Author Shabnam Minwalla on the Mumbai of her books

Shabnam Minwalla, author of young adult fantasy fiction works such as What Maya Saw, talks about how Harry Potter, Twilight and The Hunger Games changed things for the genre, discusses her own evolution as an author, and how she hopes to use magic to pass on to a new generation her own love for her city. What Maya Saw, for instance, is set in an old Mumbai college inspired by St Xavier’s. The protagonist realises only she can see the Shadows for what they really are, a bunch of gorgeous students who will do anything to keep their youth and beauty. Even kill. She must now unravel a trail of clues left by a long-dead priest. The clues take her across Mumbai and, in the process, she explores the city and learns about love, friendship and adult responsibility.