Aru Shah and the City of Gold by Roshani Chokshi

Aru Shah has learned that prophecies don't unfold they way you expect, be careful what you wish for, and people aren't always what they seem. What more does she possibly have left to learn? Well, plenty actually. Just tagalong on the Pandavas fourth quest to find out.

Aru has awoken in a dark expanse with no memory of what happened at the tree of wishes. Now comfortable with having all the Pandava reincarnates together again, the universe decides to throw more doubt Aru's way. What would Aru do if she had a real sister? Not a reincarnated soul destined to fight the battle to end the world, but a flesh and blood sister. One to braid each others' hair while swapping gossip during their favorite films.

Well, let's find out! While the story is still following the tried-and-true quest and trial format for the series, the places and characters encountered are different enough to keep the story enjoyable. Who wouldn't love a mongoose who only speaks in jewels? 

Aru's moral dilemma and self-doubt have sky rocketed. She not only has to decide if the Otherworld is sending her down the right path, she now has to sort out her emotions for a lost family. Along the way Aru has met many gods, shaman, species, and sundry other personalities, and she is really not sold that any of them know the answers to how this battle with the Sleeper should play out.

This story is one impressive onion. Just when Aru is finally getting a grasp on her emotions and her philosophy, another decision comes around the corner to shake her foundation. The complexity of the issues while remaining simple for middle grade readers makes this series climbing to one of my most recommended series.