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heidenkind's review against another edition
Story showed promise for the first few chapters, but I really do not need multiple pages of descriptions about how bad the traffic is in San Francisco. Or where people are looking. Or that the main character likes to take the stairs instead of the elevator. Or that she was able to find a parking space. HOLY EFF DO NOT CARE.
katreader's review against another edition
5.0
Pirate Vishnu by Gigi Pandian
The Second Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery
Pirate Vishnu is the best of both worlds: a unique modern mystery intimately tied to historic lore. Pirate Vishnu is an adventure mystery puzzle wrapped in history. Jaya Jones is once again thrust in the middle of intrigue when a man challenges her family history stating that her great granduncle Anand did not die heroically saving a friend in the San Fransisco earthquake of 1906. Instead, he lived only to steal treasure from the man's family. Given a treasure map written by Anand, Jaya searches through San Franciscan, Indian, and her own family history to find the truth. We also get to read the story of Anand as the events really happened as the author intersperses chapters of the modern day mystery with the tale from the past.
This book grabbed me from the start and never let me go. The alternating stories of past and present was a brilliant move by Gigi Pandian letting readers experience Anand's adventurous life in two ways; through his truth as it happened and how family lore and history remembered it. Giving us his truth gave Jaya's discoveries even more impact.
As for the characters...what a fantastic group! Jaya Jones is a wonderful character even if she is "the worst Indian ever". Jaya is a small, but formidable woman; an intelligent historian looking for tenure who happens to get involved in some amazing adventures. We have her best friend Sanjay, the Hindu Houdini, always there to help, perhaps more than Jaya realizes. The mysterious Lane, a romantic enigma who comes and goes like the San Fransisco fog. In Pirate Vishnu we also learn more about Nadia, Jaya's Russian landlady, and Tamarind, librarian extraordinaire (Shut. Up.). There's also the slimy Naveen, vying for tenure with Jaya and willing to go to great lengths to get it. We also meet the cast from the past-Anand and his friends, Li and Samuel. These characters are just as vibrant as the people from the present, their story just as vital.
Pirate Vishnu delivers everything you want in a mystery, interesting, believable characters you care about, locations that come alive and make you want to explore them yourself, a dash of romance, history that comes to life, and a challenging puzzle to solve.
The Second Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery
Pirate Vishnu is the best of both worlds: a unique modern mystery intimately tied to historic lore. Pirate Vishnu is an adventure mystery puzzle wrapped in history. Jaya Jones is once again thrust in the middle of intrigue when a man challenges her family history stating that her great granduncle Anand did not die heroically saving a friend in the San Fransisco earthquake of 1906. Instead, he lived only to steal treasure from the man's family. Given a treasure map written by Anand, Jaya searches through San Franciscan, Indian, and her own family history to find the truth. We also get to read the story of Anand as the events really happened as the author intersperses chapters of the modern day mystery with the tale from the past.
This book grabbed me from the start and never let me go. The alternating stories of past and present was a brilliant move by Gigi Pandian letting readers experience Anand's adventurous life in two ways; through his truth as it happened and how family lore and history remembered it. Giving us his truth gave Jaya's discoveries even more impact.
As for the characters...what a fantastic group! Jaya Jones is a wonderful character even if she is "the worst Indian ever". Jaya is a small, but formidable woman; an intelligent historian looking for tenure who happens to get involved in some amazing adventures. We have her best friend Sanjay, the Hindu Houdini, always there to help, perhaps more than Jaya realizes. The mysterious Lane, a romantic enigma who comes and goes like the San Fransisco fog. In Pirate Vishnu we also learn more about Nadia, Jaya's Russian landlady, and Tamarind, librarian extraordinaire (Shut. Up.). There's also the slimy Naveen, vying for tenure with Jaya and willing to go to great lengths to get it. We also meet the cast from the past-Anand and his friends, Li and Samuel. These characters are just as vibrant as the people from the present, their story just as vital.
Pirate Vishnu delivers everything you want in a mystery, interesting, believable characters you care about, locations that come alive and make you want to explore them yourself, a dash of romance, history that comes to life, and a challenging puzzle to solve.
erinnejc's review against another edition
3.0
This was an enjoyable follow up to Artifact. I enjoyed the story and look forward to more in the series.
git_r_read's review against another edition
5.0
How I luh-huv this series! Jaya would be the coolest chick to have as a friend. She's fearless and dedicated and funny. The premise of the series is fab. Jaya could easily be a fuddy-duddy university professor, but Gigi pens a completely awesome character. One who plays in a duo band with her bestie at a friend's restaurant, one who goes for the adventure instead of just reading about it, one who wears the coolest threads...
This time the story has flashbacks to tell the tale. Past and present lead Jaya towards treasure and danger.
SO FREAKING FAB!!! Highly recommend.
This time the story has flashbacks to tell the tale. Past and present lead Jaya towards treasure and danger.
SO FREAKING FAB!!! Highly recommend.
mfallon3491's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
marcirenee1974's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
omnibozo22's review against another edition
3.0
The second book in Pandian's Jones series brings us back to San Francisco, and India, and San Francisco. The writing style is great for YA readers who are comfortable with the Percy Jackson level of complexity, with many fewer gods to know about.
In this one, Jaya Jones searches for clues from a treasure map. One must ignore the many plot holes and accept that multiple people can hop around the world with little or no notice and feel no travel effects, despite mentioning them in the text. sheesh.
The Hindu Houdini has a larger role in this story, and, after sucking face with Jaya, is ensured of more face time in future volumes. The magic will be recognizable to magicians, though nothing is described in enough detail to threaten any sacred secrets, Hindu or otherwise.
In this one, Jaya Jones searches for clues from a treasure map. One must ignore the many plot holes and accept that multiple people can hop around the world with little or no notice and feel no travel effects, despite mentioning them in the text. sheesh.
The Hindu Houdini has a larger role in this story, and, after sucking face with Jaya, is ensured of more face time in future volumes. The magic will be recognizable to magicians, though nothing is described in enough detail to threaten any sacred secrets, Hindu or otherwise.
laurabb's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Another interesting setting and mystery, as always, in the latest Jaya Jones outing. I liked it ever so slightly less than the first book, for no real reason. Looking forward to whatever the author does next!
Another interesting setting and mystery, as always, in the latest Jaya Jones outing. I liked it ever so slightly less than the first book, for no real reason. Looking forward to whatever the author does next!
avidreadergirl1's review against another edition
3.0
This was my first Jaya Jones story but certainly not the last. This book has been a great help in forgetting that winter is around the corner and that we had some snow earlier in the day.