Glory Roslyn and the Heart of Universe is a work of fiction in the fantasy fiction, action, and adventure sub-genres, and was penned by author Tushar. Written for the middle grade reading audience but also suitable for the younger end of the YA spectrum, this enchanting tale tells the story of the titular character Glory, who loses her mother and lives a grim life in the hands of an alcoholic adoptive father and his cruel son. But as Glory’s dreams grow more powerful, she learns that her world is not the only one out there, and a far more magical destiny awaits her beyond the torment that her good heart has learned to take on thus far.

Author Tushar delivers a masterfully penned and fiendishly imaginative work of fantasy adventure and one which young readers are sure to treasure and read again and again. As a central protagonist, Glory herself is a kind and likable girl whom the target audience could easily imagine being friends with, but there is also a deeper emotional quality to her because of her tragic start in life, which teaches many positive lessons about love and empathy. As the wider story expands and we discover the magical nature of other worlds and the conflicting forces within them, so begins a well-described and tensely plotted battle between the forces of good and evil. Overall, I would highly recommend Glory Roslyn and the Heart of Universe for independent readers, classrooms, and family storytime alike, for its wide-ranging appeal and atmospheric fantasy storytelling.

Glory Roslyn and the Heart of Universe is the first part of a six-book series written by Indian author Tushar. At the heart of this fairy tale is eleven-year-old Glory, who has a Cinderella-like family background. Her adoptive mother passed away when she was six so Glory was left in the custody of her abusive, alcoholic, adoptive father. His son, Peter, who is equally a terrible drinker, bullies Glory whenever he sees an opportunity. But Glory is kindhearted and a great appreciator of feelings. In times of pain, help comes in the form of a red dragon-faced snake with bat-like wings that appears at the center of her palm, absorbing her grief and pain. She also manages to devote time to having bits of a blissful life with her friend, Lintie. Together, they discover a pink creature they named Roslyn, who takes them to seven hidden worlds.

Tushar’s writing is gritty and very detailed so that this story may well be categorized as a fairy tale for adults. Although it is fast-paced, you might find that the beginning of the story has excess information. Of course, as the first installment in a six-part series, Glory Roslyn and the Heart of Universe establishes characters and local color for you to get a great feel of the seven hidden worlds. Glory is a well fleshed-out character with a courageous spirit who overcomes worlds infested by an assortment of supernatural creatures. Tushar does a great job of providing a story for young adults about cruelty and unfairness as well as the rewards of kindness. The power of emotional connection lies in the magic, experience, and growing up. This book is a fun read, and if you enjoy it from start to finish, you will likely look forward to devouring the entire series.

Glory Roslyn And The Heart of Universe is a whimsical fantasy adventure novel by Tushar. Glory is a blue-eyed eleven-year-old girl who makes sculptures to support her family. Raised by her drunk adoptive uncle Jean Willis, Glory's life turns upside down when she and her mischievous friend Lintie discover a mysterious magical egg. Meanwhile, King Vayne of the hidden magical realm of Alphrons desperately tries to revive the life force of Mystic Misti, the Goddess of Hope. King Vayne seeks dominion over the Heart of Universe, which grants unlimited access to all seven magical realms. However, there are other forces at work, such as Paterfamilias, ruler of the ghosts and souls world, which complicates matters. As events unfold, Glory, Lintie, and their magical pet Roslyn find themselves trapped between forces far beyond their control.

Glory Roslyn And The Heart of Universe is a wildly imaginative tale filled with dragon-headed snakes, sphinxes, dwarves, and many more magical creatures. Tushar deftly captures the sense of awe and wonder alongside the palpable instinct of adventure that an eleven-year-old child can have when faced with the outside world. The characters are easily likable, with the dwarf named Poi Dios being my favorite of the bunch. I found the bouts of exposition helpful in explaining the unfamiliar names of magical creatures and places, which makes the story easily accessible to readers of all kinds. Overall, I found Glory Roslyn And The Heart of Universe to be a solid debut novel with an intriguing premise that is suitable for kids of all ages.

Glory Roslyn and the Heart of Universe is a mix of fantasy and paranormal by Tushar. The story follows eleven-year-old Glory, an orphan whose adoptive mother died when she was just six. While her adoptive father is a drunk and his son, a mean and verbally abusive creature who never misses an opportunity to make Glory’s life miserable, she has strived to keep anger and hatred from her heart. But there is light in her life, brought by mysterious creatures that will eventually lead her to the startling discovery of hidden worlds inhabited by all kinds of creatures — gods, wizards, dragons, witches, and other creatures. With conflict involving the evil Ill-Dwellers, Glory discovers her ultimate calling, intimately connected to the Heart of Universe.

This is a wonderful story and it is well-written, with a compelling young female protagonist. Tushar paints worlds that readers will easily imagine. The condition of the protagonist, Glory, is beautifully written, especially her relationship with her adoptive father and his son, and fans of characters like Cinderella will adore her. I loved the originality in the story and the fact that the protagonist is an unusual character. From the beginning of the story, it is hard to think that a maltreated little girl can become the heart of a beautiful story. The idea of seven hidden worlds and the conflict between good and evil are strong elements on which the plot hinges. The beauty of the prose is accentuated by the lyricism that permeates it. While Glory Roslyn and the Heart of Universe is written for young readers, it has great potential to entertain older folk and inspire lofty thoughts and emotions in them. The reading experience is magical.