Rea and the Blood of the Nectar by Payal Doshi – Book Review

Title: Rea and the Blood of the Nectar Author: Payal Doshi Publisher: Mango and Marigold Press Release Date: June 15, 2021

As Rea’s twelfth birthday approaches, she’s anything but excited. Her relationship with her twin brother, Rohan, has grown distant and her Amma and Bajai seem to favor him above all else. When Rea has an opportunity to spoil Rohan’s own secret birthday fun, she takes it and revels in her triumph. That is until Rohan goes missing. While Amma and Bajai despair, Rea gathers the courage to heed the clues in her dreams and set out in search of her missing twin. Along the way, she receives help from her friend, Leela. The pair travel through a magical portal to the otherworldly Astranthia, where Rea learns about her past, including her royal position in this place. The knowledge may help her save the magical realm from an evil queen, but first she needs to solve the puzzle that will rescue her brother. With time running out, Rea must awaken the power within her or else all may perish.

Rea and the Blood of the Nectar is a thrilling tale that will delight readers, and author Payal Doshi deserves credit for creating a unique world focusing on nature and flora in Astranthia. Meanwhile, the clash between the natural magic and the unnatural shadow magic creates an interesting and powerful conflict. Through their friendship, the main characters Rea, Leela, and Xeranther also add depth to this classic hero’s journey narrative. At times, broken storytelling and unfinished narrative threads may distract readers, but those moments do not detract from the overall story or dissuade from enjoying the rest of the series. If anything, they are intriguing clues as to what might transpire in the next book. Rea and the Blood of the Nectar will keep readers engaged and enthralled in this #ownvoices debut.

As with so many other fantasy novels, educators will want to keep copies of Rea and the Blood of the Nectar nearby to make it accessible for the right reader. It is a perfect book for those eager to escape to other worlds, captivated by clues and puzzles, or excited to see diverse representation in literature. Book club leaders may also find the novel’s magical quest plot a quintessential read that is all at once fun, complex, and absorbing. Students will surely be placing Rea and the Blood of the Nectar on the top of their to-read list this summer.

Thank you to publisher, Mango and Marigold Press, for an eARC of this book.

Classroom Applications

• Project – Assign the novel as part of a cross-curricular project that examines India and its culture.
• Book Club or Book Exchange – Share the novel with students that enjoy reading fantasy novels.

Nonfiction Connections

The list below outlines topics that will enrich your students’ understanding of the novel.

• Indian Culture
• Flora
• Flower & Plant Symbolism

Book Companions

The following are great books to pair with Rea and the Blood of the Nectar. In parenthesis are the specific aspects students could explore when synthesizing across the texts.

• Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi (Character Connections, Themes)
• Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis (Character Connections, Themes)
• Paola Santiago and the River of Tears by Tehlor Kay Mejia (Character Connections, Themes)

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