Heartsong Monsoon: Zarandia Blues – Book 1

About The Book

Moving country is always a massive shake-up, but for Tara, leaving Bombay and landing in the wild, multicultural world of Zarandia at age eleven? It’s a complete monsoon.
Suddenly, she’s navigating the glossy, ever-shifting landscape of the International School of Zarandia (ISZ), where friendships are intense but transient, and everything—from the language to the unspoken rules—feels like a high-stakes puzzle. It’s a world away from the comfort of her books, but Tara quickly finds her anchors: her effortlessly sporty pal, Willow, and her madcap friend, Alice.
Over five transformative years, as expat kids come and go, Tara discovers that feeling like an outsider is less about where you are and more about figuring out who you are. She'll face down cultural confusion, first crushes, and the brutal truth that saying goodbye is just part of the hello.
Will Tara find the courage to let down her guard and build a real, lasting connection, even when her whole world is designed to pack up and leave?
A heartfelt and witty coming-of-age story perfect for fans of emotional friendship sagas and vibrant, multicultural settings.

About The Author

Author of Heartsong Monsoon, Book 1 in the Zarandia Blues series
Tamara Ninan grew up between Mumbai and East Africa, an adolescence shaped by an international school, shifting landscapes, and the quiet thrill of multicultural life. Her early love for reading—fostered by Commando comics, dog-eared novels, history books, and a steady stream of poetry and science fiction—sparked a lifelong curiosity about the world and its stories.
With a background spanning teaching, editing, blogging, and compering, Tamara brings a layered perspective to her writing. Her interests stretch across history, global affairs, media, film, and music, all of which echo through her work. When she’s not writing, she enjoys long walks, yoga, and listening to podcasts that explore everything from storytelling to social change.
Heartsong Monsoon is her debut novel, drawing on the emotional terrain of adolescence, the humour and heartbreak of growing up overseas, and the enduring power of friendship.