Shaila's Dance

by Mohini Dasari

For Anokhi, dance is more than art. It’s the key to finding her roots.
Since she was a child, Anokhi has been haunted by the same vivid vision: a mysterious dancing woman with golden anklet bells and white flowers in her ink-black hair. Her movements are hypnotic, flowing, beautiful. But who is she? And why does Anokhi feel so connected to her?
Growing up in small-town Idaho after being adopted from India as a baby, Anokhi has always felt like an outsider, caught between cultures, between reality and her dreams. When her best friend and fellow misfit, Kale, drops out of high school, she does too. Determined to find her place in the world, Anokhi buys a one-way plane ticket to Delhi, away from the woman who raised her and away from Kale, the boy she may or may not be a little bit in love with. When Anokhi’s search for answers to her past leads her to South India, she is swept into the magical world of Indian classical dance, which takes her down unexpected paths to discover what—and who—really matters.

338 pages, Paperback

Expected publication January 13, 2026

About the author

Mohini Dasari is an Indian American writer and surgeon who grew up in New England but also spent two years as a teenager going to school in India. She trained in Bharatanatyam, the oldest Indian classical dance form, for almost a decade before performing her arangetram, or debut performance, at age nineteen. Mohini has always felt like she was straddling two cultures, growing up in America but identifying with a lot of the cultural and mythological aspects of India and Hinduism. Her study and love of Indian dance, and the stories that are heavily represented in it, inspired many aspects of her debut novel, Shaila’s Dance (2026, Girl Friday Productions).

She lives in Washington state with her family, including her moody 9-pound dog and spirit animal, Hamilton. To learn more, visit her website or find her on Instagram @modawrites

Reviews

[Utsav Bansal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly wonderful tale of an adopted girl, Anokhi, who grows up in Idaho and embarks on a journey to trace her roots in India. From the very first page, I was swept into her world and felt like a bystander accompanying her every step of the way. The prose is exquisite, eloquent yet effortless, making it a true page-turner. An incredible achievement for a debut novel, and I eagerly look forward to more works by Dr. Dasari.

[Marie Sonnen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shaila’s Dance was a fascinating exploration of India and all the different forms of dance. It was a delightful immersion in Indian culture. I also really enjoyed traveling with Anokhi as she searched for her birth parents.

[Tarek Zaheer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shaila's Dance is a joy to read. Mohini Dasari is a wonderful storyteller. Her prose is poetic, dreamy and introspective. I couldn't believe how quickly I was drawn into her world. In just the first few pages, I felt like I'd known Anohki like I'd known an old friend.

The narrative voice is standout, leading to an immersive reading experience reminiscent of Ishiguro. It's emotional and philosophical. Every plot point is shown through one of the novel's many rich themes. Dasari writes with steady intentionality.

The plot moves in lockstep with Anokhi's interiority, which we as the reader get deeply intimate with. The beats are stacked with emotional releases. We feel what she feels.

This novel has a lot to say about the external world, too. It's replete with rich descriptions highlighting cross cultural interactions. People, accents, language, relationships, and, of course, dance.

I learned a great deal about India, its culture, its politics and geography. When I finished, I felt like I'd actually been on my own cross continental journey.

Great book, highly recommend. Congratulations to Dasari on a beautiful debut.

[Alexandra Tower Nunez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poignant coming-of-age story about a young woman caught between two identities, two worlds, and her desperate longing to forge her own path in search of self-understanding. Anokhi’s journey to India to find her birth parents was vivid and deeply immersive. The way Dasari captured the culture, cityscapes, and people felt so natural—you could sense her personal connection in every detail.

Anokhi’s recurring dreams of an Indian dancer served as a haunting reminder of how deeply our heritage lives within us. As an adopted child from the East placed in the Western world, her quiet ache of feeling like an outsider was both moving and heartbreaking. Yet through her pain and discovery, there was such strength—this story felt profoundly empowering, reminding me of the courage it takes to reclaim one’s identity and voice.

I often realize my reading list lacks diversity and doesn’t include enough stories from women of other cultures—this book filled that void beautifully. It reminded me just how vast, complex, and bittersweet the world can be. Anokhi’s bravery was nothing short of inspiring, and by the end, my heart was full and my eyes were brimming with tears.

A truly touching debut by Dasari. I can’t recommend it enough!

[Neha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dasari’s story about an adopted girl from India who has been haunted by dreams of a classical dancer kept me up late finishing it. The author writes difficult emotion with such beauty and ease — it’s so clear to see that Anokhi, initially, feels so unmoored and alone in a world where she sticks out like a sore thumb. The depth of emotion behind this actually let me to take a break from reading this book for a bit before I — very quickly — dove right back into it.

Despite the support of her adoptive mother, she wants to know more, about her past, her parents, and the world she came from. Her journey of self-discovery to India was probably my favorite part. Despite my Indian heritage, details about Indian classical dance have always been a mystery to me, and Dasari dives into the art with gorgeous prose that is at once informative but also a treat to read. Though the ending was left slightly open-ended and ambiguous, I was reassured about the course of Anokhi’s path in life.

A wonderful debut from an author from whom I can’t wait to read more.

[Irina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel so lucky to have experienced this novel before the rest of the world does, because it is a beautiful, heartwarming, soul-filling story that I can't wait for others to read.

The literal and metaphorical journey that the reader takes along with Anokhi feels like a fairly-tale, but it's grounded in a gritty reality too. Not sure how this amazing debut author managed it, but she did. The setting includes elements of fate and destiny interwoven with those grounded touches that paint a beautifully unique picture, and while the genre of 'coming of age' feels so apt, the actual experience reading this book felt somehow grander than that. I was transported, and glad of it; there were even twists and turns I didn't think to expect to keep me on my toes after I thought some aspect of the story had concluded, and the tale sticks the landing to the very last. Truly, a delicious treat. I can't recommend it enough.

[Swapna Peri ( Book Reviews Cafe ) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read "Shaila’s Dance" by Mohini Dasari and really connected with Anokhi’s story. She grew up in Idaho after being adopted from India and always felt like she didn’t quite fit in. Her vivid dreams about a dancer led her to leave her life behind and travel to India. There, she dives into Indian classical dance and starts to understand more about her roots and herself. I liked how the book shows her struggles with identity and how art and culture help her find where she belongs. The descriptions of dance and the emotions felt real and touching to me.

Sometimes the story felt a bit fast or expected, but I enjoyed the way the author painted images with her words. The mix of Anokhi’s quiet daily life and her intense dreams made the story deeper. Overall, it’s a beautiful book about finding your place in the world, especially if you’re curious about heritage and personal growth. I would recommend it to anyone who likes stories about family, culture, and self-discovery.

[Sucheta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel so lucky to have been able to read an advanced reader copy of Mohini Dasari’s debut novel. From the first few snippets of the synopsis, I was hooked.

As an Indian American, I could relate to so many themes that this book covers. While I’ve never lived in India, I’ve visited many times and inevitably face the constant struggle of wanting to fit in and not appear too American when visiting India, but despite loving my culture and heritage, also not wanting to appear too Indian in my every day life in the US. Anokhi’s journey is all of us.

The writing in this book is filled with such detail and passion, I was able to create such vivid scenes in my mind as I read and could picture myself right there alongside Anokhi during her journey throughout India.

I can’t wait for this book to be officially published, as there are so many more people who need to read this adventure, gain an appreciation for dance through this tale, and relate to Anokhi’s dual life just as I was able to.

[Aliya Zaheer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story written by Mohini Dasari! This novel tells a unique and moving coming-of-age story about Anokhi, an adopted girl determined to uncover the truth about her birth parents. As she searches for her roots, readers are invited into the vibrant world of Indian dance and culture, which Dasari weaves into the narrative in a way that is both educational and deeply enriching. Her writing style is graceful and evocative, carrying you to India with lush descriptions drawn from her own travels. The imagery is so vivid that you feel as though you are watching Anokhi’s journey unfold with your own eyes. It’s a heartfelt, beautifully written story of identity, belonging, and discovery—I loved every page!

[Regina M Zaheer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was swept away from the very first page describing Shaila’s mesmerizing dance. The author’s writing is lush and evocative, capturing both the dreamlike and the deeply human. At its heart is Anokhi, a young woman caught between cultures, longing to understand the visions that haunt her and the roots she has never known. Her journey from small-town Idaho to the vibrant rhythms of India is rendered with tenderness and authenticity. Along the way, I could feel her struggles with identity, the pull of friendship and love, and the healing magic of classical dance. This is a moving and unforgettable novel—one that celebrates culture, resilience, and the universal search for belonging. It stayed with me long after I turned the final page.

[Jasminegalsreadinglog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I requested Shaila’s Dance on a whim, drawn in by its stunning cover and I’m so glad I did. Anokhi’s journey to uncover her roots is deeply emotional, yet also heartwarming as she begins to put down her own.

The author’s prose is wonderful. The way Indian cultural traditions and heritage are woven into the story is truly beautiful. Following a teenager as she traverses India alone, meeting kind strangers and discovering herself, made me ache for my own solo journey across my birth country.

Shaila’s Dance is layered with emotion, self-discovery, and the transformative power of movement. It’s a reminder that dance is more than performance. It’s a way to lose yourself, to find yourself, to speak without words.

Thank you, GFB, for this book.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful debut book by Mohini Dasari. This is a unique coming of age story following Anokhi in her quest to learn more about her Indian origins and discover who she is. You will be transported to India with Dasari’s rich descriptions based on her own travels. The beautiful details will make you feel like you are seeing everything through Anokhi’s eyes. I loved this journey and I hope we get a sequel!

[Kavisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shaila's Dance is truly a one-of-a-kind novel that takes readers on a heart-tugging journey through belonging, mysticism, courage, and becoming. Dr. Dasari has narrated Anokhi's coming-of-age experience and a first-time trip to the Indian subcontinent so beautifully. I savored this book and the way it made me feel seen in my own upbringing. Woven with the most delicious metaphors, this is a story every dual identity kid, lover of classical dance, and teen needs to read!

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beautiful story about an adolescent learning about her sense of self, love, friendship, and adventure. Each time I picked up the book, I couldn't wait to join Anokhi on her journey. I look forward to reading more of Dasari's work.

[Michael Baran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a beautiful exploration of culture, identity, place, and belonging. As someone who is a cultural anthropologist and thinks about culture for a living, I love how Dasari brings culture and identity to life with such rich detail.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

writing is gripping and flawless! What a beautiful story that took twists unexpected but such beautiful pathways!! I was immersed in the character and lost track of time! What a beautiful piece!

[Subhu Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shaila's Dance is a heart warming, yet gripping story of a young woman's intrigue that eventually drives to action by her recurring dreams. The journey is intricate intertwining of several different communities and cultures.
Would have given 4.5 but no option of rating by fraction. Mohini Dasari has a very fascinating way of engaging the reader with her most expressive way of relating deep emotions.

[Niharika Bandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shaila’s Dance is an impressive first novel that combines the elegance of Indian classical dance with the heartfelt journey of growing up. As Anokhi searches for her birth parents, Mohini Dasari takes readers from a quiet town in Idaho to the lively streets of India. The writing is vivid and draws you in, with each scene unfolding like a dance and revealing themes of identity, belonging, and fate.

Mohini Dasari’s writing feels both warm and clear. The story follows Anokhi’s personal growth, taking us through her hopes, relationships, and discoveries in a genuine way. Every part of the story adds meaning and helps us connect with her experience.

Shaila’s Dance is both imaginative and realistic, showing the beauty of exploring different cultures and the strength found in self-discovery. Mohini Dasari’s first novel is touching, lively, and relatable. It is a story that stays with you long after you finish reading.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing is gripping and flawless! What a beautiful story that took twists unexpected but such beautiful pathways!! Could. Not. Put. It. Down.