Pahua and the Soul Stealer is the latest middle-grade novel from the Rick Riordan Presents imprint at Disney-Hyperion. Written by Lori M. Lee with audiobook narration from Samantha Tan, the story follows an 11-year-old Hmong girl who is bullied at school for being different, is basically only friends with her younger brother, oh, and she can see and talk to spirits. Unfortunately, that ability gets her into trouble when a bridge spirit steals her brother’s soul, and she has only three days to recover it before he’s lost forever.

Every Rick Riordan Presents book features tweens going on fantastic adventures among the myths and legends from their author’s culture, often to save their families or the whole world. Pahua and the Soul Stealer is no different and shares perhaps the least popularly depicted culture of any of the imprints’ books yet. And the book leans into this really well from all angles. It doesn’t tiptoe around any Hmong words or attempt to anglicize them, but the book is written in such a way that over its course, questions from who are the Hmong people and what should you know about them are effortlessly infused. At the same time, if you’re reading this book as a Hmong kid, it’s overflowing with cultural references to find affinity in. And that’s what’s always so great about Rick Riordan Presents. They’re for everyone to see themselves in somebody from a different culture than themselves, and they’re for the kids who will see themselves represented in a way they rarely get to otherwise.

Pahua is not like most of the characters of fantasy middle-grade novels, though. She’s rather shy when we first meet her with literally no friends and not much a familial or community support system either. When she stumbles into the world of spirits and shamans, it’s not because she’s a plucky kid ready for adventures. It’s because she is a lonely kid who can see spirits and finds one who looks even more lonely than she is. At first, I found this quality a bit frustrating, not because it isn’t utterly realistic, but because it left the story feeling unbalanced. The story felt like it was just following a trite set of plot points with little character development or investment. But about a third of the way in, that all changed.

There are only really two other main characters in the book: Miv, a sarcastic cat spirit who has been Pahua’s best and only friend since she was four, and Zhong, a shaman warrior in training who saves Pahua from a dangerous spirit before guiding her on a journey to get her brother’s soul back. Miv is mysterious but usually the comedic relief. Zhong is a bit of a brat at first and certainly an annoying know-it-all. It’s a very odd trio, and it felt like their dynamic was getting stale quickly. Until Pahua decides that actually, fighting need not always be the solution, and their encounters with demons and unfriendly spirits become about outwitting or appeasing them rather than slashing and hacking them. This change in the typical formula was excellent because it allowed the characters to stay true to themselves while creating a different way out of difficult scenarios than figuring out the next most impressive fighting technique.

Plus, as Pahua gains more confidence in this stance, she gains more confidence in her relationship with Zhong. When the two are finally able to be honest with each other, their characters, together and separately, go from rather innocuous to absolutely beloved. I ended up more interested in their personal growth and relationship than I did most of the mythical elements of the story, which is not always the norm in these books. It’s all thanks to the fact that the book stars a lonely and shy kid. She has a different perspective on the world and a different perspective on friendship and loyalty than other protagonists. Which in turn, gives a great role model for all the shy kids out there who, like Pahua, might wish they had more friends too.

The audiobook edition of Pahua and the Soul Stealer is read with great emotion. There were few moments in particular where the narrator really dug deep with her delivery of sharp emotional moments to the point where the delivery alone rendered me in tears. Narration is not always done with such emotion behind the voice, but this book really nailed that. It has a few moments where I can’t tell whether the pronunciation of Hmong works is standing out because the accents are discordant with those of English, so they naturally sound out of place between English words, or if it was because the words were rerecorded after the fact and spliced back in. Perhaps though, I only find it noticeable because I am But Why Tho’s audio editor and listen for these things. It’s not true of every Hmong word, only a few here and there, and it could possibly be intentional.

Pahua and the Soul Stealer starts off a bit slowly but delivers a great set of characters in a quickly enthralling world. There are a lot of books in the Rick Riordan Presents line now, many of which follow similar outlines. Still, the shy and initially lonely main character sets this book far apart and hopefully will feel like home for a whole new audience.

I've been waiting for the book since I first read the announcement. Although I was unsure about what to expect, I enjoyed what I found. Miv the spirit cat is very much a show stealer with his wit and sarcasm. Pahua is the girl who could be more than she seems if she only believed in herself. Zhong, the shaman warrior, is always ready for a fight and desperately wants to prove herself. The adventure they embark on together to the spirit world to rescue Pahua's brother Matt is exciting, filled with some very close calls.

The book is rich in imagination. It's an entertaining infusion of Hmong mythology and folk tales with Lee's skillful world-building; she not only incorporates the mythology but she expands the world and makes it her own. There are shamans, shaman warriors, spirits, and gods. The spirit realm is especially complex with its many entities--tree spirits, wind spirits, gate guardians, and more--to the various modes of transportation. One of my favorites is when the spirit horse appears. When Zhong seeks out her horse spirit, she has to go to a rental to call for it...heh. There's a lot to learn about this world, and at times, it can be a bit overwhelming, especially with something new bit of information popping up every few pages.

The emphasis on who or what a hero looks like was an especially compelling part of the book. A hero doesn't always look or sound like what a hero is imagined to be. Pahua, as the central protagonist, lacks confidence and know-how but is willing to do what is necessary to return her brother's soul to his body. Pahua demonstrates that anyone can be a hero. You just need to look within yourself. Additionally, winning doesn't always mean swords and fists. Sometimes there are better ways to get what you want.

I needed this book as a kid when I was searching for demons to fight and dragons to ride. Like Pahua, I grew up not knowing much, and, to be honest, I still don't know very much. It creates the possibility of building and enhancing cultural connections for Hmong children who might find themselves wondering about their heritage and their identity. The book also introduces non-Hmong individuals to new and exciting adventures that incorporate folktales and myths they may not have previously been exposed to. It's a fun middle-grade read that is very much plot-driven. Those looking for action and adventure will certainly enjoy Pahua and the Soul Stealer. (3.5 stars rounded to 4 stars)

Pahua and the Soul Stealer follows Pahua, a young Hmong girl, who learns she's a powerful shaman after accidentally releasing an angry spirit. Her brother falls ill and Pahua must travel the spirit worlds to find a way to defeat the spirit and save her brother.

This was such a fun story! I loved Pahua and how kind she was, always looking out for others. I loved the Southeast Asian influences and mythology; I don't know a lot about the mythology but I'd love to learn more after reading this book. The magic in the story was really cool, and I especially loved the nature spirits. The idea of a school for learning shaman magic was really fun and I'd definitely love to see more of that. Also, there's a talking cat! There were definitely some twists I was not expecting and I loved how they played out. This was just a really good book, not just the story and characters, but also the idea of staying true to yourself and finding your own way.

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!

Although I did feel this book has some moments with a slower pace than other Rick Riordan presents, it totally lives up to the name with fantastical elements, strong mythology, and adventurous journeys. Hmong folklore and culture is one that we really haven't seen in mainstream fantasies, which makes this story all the more important. Lee does an excellent job of making this folklore accessible and understandable. I also loved her character development, watching Papua grow in her understanding of herself, her culture, and her family history throughout the story. I definitely recommend!

A YA book about a Hmong middle-schooler?! You don’t get very many of those so sign me up. My husband spent two years learning Hmong and working with refugees in California, so in our house we always have an eye out for Hmong stories, characters, or real-life news.  We listen to a band with a Hmong singer (Naked and Famous), read other Hmong books when we can find them (The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down), we watched the first Hmong gymnast win her medal this year, and part of our family has traveled to Laos to volunteer in a Hmong school. Watching this middle-grade Hmong story hit the mainstream American market seems like a real find. 

Pahua is a young girl living with her mother and brother.  We quickly find out that she has special gifts in this novel.  She makes real and other-worldly friends who help her save her brother from the “soul stealer.”  Pahua finds her talents, strengths, and confidence in this adventurous fantasy novel full of family and friendship.

Human Spirits Are the Worst

Lori M. Lee explores the conflicting world of shamans and spirits in Pahua and the Soul Stealer. Pahua Moua wants a normal life of summer school and movie nights, but spirits are restless. When the spirit of an angry young girl curses Pahua and her brother, she finds out the hard way that she is a shaman. Without the guidance of her family, she has to learn the rules of the Spirit Realm fast before she loses her brother forever. Lori M. Lee’s descriptions of spirits and the spirit world is charming. With plenty of references to pop culture and Hmong culture, there is a lot of fun and exciting content. This story is moderately paced with plenty of myths, ghostly mystery, and magical adventure. Miv the cat spirit is hilarious with his very catlike antics as he sasses Pahua. Zhong Vang is blunt and definitely has an attitude, but can she be trusted to guide them on their journey? Pahua is an imaginative, and kind character as she struggles to care for her brother and aid dangerous spirits. Her struggle with school, loneliness, and with her identity is very relatable. She overcomes her fears and learns that courage comes from facing difficulties with honesty. Their combined lack of knowledge of the Spirit Realm leads them into deep trouble, and many near death accidents. Lori M. Lee’s writing is easy to read, engaging, and filled with character. This is definitely a great Middle grade book for readers who love coming of age books filled with humor, adventure, and friendship.

Pahua Moua is a lonely Hmong girl able to see spirits and babysits her younger brother. When she accidentally untethers a ghost from a local bridge and her brother falls ill, she fears that the spirit stole his soul. When she uses her aunt's shaman tools to demand her brother's soul back, she accidentally summons a demon. A warrior shaman saves her and will guide Pahua through the underworld to find her brother's soul.

Originally born in Laos, her family escaped to a refugee camp when Lori was an infant with other Hmong families. She currently lives in Wisconsin with her husband and children, and there is a large Hmong population that had relocated in the wake of the Vietnam war. Hmong oral tradition plays a large role in this book, which is why it's part of the Rick Riordan Presents series of books. The series highlights myths and traditions from various cultures. While Rick's forward says it's okay to skip to the end with the glossary and author's note, I dove straight into the story from the beginning.

My heart went out to Pahua from the start. Her father left, she has to help take care of her brother, and she's continually the odd one out. Her family is the only Hmong one in town, so she's set apart due to her ethnic background in addition to the economic differences. She can see spirits, which is a rarity even in her own shamanic culture, and trying to talk with them to calm them down doesn't help. Spirits are capricious things, after all, especially ones that used to be human. The bridge spirit is angry and isolated, then begins stealing souls. Pahua must work with a student in training to get her brother's soul back, which means consulting a legendary immortal sage, traveling through the spirit realm, and dealing with figures from myth. She discovers the extent of her talents along the way. As much as she'd always felt like an outsider and missing vital pieces, she discovers she's good enough and brave enough for the mission to save her brother.

This is a great story not just for learning about the Hmong culture, but for kids that feel left out and isolated. Bravery is doing the right thing in spite of fear, after all. This is a great lesson for middle-grade readers of every culture to learn.

My Thoughts:

This middle-grade friendly adventure/fantasy/mythology book is another great addition to the Rick Riordan presents series of books coming out from YA authors of color who are writing about their own culture and community. For Ms. Lee, she introduces us to Hmong mythology in this very exciting race to battle demons and save her younger brother.

As the United States left Afghanistan this summer and images of hundreds of Americans and Afghans with American ties trying to get to the airport in Kabul inundated our television and computer news screens, I thought of the images from the Vietnam war and the fast retreat of Americans in our history books. The Hmongs were like the Afghans and they have established large communities in states like Minnesota and Wisconsin. They have been in America for generations, yet I have not read much literature from their community, especially in YA. This story, then is both timely and fresh. Middle grade readers will get pulled in by the excitement and supernatural elements. They will root for Pahua as she has to face fears, face her weakness, and in the process find her strength.

If middle grade readers like this, they may like Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom by Sangu Mandanna, The Last Fallen Star by Graci Kim, or Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia next.

From the Publisher:
Pahua Moua has a bit of a reputation for being a weirdo. A lonely eleven-year-old Hmong girl with the unique ability to see spirits, she spends her summer days babysitting her little brother and playing with her best friend, a cat spirit no one else can see.

One day Pahua accidentally untethers an angry spirit from the haunted bridge in her neighborhood--whoops. When her brother suddenly falls sick and can't be awoken, Pahua fears that the bridge spirit has stolen his soul. She returns to the scene of the crime with her aunt's old shaman tools, hoping to confront the spirit and demand her brother's return. Instead, she summons a demon.

Thankfully, a warrior shaman with a bit of an attitude problem shows up at the last minute and saves her butt. With the help of this guide, Pahua will have to find her way through the spirit worlds and rescue her brother's soul before it's too late. Little does she know she'll have her own discoveries to make along the way. . . .

With its unforgettable characters, unique nature-based magic system, breathtaking twists and reveals, and climactic boss battle, this story based on Hmong oral tradition offers everything a fantasy lover could want.

Pahua and the Soul Stealer is fun, snappy, and has falliable heroes and real issues bound up in the adventure and fantasy. I really enjoyed this book - the characters felt real and the worldbuilding was fantastic.

Pahua is a great main character - she's strong, cunning, determined, and brave, but she sees herself as inferior and a perpetual outsider. She's dealing with her father abandoning their family, her guilt over her brother's soul being captured, and all the bullying and racism she's faced at school. Pahua goes from a Hmong girl who feels out of place, who loses herself in games of pretend to be strong, to someone who embraces her uniqueness and finds strength in being herself.

Zhong was a great foil for Pahua, as Pahua sees Zhong as this perfect, competent and confident shaman-warrior, but we get enough glimpses of Zhong's life at her shaman school that she also feels overlooked and second-best. Rounding out our trio is Miv, the sassy cat spirit who is Pahua's best friend. Miv has his own past, but I loved seeing the three of them work their way through danger to become a team.

As with all the books in the Rick Riordan Presents imprint, I loved learning about a new mythology - this one the oral traditions of the Hmong people. Nature spirits play a big role in this story, particularly trees, but we also get a rundown of the gods, like Ntuj the Sky Father and Xov the destroyer, and heroes like Shee Yee. I particularly liked the Tree of Souls and the Crossroads - both settings were fun and vivid (and packed with adventure).

There were a few plot points that I called early on, and a couple of very convenient things, but there were also a few of great twists. I do wish we had more of the shaman world fleshed out, but I expect to see more in the next book. I also wish there had been more of Matt - he felt like a typical younger brother, but I didn't feel like we got enough hints of who he was for how imporrant he was to the story.

Also, there's a bit of a fake out with phonics - sneaky, sneaky.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫

I received a free eARC from #NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide in exchange for an honest review.

#pahuaandthesoulstealer #lorimlee #hmongtraditions #disneypublishing #middlegrade #rickriordanpresents #miv #shaman #ntuj #xov #bookreview

Wow. This book was everything I wanted it to be. It had a great structure to the adventure, fantastical spirits and demons, great character development, and a twist that I didn’t see coming (which is surprising because I usually figure out what will happen but this o book just pulled out all the stops.)

I can almost ask for nothing more from this book. I also can’t say anything bad about it. It had some similarities to Aru Shah, which I really enjoy because the Aru Shah series is currently my favorite of Rick Riordan Presents, but once series this has more books (which it has to have there’s no way there’s not after this terrific book) it could be a tie!

There are no cliffhangers but there is open space at the end to leave you wanting to hear more about Pahua’s story. Rick Riordan also mentions in his foreword about reading the authors note first, which I agree with. The authors story is really interesting and added to how much I enjoyed the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide and Rick Riordan Presents for the advance reader copy, Pahua and the Soul Stealer by Lori M. Lee in exchange for an honest review. This is my 3rd Rick Riordan Presents book and I just keep wanting to read more and more of these middle grade fantasies about different cultures. I fell in love with the Hmong folklore, spirits, food, and Asian mythology in this debut by Lori M. Lee. There were so many memorable characters with my two favorites being Pahua (and her best friend cat, Miv – that no one can see) and her friend/enemy Zhong (a shaman in training on a quest). Both these girls are Hmong, lonely, and on a mission- Pahua to rescue her brother Matt’s spirit which has been stolen by a horrid bridge spirit and Zhong, a warrior shaman who must complete a trial or fail. As Pahua and Zhong work together they have many, many adventures (funny and serious), racing against time and mythological characters and spirits to save her little brother; these 2 fearless and unforgettable characters will use magic, strength, nature-based spirits and fantastical folklore to conquer a soul stealer like no other. Highly recommended for middle grade fantasy lovers!

Pauha was such a great book overall. I loved that Wisconsin gets a feature in a Rick Riordan title. This book will serve as a mirror to many of the Hmong students I've taught in Wisconsin, as well as a window for others to learn about the Hmong culture and storytelling. Representation matters! I really enjoyed this portal filled fantasy, and hope to visit again.

I absolutely love Miv. His straight forward comments, comedic timing, and ability to lighten the mood (even while being attacked by dragons or demons) was one of the best written sidekicks of the year. I am hoping one day we get a short story sharing even more of Miv's past, because the ending had me just as shocked as Zhong.

I gave this book 4 stars. I love learning about different culture’s myths. I don’t know much about Asian culture so this was a great way to learn.

Pahua is 11 years old and takes care of her younger brother while her mom works. Her Dad left them a few years ago. Pahua doesn’t have any friends to speak of except for a cat which she is the only one who can see it. In fact, Pahua sees a lot of spirits. She has been able to spirits since she was around 4 years old.

One day while waiting for her brother to finish his summer school class she is invited to go a bridge which is haunted. She really doesn’t want to go but she has never been invited to anything before so she goes. While they get closer she can feel the spirit by the bridge. The spirit is a young girl. Pahua feels sorry for her and gets closer, not a good idea. By doing this she somehow releases the spirit into her world.

This spirit is causing some problems and the number one problem is that she is taking over young children’s souls which make them go into comas. One of the children is her own brother. She needs to find a way to fix this problem that she unknowing caused.

By returning to the bridge to try and fix the problem she causes a bigger one by calling different ones who happen to be very strong and want her for some reason. She is saved from the first one by a young Shaman Warrior.

They both go on an adventure to prove themselves and to save her brother and the children. Are they successful? Who is the big wig who wants her?

You will have to read the book to find out.

I got this book too late to be able to read it before the archive/publish date sadly. I do really enjoy Rick Riordan Presents books, so I am definitely expecting to pick it up in the future!

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.

I loved this book so, so much.

Pahua Moua is an 11-year-old Hmong girl who spends her days using her imagination to escape how lonely she is. On top of that, she can see spirits. When she accidentally untethers an angry spirit form a haunted bridge, she has to save her brother's soul from the spirit. Pahua teams up with a warrior shaman and her best friend, a cat spirit, to try to save her brother's soul before it's too late.

The worldbuilding was absolutely stunning in this book. There's also a lot of commentary about how Hmong folktales are passed down orally, so many of the stories vary, as well as the fact that children of immigrants, such as Pahua, sometimes don't get the chance to learn all the myths and stories of their culture. I didn't know a lot about Hmong culture before reading this book, so learning the stories as Pahua learned more about her own culture was charming. Learning about Hmong gods, demons, and realms while Pahua embarked on her journey was so much fun.

I loved reading about Pahua's complicated relationship with her identity - there's a lot to be said about growing up in a different culture, especially when there isn't necessarily a lot of diversity around you. Children can be very mean sometimes, and it often does result in children of color trying to hide or even in small ways, "reject" the parts of their heritage in order to try to "fit in" with other people. We see Pahua struggle to make friends not only because of how she looks, but in little things such as the food that she brings for lunch (it also doesn't help that she can see spirits wrecking chaos everywhere). Because of this, she uses her imagination to try to pretend that things are different.

I enjoyed that Pahua believed the entire time that her strength was her imagination and that she really more had to be told what her actual strength was, which was very realistic for someone who didn't have a lot of self-esteem after being made fun of for being different her entire life. I also really liked the side characters and how fleshed out their relationship to Pahua was - Miv and Zhong were fantastic characters that supported and pushed Pahua to really grow and confront her identity and her role as a powerful shaman warrior. Pahua's relationship with her younger brother is also really adorable.

The book sets up pretty nicely for a possible continuation of this story, and I can't wait to see what else is in store for Pahua.

Thank you to Disney Publishing Worldwide, Rick Riordan Presents, and NetGalley for the ARC.

I absolutely adored “Pahua and the Soul Stealer”. The relationships and writing in this novel was
so astoundingly good that I was hooked from the first sentence. I love how the Hmong culture was represented in this book. I came in not knowing much so I did a little research and it is so interesting. It took me a little time to warm up to some of the characters but overall was great. I found Pahua very relatable with not really fitting in so she was one of my favorite characters. I would recommend this book to anyone with a love for mythology.

I continue to be delighted by Rick Riordan Presents' selections. This latest addition to the imprint takes its inspiration from the Hmong culture. Pahua, the main character, was a strong protagonist and I was definitely rooting for her. I especially liked her ghost cat/demon buddy, Miv. I struggled a little with some of the other secondary characters. I think the only reason I wouldn’t rate this one higher is because I read it shortly after reading “The Last Fallen Star”, another excellent debut into the Rick Riordan Presents collection. I felt that one just had a little more sparkle to it. That said, I would certainly pick up the next installment and am curious to see where Lori M. Lee takes the story next.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I love Riordan presents because of the wide variety of cultures and stories that are being told. I also loved that I learned about the Hmong culture through this book, which I had never learned about previously. Pahua and her family are refugees from Laos and she can see spirits. She ends up going on a voyage to the spirit world in order to save her brother. I loved the messages of family, friendship and strength.