📖 Overview
Sangu Mandanna is a British author of young adult and middle-grade fiction, known particularly for her contemporary fantasy and science fiction works. Her novels frequently explore themes of identity, family relationships, and Indian culture.
Mandanna's debut novel, The Lost Girl (2012), introduced her to readers with a story about echoes - beings created to replace people who have died. Her subsequent works include A House of Rage and Sorrow and A War of Swallowed Stars, which form part of her Celestial Trilogy inspired by the Mahabharata.
The Celestial Trilogy solidified Mandanna's reputation for blending science fiction elements with South Asian mythology. Her more recent works include The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches (2022) and Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom (2021), the latter being her first middle-grade novel.
Mandanna's writing has garnered recognition in the young adult literary sphere, with her books receiving positive critical attention for their representation of diverse characters and exploration of complex themes. She resides in Norwich, England, where she continues to write across multiple genres and age categories.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Mandanna's incorporation of Indian mythology into contemporary fantasy and science fiction settings. Many reviews highlight her character development and emotional storytelling.
What readers liked:
- Fresh take on classic mythological stories
- Representation of South Asian characters and culture
- Balance of humor with serious themes
- Strong family dynamics
- Accessible writing style for younger readers
What readers disliked:
- Pacing issues in some books, particularly middle sections
- Romance subplots sometimes feel underdeveloped
- Some found the plotting predictable
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads:
- The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches: 4.1/5 (52,000+ ratings)
- Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom: 4.3/5 (1,000+ ratings)
- The Lost Girl: 3.8/5 (3,000+ ratings)
Amazon averages 4.5/5 across titles
Common reader comment: "Perfect blend of magic and cultural elements without feeling forced" (Goodreads reviewer)
📚 Books by Sangu Mandanna
A House of Rage and Sorrow - A teenage girl leads a resistance against the gods in a struggle to save both Earth and a kingdom of mechanical beings.
Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom - A 12-year-old girl's drawings of Indian mythology come to life, pulling her into a world she created where she must stop an evil queen.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches - A witch who has lived in isolation takes a job teaching three young witches at a mysterious country house.
A Spark of White Fire - In this space opera reimagining of the Mahabharata, a princess competes for a sentient warship while navigating complex family politics.
Kiki Kallira Conquers a Curse - A young artist must return to her magical sketchbook world to save both her drawings and the real world from dark forces.
The Celestial Trilogy - A girl discovers she's a clone of a long-dead princess and becomes entangled in an interplanetary conflict.
A War of Swallowed Stars - The conclusion of a space fantasy trilogy follows a princess's final battle to save her kingdom from destructive gods.
Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom - A 12-year-old girl's drawings of Indian mythology come to life, pulling her into a world she created where she must stop an evil queen.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches - A witch who has lived in isolation takes a job teaching three young witches at a mysterious country house.
A Spark of White Fire - In this space opera reimagining of the Mahabharata, a princess competes for a sentient warship while navigating complex family politics.
Kiki Kallira Conquers a Curse - A young artist must return to her magical sketchbook world to save both her drawings and the real world from dark forces.
The Celestial Trilogy - A girl discovers she's a clone of a long-dead princess and becomes entangled in an interplanetary conflict.
A War of Swallowed Stars - The conclusion of a space fantasy trilogy follows a princess's final battle to save her kingdom from destructive gods.
👥 Similar authors
Roshani Chokshi writes YA fantasy with Indian mythology elements and complex family dynamics. Her works feature themes of identity and belonging similar to Mandanna's storytelling.
Samantha Shannon creates fantasy worlds with detailed magic systems and strong female protagonists. Her narratives blend romance with political intrigue in ways that align with Mandanna's style.
Axie Oh incorporates Korean mythology into contemporary and fantasy stories centered on character relationships. Her work explores similar themes of duty versus personal desire.
Rebecca Roanhorse builds fantasy worlds influenced by Indigenous cultures and focuses on characters navigating dual identities. Her stories deal with fate and choice in ways that parallel Mandanna's work.
Tasha Suri writes fantasy inspired by Indian history and mythology with emphasis on complex character relationships. Her books feature similar themes of destiny and self-determination.
Samantha Shannon creates fantasy worlds with detailed magic systems and strong female protagonists. Her narratives blend romance with political intrigue in ways that align with Mandanna's style.
Axie Oh incorporates Korean mythology into contemporary and fantasy stories centered on character relationships. Her work explores similar themes of duty versus personal desire.
Rebecca Roanhorse builds fantasy worlds influenced by Indigenous cultures and focuses on characters navigating dual identities. Her stories deal with fate and choice in ways that parallel Mandanna's work.
Tasha Suri writes fantasy inspired by Indian history and mythology with emphasis on complex character relationships. Her books feature similar themes of destiny and self-determination.