Growing up has not been easy for eleven-year-old Pahua Moua. Since the abrupt departure of her father when she was seven years old, Pahua, her mother, and her younger brother Matt have lived in Wisconsin, far from their Hmong friends and family. As the only Asian student in her grade, Pahua often feels disconnected, using her imagination to pretend to be someone else when she needs a tether. When a new girl shows Pahua some kindness, Pahua’s enthusiasm gets the best of her, causing her to break an important rule and accidentally initiate a series of events that she must remedy before it is too late.

This mythological adventure launches readers into the complex and dynamic world of the Hmong people. As a primarily oral storytelling culture, legends and folktales take on different flavors and details depending on where they are told. While this can be challenging to distill into a single, written story arc, this book does a fantastic job of linking common threads while still providing room for fluidity and adjustment. While Pahua has direct interactions with legends from Hmong culture, stories are also shared between Pahua and other characters in the book that enrich the narrative with additional perspectives from time to time.

The tapestry of Hmong storytelling is palpable in this book, particularly in the gargantuan task of world building that is required to effectively launch this series. Though there are immeasurable details included—not to mention ample references in the Hmong language—everything is easy to follow and digest. A glossary at the end of the book connects readers to the many Hmong words used throughout the story, along with pronunciation assistance for each. Messages from both Rick Riordan and the author bookend this novel, emphasizing the oral storytelling tradition of Hmong culture and how Pahua’s story came together.

Beautifully executed, this first in its series introduces readers to Pahua as she discovers who she truly is. Action sequences propel the narrative, but they resolve differently than one might expect; instead of defeating enemies, Pahua has the innate tendency to look for the good in everyone in an effort to save them. This empathetic approach gives readers an important skill to emulate in their own lives. Some scenes are frightening, but humor peppers the narrative and lightens many of the darker moments. Cinematically written, this story easily comes alive in the minds of readers and is an excellent addition to library collections for middle grade youth.

I received an electronic ARC from Disney Publishing Worldwide through NetGalley.
Lee brings readers into the world of Hmong mythology. We meet Pahua and see the struggles she faces. She has no friends at school and is the only one of her culture there. A new girl asks her to be part of an adventure after school and Padua accidentally releases a spirit that captures her brother. This launches the adventures in the spirit realms for the remainder of the book. I appreciate the Glossary that offers further details about important part of the Hm0ng culture.
Readers will feel they are part of the challenges Padua and Zhong face as they race to rescue Padua's brother's spirit and send the bridge spirit home. Cultural explanations are woven through the story to teach along with the adventure. Looking forward to the next book.
My students will welcome a story that shares their culture.

Continuing in the popular mythology-adventure vein, young readers looking for more in the genre will enjoy this new entry, and will be pulled into stories and traditions of Hmong culture which many might never have encountered before. Although there are plenty of detours and stumbling blocks along the way and sometimes the story felt a little overstuffed, Lee’s writing carries things along and includes touches of humor (real question: does someone at the imprint write the chapter titles for all the books? They have a particularly unified tone even when the rest of the stories differ), and Pahua, Zhong, and Miv work well as a trio. The themes of loneliness, imagination, and family were strongly portrayed, the final twist was suitably shocking and well-grounded, and readers will be eager to dive back into Pahua’s next adventure. Recommend to those who have enjoyed past Rick Riordan Presents titles as well as The Last Shadow Warrior by Sam Subity.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Disney Publishing for allowing me the opportunity to read a digital ARC of Pahua and the Soul Stealer by Lori M. Lee. This middle grade fantasy novel is based on Hmong mythology is part of the Rick Riordan Presents imprint. It will be published on September 7, 2021. All opinions are my own.

Pahua is twelve-years-old and has always felt alone and like a bit of a weirdo. Her classmates only seem to see her differences and her only friends are her younger brother, Matt, and a spirit cat named Miv. Pahua is different in that she has always been able to see spirits. Something her parents and brother just wrote off as an active imagination. One day, Pahua unintentionally untethers a spirit from a haunted bridge in the woods. The spirit steals her brother's soul and announces her presence to the spirit world. Soon she's being chased by demons. During the chase she meets Zhong, a shaman-in-training. Together to the two girls venture to the spirit world to save Pahua's brother.

I loved learning more about Hmong mythology and folklore. The magical nature-based world created by Lee is intricate and intriguing. The book's themes focus on identity, forgiveness, and restitution. This story is full of adventure and gives the reader a glimpse into a culture that many know little about. I do have to admit that while there is suspense and adventure, I did struggle a little bit at first to get into the narrative. Pahua's quest and adventure are pretty in-line with other mythology based stories, so this would be a great choice for those who enjoy Riordan's books or any of the other books in the Rick Riordan Presents imprint.

Pahua has always been able to see spirits, so has a tough time fitting in with her fellow middle school students. When Pahua tangles with the wrong kind of spirit and that spirit steals the soul of Pahua’s younger brother, will Pahua be able to save her brother in time? Find out in this suspenseful tale of the supernatural, based upon Hmong legends.

Another solid adventure from the Rick Riordan Presents series! I knew very little of Hmong cosmology before this book, only having read The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down. I learned so much through Pahua's adventure, just as she did. Identity is central here, and restitution and forgiveness as well. This is *the* best treatment of these issues from this series, which is quite a feat. Get this in the hands of young people you know, and into your own if you appreciate middle grade and young teen fiction!

Thank you to Lori M. Lee, Disney Hyperion, and Netgalley for an advance ecopy in exchange for an honest opinion.

Whenever I can find a book with a strong female heroine, I'm all in. But to also have that heroine introduce my students to the beautiful folklore of the Hmong, a culture many of them are unfamiliar with, so much the better. The story is engaging, action-packed, and the imagination level of the author, Lori M. Less, is off the charts fantastic. I found so many ways to integrate this wonderful story as part of a writing, activity, and creativity unit for my elementary students. I can hardly wait for the next book in the Pahua series to drop!

Pahua is a Hmong growing up in the United States with her mother and brother Matt. Pahua is also a rather unusual girl since she can see spirits. Her best friend is a black cat called Miv a cat spirit. Like many children of immigrant parents Pahua is trying to figure out who she is and what her culture means in this new world where the language and stories of her parents and family meet. When misadventure causes an angry bridge spirit to attack her brother it is up to Pahua and her new friend Zhong another Hmong girl on a quest from her shaman warrior school to try to restore him. Along the way they encounter elephant guards, fashion obsessed demons, and a dangerous forest. I enjoyed this story immensely and although I am sure I am pronouncing some of the words wrong I am learning so much about the mythology of the Hmong people and some of the similarities are striking why are so many ghosts at bridges dangerous no matter what mythology you are thinking about? I am definitely looking forward to the next book.

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 and the Soul Stealer is a good read that I would recommend to my students. While I knew nothing of the Hmong culture, the author does a good job of helping the reader understand the culture while also telling a good story. Pahua learned to have confidence in herself while dealing with adverse situations. She learned how to be a friend, trust others, and help out when and where she could. The story has good lessons for students while learning about another cultural. Will definitely recommend to my higher readers.

I received a copy of this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

I really enjoyed Pahua's story for several reasons. First of all, it gave me major Aru Shah vibes. Second, I know nothing about Hmong culture or mythology so it was really interesting for me to learn some things about it. Third, I really liked Pahua's talent of looking beyond a person's exterior. I think that's a message that kids can't read about enough.

All in all, the book was so lovely! I loved the story, the ghostly vibes, and the character development of all three main characters. I would definitely recommend Pahua and the Soul Stealer to anyone who loved Percy Jackson, or any of the subsequent RR Presents novels!

Pahua has always been able to see spirits and while they have never given her much trouble, things take a drastic turn when she accidentally frees a bridge spirit who goes on to steal Pahua’s brother’s soul. Sounds like the beginning of a grand adventure - and thus starts Pahua and the Soul Stealer by Lori M. Lee. Thank you to Disney Publishing for the e-galley via NetGalley.

Prior to reading Pahua and the Soul Stealer, I had heard of the Hmong people before but never actually knew much about them. Aside from being quite an adventurous story, it also became an educational one as I learned about the Hmong culture and beliefs. Pahua is a brave young girl - possibly shaman warrior - and with the help of a new acquaintance and her cat spirit best friend - she is about to embark on a journey where she will uncover many secrets about herself, her family, and the Hmong community.

Pahua and the Soul Stealer was an enjoyable middle grade fantasy read featuring a brave and kind Hmong girl. I recommend it to any readers who enjoy the Aru Shah series by Roshani Chokshi or The Last Fallen Star by Grace Kim.

A great addition to the diverse canon of Rick Riordan’s imprint with a Hmong main character and mythology. We have a large Hmong population in MN and I’m excited to see some representation in a fantasy book.

This is an absolutely perfect book for middle school classroom libraries to help readers branch out from Percy Jackson and other Rick Riordan books into some new authors. The magic and storytelling were wonderful and engaging. Definitely recommend.

Rick Riordan certainly knows an epic fantasy when he reads one, and Lee’s novel is sure to be another winner in his stable of published novels! Pahua is a Hmong girl, living in a small, suburban community where no one resembles her at all. Her father left the family, and her mother works constantly to keep the family afloat. This leaves Pahua looking after her little brother, Matt, more than hanging out with friends, but since no one seems to want to be her friend, she doesn’t really mind. Besides she and Matt are close, and she does have a cat spirit named Miv who is her friend, too. Yep, Pahua sees spirits that no one else can. Maybe that’s why she doesn’t relate to the other kids in town? Anyway, while trying to fit in with some classmates, she accidentally releases an angry spirit who whisks away her brother’s soul. Fortunately for her, along comes a surly Hmong girl named Zhong, sent by her Shaman mentor to figure out what’s happening with this spirit. What follows is an often funny, full throttle adventure that had me putting aside other books so that I could see what was about to ensue. As hard to believe as it sounds, Lee makes Pahua relatable, even though she’s fighting off demons (who love to accessorize) and escaping giant frogs and all manner of other creatures. Her struggle to understand her parents is a subject most readers will understand, and her uncertainty over being able to make friends is another painful issue that will draw readers in. This one also ends with just enough hint at a sequel to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

If I was still teaching, this book would definitely be in my classroom library. Why? First, the main characters are two young girls, with Pahua being eleven. They face many challenges and are successful most of the time with more than a few bumps in the road along the way. Secondly, the story is based on Hmong folklore, stories, and beliefs passed down through the history of the Hmong people.

Now, the story follows Pahua as she has accidentally released a soul which then took the soul of her little brother. Here, a third reason this story would be in my classroom library. Pahua takes care of her little brother since her mother works such long hours after Pahua's dad left. So, this story shows the love siblings really can have for each other as Pahua literally would do anything to bring her brother back to the land of the living. Along with this family relationship is the stress Pahua had put on herself after her father left. She is upset by this and often places the blame on herself for his leaving. This is not uncommon in children who do not really understand the dynamics of divorce and parents who do not realize the guilt their children have over a divorce.

If I used this story in my classroom as a read-aloud or a class book, I would encourage a study of the Hmong people as well as the areas from which they come. (fourth reason) Their history of how their travels tied into the Vietnam War would have fit in when my students studied the US at War through a variety of literature. Learning the folklore of another culture is good for students to see and to underatand how the oral language is important in passing down the history of a culture.

A fifth reason to have this book in my classroom would be in addition to the fact the main characters are young girls, they are girls with super powers or magical powers. My students loved any books like this from the time the Harry Potter came out. And to have books showing girls as the heroes is wonderful. I always purchased books like these in order to guarantee there would be a new book for my lovers of the magical realms.

The book uses a lot of Hmong words as well as difficult names to remember. I read the book faster than a student would read it so no, I could not tell you all the names of the various characters who were obstacles along the path, but my students would have been able to do that. I learned quickly that it was not a challenge for my kids to know all the characters of any Harry Potter or Bartemaeus books (as well as all the other series including Percy Jackson and more.) They did much better than I when it came to remembering the characters but unless it was a book I had to know all the characters in detail, I read the books I bought for my classroom library so I would know they had suitable story lines and I could do that without having to remember numerous characters

I did receive this book in advance of its publication from Net Galley and Disney Publishing Worldwide. My review is my honest opinions and as you can see, I liked the book for the ages it is intended (middle grades and up) as well as for those adults who found themselves also fascanated by fantasy or magical books as they grew up.

#NetGalley #Pahluaandthesoulstealer #DisneyPublishingWorldwide
#PahuaandtheSoulStealer #NetGalley

I have loved each of the books I have read from Rick Riordan Presents, and Pahua and the Soul Stealer is one of the best! This story is so fun, spooky, and unique! I adored the characters and I'm so happy that I joined them on their adventure!

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.

The Hmong culture is deep, thoughtful, and full of such great stories. I was really excited and curious to see how the author would weave a tale worthy of such a great culture. Post-read, I feel the author did a good job of showing how each family handles heritage differently, highlighting simple acts of religious acknowledgement in the day to day routines (such as the house gods), and gave a good overview of a very complex deity system. My only complaint, which is actually proving to be a trend within storytelling these days, is having a character be dropped into an absolute unknown situation and the other characters shaming them for not having immediate knowledge. I feel it is creating drama where there needs to be no drama. Pahua can see and interact with spirits, but does not understand the world in which they live. When thrust into that world, I felt a bit angry at the reaction the other characters displayed upon learning of her ignorance. The character banter improved, but it did put me on edge for a good part of the book. Overall, I feel this book is another good asset to the Rick Riordan world and I look forward to the sequel when it is published.

This story feels important, and I believe it is. It is the first middle grade book I have read/seen with a Hmong main character. Lee crafts an imaginative adventure with multi-faceted characters. Pahua is undoubtedly one of the most memorable fantasy heroes to me. She can channel abilities and wield a mighty weapon, but she has an ability to see and read people and try to solve issues by helping others even those who might first appear as enemies when possible. Her love and protectiveness of her brother is admirable and desire for a friend relatable.