Karma- Cathy Ostlere

Title: Karma
Author: Cathy Ostlere
Source: Bought used
Series: No
Rating: 4/5














On October 31, 1984, Indira Gandhi is gunned down by two Sikh bodyguards. The murder sparks riots in Delhi and for three days Sikh families are targeted and killed in retribution for the Prime Minister’s death. It is into this chaos that sixteen-year-old Maya and her Sikh father, Amar, arrive from their home in Canada. India’s political instability is the backdrop and catalyst for Maya’s awakening to the world.

This is a book written in verse about a sixteen year old girl named Maya who is brought to India by her father Amar who was unaware of the pending instability when they left there home in Canada. 

I have not read many books about Indian history so this was a new topic for me. It takes place in India in 1984. Maya and her father come from there home in Canada to New Delhi after the death of her mother. Her father, Amar is a Sikh who has to cut off his hair and beard when he gets to India in order to survive. During the political uproar Maya and her father become separated. Maya is taken in by a doctor's family while they search for her family.

Sandeep is told he is in charge of watching Maya. He starts talking to her through a journal and tries to find out where she is from and how they can get her back to he family. As Maya and Sandeep become close, information from Sandeep's past comes to light and Sandeep has to deal with the turmoil it brings with it.

The plot follows the life of both Maya and Sandeep and switches between there points of view.  I really liked the historical aspect of this novel and learning about Sandeep's past and how he came to lives with Parvrati's family.

I look forward to more books by this author.