Divining The Leaves

Description

By (author) Thakrar, Shveta

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“Filled with beautiful and dangerous magic, this book swirls around you like irresistible perfume.” —Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop

From critically acclaimed author Shveta Thakrar comes a beautifully imagined contemporary fantasy about two teens, one a believer of magic who yearns to belong, the other a skeptic searching for an escape, who find themselves embroiled in a twisty world of court intrigue when they venture into a forest ruled by yakshas, mysterious woodland spirits drawn from Hindu and Buddhist folklore.

Plant-loving Ridhi Kapadia and popular Nilesh Batra were friends once.

Now, seventeen and alone, Ridhi blends natural perfumes, wears flower crowns, and wanders her local woods, listening for the leafy whispers of her beloved trees. Pleading for the yakshas to admit her into their enchanted forest kingdom, where she knows she truly belongs.

After learning his parents’ perfect marriage is a sham and getting suspended from school, a heartsick Nilesh lands at Ridhi’s doorstep—the last thing either of them wants. So when a pretty yakshini offers him the distraction of magic, the same magic he mocked Ridhi for believing in, he jumps at it.

Furious, Ridhi strikes a bargain with a noblewoman of the yaksha court. In exchange for helping restore her reputation, Lady Sulochana will turn Ridhi into the yakshini she yearns to be—and teach her to divine the trees’ murmurs.

But when Nilesh ends up trapped in the yakshas’ realm, Ridhi realizes the leaves might be telling a disturbing story about the forest her heart is rooted in—one that, even if the two of them band together, threatens to shred the future like so many thorns.

Review quote:
“Shveta Thakrar expertly fuses glorious folklore with modern-day teenage pain in this coming-of-age story. Filled with beautiful and dangerous magic, this book swirls around you like irresistible perfume!” — Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop”Thakrar has crafted a charming book that feels like discovering an enchanted garden. Indian folklore and legends are expertly woven into the modern troubles of her two lovingly-rendered protagonists. This is a story to cuddle up with and follow along as Ridhi and Nilesh venture through a lush and verdant world to find a place where they truly belong.” — Sunya Mara, author of The Darkening “A coming of age story blends seamlessly with Indian mythology in this beautifully written novel. Shveta Thakrar is skilled at conjuring tastes and aromas with her words, bringing the dual worlds of the story to vivid life.” — Juliet Marillier, author of the Blackthorn & Grim series “Shveta Thakrar’s Divining the Leaves is an escape into a lush, magical world as beautiful as it is dangerous. Suffused with Hindu-inspired folklore and Thakrar’s sumptuous prose, I adored this book.” — Mara Rutherford, author of The Poison Season”Thakrar’s writing is rich and detailed without being dragged under by its own weight, depicting her story like a fine tapestry… This is a complex, deeper dive than usual, but Thakrar leavens her satisfying story with humor and populates it with realistic and appealing characters.” — Booklist (starred review)”This heavily atmospheric story will transport readers into the Night Market and tickle their senses… [a] magical dream that will transport fans of Holly Black’s The Cruel Prince and Sarah J. Maas.”  — School Library Journal”Thakrar’s Hindu- and Buddhist-inspired story with a primarily Indian cast is overflowing with lush, sensual imagery… [an] undeniably beautiful fantasy.” — Kirkus ReviewsPraise for Star Daughter: “Take a journey to the heavenly courts in this luscious, shimmering fantasy, so dripping with beauty and imagination you’ll want to eat it with a spoon.” — New York Times bestse