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My Rating: 5 stars

On October 31st, 1984, a fifteen year old girl who is half Hindu and half Sikh is travelling to New Delhi, India from Canada with her father. She only has two things with her: a new journal and her mother’s ashes. On the night Maya and her father arrive in New Delhi, Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India was gunned down in her garden, sending the whole city into chaos. While thousands are being murdered, Maya find herself alone in the middle of one of the bloodiest massacres in the country’s history. She is unable to find her father and must go under disguise, only depending on the help of a boy named Sandeep to stay alive. Throughout her journey, Maya learns the true meaning of love, forgiveness, home and karma.
I started off this book really excited. On the cover it said it was written in verse, which is kind of like poetry. I picked it up in the first place because it reminded me of the Ellen Hopkins books. Also, I had just learned about the murder of Indira Gandhi in school. I am so glad I found this book. I love the history element of it; it was so realistic and honest. The main character, Maya, felt so real. I think the one thing I didn’t life at first was the point of view switch from Maya to Sandeep in the middle of the book, because I was so caught up in what was happening to Maya and wanted to see what was going to happen. But after awhile I got used to it and realized the purpose of the switch. I love Cathy Ostlere’s writing style, I love this book and I wish it didn’t end.