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mbladams's review
4.0
Pahua and the Soul Stealer is another great Rick Riordan Presents book. I love learning about fairy and folk tales from different cultures. This time, it is Hmong spirits and gods to learn about.
Pahua has never felt accepted at school. There aren't many Asian kids in her town, much less Hmong kids. The other kids think she is weird, so her best friend is her younger brother, Matt. Pahua also knows she's different, even from other Hmong, because she can see spirits - the fire spirit that lives in their stove, the house spirit that protects their apartment, and her other best friend, a spirit cat named Miv (cat in Hmong).
When Pahua accidentally releases a malevolent bridge spirit near her school, the spirit attacks her brother and steals his soul. When Pahua tries to right her wrong, she instead summons a demon, and attracts the attention of a shaman warrior-in-training, Zhong. Pahua and Zhong go on a quest to vanquish the bridge spirit, save her brother, and find out about Pahua's heritage.
I loved learning about Hmong beliefs and folk tales; they certainly weren't anything I knew about before this book! Riordan is doing a wonderful job of encouraging writers to share their culture with the world at large, and creating compelling stories that are enjoyable for people of all ages.
Thanks to Netgalley for this advance copy of an adventurous tale!
Pahua has never felt accepted at school. There aren't many Asian kids in her town, much less Hmong kids. The other kids think she is weird, so her best friend is her younger brother, Matt. Pahua also knows she's different, even from other Hmong, because she can see spirits - the fire spirit that lives in their stove, the house spirit that protects their apartment, and her other best friend, a spirit cat named Miv (cat in Hmong).
When Pahua accidentally releases a malevolent bridge spirit near her school, the spirit attacks her brother and steals his soul. When Pahua tries to right her wrong, she instead summons a demon, and attracts the attention of a shaman warrior-in-training, Zhong. Pahua and Zhong go on a quest to vanquish the bridge spirit, save her brother, and find out about Pahua's heritage.
I loved learning about Hmong beliefs and folk tales; they certainly weren't anything I knew about before this book! Riordan is doing a wonderful job of encouraging writers to share their culture with the world at large, and creating compelling stories that are enjoyable for people of all ages.
Thanks to Netgalley for this advance copy of an adventurous tale!
auntbreesqreads's review
5.0
I just loved the characters, especially Pahua and Miv. I guessed a certain twist but I'm also an adult reading a middle grade story so I can't fault it for that. I definitely sobbed at certain moments (I was heavily pregnant and this is a story about siblings after all). I really love the Rick Riordan Presents imprint and I plan to buy and read them all eventually! I'll definitely be continuing this series. I really hope Octavia grows up to read all these awesome books with me! I gave this one a full ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars.
beldaran1224's review
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Perfect middle grade novel! Pahua is a wonderful main character, with clear motivations and a real personality. The story reveals a lot about Pahua's Hmong culture while avoiding any preachy or info-dump-y sections. The action is consistent, which will keep kids engaged. Especially amazing for any first or second generation immigrant children, who are likely to strongly relate to Pahua's struggles, but also amazing for non-immigrant children, who will relate to Pahua in many of the same ways (not feeling like they fit in, her love of movie binging, her imagination, etc.).
amandapgold's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
greeniezona's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.25
It is no secret that we are big fans of the Rick Riordan Presents series in this house. While we don't buy ALL of them, I am sure that between all of us we do own most of the titles. But when I heard this one was based on Hmong culture, which I knew so little about, I definitely wanted it.
This was one of our family bedtime story books and it went over very well. While it was clear how certain story elements were going to resolve from early on, there was so much uniqueness in the worldbuilding that no one was bored. And doesn't everyone love a cat sidekick?
This was one of our family bedtime story books and it went over very well. While it was clear how certain story elements were going to resolve from early on, there was so much uniqueness in the worldbuilding that no one was bored. And doesn't everyone love a cat sidekick?
mousereads's review
4.0
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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Lori M. Lee's writing is something I've enjoyed before, so I was really interested in seeing where she went with a middle-grade book. I also love the Rick Riordan Presents collective, making this something I was highly anticipating. With fast pacing and really funny characters, the charm of Pahua and the Soul Stealer really won me over. If you've enjoyed reading about Aru Shah or Paola Santiago, I think you'll find Pahua Moua to be another new friend.
This story educated me and warmed my heart all at the same time. I felt emotional for the things Pahua was going through, and for her love of her brother. The friendship that blossoms as Pahua learns about her own powers was really something I adored. This book is a fantastic addition to Rick Riordan Presents, and I can't wait to read more stories about Pahua.
A more thorough review will be posted on my blog at a later date.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Lori M. Lee's writing is something I've enjoyed before, so I was really interested in seeing where she went with a middle-grade book. I also love the Rick Riordan Presents collective, making this something I was highly anticipating. With fast pacing and really funny characters, the charm of Pahua and the Soul Stealer really won me over. If you've enjoyed reading about Aru Shah or Paola Santiago, I think you'll find Pahua Moua to be another new friend.
This story educated me and warmed my heart all at the same time. I felt emotional for the things Pahua was going through, and for her love of her brother. The friendship that blossoms as Pahua learns about her own powers was really something I adored. This book is a fantastic addition to Rick Riordan Presents, and I can't wait to read more stories about Pahua.
A more thorough review will be posted on my blog at a later date.
alexandritewiz's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Loved the twists and turns! Also very cool to learn about Hmong culture and mythology.
lisamcdreads's review
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of Pahua and the Soul Stealer by Lori M. Lee. Pahua, a misfit Hmong girl, can see spirits. Her best friend, in fact her only friend, is a cat spririt named Miv. When an evil spirit captures the soul of her younger brother causing him to fall into a coma like sleep, Pahua attempts to confront the spirit and demand his soul back. Unwittingly, she makes things worse by summoning a demon and is luckily saved by a shaman warrior, Zhong. Despite initial dislike of each other, together Zhong and Pahua, battle demons and dragons and more in an effort to save Pahua's brother and themselves. This book is full of interesting Hmong folklore, unexpected twists and turns, and non-stop action around every turn. I highly recommend it.