Book: Kritika Kahawat and the Last Dragon of Kuruk
Author: Shobhita Narayan
Illustrator: Mohit Suneja
Publisher: Scholastic India
I was provided a media copy of the book in
exchange for an honest review.
What if the only hope of the world rests on
the return of the dragons which have not been seen in decades?
For fourteen-year-old Kritika Kahawat,
dragons have always been an integral part of the stories passed down through
her family of storytellers. But when the threat of Darkini attacks begins to
grow stronger, Kritika is pulled into a world of hidden truths, ancient magic,
and rising danger. With her best friend Ato and mischievous cat Maashu never
far away, Kritika must uncover the secrets behind the stories she once believed
were only legends and find the courage to face what lies ahead. Thrilling,
magical, and rooted in Indian storytelling, Kritika Kahawat and the Last Dragon
of Kuruk is a captivating tale of bravery, friendship, and the return of
dragons.
Kritika Kahawat and The last Dragon of Kuruk is a story that blends the myths of dragons into a very Indian setting and presents a story that feels very real. The storytelling is very expressive and you are fully immersed into the world that Shobhita has created. The entire setting up of the lore of Dragon magic and how they celebrate them once a year was lovely to read, and how things unfold this time. What stands out in the book is that she has not written any superheroes or extraordinary powers. It is the belief and the emotions of the characters that drive the magic in the book. Another aspect I really loved was how a Dragon chooses its rider and its storyteller. I think that was one of the best aspects because we would all love to have our stories told by the people we choose. Shobhita retains the Indianness while writing the fantasy, and my favourite would still be Ato saying “Oh My Dragons, yeh kya hua?”
The characters in the book are quite well
penned, and I think that forms a wonderful foundation for the storytelling. Be
it Maashu, or Ato, each character has their quirks and I loved that Shobhita
has used them as plot points throughout the book. The antagonists in the book
are equally well written. Gaargh and his antics add a lot of interesting
aspects to the book. His peculiar way of speaking adds quite a bit of interest
into his actions as well.
Along with the storytelling, the illustrations
add a level to the overall reading experience. The important moments are sketched
which helps you visualize the world as Shobhita intended, and I loved that they
retain the Indian aspects, as well as bring in elements to show the presence of
the dragons (and yes, Page 103).
Overall, this is a book that I would
recommend to anyone who loves reading a well-written Fantasy, or is looking to
begin a new series of Fantasy books. The book scores a 5/5 for me.
Grab your copy at a bookstore near you or on Amazon India.
