recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
ReadRiordan

**ReadRiordan** is a site dedicated to New York Times Bestselling Author, Rick Riordan and his imprint, Rick Riordan Presents. The domain was opened on September 11th, 2017. The site has quizzes and articles dedicated and about books and characters. It also has art displaying characters.

## Art Gallery of *The Pandava Quintet*

Aru ShahMiniBrynneNikita and SheelaAidenRudyBooUrvashiTakshakaUloopiOpalMarutsKaraKuberaMini and Brynne's new artAru and Aiden's new artAru and Kara facing Sonu and KanakAru and Kara facing the Book Dragon
## Items or Weapons in *The Pandava Quintet*

The Diya of BharataAru's enchanted ping pong ballMini's compact staffAiden's CameraMace of VayuThe Sprig of YouthUrvashi's ankletsTakshaka's jewelUloopi's Tiara
## Articles featuring The Pandava Quintet

1. **Rick Riordan Announces New Books For 2018 (October 17, 2017)**
2. **Rick, Rosh, and Aru Shah (Exclusive Interview) (December 7, 2017)**
3. **Hindu Mythology, Greek To You? (February 28, 2018)**
4. **Book Club: Aru In April (April 3, 2018)**
5. **Aru Shah Is About To Explode Your Head (March 13, 2018)**
6. **Aru Shah: Chapter Two [Sneak Peek] (March 8, 2018)**
7. **Aru Shah and the Song of Death [Sneak Peek] (April 4, 2019)**
8. **Aru Shah and the Song of Death: Introducing Kamadeva (May 23, 2019)**
9. **The Creepy Critters of Aru Shah and the Song of Death (May 17, 2019)**
10. **Exclusive Aru Shah Interview (April 30, 2019)**
11. **Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes: Introducing Opal (April 3, 2020)**
12. **Rick Riordan Presents: Storytime with Rosh & Ba (March 25, 2020)**
13. **Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes [Sneak Peek] (March 19, 2020)**
14. **Aru Shah's Guide To Holi 2020 (March 9, 2020)**
15. **Chai Tea with Rosh and Ba (April 10, 2020)**
16. **It's Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes Day (April 7, 2020)**
17. **Cover Reveal: Aru Shah and the City of Gold (June 18, 2020)**
18. **All By Mah-Selllf: An Aru Shah Halloween Special (October 22, 2020)**
19. **Aru Shah Makes List of 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time**
20. **Aru Shah and the City of Gold [Sneak Peek] (March 11, 2021)**
21. **4 Things We Know About Aru Shah's New "Sister" (March 19, 2021)**
22. **Aru Shah and the City of Gold: Meet Kubera (March 25, 2021)**
23. **Video: Rosh Visits the Carlos Museum (March 26, 2021)**
24. **Aru Shah and the City of Gold: Catching Up With Mini and Brynne (March 31, 2021)**
25. **Aru Shah and the City of Gold: Rosh on Tour (April 1, 2021)**
26. **Aru Shah and the City of Gold: Catching Up With Aru and Aiden (April 6, 2021)**
27. **Cover Reveal: The Cursed Carnival and Other Calamities (April 7, 2021)**
28. **Favorite Scenes from Aru Shah and the City of Gold (April 16, 2021)**
29. **Aru Shah and the City of Gold is a Hit! (April 22, 2021)**
30. **Commemorate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month With Rick Riordan Presents (May 19, 2021)**
31. **Cover Reveals: The Latest from The Pandava Series (June 8, 2021)**
Surasa

Surasa is described as the mother of the nagas. Her most popular tale appears in the Hindu epic Ramayana, where she is tasked to test the god Hanuman on his way to Lanka.

## History

### Birth

Surasa is born from the wrath of Krodhavasha, another wife of Kashyapa. Surasa has three daughters: Anala, Ruha and Virudha. The serpents descend from the daughters of Surasa. She is thus called the mother of nagas and also cranes; another snake race Pannagas descends from Kadru.

### In the Ramayana

When Hanuman was flying over the ocean on his way to Lanka to get Sita back to her husband, Rama, the gods decided to test him. Surasa appeared in the demigod's path in the form of a horrible rakshasi and said he was food brought to her from the gods. Hanuman explained the situation and promised to enter her mouth once he came back. But Surasa told him that he could pass only through her mouth, as per a boon given to her. So Hanuman challenged to open her mouth wide enough to eat him. He expanded his body and becoming larger while Surasa expanded her jaws so she could devour Hanuman. When Surasa's mouth was at one hundred yojanas (fifteen hundred kilometers), Hanuman changed to the size of a thumb, flew into her mouth and out her ear. Impressed by Hanuman's ingenuity and courage, Surasa assumes her true form, explained that what did was merely a test from the gods, and blessed the demigod. Hanuman mentioned his encounter with Surasa to Rama after he returned from Lanka.

## The Pandava Quintet

### Aru Shah and the End of Time

Surasa's name was seen on one of the thrones of the Council of Guardians in the Court of the Sky.
Death Danda

The **Death Danda**, also called Dee Dee is Mini Kapoor's main weapon in the Pandava Quintet. According to Hindu mythology, it is the main weapon of Dharma Raja. It is 4ft in height and is shaped like a staff.

## History

### Hindu Mythology

Not much is known about the Death Danda, except the fact that it is Dharma Raja's main weapon which he uses for picking out souls and punishing them.

## *The Pandava Quintet*

### *Aru Shah and the End of Time*

Mini is first given the Death Danda in the form of a purple compact mirror as a gift from Dharma Raja after he claims her as his daughter. For almost the first half of the book, the weapon does absolutely nothing, staying in its form as a compact mirror. It does come to help while defeating Brahsmasura, as it is revealed to be able to look through any magical illusion. It is also shown to make illusions, such as when used in the Court of the Ritus. Also, in the Kingdom of Death, it is shown to be able to translate the language of the dead (which is English but backwards) Throughout half of the book, it is said to stay as a compact mirror until finally, while in the battle inside the mouth of the giant whale, it changes into the actual Death Danda of Dharam Raja. From then on, Mini continues using Dee Dee as her main weapon.

### *Aru Shah and the Song of Death*

In this book, Dee Dee is said to have shown more new powers, such as mirror illusions and invisibility spells.

### *Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes*

Mini continues using Dee Dee as her main weapon.

## Appearance

When not in use, Dee Dee appears as a normal purple compact mirror. When in use, however, it looks like violet and black staff braided with purple light. It is about 4ft tall.

## Abilities

Dee Dee can perform various spells and illusions:

* **Force Field:** Mini can put a force field around herself and others to protect against harm. She did this multiple times throughout Aru Shah and the Song of Death.
* **Invisibility:** She can make herself and others invisible though it is difficult for her to do so.
* **Mirror Illusion:** She can cast a force field around four people. Those from the outside will seem to be looking into a mirror. She used this to confuse and distract a horde of zombies.

There is a possibility that Dee Dee can perform more spells, though to what extent is yet to be seen.

## Known Users

* Dharma Raja (original user)
* Mini Kapoor (current user)

## Trivia

* Its first use in combat was in the mouth of a gigantic whale
* The first time Dee Dee turned into its actual form, it refused to turn back into a compact mirror, so Mini used it as a walking stick.
* Dee Dee seems to have a calm and quiet demeanor (just like its owner) despite being a mere weapon.
Amaravati

Amaravati, also known as the 'Court of the Heavens', is the legendary and amazing city in the Otherworld ruled by Lord Indra.

## Description

The glimmering and celestial city of Amaravati is draped in gold palaces and has celestial gardens full of a thousand magical wonders. This was the place with sacred groves and where the apsaras danced.

### Land of Sleep

This land is far from the reach of mortals. It is ruled by Ratri but is soaked in celestial power, making it dangerous without a sage's protection even if one had Otherworldly blood.

### Grove of Ratri

A door from the cosmic gallery of the Department of Many Voices, lead to the Grove of Ratri, the goddess of night. It was an empty white expanse where people float in midair. A pure path of darkness, or a narrow strip of solid black like a sky bridge, cut through the grove, winding toward the Bridge of Dusk and Dawn.

There was a moonlit stand of trees and a small sign staked into the ground in front of it that said *The Dreaming Grove of Ratri*. Their trunks looked like spirals of dark smoke, and their branches were like black lace against a starry sky. Hanging on these branches were oval fruits with glittering silver rinds. These were dream fruits, they show what normally can't be seen, just like in dreams.

### Bridge of Dusk and Dawn

From a distance, this bridge looked like a silver band due to how the light hit it. But it was actually enchanted sky marble: clouds reinforced with thunderstorms. However, if Ushas' red cows cross the bridge, the cold silver moonlight of the dusk end will dissipate, and the bridge will fade away and disappear. Anything on the other side will be stuck between dusk and dawn forever. The twinkling Night Bazaar can be seen from up here.

### Palace of Day

This shining palace belonged to Ushas, the goddess of the dawn. From a distance, it seemed like the length of a supermarket aisle. It was so bright, it was difficult to make out the details. But shapes that could be discerned were golden spires and a gate.

### Kalpavriksha

Kalpavriksha is a diving wish-fulfilling tree located in the paradise gardens. It is said to have roots of gold and silver, with boughs encased in costly jewels. It originated from the Ocean of Milk when when it was churned for the *amrita*.

## The Pandava Quintet

### Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes

When Brynne Rao called upon her spiritual father, Vayu, four gazelles representing the four seasons in the Warehouse of Quest Materials, Aru Shah got jealous. She saw the outline of Amaravati where he own spiritual father, Indra, ruled and decided against waving at him.

## Trivia

* In Jainism, Amaravati is referred to as Saudharmakalpa.
Ruslan Goryunov

Warning! This page contains spoilers for *The Silvered Serpents*. Enter at your own risk.

## General Information

### Affiliation

The Fallen HouseHouse Dazbog (while pretending)

## Appearance

### Appears in

The Silvered Serpents

Ruslan Goryunov is a member of The Fallen House, posing to be the fake patriarch of House Dazbog, the remaining house in Russia and cousin to Eva Yefremovna, a blood forging artist. He makes a major appearance in The Silvered Serpents, sequel to The Gilded Wolves.
The Bronzed Beasts

Returning to the dark and glamorous 19th century world of her New York Times instant bestseller, The Gilded Wolves, Roshani Chokshi dazzles us with the final riveting tale as full of mystery and danger as ever.

## Overview

*After Séverin's seeming betrayal, the crew is fractured. Armed with only a handful of hints, Enrique, Laila, Hypnos and Zofia must find their way through the snarled, haunted waterways of Venice, Italy to locate Séverin.*

*Meanwhile, Séverin must balance the deranged whims of the Patriarch of the Fallen House and discover the location of a temple beneath a plague island where the Divine Lyre can be played and all that he desires will come to pass.*

*With only ten days until Laila expires, the crew will face plague pits and deadly masquerades, unearthly songs and the shining steps of a temple whose powers might offer divinity itself...but at a price they may not be willing to pay.*
Mother Dhina

**Mother Dhina** was the wife of Raja Ramchandra and a mother to Jaya and Parvati. She ruled the harem with an iron fist and was a very ambitious woman. She appears in *The Star-Touched Queen* and is mentioned in *A Crown of Wishes*

## History

Mother Dhina is said to have survived seven pregancies, out of which only two yielded fruit. She also survived a sweating sickness that had claimed eiht wives of the harem 3 years prior to *The Star-Touched Queen*.

## The Star-Touched Queen Duology

### *The Star-Touched Queen*

Mother Dhina is seen to despise Maya and hates her with a passion. In the later events of the book, it is revealed that she only developed a dislike for Maya due to her horoscope, which made her a person to blame.

On the night before Maya's *swayamvara*, Mother Dhina confronts Maya and orders her to stay away from Gauri as to not poison Gauri with her ill fortune and deplorable manners.

## A Crown of Wishes

Mother Dhina is mentioned to be dead after month into Gauri's imprisonment with Ujijain.
Vanaras

Warning! This page contains spoilers for *Aru Shah and the City of Gold*. Enter at your own risk.

## General

### Known For

Building the bridge that led Lord Rama cross the ocean, to reach Lanka

## Other

### Appears in

*Aru Shah and the End of Time* (mentioned)*Aru Shah and the City of Gold* (first appearance)

**Vanaras** are a supernatural race of monkey-like people who live in the Kishkindha Kingdom. They are first mentioned in *Aru Shah and the End of Time*, but made their first appearance in *Aru Shah and the City of Gold*.

## History

### In the Ramayana

The Vanaras were first created by Lord Brahma to help the prince-in-exile, Rama, avatar of Lord Vishnu, in his fight against Ravana. When he met them after the kidnapping of his wife Sita, the Vanaras built a bridge called Rama Setu to the golden city of Lanka. They also aided Rama in the upcoming war against Lanka, lead by Sugriva, their king.

## The Pandava Quintet

### *Aru Shah and the End of Time*

The bridge that the Vanaras built, was spoken about by Aru Shah, Mini and Hanuman during the training of the Pandavas.

### *Aru Shah and the City of Gold*

The Pandavas encounter Vanaras when they take golden road, which would lead them to Lanka. The Vanaras then put them on trial, as human representatives, for the atrocities committed by humans against their race. As they are about to execute Aru, who they assume is the leader of the group, they are stopped by Queen Tara, Vali's wife. Queen Tara explains that she cannot help them as the oceans will throw everything off their shores, but Aru manages to outwit the ocean using mirrors. In response, Aru receives a favor from Queen Tara.

## Etymolygy

* The word, 'Vanara', is said to have derived from two Sanskrit words; 'Vana', meaning 'forest' and 'Nara', meaning 'man', translating the whole term to 'forest-man'.
* Other sources also claim that the term is coined from the word, 'Vana', meaning forest; 'Vanara' meaning 'of the forest', or 'belonging to the forest'.

## References

1. ↑ Devdutt Patnaik's origin of 'Vanara'.
Gauri

* With Vikram
* Alt

Mother Dhina and other women of the harem (step-mothers)

**Queen Gauri**—simply known as Gauri—is the Queen of Bharat-Jain and the daughter of Raja Ramchandra. She is one of the main protagonists and narrators of A Crown of Wishes written by Roshani Chokshi. She also appears in *The Star-Touched Queen* and *Star-Touched Stories*. She is married to Emperor Vikramaditya.

## History

### Birth & Early Life

Gauri was born of Raja Ramchandra and an unknown harem wife in Bharata, roughly seven years after Maya's birth. Growing up, she loved listening to the enchanting stories of magic and the Otherworld that her older sister Maya would tell her every night. Maya would tell her fairy tales which would be, “*embellishing the beautiful, glossing over the grotesque”.*

Gauri was a quite feisty and curious child growing up. Once, when she was nine, she had cut herself with a blunt pair of shears after pretending that the wooden sculpture of a *raksha* was real and that he had meant to eat her. However, the scar on her cheek was known to the world as the ‘famous dimpled smile of the Jewel of Bharata’, since even her own scars were lovely.

Another time, when she was ten, she had found a pair of slippers inside the statue of a lithe *apsara*. She had been too afraid to tell anyone about them, because she thought than an *actual* apsara had left them there, and maybe if she wanted them back, she would get mad when she learned that Gauri had taken them.

### Separation with Maya

When she was ten years old, Gauri had been separated with her sister when Maya had supposedly ‘left’ Bharata on the day of her *swayamvara*. That day, Mother Dhina had been the person to dry Gauri’s tears, scoop her into her lap, and let her watch as she applied her cosmetics for the day.

### Under Skanda’s Rule

A few years after Maya's departure from Bharata, Gauri's father, the Raja, died a warrior's death. After his passing, his son Skanda, Gauri’s older yet despicable brother claimed the throne. And under Skanda’s rule, both Gauri and Bharata’s life turned into a nightmare.
Vishakanya

Vishakanyas were young women who were reportedly used as assassins, often against powerful enemies, during the times of the Ancient India. Their blood and bodily fluids were purportedly poisonous to other humans￼.

## Appearance

All Vishakanyas have very human-ly appearance. They are considered to be courtesans who are extremely beautiful. The only thing all vishakanyas shared in common was a blue imprint of a star at their throats.

## Known Vishakanyas

* Aasha
* Sudha

* Urvashi

* Rupa

* Tara

* Veena

* Ashini

## Culture and Practices

Vishakanyas are claimed to be ordinary women who chose to become a vishakanya. They were maidens who were prophecised to be widowed early, childless and no prospects. They turn into a vishakanya when they are fed too much poison, their blood becomes poisonous.

They are said to kill any living creature with their poisonous touches. The only species known to be immune to their poison are themselves.
Irsa

Isra is the wife of Shukra who murdered her because she loved him. Even though not physically appearing in *Aru Shah and the End of Time*, she plays a minor part in making Aru and Mini realize their future if they surrendered to Shukra, via the story he told them about her.

## General Information

### Affiliation

Hindu MythologyShukra

Bridge of Forgetting

## Physical Description

### Extras

Had beauty and grace to an extreme extent

## Appearance

### Appears in

*Aru Shah and the End of Time* (in a story)

## History

### Early Life

Not much is known about Irsa's early life.

### Marrying Shukra and Death

At one point in her life, Irsa married Shukra, a gruesome-faced, yet beloved king. Even though scars riddled his face, when Irsa first looked upon him, her smile never wavered. She held her palm to his cheek and said, "Our love is what will make us beautiful." This was true as Shukra slowly began to become handsome. After four years, he was as resplendent as his wife.

But despite that, Irsa's happiness didn't linger for long.

As days went by, her husband Shukra slowly started becoming more vain and obsessive over his own beauty, committing reckless acts like installing mirrors every, making checklists and trying on new outfits, whilst discarding old once. Irsa soon realized that her husband was no longer the man he had once been.

Since unlike Shukra, Irsa remained the same even after four years, her beauty grew by each passing day, and this fact made Shukra furious. This lead to Irsa being shunned by her husband.

Finally one day, Irsa was confronted by Shukra, who asked her if she still loved him, to which Irsa truthfully replied that had Shukra not changed, she would have loved him till Time itself ended. Before she could finish what she was saying, Shukra, filled with impulsive rage, killed Irsa.

## *The Pandava Quintet*

### *Aru Shah and the End of Time*

Shukra recalls and narrates Irsa's whole story to Aru and Mini, when they encounter him at the edge of the Bridge of Forgetting.

## Appearance

Several times through the story Shukra tells Aru and Mini, it is mentioned that Irsa was an utterly beautiful woman. It is said that her beauty was such that the 'moon used to stay out longer just to gaze upon her', and she was so graceful that 'the sun lingered to witness her grace.'
Three Kisses, One Midnight

***Three Kisses, One Midnight*** is a Halloween collaboration written by NYT Bestselling Authors, Roshani Chokshi, Evelyn Skye and Sandhya Menon told in the tradition of Let It Snow.

The book is set to release on the 30th of August, 2022 by Wednesday Books.

## Overview

**Three *New York Times* bestselling authors craft a delicious concoction of storytelling about best friends who discover that love is the most powerful magic of all.**

This Halloween, magic will reawaken in the town of Moon Ridge, and any love forged that night will last forever. At least, that’s what the founder’s fable says, and best friends Onny, Ash, and True—better known as “The Coven”—aren’t taking any chances.

After brewing a supposed love potion from a recipe passed down by Onny’s grandmother, each member of The Coven sets off to try to charm the love of their life. One falls for an unexpected suitor. Another paints himself into a corner. And the third refuses to believe in magic at all… until true love proves her wrong.

*To All the Boys I've Loved Before* meets *Gilmore Girls*: *Three Kisses, One Midnight* will put you under its spell and keep you reading long past the witching hour!
Ashvini Kumaras

## Biological Information

### Other Relatives

Vishwakarma (maternal grandfather)Vaishnavivati (consort)

## Appearance

### Appears in

*Aru Shah and the End of Time* (mentioned)

The **Ashvini Kumaras -** **Nasatya** and **Dasra** are the twin horsemen Hindu gods who symbolize sunrise and sunset, and are considered the gods of medicine and healing.

## History

The Ashvins were born to Surya, the Hindu God of the Sun, and Saranyu, the Goddess of Clouds and daughter of Vishwakarma, the God of Architecture. When Saranyu got tired of her husband's passionate light, she created a goddess of shadow from her shadow named Chhaya, transformed into a mare, and escaped into the forests for a life of reflection. When Surya noticed Chhaya was not his wife, he transformed into a horse, searched Uttar Kuru, and mated with Saranyu. The result was the birth of Nasatya and Dasra who had the heads of horses, as well as the God of Horses, Revanta, who also became chief of the Guhyakas.

When a sage named Chyavana got to a very old age, his wife, Sukanya, asked the Ashvin's to restore him to a youthful state. In return, she would tell them what they lacked to become complete gods. The Ashvins completed this task by putting herbs into a pond which Chyavana dipped in, and so Sukanya told tham that they did not drink the soma, the drink of the gods. So Nasatya and Dasra persuaded Dadhyanc, the son of the Atharvan priest, to teach them the sacrificial ceremony which involved the sacred drink. However, Indra did not want the Ashvins to drink the soma, he thought they were contaminated for spending for much time with humans. So he threatened Dadhyanc that he would cut his head off if he went through with the ceremony. The Ashvins solved this problem by creating a fake head for Dadhyanc, so when they learned about the soma Indra didn't actually cut his head off.

Thanks to the boon of Kunti (the mother of Arjuna, Yudhistira, Bhima, and Karna, who was blessed with the ability to call on any god to give her a son), the Ashvins became the fathers of Nakula the Beautiful and Sahadeva the Wise, the twin Pandavas, by King Pandu’s second wife, Madri.

## The Pandava Quintet

### *Aru Shah and the End of Time*

Two statues of the **Ashvini Kumaras** glowed during the claiming ceremony of Aru Shah and Mini. Aru thought she definitely wouldn't mind being known for beauty like Nakula but was still unsure about being known for wisdom like Sahadeva. But her true spiritual father turned out to be Indra while Mini's was Dharma Raja.

## Appearance

They’re often depicted with the heads of horses.

## Abilities

* **Vitakinesis:** As gods of medicine and healing, they can heal others.

## Etymology

* The name *Ashvins* derives from the Sanskrit, *asva*, which means "horse."
Star-Touched Stories

* Star-Touched Stories
* Death and Night

***Star-Touched Stories*** is a fantasy collection of three lush and adventurous stories, written by Roshani Chokshi set in the Star-Touched universe. The stories include *Death and Night*, *Poison and Gold* and *Rose and Sword*.

## Overview

The three stories are each revolving around the same Star-Touched Universe from which the stories *The Star Touched Queen* and *A Crown of Wishes* originate, aka *The Star-Touched Queen Duology*

### *Death and Night*

*He was Lord of Death, cursed never to love. She was Night incarnate, destined to stay alone. After a chance meeting, they wonder if, perhaps, they could be meant for more. But danger crouches in their paths, and the choices they make will set them on a journey that will span lifetimes.*

### *Poison and Gold*

*Now that her wish for a choice has come true, Aasha struggles to control her powers. But when an opportunity to help Queen Gauri and King Vikram's new reign presents itself, she is thrown into the path of the fearsome yet enchanting Spy Mistress. To help her friends, Aasha will have to battle her insecurities and perhaps, along the way, find love.*

### *Rose and Sword*

*There is a tale whispered in the dark of the Empire of Bharat-Jain. A tale of a bride who loses her bridegroom on the eve of her wedding. But is it a tale or a truth?*
Delphine Desrosiers

Warning! This page contains spoilers for *The Silvered Serpents*. Enter at your own risk.

## General Information

### Alias

DelphineMatriarch of House Kore
Tante FeeFee (by a  young Séverin)

## Appearance

### Appears in

The Gilded WolvesThe Silvered Serpents

Delphine Desrosiers is the matriarch of House Kore, one of the remaining Houses of France.

## The Gilded Wolves Trilogy

### The Gilded Wolves

The matriarch of House Kore, as she was addressed so in the prologue of the novel, she was running late for a dinner with the patriarch of House Nyx, Hypnos. On the way, she was stabbed with a dagger, wounding her knuckles and hit with a rod, in return for her Babel ring that was welded into her hands.

At the end of the book, Delphine talks to Hypnos at his estate. She tells Hypnos to keep Séverin from taking the inheritance test. She says the original test was not faked and Séverin can never know he is not the true House Vanth heir.
Sudha

Sudha is the main and point-of-view character in The Vishakanya's Choice by Roshani Chokshi. She was taken away from her family to be trained to become a vishakanya.

## The Vishankanya's Choice

The story is told solely through the viewpoint of Sudha, a Vishakanya or poison-maiden. Vishankanyas were women who were poisonous to touch and often assassins who could kill with a touch or that are how the stories go. In this story, we meet Sudha who is forced to enter the kinship of the Vishakanyas as her horoscope details an early widowhood. Never doubting the horoscope’s predictions, it’s implied that her family gave her away to become a Vishakanya. Sudha has always dreamed of getting a choice but so far all of her life has been denied one.

When she gets her first assassination target, she’ s forced to re-examine her life as her target, a famed Maecedonian emperor begs her for a choice and gives her in return.

As Sudha stepped outside the harem and trotted into the jungle, she boarded the talking makara to make way to her assignment. She stepped into the city which was celebrating the victory of a man, who would soon be dead.

When she entered the tent, she noticed that Alexander was neither handsome nor healthy. He was pale and looked like he was a mere inch close to death. Intruding her thoughts, the emperor announced that he would choose one of the people standing there to spend the night on the occasion of his victory.

Alexander asked everyone what was his worth. The first person answered "All the good in the world", to which he replied "Boring". The second person answered that the emperor was worth his weight in salt, to which, came the same reply. When he turned to Sudha, she hesitated for a second and then replied "Legends. You’re worth your weight in legends." The Emperor considered this, and dismissed everyone in the room.

He revealed that he knew she was a vishakanya. Sudha was shocked. He confessed to her that he would leave this mortal form by dawn, which explains his appearance. Sudha, then, tells him that she's not needed, to which, he says that she would make a difference. When asked how, he tells her that he wanted to die right now, when his body is not very weak. He claims that he can give her all that she wanted. Sudha considered this, and asked for a Choice.

He gladly accepted and kissed her. As soon as she touched his lips, he died. Sudha quickly left the room, to a new beginning.
Ek and Do

Ek and Do are the two Hellhounds who guard the entrance to the Kingdom of Death. Ek and Do respectively mean 'one' and 'two' in Hindi.

## History

Ek and Do are the great hounds of Dharma Raja. They are the reason why some people fear the Hindu god of death. Sometimes, Ek and Do are sent to the world of the living in order to beckon souls to Dharma Raja.

## The Pandava Quintet

### Aru Shah and the End of Time

The two dogs were first heard arguing about a dog named Sirius and The Dark Knight, the movie. Ek claims that being born first makes him more important than Do. When Aru Shah and Mini arrive, the latter reveals that she is allergic to dogs. The dogs say they can't come unless they are dead, so they have to die on their own or the dogs will help with that.

Aru tries to say that they'll find another way in but Mini won't leave, she announces that that the kingdom is hers as she is the daughter of Dharma Raja. Aru adds that her father is Indra, Do wants autographs of the "celebrities" dead or alive but Ek says that won't make a difference as they have carried the souls of queens, murderers and infernal Yogalates instructors. Even the gods reincarnated in mortal bodies have to die, the girls will get new bodies if they quickly die. However, Do doesn't feel like killing at the moment, they'd much rather go out to the cremation grounds, bury bone shards, or we can play Catch the Beheaded Thing instead. Ek was strongly against it but Do points out that they did keep their promise about playing catch the day before. When Mini threatens to tell her father, Ek calls her a brat, which Aru agrees with, but Do thought it sounded nice. The two dogs discuss whether to first eat the heads or tails of the girls, the tails are in a metaphorical (symbolic) sense. While the dogs go into another argument, Mini managed to make a cat out of smoke using her compact. Aru used her "magic ping-pong ball" as a tennis ball to have Do chase after while Ek goes for the cat. This allowed the girls to enter the true doorway to the Kingdom of Death, though Aru Shah was thinking about asking her mother for a cat instead of a dog.

## Appearance

Do had a higher pitched voice than Ek. They both had two rows of eyes and short brindled fur that rippled and shimmered. Their teeth were very sharp and covered in blood, with a fat pink tongues. They can grow to the size of a respectable town house.
The Star-Touched Queen Duology

***The Star Touched Queen Duology*** is a novel series by New York Times Bestselling Author Roshani Chokshi. The first book in the series, *The Star-Touched Queen* focuses on the story of Mayavati, a 17 year old young princess of Bharata who was born under seemingly ill-fated stars. The second book in the series, *A Crown of Wishes* however, tells us the story of three people, namely Gauri, Vikram and Aasha that undergo incredible challenges in order to make a better life for themselves.

There is also an anthology belonging to the Star-Touched Universe, called *Star-Touched Stories*, which focuses on the characters from the previous two books in the whole series.

## Books

*The Star-Touched Queen**A Crown of Wishes*
## Plot

### *The Star-Touched Queen*

*Maya is cursed. With a horoscope that promises a marriage of death and destruction, she has earned only the scorn and fear of her father’s kingdom. Content to follow more scholarly pursuits, her whole world is torn apart when her father, the Raja, arranges a wedding of political convenience to quell outside rebellions. Soon Maya becomes the queen of Akaran and wife of Amar. Neither roles are what she expected: As Akaran’s queen, she finds her voice and power. As Amar’s wife, she finds something else entirely: Compassion. Protection. Desire…*

*But Akaran has its own secrets—thousands of locked doors, gardens of glass, and a tree that bears memories instead of fruit. Soon, Maya suspects her life is in danger. Yet who, besides her husband, can she trust? With the fate of the human and Otherworldly realms hanging in the balance, Maya must unravel an ancient mystery that spans reincarnated lives to save those she loves the most…including herself.*

### *A Crown of Wishes*

*Gauri, the princess of Bharata, has been taken as a prisoner of war by her kingdom’s enemies. Faced with a future of exile and scorn, Gauri has nothing left to lose. Hope unexpectedly comes in the form of Vikram, the cunning prince of a neighboring land and her sworn enemy kingdom. Unsatisfied with becoming a mere puppet king, Vikram offers Gauri a chance to win back her kingdom in exchange for her battle prowess. Together, they’ll have to set aside their differences and team up to win the Tournament of Wishes – a competition held in a mythical city where the Lord of Wealth promises a wish to the victor.*

*Reaching the tournament is just the beginning. Once they arrive, danger takes on new shapes: poisonous courtesans and mischievous story birds, a feast of fears and twisted fairy revels. Every which way they turn new trials will test their wit and strength. But what Gauri and Vikram will soon discover is that there’s nothing more dangerous than what they most desire.*

## Characters

GauriVikramMayavatiAmarGauri and Vikram together in the Garden of Sweets and SwordsMaya and Amar
Court of the Sky

**The Court of the Sky** is a place in the Otherworld where the Council of Guardians meet and train Hindu believers.

## Description

The Court of the Sky holds up to its name, with clouds strewn over the sky. The walls were ribbons of shimmering light, and the air was interwoven with lovely music. After a summer thunderstorm, the air had that pleasantly ripe perfume of the ground. Because there was no floor, the people wore foggy wisp slippers on their feet to keep them from falling. The council can also change to bottom to show what is going on in the world.

For the council, there were seven massive floating thrones made of gold, each with the name of a member. Subala's throne, on the other hand, was outside the circle, tarnished and rusted, and some of the letters were difficult to see. Some of the thrones were transparent because not every guardian of the council is in residence at the same time, since there is no point, until the world is in danger.

The court can be transformed into the site of the Claiming ceremony. When this occurs, the Court of the Sky fades back into the background. Five statues of Dharma Raja, Indra, Vayu, and the Ashvins replace the seven thrones. The ribbon-light wall gradually transformed into a swarm of small bright dots that appeared to be stars, but upon closer inspection, they revealed themselves to be the points of arrows pointed at the soon-to-be-claimed demigods.

## *Aru Shah and the End of Time*

Aru and Mini arrive at the Court of the Sky to recieve their weapons and also get claimed by their respective soul-fathers; Indra and Dharma Raja.
Houses of France

There are four Houses of France, houses each with a ring that can reveal a fragment from the legendary and Biblical Tower of Babel. These houses are a part of *The Gilded Wolves Trilogy*.

## The Four Houses of France

* House Kore
* House Nyx
* House Vanth
* The Fallen House

## House Kore

House Kore is run by the Matriarch Delphine Desrosiers. Most of the action in the middle section of the book takes place at the House Kore estate where the Horus Eye is located. It is one of the two remaining four Houses of France.

## House Nyx

House Nyx is run by the Patriarch Hypnos Leclair who becomes a central player in the novel and even has a chapter from his perspective. The estate that Hypnos resides is called Erebus, referring to the primordial deity of darkness. It is one of the two remaining Houses of France.

## House Vanth

House Vanth was run by the Patriarch Lucien Montagnet-Alarie before he died. He passed away when Severin was seven years of age. However, when Severin became of-age to take the Inheritance Test, the results were falsified and House Vanth fell. It is one of the two fallen Houses of France.

## The Fallen House

The Fallen House is a House that lost its name. They once tried to connect the Babel Fragments back in the 1700s to try to attain the power of God, leading to their eventual downfall. When they did fall, their name was stripped from them and all the record books. At the time of *The Gilded Wolves*—1889—nobody knows the name and it has now become known only as The Fallen House. At the end of *The Gilded Wolves*, Roux-Joubert tried to awaken the Fallen House and once again try to attain divinity.
Aru Shah and the End of Time Graphic Novel

***Aru Shah and the End of Time* Graphic Novel** is a comic book style version of *Aru Shah and the End of Time*. The book is adapted by Joe Caramagna and illustrated by Anu Chouhan. It is to be published on 2nd March, 2022.

## Development

The book was officially announced on ReadRiordan with an official cover and the preview of first few pages. It is set to be released on 2nd March, 2022.

## Overview

Twelve-year-old Aru Shah has a tendency to stretch the truth in order to fit in at school. While her classmates are jetting off to family vacations in exotic locales, she’ll be spending her autumn break at home, in the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture, waiting for her mom to return from her latest archeological trip. Is it any wonder that Aru makes up stories about being royalty, traveling to Paris, and having a chauffeur?

One day, three schoolmates show up at Aru’s doorstep to catch her in a lie. They don’t believe her claim that the museum’s Lamp of Bharata is cursed, and they dare Aru to prove it. *Just a quick light*, Aru thinks. Then she can get herself out of this mess and *never ever* fib again.

But lighting the lamp has dire consequences. She unwittingly frees the Sleeper, an ancient demon whose duty it is to awaken the God of Destruction. Her classmates and beloved mother are frozen in time, and it’s up to Aru to save them.

The only way to stop the demon is to find the reincarnations of the five legendary Pandava brothers, protagonists of the Hindu epic poem, the *Mahabharata*, and journey through the Kingdom of Death. But how is one girl in Spider-Man pajamas supposed to do all that?

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://www.readriordan.com/2021/06/08/cover-reveals-the-latest-from-the-pandava-series/
Rambha

Rambha in Hindu mythology is one of the prominent Apsaras, the magical and beautiful female beings in Devaloka. She is unrivalled in her accomplishments in the arts of dancing, music and beauty. She was born during the churning of the ocean.

## History

Rambha was married to Nalakuvara, the son of Kubera, the lord of wealth. One day on her way to meet Nalakuvara, she ran into Kubera's stepbrother, demon king Ravana. Having heard of asparas, Ravana raped her and went back to Lanka. Soon Rambha was found by Nalakuvara, and after hearing what had happened, he went to Ravana and cursed him with his head exploding if he ever tried what he did again. That's why Ravana only tried to marry Sita after kidnapping her.

Rambha was often sent on assignments by Indra to break the meditation of various sages and also test them against temptation, in order to ensure that they wouldn't become too powerful. It went well, until one time when she disturbed a sage named Vishwamitra who turned her to stone for ten thousand years.

## Rick Riordan Presents

### The Pandava Quintet

#### Aru Shah and the Song of Death

Rambha was kept in the cosmic gallery of the Department of Many Voices. When Durvasa revealed to the reincarnated Pandavas that she was *the* rock, not Dwayne Johnson, he explained what happened. In response, Aiden Acharya argued that she was just doing her job. Durvasa replied that so was he when he refused to help them as they are accused of stealing the bow and arrow of Kamadeva.

## Trivia

* Rambha is also the name of an asura king. He and his brother, Karambha, performed penance for Agni and Varuna by standing inside burning fire and water respectively. But Indra killed Karambha by eating him as a crocodile, whereas Agni was able to save Rambha who received a boon that stated that he'd only be killed by a dead man. When he fell in love with a female water buffalo, he turned into a buffalo and lived with her. But when another buffalo came in for the female, Rambha fought him and was killed. The female gave birth to the buffalo demon, Mahishasura, who was slayed by Durga.
Gupta

Gupta is the scribe of Akaran and a close friend to Amar. He is introduced to Maya as a trusted councillor and plays a minor but important role in *The Star-Touched Queen*.

## History

Gupta is said to be a close friend and advisor to Amar since a long time. He functions as the scribe of Naraka, taking notes and recording deeds of the dead and deceased.

## Appearance

Gupta is described as a clean-shaven man with a bulbous nose. When he is first introduced, he is spotted with ink-stained fingers which might indicate that he spends a lot of time in his study.

## Personality

Gupta is a very shy and timid person who often keeps to himself, except if it's someone he is used to.
Saranyu

Warning! This page contains spoilers for *Aru Shah and the City of Gold*. Enter at your own risk.

Saranyu is the goddess of clouds. She is the first wife of Surya, born to Vishwakarma, god of architects.

## Saranyu

### Relatives

Surya (husband)Dharma Raja (son)

Yamuna (daughter)

Yamini Kapoor Mercado-Lopez (granddaughter)

## History

### In the Puranas

Unable to bear Surya's intense heat, Saranyu, after giving birth to three children, retires to the forest to practice harsh austerities in form of a mare, leaving her shadow-image Chaya, her handmaid to take her place and tend for her husband and progeny.

Surya mistakes Chaya for Saranyu and fathers three children on her. Chaya gives birth to Shani, Savarni Manu and Tapti. However, Chaya became partial to her own children and ignores those of Saranyu.

Dharma Raja, suspected the behavior of who he thought was his mother and offended her. Chaya cast a curse on Dharma Raja that his loved one shall abandon him, to leave him with terrible heartache, which revealed to Dharma Raja and Surya that Chaya was not the true Saranyu. After the extracting the truth from Chaya, Surya finds Saranyu and brings her back.

## The Pandava Quintet

### *Aru Shah and the City of Gold*

Upon reaching the House of the Sun, the Potatoes had to choose the more beautiful goddess between Chaya and Saranyu for their last trial. Aru and Brynne voted for Chaya, and Rudy voted for Saranyu, after the latter claimed Mini's vote through blood.

The deciding vote's responsibilty was on Aiden's shoulders, and he remarked that the more beautiful goddess was the one who healed Kara and let them through, after which they let them through the Halls of the Sun.

## Etymology

Saranyu means "quick", "fleet", "nimble". It also means, "swift speeding storm clouds".
Indra

Indra

Otherworld

*A Crown of Wishes*

**Indra** is the Hindu god of Storms, Thunder and Lightning as well as the ruler of the heavens.

## History

Indra is the son of Sage Kashyapa and Aditi, the mother of the Gods. He is known for his strength and virility. He gained supremacy over the gods for something he did in a popular myth. Once, a serpent named Vritra swallowed the cosmic waters and held back rains. Although most gods ran away in fear, Indra pierced the serpent with *vajra* allowing the vital waters to flow again.

Indra used to be friends with Takshaka, the king of the naga tribe in the Khandava forest. He even gave the naga a boon that made him immune to electrokinesis. When Krishna advised the Pandavas to have Agni eat and burn down the Khandava forest, Indra sent his favorite clouds to put out the fire. But it was too much work for him, and Krishna was on the side of the Pandavas, which included Indra's own son, Arjuna, after Kunti invoked him.

## The Pandava Quintet

### *Aru Shah and the End of Time*

The statue of Lord Indra at K. P. Shah's museum was one of Aru Shah's favorites.

When Boo takes Aru and Mini to the Court of the Sky, Urvashi did not believe that they were Pandavas, so she orders for the Claiming ceremony to begin. One of the statues was of Indra, Aru didn't think he was her spiritual father, there would be an incredible amount of pressure for being the reincarnation of Arjuna, the most famous Pandava. But she was soon proven wrong because Indra is said to have thrown a net over Aru, made of lightning bolts, to protect her from the arrows and by doing so, he claims her. Indra also gives Aru, his prized lightning bolt, Vajra, which at the time was not activated, so it is disguised as a glowing ping pong ball.

## Physical Appearance

His statue's skin was the color of a thunderstorm. In Indra's hand, he held the weapon Vajra, the thunderbolt.

## Abilities

* **Atmokinesis:** As the god of storms, he likely has the ability to manipulate the weather.
* **Electrokinesis:** As the god of lightning, he likely has the ability to manipulate electricity.