed and complicated. I fell in love with Rea the first page and would be willing to adopt her thank you very much.

The blurb certainly tells you all about the plot. Payal Doshi has written a beautiful book. She contrasts the atmosphere of an Indian village, with an amazing otherworld. Everyone will be familiar with the back-biting and competitiveness of the schoolkids.
Rea and Leela make an excellent pair. First they get over the hurdle of 'a girl like her would hardly want to be friends with me.' Then they make a really good team. Rea's moods and temperament swing about a great deal, but this is understandable, given the situation she's in. Leela's steadfast friendship is just what she (and the reader) needs.
I loved the contrasts in Astranthia, a civilisation based on the flower world. The deep black dungeons of the castle against the lively, outwardly carefree locals. But underneath they are careworn and frightened of their queen. Rea barges in all guns blazing, metaphorically, and only later wonders how she could have done such a thing!
I found the unveiling of the truths surrounding her somewhat confusing at times. In this case, everyone has two names, one for Astranthia and one for India. But a more alert reader than me would take this in their stride.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a breath of fresh air, even with all the smells from the dungeons