Divining the Leaves

(Hardback)

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"Filled with beautiful and dangerous magic, this book swirls around you like irresistible perfume."Sarah Beth Durst,New York Timesbestselling author ofThe 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 Ridhis doorstepthe 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 beand 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 inone that, even if the two of them band together, threatens to shred the future like so many thorns.

Reviews

"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 intothe 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 Thakrars Divining the Leaves is an escape into a lush, magical world as beautiful as it is dangerous. Suffused with Hindu-inspired folklore and Thakrars sumptuous prose, I adored this book." Mara Rutherford, author of The Poison Season "Thakrars Hindu- and Buddhist-inspired story with a primarily Indian cast is overflowing with lush, sensual imagery... [an] undeniably beautiful fantasy." Kirkus Reviews Praise for Star Daughter: "Take a journey to the heavenly courts in this luscious, shimmering fantasy, so dripping with beauty and imagination youll want to eat it with a spoon. New York Timesbestselling author Laini Taylor A lush fantasy. Kirkus Reviews Multifaceted characters, a splash of romance, and complex, intriguing worldbuilding deliver an engaging fantasy read. Publishers Weekly Nothing short of dazzling. Booklist Full of wonder and enchantment. Thakrar has crafted an excellent story about the power of the younger generations to carve their own path amidst the traditions and expectations of their elders. Bulletin of the Center for Childrens Books Shveta Thakrar spirits you away to a richly imagined dream of a fantasy! Xiran Jay Zhao, #1 New York Times bestselling authorof Iron Widow Utterly unique, The Dream Runners uses magnificent world-building to explore how much of our own stories we can change. Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wish You Were Here "My favorite tales are the ones that sneakily draw you out of one world and slip you into the next. This is one of those. I emerged fromStar Daughterdusted with constellations and wonder. Thakrar's imagination is a feast for the senses." Roshani Chokshi,New York Timesbestselling author ofThe Star-Touched QueenandThe Gilded Wolves "Absolutely magical and captivatingly lyrical." Sandhya Menon,New York Timesbestselling author ofWhen Dimple Met Rishi Shveta Thakrar's prose is as beautiful as starlight. Holly Black,New York Timesbestselling author An enchanting story about love, family, finding your voice, and searching for home. Thakrars sparkling command of language weaves magic on every page. This book is a joy, and will speak to anyone who yearns to belong. Claire Legrand,New York Timesbestselling author ofFurybornandKingsbane A magical debut full of wonder, wit, myths, and adventure. Reading Thakrar's words is like swimming through the most beautiful imaginationevery page is a delight." Natasha Ngan,New York Timesbestselling author ofGirls of Paper and Fire "A gorgeously written tale of magic and family, of finding and fighting for your place,Star Daughterhas a heart that shines as brilliantly as its celestial court." S. A. Chakraborty, author of the bestselling Daevabad Trilogy "Shveta Thakrars writing shines as bright as any star." Laura Sebastian,New York Timesbestselling author of theAsh Princessseries Luminously beautiful, with a mythic heart. Tasha Suri, author ofEmpire of Sand Absolutely magical. Thakrar weaves her words so tightly around you that you are completely immersed in her world, a victim of its lyrical starsong. Ellen Oh, author of the Prophecy series and editor ofA Thousand Beginnings and Endings Radiant. Readers will be enchanted by Sheetal and the starry court. Kristen Ciccarelli, internationally bestselling author ofThe Last Namsara The Dream Runners is a novel greater than the sum of its (already vast and sparkling) partsan emotionally resonant and supremely satisfying read. Camille DeAngelis, Alex Awardwinning author of Bones & All A stunning tale of self-acceptance, family, and liminal spaces. Jacqueline Koyanagi A luminous debut.Star Daughterssparkling coming-of-age tale of transformation and love is among the best kinds of fantasy: one that reminds us to reach for the stars while keeping our feet firmly on the ground. Fran Wilde, Nebula Award-winning author of The Bone Universe series andRiverland A dreamy, diasporic, diverse fantasy. A story about stars, yesand about family, friends, falling in love, and finding your voice, your place.Places.A shimmering debut. Tanuja Desai Hidier, author ofBorn Confusedand sequelBombay Blues Star Daughteris a love letter to every desi girl wanting to believe in her own magic. Tanaz Bhathena, author ofA Girl Like ThatandHunted by the Sky A wondrous delight, Shveta Thakrars debut is a feast for the senses." Cindy Pon, author ofWantandSerpentine

Author Bio

Shveta Thakrar was one of the inaugural Walter Dean Myers grant recipients of 2015 and has been a shining mainstay in fantasy. She has had fiction published in Uncanny Magazine, Faerie Magazine, and the YA anthologies Toil & Trouble and A Thousand Beginnings and Endings. Star Daughter is her first novel. Visit her online at shvetathakrar.com.