Kiki Kallira suffers from anxiety, where the uncertainty of knowing if she locked a door will spiral into catastrophic thinking. The one thing that seems to calm her mind is creating a Hindu-infused world of Mysore in her sketchbook. Unfortunately, when the mythological villain of Mahishasura takes advantage of the creative belief that goes into the world, he attempts to use the fantasy to reappear in the real world. And that leaves Kiki as the only one capable of sealing him away.

While the synopsis brings to mind a Rick Riordan Presents type story, particularly Roshani Chokshi's "Aru Shah" series, right down to the protagonist being pulled into the mythological mess in their pajamas, the pacing and priorities are not as breakneck. I appreciate the change, as it allows Kiki's personality as someone who is not the type to rush into danger and grapples with OCD traits to work on herself, dealing with the guilt of "creating" such a difficult world for her kid protagonists, and having no ability to fight (a fact that the beautiful cover seems to misrepresent). Instead, children will find a slower paced book, with conflicts often more internal than external, and a third act conflict that doesn't go in the predictable punching and magic flinging way.

This may be a turn off for some kids who want another Percy Jackson, but for those who enjoy the more ruminating and introspective works of Anne Ursu and Christine Day, the plot will reward their interests. Kiki gets to be herself, and the conflict with Mahishasura isn't a matter of just "push through your OCD" which is much appreciated. The myths of the ashura are a lesser explored background, with plenty of humor sprinkled in. Give this book to children who appreciate flawed characters and long for worlds that aren't as well-trod as Greek myths.

Fantasy read, but also had the real world appeal of anxiety in younger children. It was told in such a way that made it relatable, and the reader was rooting for the main character and her struggles.

This is a really solid middle grade, low fantasy novel. It brings in aspects of Indian mythology so not only do kids reading it get that sense of adventure from a fantasy book, but are also absorbing different cultures along with it. Kiki is a fun and talented main character who struggles with anxiety. She is very relatable and realistic so some kids could easily see themselves in her. I highly recommend this series for middle grade readers who like adventure and fantasy.

This was a fun, adventurous, fast-paced novel that mythology lovers will likely enjoy. I especially appreciated the author including Kiki's struggles with anxiety in this book. It may be a way for readers with similar struggles to see themselves and realize they are not alone. I loved the characters that Kiki created in her sketchbook, and the family they made on their own. At times, the messaging was a bit heavy-handed, but overall I think this was an enjoyable read with lots of great elements to enjoy.

This one definitely gave me Inkheart vibes but within the mythology of India. I am in love with these books that are using the mythology of a variety of cultures to tell interesting and unique stories of self discovery and adventure. The novel and fast paced and so funny. It will be a fun ride for everyone. The main character is full of anxiety (which many students will identify with) and drawing is her outlet to calm herself. However, one day her character begin popping out of the page and she is sucked in! Fans of Rick Riordan and Rick Riordan Presents books will eat this book up!

Drawing is the one thing that helps Kiki escape from an obsessive sense of anxiety that often overtakes her these days. Her sketchbook is full of scenes from the Indian myths about evil monsters and brave warriors that her mom has told her since childhood. When her drawings come to life, she suddenly is forced to enter the fantasy world she has created and face her demons – literally and metaphorically – in order to save her real world. This action-packed tale is a perfect pick for fans of Rick Riordan-esque modern twists on mythology.

Raised by her single mother in London, Kiki has grown up hearing Indian folklore stories. Her father died before she was born. With severe anxiety, Kiki turns to her sketches to cope. Through doing this, however, Kik accidentally unleashes the Asura king, Mahishasura, from his exile. In order to save the world, she must believe in herself and learn how to use her new abilities. She'll also need help along the way. Will she succeed? The worldbuilding in this book is amazingly detailed and vivid. The characters are complex and engaging. The well-written plot is reminiscent of the myth it's based on and helps to bring to life Indian mythology. Themes of anxiety and mental health are also explored in a resonating way. Readers who like fantasy, mythology, and adventure will want to pick up this book.

What an amazing way to show how to deal with worry. This book has it all. Adventure, action, and a great depiction of how to face your inner turmoil.

Great cast of characters and fantastic worldbuilding! I loved the adventure and representation of what it’s like to live with anxiety.

Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom starts out with a bang. "I had absolutely, definitely killed my mother. Okay, maybe not definitely, but I was pretty sure of it. Like 90 percent sure. Maybe 85."

This one line already tells the reader what sort of journey Kiki must embark on to solve her internal struggles. All of that without saying, Kiki was an anxious, insecure kid.

Kiki's imagination runs wild and no more so than in the pages of her sketchbook where she brings to life her biggest fears...literally. It is the only place she feels safe to let out all those scary thoughts because the one thing she doesn't want to do is worry her mom and turn all of this into a thing.

Kiki's journey to self-acceptance, confidence, and discovery take her through the land of Indian folklore. The journey is dangerous with demons and tricksters and friends who may not be who they seem. Mandanna takes the reader deep when she could have stayed on the surface of the story. But Kiki has to struggle, fail and feel if she is going to come through to the other side a changed person.

Mandanna promises the reader a romp through mythology and that is exactly what she delivers, with humor, grace, and depth that more sophisticated middle-grade readers will appreciate.

Readers who enjoyed the Barren Ground by David Robertson or the Chronicles of Narnia will find similiarities in the world building.

A great addition to collections for readers who love the Rick Riorden presents series. This was also fantastic as an audiobook.

I am so grateful to have read this book. Kiki was extremely relatable. Her anxiety reflected my own, which is rare to read in children's books, and her strength was awe inspiring. I think that this book was written beautifully, with a mix of British slang and Indian mythology. The author obviously put some of herself into the story and that stuck with me throughout the novel. I cannot wait to read more by this author!

Thank you Penguin Young Readers and NetGalley for sharing this book with me in exchange for an honest review. WHAT AN ADVENTURE! I connected with Kiki so strongly in her worrier personality and the struggle she faced with wanting to be brave, but not knowing how to. This was a great story of found family, friendship, and finding your inner warrior-but also about being yourself. I loved the messages in this book! I also LOVED the twist at the end.

I listened to the audio and the narrator was phenomenal.

Oh my heart. I loved this book so so much. Kiki Kallira is just your normal London girl who has fears that a goose is going to burgle her home and murder her mom....yes you read that correctly! Kiki has severe anxiety and to help her brain stop fixating on things that could go wrong, she draws. Starting a new sketchbook, she draws out scenes from an Indian mythology tale her mother told her, but there's just one problem with that...It becomes real! Now Kiki has to defeat the now real mythological bad guy in her imaginary mythological world with a group of rebel kids before he enters Kiki's world.

I enjoyed this book because it dealt with anxiety issues in a way that makes it easy to understand for kids, and adults. There is also apparent growth of all of the characters in the book, and it was just a fun ride.

I adored the audio narrator Zenia Starr-she has a lovely accent to bring life to Kiki, even though for some reason I kept wanting her to speak like Moaning Myrtle from the Harry Potter movies lol. But seriously, she brought a lot of exasperation and emotion to the story in a wonderful way.

So, if you or someone you know is a fan of Paola Santiago or Aru Sha they will enjoy this book! And now I have to go look into more books by Sangu Mandanna whilst waiting for (hopefully!!) a 2nd Kiki book.

Thank you NetGalley and Viking Books for Young Readers for the arc! And thank you Penguin Random House audio for the review audio.

Kiki Kallira is 12-years-old and lives with her mom who has filled her childhood with Indian mythology and legends. Kiki has developed anxiety and obsessive thinking (nothing explicítele diagnosed within the book) and uses a sketchbook as a coping mechanism. She creates a world mixed with modern-day and Indian mythology, in particular, the legend of Mahishasura and the goddess Chamundeshwari. When Kiki is transported into her world and lives with the rebel children who protect her version of Mysore, she must defeat Mahishasura, but is limited by her own mind.

This novel is written from Kiki’s POV as she struggles with her anxiety while navigating the world she creates. Sangu Mandanna introduces readers to Indian mythology within the realm Kiki creates with diverse characters and beautiful imagery. This is an adventurous and heart-warming middle-grade fantasy novel that highlights friendship, neuro-diversity, physical abilities, and different forms of bravery.

This was a unique and fun MG read. It was about Indian Mythology, which I'm a big Mythology lover so love learning about all Mythology. This was a bit different than other stories in that it addresses anxiety/OCD and what it might look like for a young girl and I can relate to that and think it's great that this is being shown/talked about in the story.
It was a pretty quick, fun, and easy read too. It's about a girl, Kiki, who discovers she has the ability to draw things and have them come to life/existence when she finds herself in the magical world she drew with a band of rebel kids and an evil ancient deity that wants to take over her mystical world. Kiki has to overcome her fears and anxiety to stop the bad guy and save both the real world and the magical world.
It's very much like other MG reads such as the Aru Shah and Serpent's Secret series and has cool Indian Mythology in it as well. If you're into Mythology/Indian Mythology, like the Aru Shah books or the Rick Riordan Mythology books, you'll like this one.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for letting me read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley & Penguin Young Readers Group for the early copy in exchange for an honest review. Actual rating is 2.75/5 stars.

Kiki loves to draw and drawing is her main escape from the chaos of the world. Not to mention, it's an escape from her anxiety disorder. Her life's pretty good until a monster comes to life from her drawings and the hero from her story appeared to save Kiki from the monster. Then she discovers her world is alive in the drawing notebook, and it's in big trouble!

It's not really a bad story, it's got a cool Narnia-style idea and worldbuilding, but I felt like as an adult there were too many holes that made the worldbuilding confusing. It also didn't help there wasn't a glossary for half the gods mentioned in the book.

Lej was being a total jerkwad the entire book and I couldn't stand them at all. I didn't see the point of their harsh criticisms since Kiki already has to deal with anxiety so it felt like an unnecessary stomping on Kiki herself. Annoying character, frankly.

Fair warning, there's a character death. I was pretty shocked it happened in the first place, especially in a book for younger audiences. It didn't help that they brushed over it pretty easily, though. Lej was nasty toward Kiki about it because of COURSE he was.

Not a bad read for younger audiences but it wasn't super exciting to me. I really did greatly enjoy the disabled representation in it, however.

I received an electronic ARC from PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group through NetGalley.
Mandanna's message to believe in yourself and fight your own monsters shines through this middle grade fantasy novel. Readers meet Kiki and see her in the midst of an anxiety attack though it's not identified as such. She escapes the repetitive thoughts by drawing and has designed her own version of a legendary kingdom from Indian lore. Through magic, she enters the kingdom along with one of the characters she drew (based on an ancestor she has heard about). She then connects with her other rebel kids - the Crows - and works with them to defeat Mahishasura. In the end, she realizes that she is the only one who can defeat him and she takes back control of her fears and anxieties to do so.
Humor, adventure, suspense, and a few mechanical spiders - readers will be delighted to go on this adventure with Kiki and the rest. They will relate to at least one of the characters and see themselves as another Crow taking on evil. They may even find the courage to tackle their own fears and to reach out for help from others to do so. Looking forward to more adventures and perhaps redemption for Ashwini.

I enjoyed reading this book and will purchase copies for my middle school library. I like how it explains Kiki’s internal stress and the process she went though to adapt, using art to get her thoughts out was amazing. The Indian Mythology was so excited and kept me reading. I am sure my students will enjoy this as well.

Kiki loves to draw and doodle. It helps her deal with her anxiety and worries. Her sketchbook is filled with a magical collection of Indian legends and mythology from her mother’s stories. Then one day something strange happens when the characters she has created come to life from her drawings. Soo she is pulled into their world and must save both worlds, armed with only a pencil. Can Kiki deal with her fears and obstacles to save both worlds. Fast paced, engaging, mystical adventure. Characters are realistic, well developed, and easy to relate to. Perfect for fans of the Rick Riordan Presents books.

Please note: This was a review copy given to us by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No financial compensation was received.

There's a lot I like about this story, including a main character who struggles with anxiety as well as a secondary character in a wheelchair. But I struggled to connect with Kiki's created world. The elements of Indian mythology and those from the modern world didn't always didn't always blend smoothly. I was also disappointed in the ending which seemed abrupt. I wanted to see Kiki take steps to tell her mom about her struggles, not just think about doing so. I do think younger middle grade readers will enjoy this action-packed tale without getting caught up in the details that I struggled with.