Sarwat Chadda (also writes under Joshua Khan)
Sarwat Chadda has been published for a decade now, and in over a dozen languages. He's written urban fantasy for young adults, big mythologies, trilogies and, most recently, the epic Shadow Magic fantasy series under the pseudonym of Joshua Khan.
London-born and coming from a south Asian Muslim background, he is keen to explore the stories and mythologies of his heritage. The Ash Mistry series was inspired by his trips to India and his love for its stories, and he has adapted the Mahabharata in graphic novel form. Sarwat is based in south London.
Books
Ash Mistry and the City of Death
Author: Sarwat Chadda (also writes under Joshua Khan)
Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books
Interest age: 10+
Reading age: 10+
Ash Mistry and the City of Death is an action-packed chase across India to stop arch enemy Savage conquering the most powerful magic of all, and much more besides. The second book in a series, this story is a dark, gripping page-turner.
Ash Mistry and the Savage Fortress
Author: Sarwat Chadda (also writes under Joshua Khan)
Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books
Interest age: 9+
Reading age: 9+
Covering themes of reincarnation, destiny, family, friendship, loyalty and a host of characters from Hindu belief and mythology, this is a page-turner that most children will find totally gripping.
Ash Mistry and the World of Darkness
Author: Sarwat Chadda (also writes under Joshua Khan)
Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books
Interest age: 10+
Reading age: 10+
Ash Mistry has everything to play for in this final, epic battle against Savage and the forces of evil. The book isn’t simply a battle of good versus evil – the central theme is about realising your potential and becoming the best person you can be.
Burning Magic
Author: Joshua Khan
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Interest age: 9-13
Reading age: 9+
The third book in Joshua Khan’s popular Shadow Magic series, Burning Magic is an action-packed adventure where mythical monsters and breathtaking danger leap from practically every page.
Lily, ‘the witch queen’, along with her friends Thorn and K’leef (and of course Hades, Thorn’s giant, camel-eating bat) are far from Castle Gloom, visiting Nahas in the Sult…
Dream Magic (Shadow Magic #2)
Author: Joshua Khan
Illustrator: Ben Hibbon
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 12-14
Reading age: 12+
Lilith Shadow, the reluctant ruler of Gehenna, has a lot on her plate. Her subjects keep disappearing in what look like troll attacks, her forbidden magical powers are growing stronger and more unmanageable and her kingdom is flooded with zombies.
Shadow Magic
Author: Joshua Khan Illustrator: Ben Hibon
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 14+
Reading age: 13+
Lilith is the last surviving member of the House of Shadow - she was never meant to rule but the assassination of her family has left her no other option. This book is an exceptional start to what looks set to be a very exciting series.