From the author of the Costa Award-winning Asha & the Spirit Bird and Tamarind & the Star of Ishta comes a atmospheric, magical adventure with a stunning twist ... ‘A magical stormy adventure’ THE TIMES

‘A gem for readers of eight-plus’ THEGUARDIAN

‘A deliciously addictive, one-sitting type of read’ NIZRANAFAROOK, AUTHOR OF THE GIRL WHO STOLE AN ELEPHANT

‘A beautiful weaving of myth and magic … Simply stunning’ ZILLAH BETHELL, AUTHOR OF THE SHARK CALLER

Aarti has lived on the island with Aunt for as long as she can remember.

Like the weather, Aunt rules her world with rare warmth. Aarti’s only comforts are a book of Indian myths full of blue gods, a fox’s friendship, and a toy rabbit she finds in a locked room.

Then, she learns Aunt has been feeding her lies. Fate intervenes when a half-drowned boy washes up on the beach. With his help, Aarti hopes to remember who she really is … and perhaps find a way home.

The mesmerising third novel from one of the most exciting writers of middle-grade fiction

Jasbinder is the author of the Costa Book Award-winning Asha & the Spirit Bird and Indie Book Award-winning Tamarind & the Star of Ishta

Themes of identity, faith and belonging with a stunning twist in an evocative and remote Scottish island setting

Praise for Jasbinder Bilan’s novels:

‘I absolutely adored it … an achingly beautiful story’ SITABRAHMACHARI

‘Atmospheric, dreamy, charged with wonder and menace, loss, sorrow and delight’ TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT

‘A lush, gorgeous setting in a novel as vivid and original as her Costa-winning debut.’ THEGUARDIAN

‘Beautifully written, richly atmospheric and touchingly spiritual, this brief novel sparkles like a polished gem’ DAILYMAIL

Our September 2021 Ages 11+ Book of the Month

My September Book of the Month for children aged 11 and over is Aarti & the Blue Gods by Jasbinder Bilan. Aarti has lived on the island with her Aunt for as long as she can remember. Like the weather, Aunt rules her world with rare warmth. Aarti’s only comforts are a book of Indian myths full of blue gods and a fox’s friendship. Then she finds clues to a former life such as a toy rabbit in a locked room, and learns her Aunt has been feeding her lies… Will Aarti remember who she really is, and perhaps find a way back home…

This is the third novel from Costa award-winning and Waterstones shortlisted Jasbinder Bilan. Just like Asha & the Spirit Bird, Bilan creates a beautiful world and story that we are immersed in and mesmerised by. She is fast establishing herself as one of the most exciting writers of middle-grade fiction. Aarti & the Blue Gods touches on tough topics such as identity, faith and belonging, in a mature and sensitive way that will help children empathise and develop understanding.