Storm Singer

Gr 5 Up–In a drought-stricken kingdom ruled by winged warriors called garudas, 12-year-old Nargis is exiled after her elemental singing powers spiral out of control. When she rescues a wounded eagle garuda, secretly Prince Mistral and heir to the cloud city of Alamut, she is drawn into a rebellion against caste oppression and totalitarian rule. Told in Nargis’s smart, fiery voice, this fast-paced adventure blends mythological magic and sky-fire battles with themes of justice, ableism, and resistance. Nargis, who has brown skin and black hair, uses a carved crutch after an injury she sustained in early childhood. She is fierce, relatably flawed, and deeply loyal. The supporting cast shines as well: Arjuna, her charming best friend, brings warmth and humor, while the villainous Sickle is chillingly rendered. Mistral’s evolution from arrogant prince to humble ally unfolds believably if swiftly. The immersive worldbuilding moves from the sand-choked village of Lalpani to floating sky kingdoms, with nuanced attention to the divide between the winged and Earthbound. Cultural markers, such as shalwar kameez, dhal, banyan trees, and “namaste” ground the setting in a South Asian–inspired setting. Chadda packs exposition into the middle third (e.g., caste politics, skyship mechanics, court intrigue), but the story’s emotional core—grief, identity, and the choice to fight back—resonates without overly slowing the pace. Chadda’s strong, compelling writing and action sequences keep the story engaging even when the ideas grow weighty.