Marshmallow’s reviews – Page 2

Marshmallow reviews From Goddess to Mortal: The True-life Story of a Former Royal Kumari by Rashmila Shakya

Today Marshmallow reviews From Goddess to Mortal: The True-life Story of a Former Royal Kumari, written by Rashmila Shakya (as told to Scott Berry) and published in 2005.

Marshmallow’s Quick Take: If you like books that reveal unique and fascinating cultures through an up-close, never-seen-before lens, then this is the book for you!

Marshmallow’s Summary (with Spoilers): In her first year of preschool, Rashmila was selected to become the Kumari of her Nepali valley. Essentially, this means that she became a living goddess. Since ancient times, her people have selected a new young girl to hold this position after the previous one ages out. After passing tests that checked whether her horoscopes aligned well with the current kings, Rashmila was determined to have the “32 perfections” in a physical examination; she remains committed to the exam’s innocence and maintains that there was no personal violation.

Rashmila was confirmed as the Royal Kumari at age four and sent away from her family to live in Kumari Che, the palace dedicated to the child embodying the goddess. There she lived for eight years as a literal deity, waited on almost constantly with carers and playmates who always obeyed her every whim. She woke up early every day to play with her dolls and often performed duties at festivals. She was never allowed to touch the bare ground; whenever there was anywhere to go, she was either carried by men, brought by carriage or palanquin, or a white cloth was laid before her if she had to walk a couple steps. Back at the palace, she received visitors both foreign and domestic. As she was a deity of children, mothers would often visit her with their own children and pray for healing. And she would heal them.

It is truly fascinating to hear a former Kumari – a former child deity – reveal what it was like to be a goddess, from what she remembers. This tradition is ingrained in her culture and she truly believes / ed herself to be a deity who healed illness and channelled the soul of her land.

Her term ended when she turned twelve though. She was brought back to her real family home, but felt out of place. Though her own autonomy was limited at Kumari Che, she was loved and loved it there. So coming back to a life where she must walk on her own, eat at a table with others, and pull her own weight was a bit of a difficult transition. Rashmila admits that she did not react in a very admirable way. But it is necessary to give her some grace since she spent most of her life (at that point) living as a literal goddess.

The rest of the book covers Rashmila’s experiences as she becomes a mere mortal and discovers that life for former deities does exist if you are surrounded by a loving family and driven by the desire to make something more of yourself.

Marshmallow is reading From Goddess to Mortal: The True-life Story of a Former Royal Kumari by Rashmila Shakya (as told to Scott Berry). — Marshmallow is reading *From Goddess to Mortal: The True-life Story of a Former Royal Kumari* by Rashmila Shakya (as told to Scott Berry).

Marshmallow’s Review: From Goddess to Mortal is such a fascinating book! I had not heard of the Nepali tradition of the Kumari until Sprinkles read this book and recommended I read it too. Learning about this Nepali way of life and just the culture, peoples, and traditions there in general was amazing. I would highly recommend it to all because so many distinct and wonderful things are going up in those mountains that many of us have never heard of. Reading is a perfect way to discover more about the worlds in our world that we’ve never seen or experienced.

The book is written rather simplistically (sometimes the wording is a teensy bit clunky but it is a translation, making this an overly critical comment) so it is definitely accessible to everyone. There are eight chapters and one can read it in nicely sized chunks if one wants.

I think any curious-minded individual would love From Goddess to Mortal. It is interesting from an anthropological sense as well as a psychological sense too. Reading about Rashmila’s transformation and evolution as a person is fascinating. She is sometimes very insufferable to her genetic family early on, but you have to really think about things in context because of how different her life is and was from every other human or bunny to ever exist. Her experiences are truly unique and I do not think there are really many others who have lived what she has besides other former Kumari. This is just really fascinating to me and I am sure it will equally fascinate and educate others who pick up this book!

Marshmallow’s Rating: 96%.

Marshmallow rates From Goddess to Mortal: The True-life Story of a Former Royal Kumari by Rashmila Shakya (as told to Scott Berry) 96%. — Marshmallow rates *From Goddess to Mortal: The True-life Story of a Former Royal Kumari* by Rashmila Shakya (as told to Scott Berry) 96%.

Marshmallow reviews If Cats Disappeared from the World by Genki Kawamura

Today Marshmallow reviews If Cats Disappeared from the World by Genki Kawamura, originally published in Japanese in 2012; the English translation that Marshmallow read, by Eric Selland, is dated 2019.

Marshmallow’s Quick Take: If you like books that make you truly think about life or if you just like cats, then this is the book for you!

Marshmallow’s Summary (with Spoilers): The narrator is never named in this book, but we know that he lives in a small town in rural Japan and that he works as a mailman. He tells you in the first page everything you need to know about him to understand how the story starts. After being diagnosed with a Stage 4 brain tumor, he is informed by his doctor that he has – at most – six months to live. He imagines responding in outrageous ways (running out of the office, screaming his head off, etc), but ends up thinking immediately about very superficial things: he was only one stamp away from getting a free massage at the local spa, he stocked up on too much toilet paper, he shouldn’t have bought so much laundry detergent last time. He leaves in somewhat of a stupor, his emotions rather suspended for a man who just received a death sentence. While he waits at the train station, he hears a small band singing a song about living in the moment and silently scoffs at their cliched idiocy. When the train takes too long, he decides to walk home instead and makes it to his door. Unfortunately, the reality of his situation sets in right as he stands in the doorway of his small, modest house and he collapses from overwhelm.

When he wakes up, he is met by his doppelganger who somehow appeared in his home. It / He introduces itself / himself as the “angel of death” or, his more widely known name, the Devil. The narrator is not impressed by his apparel. After all, he expected the Devil himself to be more intimidating; rather, he is the narrator’s twin in physical appearance but with a horrific fashion sense. Dressed in bright Hawaiian t-shirts that the narrator strongly disapproves of, the Devil gives the dying man an offer. If the narrator agrees, the Devil will make one thing disappear from the world forever each day the man’s life is extended. It’s a rather simple deal. But, obviously, there is a catch–otherwise there would be no plot. The Devil gets to choose the object that will vanish and the object (and every object like it in existence in the world) will be erased and no one will ever remember it existed at all. Only the narrator will know.

Initially, the narrator is hesitant to agree, but the Devil reveals to him that he is set to die tomorrow. He is thus forced to decide today. With the inevitability of death staring him in the face (physically and temporally), only inches away, the man agrees.

The Devil’s first choice is the phone. He allows the narrator one last phone call before they disappear and so he calls a mystery someone to meet with them tomorrow one last time. The man wakes up the next day, alive and breathing, to a world without cellphones. At first, this is not a horrible horrible change. Everyone is reading or talking on the train when they used to just stare at screens the whole ride. His meeting with a mystery someone goes somewhat well, but but his past mistakes are slowly revealed. He’s lived a simple life but relationships are rather complex regardless. His family gently broke apart until – after his mother’s death – he stopped speaking to his father entirely. He and his girlfriend similarly separated after another tragedy, exposing a pattern of poor communication.

With each day, he gains new understanding of what his life was like and what it could have been. Of course, with each added day, he also loses something. The world loses telephones completely, movies, clocks… Each day, the narrator has to grapple with the fact that he is sacrificing something that belongs to everyone to save himself. He is forced to weigh his worth and the worth of a single life and how it compares with objects no one notices until they’re gone.

Marshmallow is reading If Cats Disappeared from the World by Genki Kawamura. — Marshmallow is reading *If Cats Disappeared from the World* by Genki Kawamura.

Marshmallow’s Review: If Cats Disappeared from the World is such a good book that is so truly simple. I will admit, the premise might feel a little cliche at the start. There have been a lot of books, movies, and thought experiments throughout human history centered on a character who is given an unavoidable death sentence. The journey of facing and having to accept one’s mortality is a naturally fascinating thing to mortal beings. But, while this book has a rather simple premise, it still makes you think in ways you might not expect. The plot is based on a much calmer and more common scenario than most books about mortality (e.g. often the characters live in mythical lands and face death on a day-to-day basis on their swashbuckling adventures). Here, the character is a more ordinary person than most, living in a quiet town in rural Japan where everything he has done is pretty much normal. But I think the frank simplicity and the seeming normal-ness of the setting serve to make this an even more potent experience.

I think reading If Cats Disappeared from the World is somewhat like meditating. It takes the most simple things and makes you re-examine them through the eyes of a dying man, enlightening you with a greater appreciation of the quieter, lesser seen parts of life. The writing is very clear throughout the entire book and only what is necessary is included. I read the translated version of this book (the original is in Japanese) so I cannot really speak to what it would have been like in the original language. However, the book’s simple nature of overwhelming the reader through highlighting the underwhelming was very impressive.

Each chapter represents another day and is labeled with the day of the week and a related title. It helps keep things in order and makes the plot make sense. This is a very not complicated book to read so I think anyone can easily read and understand it. I think it might be worth reading it slower though so each day sinks in a little more and you have time to interpret everything and think about how it relates or applies to your own life. It can also just be read in a day as it is less than 170 pages. But I think, just like the simple things mentioned in this book, this simple book matters more than one might think and it can and should completely change your perspective on life.

I think this book has truly made me value my relationships and the simple beauties in life on a level I did not before. I think reading books that make you think deeper and feel more grateful truly increases the quality of your life. Because, while you never know how long it will be, you can determine how rich your life is by how much you appreciate it and every moment, every breath, and every memory.

Marshmallow’s Rating: 1,000%.

Marshmallow rates If Cats Disappeared from the World by Genki Kawamura 1,000%. — Marshmallow rates *If Cats Disappeared from the World* by Genki Kawamura 1,000%.

Marshmallow reviews Undercover Angel by Dyan Sheldon

The book bunnies are back! Today in her first review after summer break, Marshmallow is writing about Undercover Angel by Dyan Sheldon, a book published originally in 2000. The book bunnies first discovered a translation of the book and had to dig up the English original, but it was worth it!

Marshmallow’s Quick Take: If you like reading books about the environment or kids with a surprisingly good sense of humor, then this is the book for you!

Marshmallow’s Summary (with Spoilers): Elmo Blue is not very pleased with his family – and for reasons that go beyond his unfortunate name (his words, not mine). His mother specifically is the main issue; Grace Blue is one of the leading members of the Keep Our Planet Green group in Campton, a small town in England. She and the other Greeners (as Elmo calls them) do horrifically embarrassing things, at least in his perspective. For example, she drives a milk float instead of a car.

Meanwhile, the Blues’ fancy neighbors Mr. and Ms. Bamber drive around in a Porsche all day. Mr. Bamber is a wealthy landowner and developer who is essentially his mother’s arch nemesis. He plans on converting a large swathe of beautiful land in the neighborhood into a resort / golf course. As an environmentalist who had handcuffed herself to stop bulldozers from destroying nature, Grace views her neighbors as disgusting devils; in Elmo’s eyes, they are admirable. At least their house is clean, tidy, and orderly in his eyes. Naively, he believes that Mr. Bamber is an honorable businessman who is far more respectable than his own messy family.

So, in summary, Elmo couldn’t really care less about his mother’s petition problems and her struggle to get the city council to stop Mr. Bamber’s development plans. After all, she barely registers that he wants attention after falling off the roof. For context, he fell off while trying to spy on the Bambers’ new adopted son (who Elmo views as a perfect candidate for a new best friend). Miraculously, he isn’t a teensy bit hurt. Grace is too busy to pay attention though.

After returning to his room, Elmo finds the new adopted child sitting at his desk. The child turns out to be a very tall, intimidating girl named Kuba who claims to be an angel. She does have a faint blue halo but Elmo refuses to buy unscientifically-backed claims. But the evidence piles up eventually. Kuba is an undercover angel in Campton, come to help Grace and the Greeners stop Mr. Bamber. The only catch is that she is not allowed to be involved in anything, meaning Elmo has to do something. He doesn’t want to, but there’s not much you can do when an undercover angel tells you to save the environment.

Marshmallow is reading Undercover Angel by Dyan Sheldon. — Marshmallow is reading *Undercover Angel* by Dyan Sheldon.

Marshmallow’s Review: Undercover Angel is a very niche-like book but it is also extremely funny. I was very surprised by how witty this book is. Elmo is a twelve year old but the story is still amusing if you are older. His journey from aspiring Warren Buffet to cautious environmental activist is fascinating to watch, even if his transformation is not complete at the end of the book. It does end with hints that the story continues (and apparently there is a second book with Elmo and Kuba in it), but it is still a satisfying ending.

Undercover Angel is very quick to read – only around 137 pages with large font – and very entertaining so it’s a great choice for kids or teenagers who are interested in the environment but still looking for something lighthearted. Most books about environmental issues are a lot heavier so this is a great option to introduce those larger concepts to younger audiences. I think this would be particularly perfect for elementary school students in a classroom or bedtime setting.

Undercover Angel is written in British English so some of the words may require a quick search; context also matters (for example, mentions to the IRA and SAS may be unfamiliar for bunnies of different nationalities). But these side references are not at all substantial. They are occasional and raise brief questions you may or may not investigate into (reading books that make you have to look something up is a bit more work but is more rewarding because you receive more than just a narrative; you also learn little pieces of information you wouldn’t have otherwise).

The message overall is clearly globally relevant. While Undercover Angel is set in a small town surrounded by woods and lakes, the message of environmental protection applies to all people – whether nature looks the same or strikingly different in your community. I really liked how this book also focused on environmental action within a local circle. I truly enjoy books that look at larger scale action, but it is refreshing to see what environmentalism can look like in a sense you can directly, easily imagine.

While there are some references to a God, it is not really specified which God it is and the topic of religion is not really mentioned. Yet, one of the main characters being an angel adds a different dimension to the narrative that was interesting to me. Generally, books about environmental protection are more focused on nature itself, scientific fact, and tangible action. Much of this book is focused on the people wreaking havoc, the families trying to stop it, and the strange and mystical ways their undercover angel directs action.

I was a bit surprised that very little of the book focused on time spent in nature itself. This is a result, I suppose, of the main character’s resistance to environmentalism as a whole. It is interesting to see how even reluctant Elmo begins to recognize the importance of environmental protection at the end. As such, Undercover Angel can be a great story for parents or teachers looking to introduce or explore environmentalism with their children. It definitely has some examples of the stereotypical environmentalist (the mom is basically a walking stereotype), but, with thought, care, and an open mind, this book is the perfect book to make classroom and bedtime reading more eco-friendly!

Marshmallow’s Rating: 100%.

Marshmallow rates Undercover Angel by Dyan Sheldon 100%. — Marshmallow rates *Undercover Angel* by Dyan Sheldon 100%.

Marshmallow reviews Fiske Guide To Colleges 2026 (42nd Edition) by Edward B. Fiske

For her last review before the book bunnies take off for the month of July, Marshmallow picked a book she has spent a lot of time with these past few weeks: The Fiske Guide To Colleges 2026 (42nd Edition) by Edward B. Fiske.

Marshmallow’s Quick Take: If you are a high school student approaching the college application season, or if you are related to one, then this is the book for you!

Marshmallow’s Summary (with Spoilers): The Fiske Guide To Colleges 2026 is organized very well! It has a comprehensive table of contents at the start to lay out every opportunity for exploration it will give you in the pages to come. There is an Index by State and Country, an Index by Price, an Index by Average Debt, and The Best Buys of 2026. Those first couple pages contain enough valuable information alone to justify obtaining a copy of this book. But what really makes this more valuable than just lists alone is what lies below those lists.

The Introduction and the “Sizing Yourself Up” section remind you of what the college search is supposed to be about. Instead of hunting for the lowest sticker price or the greatest name recognition, the reader is encouraged to remember that there are infinitely more factors to take into account in what should be a search for the educational nursery that will hopefully prepare you for a successful future later on in life.

There is a handy-dandy survey you can take which helps you evaluate what it is you want in a college; this is very useful, and I am not just saying that because I love taking Buzzfeed quizzes! While taking that test, I realized that there are many more aspects to the admissions process to consider while making your list. If half of the schools on your list are not places you would actually like to be in, then you are likely making a mistake.

For those who are certain in their choices and the path they want, there is a section titled “A Guide for Preprofessionals.” There is also a page listing the schools with the strongest support for students with disabilities; this could be life changing for many. The next part is also similarly crucial. Each school has two to three pages describing what life is like for students on campus, from architectural style to weather to culture to food to average political affiliations.

Personally, I have found that finding a good fit has been very difficult for me. When most colleges are in different states and you can’t really visit most of the places on your list, getting a feel for the “vibe” of a place is pretty hard. But with this book, you can get a much better sense of what life could look like for you in different places. There is no doubt that the college applications process is a truly stressful time, but with this book you will definitely feel much more comfortable and informed as you look ahead into an uncertain future.

Marshmallow is reading Fiske Guide To Colleges 2026 (42nd Edition) by Edward B. Fiske. — Marshmallow is reading *Fiske Guide To Colleges 2026* (42nd Edition) by Edward B. Fiske.

Marshmallow’s Review: I really, really appreciate Mr. Fiske and his team. I am very glad they took the time to write beautifully detailed entries for each school, not to mention the little information bars that go with each. Each entry has a box with the school’s website, location type, private / public designation, total enrollment, undergraduate count, male to female ratio, financial aid stats, Pell Grant stats, expense, student loan stats, average debt, applicant pool size, acceptance rate, enrollment rate, graduation rate, returning freshman rate, academics assessment, social life assessment, quality of life assessment, admissions info, and strong programs. I think this is the best way to learn more about schools besides visiting a place physically. Helpful indexes also help you break down how the book analyzes and ranks different parts to consider. I specifically, especially liked how the book emphasizes the social life and quality of life of different schools. Personally, I do not want to go to a school with too much of a Greek life focus and this has been one of the clearest ways for me to get a sense of different opportunities at different schools. There is also a box at the end of each entry for each school that tells you the details of how to apply to each individual school (such as their testing policy with the SAT and ACT).

Overall, The Fiske Guide To Colleges 2026 has been a really, really helpful resource for me. It has actually opened my eyes substantially to all the different opportunities and futures there are. I used to be a lot more narrow-minded in where I was going to apply, but I’ve definitely crossed off certain places and added new ones because I realized that I simply had not known enough about each school. Every place is uniquely perfect for someone and, with this book, you can feel much safer and much more confident while you search for your place in college.

A quick note for those looking into earlier editions of the book: I also had the chance to peruse the 2024 edition, and I did not see too many differences in coverage and content. So I was happy to get my paws on the latest edition, but other recent editions can also do the job if they are easier to access.

Marshmallow’s Rating: 100%.

Marshmallow rates Fiske Guide To Colleges 2026 (42nd Edition) by Edward B. Fiske 100%. — Marshmallow rates *Fiske Guide To Colleges 2026* (42nd Edition) by Edward B. Fiske 100%.