I wasn’t really sure if I was going to be able to get into this book because the writing style seemed very junior. Then I realized it was written by a ten year old and my whole perspective changed. The plot of the story is very good and easy to follow. It kept me entertained and left me wanting to know what would happen next. The ending seemed a little bit rushed but overall I would recommend this book to young readers.

Such a great book! Evie and Priya are friendship goals. Yes, Evie was mean... but all of us had that one time we were horrible with our best friend, specially in our childhood. I really like your way of writing and I hope to read more of your books.

Unfortunately this is a dnf.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC but this was one I could not get into.

I read a lot of middle grade/ya reads for work and so I can tell what is going to be interesting and what isn’t. This one has a very good premise and storyline potential. It just needed more character development and to feel less choppy. I got 25% of the way in and felt no connection to the characters in any way. I’m sure if I kept reading I might have come to enjoy Priya some more but it just wasn’t there for me.

However, the potential storyline for redemption and overcoming hardships is definitely there. Which always something /most/ middle school kids enjoy reading.

I hope to see more work by Aryana Sahai as they tune their writing skills 🙂 it’s quite impressive for their age!

I don't read or watch fantasy fiction genres, but this book's cover was colourful, the plot was interesting, and the author profile said a multifaceted American Indian tween girl/entrepreneur/activist — I was sold out immediately!

Evie's parents are parting off for good, without her approval. She is now seething with adolescent anger on her parents' betrayal and goes into a self-destructive mode when she comes across Ladlis Crystal Shop in Crystal Brook County.

In the shop's entrance, she hears a girl's voice, Mara from the Netherworld. The girl pulls her deep into the dark abyss of her mystical world and gives her a dark obsidian stone and vanishes.

Evie and her best friend Priya now go back to Ladlis shop to find the secret crystal cave.

Once they enter the dark cave, glittering and sparkling with various shades and colours of gemstones, with the help of the magical obsidian bracelet, Evie is transported to the Netherworld and Priya is stuck helpless, until Roshni, Ladlis sales attendant, helps her.

As Priya stayed helpless to rescue her best friend, Mara cages Evie's soul and occupies her newfound body and becomes Mistress Evie to go on a damaging, devilish spree to resurrect her phantom avatar to destroy the human world.

Meanwhile, Roshni goes to Priya's home and convinces her parents on Priya being awarded a math scholarship and she has to move with them.

Once Priya, the Chosen Crystal Protector, enters LCMT (Ladlis Crystal Magic Training), her new training centre, she, along with her group of friends, undergoes rigorous mental, emotional and physical training to face the impending war with phantoms to save the caged Evie.

She eventually transforms from a naive, nice girl to hard, powerful, strong woman to fight the evil forces and save her friend from the clutches of Mara.

Did Priya accomplish her mission? What were the problems and dangers she faced? How did she overcome with her magical powers? What is the secret of her birth?

All your questions are answered on this mystical journey into the fantastic fantasy world of goblins, shapeshifters, and phantoms to understand the teenage wrath and human emotions and its effects.

It is such a commendable achievement by the author to conceive and create a world that's both entertaining and engaging to first-time fantasy readers like myself. The characters with Indian mythical names like Rama, Bhalu, Kavi, and Sita are relatable too.

Overall, the writing was good, but one can see few jagged edges that needed extra sharpening in order to better and improve the nuanced storytelling.

Embark on a journey through the pages of "The Crystal Curse," a gripping tale that explores the depths of teenage emotions, family upheaval, and the incredible resilience of the human spirit.

Really beautiful and touching.

I absolutely loved The Crystal Curse! It's like a rollercoaster of feelings, with Evie's struggles feeling just like my own teenage drama. The crystal shop, oh my, it's like stepping into a magical world, and you won't want to leave. And Evie's transformation? It's like watching your best friend grow up right before your eyes. Seriously, read this book, because it's a journey you won't want to miss, with emotions you'll totally connect with, and a dash of magic that makes it all so enchanting.

A mesmerizing journey through the tempestuous seas of teenage emotions and family upheaval, illuminated by the radiant resilience of the human spirit. Evelyn Sofia Brookelyn, or Evie, becomes the focal point of this gripping narrative as she grapples with the shattering revelation of her parents' divorce, emotions like betrayal and anger raging within her. This story plunges readers into the whirlwind of Evie's inner turmoil, making her journey not just relatable but deeply personal. The author crafts a story that tugs at the heartstrings, inviting readers to navigate the complex labyrinth of emotions alongside the protagonist.

Amidst the chaos, The Crystal Curse finds its unique allure in the form of Ladlis Crystal Shop, a sanctuary where Evie encounters Mara, a mysterious figure who shares her pain. This mystical backdrop of crystals and ancient mysteries adds a layer of enchantment and intrigue to the narrative, ensuring that readers are spellbound from the very first page. Evie's transformation from a tormented teenager to a resilient and empowered young woman is the beating heart of this tale, and it's here that the book's true magic lies. If you're seeking a story that immerses you in the tumultuous world of adolescence, while also delivering a powerful message of personal growth and resilience, The Crystal Curse should be at the top of your reading list.