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Tamarind & the Star of Ishta
From the author of the Costa Award-winning Asha & the Spirit Bird comes a breathtaking, magical adventure ... Tamarind never knew her Indian mum, Chinty, who died soon after she was born. So when she arrives at her ancestral home, a huge mansion in the Himalayas surrounded by luxuriant gardens, she's full of questions for her extended family. But instead of answers, she finds an ominous silence - and a trickle of intriguing clues: an abandoned hut, a friendly monkey, a glowing star ring, and a strange girl in the garden who calls herself Ishta. Slowly, Tamarind unravels a mystery at the heart of who she is ...
224 pages, Paperback
First published September 3, 2020
16 people are currently reading
596 people want to read
About the author
Jasbinder Bilan
16 books40 followersAccording to family stories, Jasbinder was born in a stable in the foothills of the Himalayas. Until she was a year and a half, she lived on a farm inhabited by a grumpy camel and a monkey called Oma.
Jasbinder graduated from Bath Spa University where the seeds of her story were nurtured, but it was the incredible bond with her grandmother which was the inspiration for Asha & the Spirit Bird.
She lives with her husband, two teenage boys and dog Enzo in a man pad and splits her time between teaching and writing.
Jasbinder graduated from Bath Spa University where the seeds of her story were nurtured, but it was the incredible bond with her grandmother which was the inspiration for Asha & the Spirit Bird.
She lives with her husband, two teenage boys and dog Enzo in a man pad and splits her time between teaching and writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
September 19, 2020
Full review
I don’t think there are many words that can correctly sum up how beautiful this little book is, but I’ll attempt it. Whilst this is ultimately the story of a young girl discovering a little more about her heritage, it’s also a tale laced with magic and a little of the supernatural. Sure to grip the imagination of any middle grader, it was the perfect end of summer read.
Anyone who has grown up without knowledge of one of their parents will be sure to sympathise with Tamarind. This strange feeling of only knowing half your background, and a sense of something having been stolen from you. I really admired her tenacity, relentlessly trying to discover the knowledge of her mother that absolutely no one will share with her. It broke my heart that no one was able to let go of their own grief, in order to help her cope with her own.
In short, this is definitely one to pick up! Whether you are a young reader yourself, or just someone who enjoys middle grade in general, it’s such a wonderful little journey. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Tam, and look forward to seeing what Jasbinder Bilan writes next!
I don’t think there are many words that can correctly sum up how beautiful this little book is, but I’ll attempt it. Whilst this is ultimately the story of a young girl discovering a little more about her heritage, it’s also a tale laced with magic and a little of the supernatural. Sure to grip the imagination of any middle grader, it was the perfect end of summer read.
Anyone who has grown up without knowledge of one of their parents will be sure to sympathise with Tamarind. This strange feeling of only knowing half your background, and a sense of something having been stolen from you. I really admired her tenacity, relentlessly trying to discover the knowledge of her mother that absolutely no one will share with her. It broke my heart that no one was able to let go of their own grief, in order to help her cope with her own.
In short, this is definitely one to pick up! Whether you are a young reader yourself, or just someone who enjoys middle grade in general, it’s such a wonderful little journey. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Tam, and look forward to seeing what Jasbinder Bilan writes next!
January 7, 2021
Only child Tamarind has grown up in Bristol with her Dad only knowing her English life and nothing of her late-mother’s Indian culture. This is all changes when her Dad’s new girlfriend Chloe takes him on honeymoon and leaves Tam with her family in the Himalaya.
Feeling abandoned Tamarind struggles with the strange food and customs from the new family who show her so much love, and her spiteful cousin Sufia who seems to have it in for her. Until one day when she spies a golden monkey near a playhouse in the magnificent jungle of a garden, she starts asking questions about her mother, Chinty, and her life is changed forever.
A wonderful story about family, acceptance, magic and coming to terms with a big secret.
Bilan has a fantastic way with words, creating beautiful descriptions of India and the figure of Ishta, inspired by her own childhood living at the foothill of the Himalaya.
Feeling abandoned Tamarind struggles with the strange food and customs from the new family who show her so much love, and her spiteful cousin Sufia who seems to have it in for her. Until one day when she spies a golden monkey near a playhouse in the magnificent jungle of a garden, she starts asking questions about her mother, Chinty, and her life is changed forever.
A wonderful story about family, acceptance, magic and coming to terms with a big secret.
Bilan has a fantastic way with words, creating beautiful descriptions of India and the figure of Ishta, inspired by her own childhood living at the foothill of the Himalaya.
September 29, 2020
This book has all the ingredients I would have loved as a child - a faraway land, an adventurous girl and a little bit of magic.
The faraway land in this case in India, and there's quite a lot of Indian culture in the story for a child (or adult) to be interested in. It also has some more serious issues about family secrets and coping with change, and these are very well dealt with in the book.
I loved this story and think that it's suitable for anyone of any age.
Definitely a favourite.
The faraway land in this case in India, and there's quite a lot of Indian culture in the story for a child (or adult) to be interested in. It also has some more serious issues about family secrets and coping with change, and these are very well dealt with in the book.
I loved this story and think that it's suitable for anyone of any age.
Definitely a favourite.
December 21, 2023
4.25 ⭐️
April 29, 2024
Tamarind & the star of Ishta follows Tamarind who never knew her Indian mother. She goes to visit her ancestral home where she wants to find out more about her mother, as she hadn’t known much about her prior this. This is where the story gets a magical twist and mystery, as she finds clues such as overgrown hut, ring and a girl named Ishta.
Overall, it was a nice, beautifully written and even though it’s a short story, the writer still creates such a nice magical atmosphere, inspired by her mother’s story. It was an emotional read, tackling different topics from identity to mythology. (also i adored the artwork!)
Overall, it was a nice, beautifully written and even though it’s a short story, the writer still creates such a nice magical atmosphere, inspired by her mother’s story. It was an emotional read, tackling different topics from identity to mythology. (also i adored the artwork!)
June 30, 2021
A delightful little story about family. It’s written primarily for children, so doesn’t feature a particularly complicated plot but that didn’t hinder my enjoyment of it as an adult.
I loved the setting, and felt like I got a good picture of what a grand old house in the Himalayan mountains would be like.
I loved the setting, and felt like I got a good picture of what a grand old house in the Himalayan mountains would be like.
October 2, 2020
A very sweet and pure middle grade🥺 RTC
July 14, 2022
Overall adorable even though it deals with some topics that have the potential to be very sad. Very cute book and it made me chuckle a couple times.
December 31, 2020
Jasmine’s mom died when she was an infant. As she’s about to enter secondary school in England, her dad remarries. He takes a honeymoon to India, dropping his daughter off for a week with her mom’s family, virtual strangers. She’s apprehensive, but hopes this will be her chance at long last to learn more about her mother. Like most YA books, the central premise is that that adults are no help at all. Jasmine must take risks and go searching alone for the truth: Nancy Drew with a magical realism, Indian fable-ish bent. The pacing is good. There are plenty of tears, frights, and discoveries. The book is a fun and charming read – good exposure to another culture.
Since I’m a member of the grammar police, it drove me nuts to find a couple of mistakes in pronoun case. Even the mistakes weren’t consistent. Once “me” was used for “I.” (Most people go the other way.) The other time either she was used for her or I for we. It worries me all the more in a YA book, since young readers may decide their own mistakes are validated.
Since I’m a member of the grammar police, it drove me nuts to find a couple of mistakes in pronoun case. Even the mistakes weren’t consistent. Once “me” was used for “I.” (Most people go the other way.) The other time either she was used for her or I for we. It worries me all the more in a YA book, since young readers may decide their own mistakes are validated.
January 3, 2026
3.5
-
I wanted to read this when I saw the title, as it reminded me of the goddess Ishtar right away. I didn’t expect Ishtar to actually be mentioned in the text, or how wonderfully her myth would be incorporated into the plot.
Tamarind has returned to India, the place she was born, to stay with the extended family she never got to know. She is desperate to learn anything about her mother, who died when she was a baby, but not one person will speak about her. But there is magic in this place, and Tamarind will learn more than she ever expected to.
Lovely mythology-inspired tale dealing with grief and healing.
-
I wanted to read this when I saw the title, as it reminded me of the goddess Ishtar right away. I didn’t expect Ishtar to actually be mentioned in the text, or how wonderfully her myth would be incorporated into the plot.
Tamarind has returned to India, the place she was born, to stay with the extended family she never got to know. She is desperate to learn anything about her mother, who died when she was a baby, but not one person will speak about her. But there is magic in this place, and Tamarind will learn more than she ever expected to.
Lovely mythology-inspired tale dealing with grief and healing.
October 18, 2020
A fantastic story that keeps you hooked from page one. I loved the immersion in the Indian culture!
March 5, 2021
Bought it because I liked the cover... It arrived and it's a children's book lol. Was a lovely little read and I enjoyed how much food was involved.
December 29, 2025
3.5 stars, round it up because now I want Indian food. This was a sweet story about family, with a dose of fantasy/supernatural elements.
January 19, 2022
It was a good book, but i preferrd Asha and the Spirit bird
May 17, 2023
A strong ending to this book. The beginning shows a naive girl where the adults won’t tell her what happened to her mother. Just when I was getting tired of the same plot (girl asks for answers and no one responds), it changes and has some beautiful symbolism of the tamarind tree as well as growth through friendship and grief. A nice story of a girl exploring her heritage by visiting family in India.
Read
May 14, 2021A delicate middle grade story, tackling a difficult subject in a beautiful way. The descriptions of the family's house, grounds and food were so enticing and a brilliant way of introducing children to somewhere new.
September 11, 2020
https://www.thebreadcrumbforest.com/2...
I nearly didn't get past the front cover of this novel. It has to be the most stunning book cover of 2020, right? And, it's even more beautiful in the flesh. Even after finishing the story, I'm still staring at it.
I'm ashamed to say that Jasbinder Bilan's debut novel Asha and the Spirit Bird is still sitting on my TBR pile. However, after the opening of this novel was published on the Chicken House website, I knew I wanted to dive straight into this one. And, trust me when I say that the story inside is as beautiful as the cover.
Tamarind hopes that visiting her ancestral home in India will lead to answers about who her mother, Chinty, really was. But when she arrives, Chinty is shrouded in lost and hidden memories that no one will talk about. As Tamarind steps into a magical garden, she is guided towards a secret presence- a mysterious girl called Ishta. But who exactly is Ishta and why does she keep disappearing? In order to find the truth, Tamarind must follow a golden monkey, a glowing ring and unlock the hearts of her loved ones.
This is a beautifully told story about grief, family tensions and hope that is laced with magic. It is set against the breath-taking wilderness of the Himalaya and is full of vivid imagery which brings every sense to life. It combines everyday family reality with the extraordinary - emeralds and stars, legends and spirits. It sears through the pain of grief and explores the raw emotions we feel when we lose a loved one and wish to remain close to them.
Tamarind is a fabulous character, full of questions and depth. Her desire to uncover the truth and identity of her mother overrides her nervousness at being left with family she's never met and makes her strong and fierce. Her difficulties with fitting in and adjusting to new foods is relatable and heart-warming and the book's other characters compliment her perfectly; Arjun allowing her to be soft and vulnerable and the shockingly aggressive Sufia bringing out the tiger within.
Actually, Sufia and Nani are both great characters in their own right. Both show the complexities and deep impact that grief can have on an extended family. It reminded me very much of a similar, but less magical story, I read recently. Bauble, Me and the Family Tree by Jenny Moore, is also a story which explores the lasting effects of losing a family member. Set firmly in the UK, it reminded me that whatever country or culture we may belong to, families experience the same struggles all over the world and it's unity which essentially sees us through.
The story and the setting are truly intoxicating. This is not a fast, dynamic read but a magical and enthralling meander through a garden and wilderness thronging with personal and mythical history. It's shorter length is perfect for a cosy, weekend read and it left me itching to read Asha and the Spirit Bird.
I nearly didn't get past the front cover of this novel. It has to be the most stunning book cover of 2020, right? And, it's even more beautiful in the flesh. Even after finishing the story, I'm still staring at it.
I'm ashamed to say that Jasbinder Bilan's debut novel Asha and the Spirit Bird is still sitting on my TBR pile. However, after the opening of this novel was published on the Chicken House website, I knew I wanted to dive straight into this one. And, trust me when I say that the story inside is as beautiful as the cover.
Tamarind hopes that visiting her ancestral home in India will lead to answers about who her mother, Chinty, really was. But when she arrives, Chinty is shrouded in lost and hidden memories that no one will talk about. As Tamarind steps into a magical garden, she is guided towards a secret presence- a mysterious girl called Ishta. But who exactly is Ishta and why does she keep disappearing? In order to find the truth, Tamarind must follow a golden monkey, a glowing ring and unlock the hearts of her loved ones.
This is a beautifully told story about grief, family tensions and hope that is laced with magic. It is set against the breath-taking wilderness of the Himalaya and is full of vivid imagery which brings every sense to life. It combines everyday family reality with the extraordinary - emeralds and stars, legends and spirits. It sears through the pain of grief and explores the raw emotions we feel when we lose a loved one and wish to remain close to them.
Tamarind is a fabulous character, full of questions and depth. Her desire to uncover the truth and identity of her mother overrides her nervousness at being left with family she's never met and makes her strong and fierce. Her difficulties with fitting in and adjusting to new foods is relatable and heart-warming and the book's other characters compliment her perfectly; Arjun allowing her to be soft and vulnerable and the shockingly aggressive Sufia bringing out the tiger within.
Actually, Sufia and Nani are both great characters in their own right. Both show the complexities and deep impact that grief can have on an extended family. It reminded me very much of a similar, but less magical story, I read recently. Bauble, Me and the Family Tree by Jenny Moore, is also a story which explores the lasting effects of losing a family member. Set firmly in the UK, it reminded me that whatever country or culture we may belong to, families experience the same struggles all over the world and it's unity which essentially sees us through.
The story and the setting are truly intoxicating. This is not a fast, dynamic read but a magical and enthralling meander through a garden and wilderness thronging with personal and mythical history. It's shorter length is perfect for a cosy, weekend read and it left me itching to read Asha and the Spirit Bird.
February 5, 2021
More like 2.5 stars.
I really wanted to love this book. I know I would’ve been drawn to promise of magic and mystery as a child, as I was as an adult buying this book.
Sadly, it just left me a bit cold!
The prose is all action and dialogue, one event occurring directly after the other without description, the pace of which meaning that genuinely emotional moments were reduced to a few sentences.
I love the concept of the mystery, but felt it was rushed and, the reveal was unsatisfactory.
A shame!
I really wanted to love this book. I know I would’ve been drawn to promise of magic and mystery as a child, as I was as an adult buying this book.
Sadly, it just left me a bit cold!
The prose is all action and dialogue, one event occurring directly after the other without description, the pace of which meaning that genuinely emotional moments were reduced to a few sentences.
I love the concept of the mystery, but felt it was rushed and, the reveal was unsatisfactory.
A shame!
December 3, 2023
Jasbinder Bilan tells a heartwarming story of a girl's journey of discovery and acceptance about herself, her heritage and her family in Tamarind & The Star of Ishta. When Tamarind goes to spend time with her deceased mother's family in India, while her father takes his honeymoon with his new wife, she discovers the truth behind her mother's death and the effect it has had on her family and her world. While there, she discovers a secret garden and meets the magical Ishta - who befriends her, teachers her lessons, and saves her from danger as she grows.
This middle grade fantasy novel is filled with cultural markers of Indian food, setting, and religion that bring the author's insider voice to life. I especially like how Tamarind slowly finds Indian foods that fit her bland English food preferences as each day passes in India. Her taste palate expanding as her journey of self-discovery ensues. It also does a wonderful job of intertwining Hindu spiritualism with fantasy to create an otherworldly element to the magical garden at Tamarind's grandparents’ home. In Hinduism, Ishta is a goddess who is known to remove obstacles in life that help people deal with their Karma (circumstances) sensibly. It is said that the goddess appears differently and is unique to every person. This book is low fantasy because the majority of the story is in the real world with magical elements that drive the themes and conflict of the story. The central question of what really happened to her mother drives the theme of acceptance, grief, and identity that are at the heart of this story.
I read this as part of a graduate course on youth literature. I chose this book because it won The Children's Fiction Award at the Indie Book Awards. However, I also chose it because it was written by a BIPOC author with a true understanding of the mystery of Hindu spirituality and traditional Indian literature. Bilan was raised in a small town in the Himalayas and currently resides in Bath, England. Her website is worth a visit because it has a page that offers more descriptions of Tamarind’s world. The author has written several books with similar fantasty storylines. Her first was Ashta and the Spirit Bird in 2019.
Tamarind and the Star of Ishta, and Bilan’s other books, would be great fantasy additions to any intermediate or middle grade classroom library. The novel is a heartwarming story that provided a window into Indian culture and traditions for myself and many of my students, but would also provide a mirror for my students of Indian descent. It would make great fantasy choice for a novel study for intermediate grades. It is written around a 4th grade level but thematically it would be a good book for 3rd through 6th graders. A complimentary research project on Hinduism and Ishta would be a nice supplement to the novel study. Tying that into core curriculum on mythology or other religion/spirituality lessons might also be an interesting use for the novel study.
This middle grade fantasy novel is filled with cultural markers of Indian food, setting, and religion that bring the author's insider voice to life. I especially like how Tamarind slowly finds Indian foods that fit her bland English food preferences as each day passes in India. Her taste palate expanding as her journey of self-discovery ensues. It also does a wonderful job of intertwining Hindu spiritualism with fantasy to create an otherworldly element to the magical garden at Tamarind's grandparents’ home. In Hinduism, Ishta is a goddess who is known to remove obstacles in life that help people deal with their Karma (circumstances) sensibly. It is said that the goddess appears differently and is unique to every person. This book is low fantasy because the majority of the story is in the real world with magical elements that drive the themes and conflict of the story. The central question of what really happened to her mother drives the theme of acceptance, grief, and identity that are at the heart of this story.
I read this as part of a graduate course on youth literature. I chose this book because it won The Children's Fiction Award at the Indie Book Awards. However, I also chose it because it was written by a BIPOC author with a true understanding of the mystery of Hindu spirituality and traditional Indian literature. Bilan was raised in a small town in the Himalayas and currently resides in Bath, England. Her website is worth a visit because it has a page that offers more descriptions of Tamarind’s world. The author has written several books with similar fantasty storylines. Her first was Ashta and the Spirit Bird in 2019.
Tamarind and the Star of Ishta, and Bilan’s other books, would be great fantasy additions to any intermediate or middle grade classroom library. The novel is a heartwarming story that provided a window into Indian culture and traditions for myself and many of my students, but would also provide a mirror for my students of Indian descent. It would make great fantasy choice for a novel study for intermediate grades. It is written around a 4th grade level but thematically it would be a good book for 3rd through 6th graders. A complimentary research project on Hinduism and Ishta would be a nice supplement to the novel study. Tying that into core curriculum on mythology or other religion/spirituality lessons might also be an interesting use for the novel study.
November 8, 2022
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Tamarind has grown up in Bristol, England with just her father, who is silent about what happened to her mother when Tamarind was very small. Now that he is getting married to Chloe, who wants to visit India for their honeymoon, he is taking Tamarind to stay with the family of her mother, Chinty. She is to stay with her Aunt Simran, her children Arjun and Sufia, and her grandmother, Nanijee, in the family home in the Himalayas, a bit distant from Rinigaar, where Simran usually lives. The grandmother has Uma and Chacha Dev to help her. It's hard for Tamarind to get used to everything, especially the spicier food, even though Uma is good about giving her the plain rice she requests but also introducing her to some of the milder local delicacies. Arjun, who is nine, is glad to have a companion, but Sufia, who is a teenager, is very difficult. She was very close to Tamarind's mother, and resents the younger girl for her mother's death. Tamarind is glad to meet a local girl, Ishta while she is out in the yard one evening. Ishta has a monkey, Hanu, and the two get along, but none of the family have ever seen this girl, and there are no houses nearby. Tamarind learns more about her mother, and starts to feel more connected to her family and her Indian heritage. She realizes who Ishta must be, and when a bad situation occurs during a storm, she is able to put all of the facets of her past into perspective.
Strengths: I love books about children who go to spend summers with relatives in other countries; I always secretly hoped my mother would send me to spend the summer on my grandmother's dairy farm, but she never did! The family dynamic between Tamarind and her father, as well as with his new wife, Chloe, was very realistic and nicely nuanced. It also made sense that Tamarind wouldn't have been sent to visit her grandmother when she was younger. There are lots of good connections with Indian culture and mythology, and the landscape is incorporated into the story nicely. I enjoyed reading this one, and it reminded me a little bit of some classic children's titles.
Weaknesses: Since Tamarind never knew life with her mother, it seemed odd that she spent so much time grieving for her.
What I really think: While I really enjoyed this author's Asha and the Spirit Bird, this book lacked the adventure of that title, which has circulated well with fans of Butterworth's Running on the Roof of the World. It also didn't have as many details about every day life. This is a title I will buy if I have money left in the budget in February, since it might take some hand selling to get students to pick up a title that is more philosophical.
Tamarind has grown up in Bristol, England with just her father, who is silent about what happened to her mother when Tamarind was very small. Now that he is getting married to Chloe, who wants to visit India for their honeymoon, he is taking Tamarind to stay with the family of her mother, Chinty. She is to stay with her Aunt Simran, her children Arjun and Sufia, and her grandmother, Nanijee, in the family home in the Himalayas, a bit distant from Rinigaar, where Simran usually lives. The grandmother has Uma and Chacha Dev to help her. It's hard for Tamarind to get used to everything, especially the spicier food, even though Uma is good about giving her the plain rice she requests but also introducing her to some of the milder local delicacies. Arjun, who is nine, is glad to have a companion, but Sufia, who is a teenager, is very difficult. She was very close to Tamarind's mother, and resents the younger girl for her mother's death. Tamarind is glad to meet a local girl, Ishta while she is out in the yard one evening. Ishta has a monkey, Hanu, and the two get along, but none of the family have ever seen this girl, and there are no houses nearby. Tamarind learns more about her mother, and starts to feel more connected to her family and her Indian heritage. She realizes who Ishta must be, and when a bad situation occurs during a storm, she is able to put all of the facets of her past into perspective.
Strengths: I love books about children who go to spend summers with relatives in other countries; I always secretly hoped my mother would send me to spend the summer on my grandmother's dairy farm, but she never did! The family dynamic between Tamarind and her father, as well as with his new wife, Chloe, was very realistic and nicely nuanced. It also made sense that Tamarind wouldn't have been sent to visit her grandmother when she was younger. There are lots of good connections with Indian culture and mythology, and the landscape is incorporated into the story nicely. I enjoyed reading this one, and it reminded me a little bit of some classic children's titles.
Weaknesses: Since Tamarind never knew life with her mother, it seemed odd that she spent so much time grieving for her.
What I really think: While I really enjoyed this author's Asha and the Spirit Bird, this book lacked the adventure of that title, which has circulated well with fans of Butterworth's Running on the Roof of the World. It also didn't have as many details about every day life. This is a title I will buy if I have money left in the budget in February, since it might take some hand selling to get students to pick up a title that is more philosophical.
March 1, 2023
✨🏹🌌Tamarind and the Star of Ishta🌌🏹✨
Tamarind yearns for the mother she never got to meet. Her mother died because of an illness, and her father is moving on with his new wife, Chloe. When Tam is dropped off at her mother's childhood home in India, she reunites with the family she never got to meet. In the dead of night, a voice whispers her name, calling her into the forest. She meets a girl called Ishta, who loves adventures and carries her bow and arrow with her. As Tam discovers Ishta's story, she learns to love the family she has just begun to know.
*Every single person in this world can view a work of literature and have completely different thoughts and opinions. My opinion is not meant to offend you. If you do not want to see a review criticising your favourite book (or a book you enjoyed), then I recommend not proceeding with reading this review.
Tamarind and the Star of Ishta was a heartwarming read that fell flat for me. I can totally see why others would fall in love with the story. It did feel repetitive or similar to other things I have read before. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but when there isn't anything in a book that particularly stands out to me, I just give it a two-star rating. Most of the time, I don't enjoy stories with a dash of magic that is unexplained. The magical element of the story was part of a plot twist that I predicted.
I felt like the magical element of the story felt cheesy and contrived rather than like, "Oh, that's so adorable and amazing!" This has all to do with my own opinion, but stories where the ghost of a loved one or some magical memories pop up and seem to solve all the problems in our protagonist's life feel bland and unrealistic. Most people go through the grieving process; they will not be able to interact with someone special and immediately give a long speech about the power of love and how loved ones will always be in their hearts.
The feelings of confusion she had due to her father not sharing information about their mother were instantly solved by the end of the story. Her coldness towards Chloe changed everything when she realised that her mother would always be in her heart as a result of love. It just feels a lot like the conflict was a smudge on a blemish, only to be erased by an unrealistic or quick situation. Her family members felt underdeveloped. They were pulled into the story when necessary and pulled out when there was no use for them.
Overall, a touching story that was not for me.I definitely enjoyed Asha and The Spirit Bird, another book by Jasbinder Bilan that I read years ago. I will do a re-read of that one and see if my thoughts have changed.
🆗PLOT
⛔CHARACTERS
⛔PLOT TWISTS
Tamarind yearns for the mother she never got to meet. Her mother died because of an illness, and her father is moving on with his new wife, Chloe. When Tam is dropped off at her mother's childhood home in India, she reunites with the family she never got to meet. In the dead of night, a voice whispers her name, calling her into the forest. She meets a girl called Ishta, who loves adventures and carries her bow and arrow with her. As Tam discovers Ishta's story, she learns to love the family she has just begun to know.
*Every single person in this world can view a work of literature and have completely different thoughts and opinions. My opinion is not meant to offend you. If you do not want to see a review criticising your favourite book (or a book you enjoyed), then I recommend not proceeding with reading this review.
Tamarind and the Star of Ishta was a heartwarming read that fell flat for me. I can totally see why others would fall in love with the story. It did feel repetitive or similar to other things I have read before. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but when there isn't anything in a book that particularly stands out to me, I just give it a two-star rating. Most of the time, I don't enjoy stories with a dash of magic that is unexplained. The magical element of the story was part of a plot twist that I predicted.
I felt like the magical element of the story felt cheesy and contrived rather than like, "Oh, that's so adorable and amazing!" This has all to do with my own opinion, but stories where the ghost of a loved one or some magical memories pop up and seem to solve all the problems in our protagonist's life feel bland and unrealistic. Most people go through the grieving process; they will not be able to interact with someone special and immediately give a long speech about the power of love and how loved ones will always be in their hearts.
The feelings of confusion she had due to her father not sharing information about their mother were instantly solved by the end of the story. Her coldness towards Chloe changed everything when she realised that her mother would always be in her heart as a result of love. It just feels a lot like the conflict was a smudge on a blemish, only to be erased by an unrealistic or quick situation. Her family members felt underdeveloped. They were pulled into the story when necessary and pulled out when there was no use for them.
Overall, a touching story that was not for me.I definitely enjoyed Asha and The Spirit Bird, another book by Jasbinder Bilan that I read years ago. I will do a re-read of that one and see if my thoughts have changed.
🆗PLOT
⛔CHARACTERS
⛔PLOT TWISTS
February 2, 2025
Tamarind is spending a week in India with her maternal family while her dad is on his honeymoon with his new wife. Tam lives in England and does not know the family, but is hoping they can tell her about her mother, who died when she was a baby. In India she starts hearing her name whispered and finding golden dust trails. She feels a pull to a forbidden part of the garden and hopes that maybe this special place hold her mother's secrets.
Overall, I liked it, but I didn't like the way it wrapped up so easily.
Overall, I liked it, but I didn't like the way it wrapped up so easily.
May 10, 2022
This is a beautifully told story for young and old readers alike about grief, family tensions and hope that is laced with love.
This is a book which sits on the line between real life and fantasy. The plot is suffused with magic, but never in a flashy way – there’s an exciting mystery to be solved, and plenty of hints of actual magic, but also a really solid grounding in the day to day life of a family.
The plot is set against the breath-taking wilderness of the Himalaya and is full of vivid imagery which brings every sense to life. It combines everyday family reality with the extraordinary - emeralds and stars, legends and spirits. It sears through the pain of grief and explores the raw emotions we feel when we lose a loved one and wish to remain close to them.
I only removed a star because I personally felt it was too short however, for younger readers the length was probably ideal.
I grew up on a diet of Blyton, Tolkien, CS Lewis and Dahl but it is about time that children's fiction expands through the imaginative, Eastern-centric spaces Bilan presents us with.
This is a book which sits on the line between real life and fantasy. The plot is suffused with magic, but never in a flashy way – there’s an exciting mystery to be solved, and plenty of hints of actual magic, but also a really solid grounding in the day to day life of a family.
The plot is set against the breath-taking wilderness of the Himalaya and is full of vivid imagery which brings every sense to life. It combines everyday family reality with the extraordinary - emeralds and stars, legends and spirits. It sears through the pain of grief and explores the raw emotions we feel when we lose a loved one and wish to remain close to them.
I only removed a star because I personally felt it was too short however, for younger readers the length was probably ideal.
I grew up on a diet of Blyton, Tolkien, CS Lewis and Dahl but it is about time that children's fiction expands through the imaginative, Eastern-centric spaces Bilan presents us with.
October 15, 2022
An intriguing story with lots of twists and turns encased in lovely imagery.
Tamarind has never known her mother and now is having to get used to sharing her father with his new wife. Accompanying her father and his new bride on the start of their honeymoon, Tamarind is left with her mother's family who she's never previously met.
Cue lots of awkward conversations, struggles to fit in and a bit of magic and you are quickly immersed into Tamarind's week with her 'newly acquired' family. A week which leaves her (and you) with a completely new perspective on life as well as envy of the lovely scenery described throughout.
Proving that you don't always have to grow up with family to get along. This heart warming, coming of age tale touches on the topics of: loss, family estrangement, blended families and bits of Indian myth and culture. An uplifting tale suitable for all.
Tamarind has never known her mother and now is having to get used to sharing her father with his new wife. Accompanying her father and his new bride on the start of their honeymoon, Tamarind is left with her mother's family who she's never previously met.
Cue lots of awkward conversations, struggles to fit in and a bit of magic and you are quickly immersed into Tamarind's week with her 'newly acquired' family. A week which leaves her (and you) with a completely new perspective on life as well as envy of the lovely scenery described throughout.
Proving that you don't always have to grow up with family to get along. This heart warming, coming of age tale touches on the topics of: loss, family estrangement, blended families and bits of Indian myth and culture. An uplifting tale suitable for all.
April 21, 2025
Found this on BorrowBox and enjoyed reading it sporadically in short bursts of time across a few months. A lovely middle grade magical realism story set in North India. I loved Tamarind’s love for her mother as it made me think of mine. I loved how kind her relatives and grandmother were. Something about the several visits to the gardens’ depth and the route Tamarind took many times throughout the book was comforting to me.
Some phrases that Tamarind’s Indian relatives used seemed too British for my Indian-now-living-in-the-UK ears. But that’s just because I’m thinking of the writing from an adult’s perspective. As a book for young people, it makes enough sense.
Some phrases that Tamarind’s Indian relatives used seemed too British for my Indian-now-living-in-the-UK ears. But that’s just because I’m thinking of the writing from an adult’s perspective. As a book for young people, it makes enough sense.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2020
This was a very immersive story full of vivid imagery and hidden messages and I truly loved the writing style.
As I was reading I felt instantly like I was in india and as the story unfolded I felt like I was living it with Tamarind.
This is the kind of story where the beautiful cover matches the story inside.
I did find myself putting it down a lot but I don't think that was the books fault (it is a book you could quite easily consume in one sitting)
The plot is not overly extensive but the character development and the images created from the excellent writing makes that not matter.
Thank you so much to Scholastic Australia for a ARC in exchange for an honest review.
As I was reading I felt instantly like I was in india and as the story unfolded I felt like I was living it with Tamarind.
This is the kind of story where the beautiful cover matches the story inside.
I did find myself putting it down a lot but I don't think that was the books fault (it is a book you could quite easily consume in one sitting)
The plot is not overly extensive but the character development and the images created from the excellent writing makes that not matter.
Thank you so much to Scholastic Australia for a ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 12, 2021
This was a lovely story focusing on family and how everyone copes with grief differently. It also gave a fantastic insight into what it would be like to live in an Indian village near the Himilayas. The author used their own experiences to convey the beauty and remoteness of the setting, the mouthwatering foods and many interesting aspects of daily life for the family.
The magical realism elements were quite obvious from early on, which may have been the author's intention, but for me, I would liked it to have been revealed a little more subtly.
The overall message of the story, is one of forgiveness and hope and I liked the way it ended.
The magical realism elements were quite obvious from early on, which may have been the author's intention, but for me, I would liked it to have been revealed a little more subtly.
The overall message of the story, is one of forgiveness and hope and I liked the way it ended.
October 5, 2021
This is a beautiful little book that I’m really impressed with and amazed that I enjoyed as much as I did.
The story of only child, Tamarind, learning more and more about her family and her heritage leads the reader on a journey of magic and joy and love, all within the beautiful setting of the Himalayan mountain range.
The family dynamics are so genuine that you feel for each and every character within the story and you begin to imagine them as your own family members and that is the sign of them being well written.
This is definitely a great book for younger readers but I enjoyed it so much that I would probably read it again and again.
The story of only child, Tamarind, learning more and more about her family and her heritage leads the reader on a journey of magic and joy and love, all within the beautiful setting of the Himalayan mountain range.
The family dynamics are so genuine that you feel for each and every character within the story and you begin to imagine them as your own family members and that is the sign of them being well written.
This is definitely a great book for younger readers but I enjoyed it so much that I would probably read it again and again.
January 7, 2021
When I learned that this was a children's book, my excitement levels dropped from ten to one in a heartbeat. The reviews seemed to be pretty positive, though, so I kept reading - thinking it would be a cozy, relaxing story. I never would have guessed that this would make me cry, because, you know, kids' book. But oh, did I cry. I was practically bawling my eyes out for the entirety of the last fifty pages. Like, ugly crying on the toilet type sh*t. Yeah, it is adventurous and cute with Indian cultural aspects, but damn, did it bring on the waterworks.
September 8, 2022
Tamarind is unhappy about visiting her mother’s family in India while her father is off on his honeymoon. Tamarind’s mother died when Tam was just a baby and she has always longed to learn more about her mother and her mother’s family. She discovers that her family is complicated – no one wants to talk about her mother and her cousin outwardly despises her. She starts exploring the grounds of the family home at night and meets a mysterious girl. Tam is an interesting character who has food worries and deals with anxiety. Will she be able to connect with the family she longs for?
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