A remote village. A sinister servant. A death warning.
Themes: Prejudice, superstition, class and caste system, India, Friendship
An astrologer at a local fair predicts that 12-year-old Avi will die a horrible death. He thinks it's superstitious nonsense. Sent to stay with relatives in a remote Indian village while his parents are away, Avi feels trapped in a crumbling mansion with a grandfather he barely knows and his sinister servant.
As the astrologer’s dire predictions start to come true, one by one, Avi fears his time may be running out. He's too young to die!
Can he trust Lalita, the mysterious town outcast, to help him solve the mystery of the astrologer’s ominous prophecies, or is he doomed for ignoring the warning?
Eerie Tales from the East is perfect for young readers (8-12+) of Goosebumps and ghostly mythology Age/Grade: 9-12 years/Grades 4-8 Formats: eBook/ Paperback Page Count: 120 pages ISBN:
eBook: 978-1777831806
Paperback: 978-1777831813/1777831814
Nominations and Awards:
Readers Favorite Five Stars
Reviews:
"Mahtab Narsimhan incorporates multiple characters, each serving to move the plot forward and with roles such as the evil servant, the grandfather, the new friend, and the astrologer. The character details are fantastic, especially with the way Narsimhan builds suspense through their behavior. The servant has a villainous role with a sinister attitude such as taunting Avi and downplaying his allergy to wasps, though he also plays an important part in what’s happening in the village. A mysterious girl enters his life and opens his eyes to certain things such as the caste system there and her status within it. Her opinions and experiences have an impact on how he thinks and how he views his grandfather while also serving as a subtle commentary that is poignant and honest. Underneath these different elements are Avi’s feelings toward his parents not being there, which is seen through moments of bitterness and anger. The writing style incorporates vivid visuals through subtle details such as the phone ringing half-heartedly and comparing the servant’s movements to an elephant. Warned: The Astrologer's Prophecy blends suspense and mystery into a story that will draw you in from the beginning."
-Liz Konkel, Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews (5 star review)
"A chill-inducingly fun ride, full of tension, mystery, folklore, and suspense all the way through to the end. Highly recommended!"
-Deborah Kerbel, Award-winning author of picture books, middle-grade and YA novels.
"What I particularly loved about this book was the pace and quick escalation of stakes. When the book opens, we are already standing in line with Avi at the astrologer's tent in the remote village of Tolagunj, India—we are thrust into the action of the plot straight away. This book also highlights the social inequities of the caste system, bringing it to life through the character of Lalita. Many young readers may be shocked by the outright unfairness of this system, so THE ASTROLOGER'S PROPHECY will serve as a perspective shift. I'm looking forward to sharing this book with the students in my creative writing classes!"
-Lee Edward Fodi, Educator, Illustrator, Author of Spell Sweeper and The Secret of Zoone
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