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abbyaroza's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
I hope this author has the chance to continue these characters in a series. Auntie gift guide: Great for kids enjoying other fantasy/magic novel/series.
abigail_eck's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
asphodelic's review against another edition
1.0
(+) Hmong mythology and representation
(+) Pahua consistently uses her wits to avoid conflict
(-) Telling rather than showing
(-) Zhong was little more than a walking, talking mouthpiece for exposition.
(-) Too long, too much going on
(-) A bit of chosen one-ness going on with Pahua
(-) Bland characters and characterization
(-) Excessive pop culture references
I'm sorry to say I didn't like this much at all. Honestly, I almost didn't finish it. I think the editors at RRP are getting lazy, because this book was all about telling, with almost no showing to be had. Someone really needs to tell these authors that having a character spout all your information to them is really not fun. And also, please please PLEASE do not put pop culture references in your climactic encounter with the villain. That's really not a good idea.
I got super scared when Zhong said she came from a shaman school, so it was a huge relief when it didn't turn into a magic school story. Other than that, there is very little praise I can give this book.
(+) Pahua consistently uses her wits to avoid conflict
(-) Telling rather than showing
(-) Zhong was little more than a walking, talking mouthpiece for exposition.
(-) Too long, too much going on
(-) A bit of chosen one-ness going on with Pahua
(-) Bland characters and characterization
(-) Excessive pop culture references
I'm sorry to say I didn't like this much at all. Honestly, I almost didn't finish it. I think the editors at RRP are getting lazy, because this book was all about telling, with almost no showing to be had. Someone really needs to tell these authors that having a character spout all your information to them is really not fun. And also, please please PLEASE do not put pop culture references in your climactic encounter with the villain. That's really not a good idea.
I got super scared when Zhong said she came from a shaman school, so it was a huge relief when it didn't turn into a magic school story. Other than that, there is very little praise I can give this book.
bella_icecream's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
morebookspleaseblog's review against another edition
5.0
I am so thankful to Rockstar Book Tours for adding me to the tour. This book was phenomenal and educational.
While I have heard of Lori M. Lee as an author, I wasn’t familiar with her work. However, that has absolutely changed! I am blown away by Lee’s first YA novel. Additionally, I’m highly anticipating the second book.
Admittedly, my knowledge of Asian mythology before reading Pahua’s story was absolutely zero. However, I’m eager to learn more about the culture and mythology. Along with the storytelling, there’s a glossary at the back of the book, which was extremely useful.
Without a doubt, Pahua is a captivating character, and I adore her. Additionally, I was proud of her character development. The kids view Pahua as “the weird kid,” however, I thought she was unique while they, in fact, were ordinary.
Who else has an invisible cat that is heavily opinionated? The cat was one of my favorite characters. There are moments you have to laugh out loud. Pahua’s secret would be enough to drive anyone insane, but she’s the right person to handle this situation.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book. From the culture to the characters to the author’s note, everything about this book was sheer perfection. Positively perfection. I’m eagerly anticipating the next installment.
While I have heard of Lori M. Lee as an author, I wasn’t familiar with her work. However, that has absolutely changed! I am blown away by Lee’s first YA novel. Additionally, I’m highly anticipating the second book.
Admittedly, my knowledge of Asian mythology before reading Pahua’s story was absolutely zero. However, I’m eager to learn more about the culture and mythology. Along with the storytelling, there’s a glossary at the back of the book, which was extremely useful.
Without a doubt, Pahua is a captivating character, and I adore her. Additionally, I was proud of her character development. The kids view Pahua as “the weird kid,” however, I thought she was unique while they, in fact, were ordinary.
Who else has an invisible cat that is heavily opinionated? The cat was one of my favorite characters. There are moments you have to laugh out loud. Pahua’s secret would be enough to drive anyone insane, but she’s the right person to handle this situation.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book. From the culture to the characters to the author’s note, everything about this book was sheer perfection. Positively perfection. I’m eagerly anticipating the next installment.
alli_the_bookaholic13's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to Disney Books and Rick Riordan Presents for sending me an ARC via netgalley for an honest review.
4/5 stars
I really enjoyed reading this one! I loved learning about the Hmong culture and folktales, and I thought the author did a wonderful job of bringing the fantastical elements of the story to life.
We follow 11-year-old Pahua whose best friend is a kitten spirit (Miv) and mostly hangs out with her younger brother. Pahua feels likes she’s not good enough, and she also feels like she doesn’t fit in anywhere. She can also see spirits of all kinds. Because of this, she does a lot of pretending, and most of her pretending involves things like being a shaman warrior, or leading troops into battle. I really related to Pahua’s thoughts of not fitting in, and even though it was for different reasons, I think that the emotions are the same. I also think that a lot of younger readers will also connect and relate to Pahua’s pretending and feelings of not fitting in.
The story really kicks off when Pahua meets an angry bridge spirit and accidentally untethers her soul. Later that night Pahua discovers that her brother is sick and she fears that the bridge spirit has stolen his soul. This sets her off on a journey to rescue him. Pahua was motivated by her love for her brother, and her fear of losing him, and I liked that it continued to be the most important thing to her even as she was discovering things about herself.
Pahua’s journey takes her into the Spirit Realm where she meets all kinds of different spirits and runs into all sorts of problems. With the help of her best friend Miv and a shaman-warrior-in-training named Zhong, Pahua has to face her own spirit in order to rescue her brothers.
Pahua was a really amazing character. She was brave, strong, and she looked for alternatives to violence, but she also doubted, and she struggled with believing in herself. This made her feel relatable and realistic. I loved her relationship with Miv, and it had me laughing even in moments where the situation was stressful and tense. Zhong was a good character to balance Pahua, and I loved seeing their friendship develop.
I felt that the pacing was really good. The plot was super interesting, and I was engaged the whole time. It was a bit slow at times, but it didn’t drag on, and I thought there was a good balance between action and excitement and some of the slower but necessary moments.
Overall this was a really fun and exciting read. I loved learning about a new culture and their folktales, and I can’t wait to see what happens to Pahua next!
4/5 stars
I really enjoyed reading this one! I loved learning about the Hmong culture and folktales, and I thought the author did a wonderful job of bringing the fantastical elements of the story to life.
We follow 11-year-old Pahua whose best friend is a kitten spirit (Miv) and mostly hangs out with her younger brother. Pahua feels likes she’s not good enough, and she also feels like she doesn’t fit in anywhere. She can also see spirits of all kinds. Because of this, she does a lot of pretending, and most of her pretending involves things like being a shaman warrior, or leading troops into battle. I really related to Pahua’s thoughts of not fitting in, and even though it was for different reasons, I think that the emotions are the same. I also think that a lot of younger readers will also connect and relate to Pahua’s pretending and feelings of not fitting in.
The story really kicks off when Pahua meets an angry bridge spirit and accidentally untethers her soul. Later that night Pahua discovers that her brother is sick and she fears that the bridge spirit has stolen his soul. This sets her off on a journey to rescue him. Pahua was motivated by her love for her brother, and her fear of losing him, and I liked that it continued to be the most important thing to her even as she was discovering things about herself.
Pahua’s journey takes her into the Spirit Realm where she meets all kinds of different spirits and runs into all sorts of problems. With the help of her best friend Miv and a shaman-warrior-in-training named Zhong, Pahua has to face her own spirit in order to rescue her brothers.
Pahua was a really amazing character. She was brave, strong, and she looked for alternatives to violence, but she also doubted, and she struggled with believing in herself. This made her feel relatable and realistic. I loved her relationship with Miv, and it had me laughing even in moments where the situation was stressful and tense. Zhong was a good character to balance Pahua, and I loved seeing their friendship develop.
I felt that the pacing was really good. The plot was super interesting, and I was engaged the whole time. It was a bit slow at times, but it didn’t drag on, and I thought there was a good balance between action and excitement and some of the slower but necessary moments.
Overall this was a really fun and exciting read. I loved learning about a new culture and their folktales, and I can’t wait to see what happens to Pahua next!
katbotdiaries's review against another edition
4.0
Very enjoyable read! I had never heard of the Hmong culture before and it was a great introduction to read about it in this text. Pahua is a sixth grader struggling with feelings of belonging in her school and accidentally sets off a chain of events that lead to her brother being kidnapped and a long imprisoned god in danger of escaping. There are twists and turns in the story, but the best part for me is that Pahua always finds an unusual way to solve problems and often surprises even herself. She's a very resourceful and insightful protagonist and I enjoyed watching her grow throughout the story.
msmazz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kristine2467's review against another edition
5.0
THEY WERE PELTED WITH KNOWLEDGE! Omg I can’t even. Best line. :-) There were many amusing, whimsical, unique and intense moments that focused on family, belonging, and a sense of self. Strongly recommend for all young readers.
Lori Lee’s family immigrated from Southeast Asia to the US when she was a baby. While I don’t have first hand experience or knowledge of the culture, her story seems to give a realistic, interesting, and overall a fabulous portrayal. Thank you for sharing this story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Disney publishing for the ARC.
Lori Lee’s family immigrated from Southeast Asia to the US when she was a baby. While I don’t have first hand experience or knowledge of the culture, her story seems to give a realistic, interesting, and overall a fabulous portrayal. Thank you for sharing this story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Disney publishing for the ARC.
tader_horkan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
3.5