This is a very nice continuation of the Pahua series, which further explores Hmong mythology in a snarky, accessible, contemporary voice. A whole lot of fun.

2nd in Pahua series, this Rick Riordan presents title deals with deities of the Hmong culture. 11 year old pahua is the reincarnation of Shen Yee, a powerful demigod and cultural hero. Following the Riordan formula, Pahua struggles with understanding and using her powers but through the acts of kindness, self deprecating humor, and friendship manages to save the day. I found Pahua a likable heroine and adore Miv, her cat spirit annd highly sarcastic ally. I think kids will enjoy learning about Hmong culture and a story with dragons is sure to please. I was given a copy of this ebook in return for an honest review.

My Thoughts:

Pahua Moua is back for the second installation of this Hmong modern fantasy tale. When Pahua and the Soul Stealer concluded, she and shaman-in-training Zhong were able to defeat Xov and place him behind an enchanted prison that straddles different worlds. The problem is that Xov's cage is eroding and Pahua, her mother and little brother are still in danger.

Although she gets into the Hogwarts-like school for shamans, nothing is ever easy for Pahua. In order to keep everyone safe, this next adventure takes her to the Land of Dragons, accompanied by Miv, her talking cat and Zhong. There is even a ring of power, "my precious" literary cameo from LORTR for older readers. It is one of the reasons why as an adult, I just love YA.

Pahua must once again face an ethical dilemma in this next story. After all, there are always sacrifices necessary with powerful magic. More importantly for middle school readers, if they like this series, this story leaves the door open for more adventures with Pahua.


From the Publisher:
A snarky cat spirit, a rivalry between two shamans-in-training, a dangerous dragon encounter, and a stand-off with a thunder god are just a few of the delights and thrills in this sequel to Pahua and the Soul Stealer, winner of the 2022 Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature.

Eleven-year-old Hmong girl Pahua Moua recently discovered that she's the reincarnation of Shee Yee, a renowned warrior. With the help of her friends Miv, a talking cat; and Zhong, a shaman-in-training, Pahua defeated Xov, the god of wrath, destruction, and thunder. Now she has to retrieve some metallic dragon scales to reinforce his weakened prison cell.

Pahua, Zhong, and Miv travel to the Land of Dragons, where they come upon the truth stone, an object that reveals the world as it is. The stone will help them locate the second seal that will bind Xov. However, magic is circular, and if Pahua wants to create something as powerful as a cage for a god, she will have to make an equally powerful sacrifice. . . .

Publication Information:
Author: Lori M. Lee
Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents (September 10, 2024)
Hardcover: 432 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1368083416
Grade level: 3-7

In the first volume, Pahua and the Soul Stealer, readers met then eleven year-old Pahua. Pahua is Hmong, and like so many immigrant and first-generation children, there is no one like her in her immediate area. Her parents are divorced, her mother works a lot to support Pahua and her younger brother Matt, and therefore Pahua spends a lot of time watching Matt and wishing she had friends, while trying, like so many children of divorce, to figure out what she did to drive her father away. During this novel, Pahua discovered that she is the spiritual reincarnation of Shee Yee, a powerful shaman, whose spirit was banished from reincarnation to keep him from freeing Xov, even though, in reality, Shee Yee was the one who imprisoned him. In this second volume, Pahua goes on a quest to repair the second of the three seals confining Xov, to prove she is worthy to enter the School for Shamanic Arts and Spiritual Mastery. In the process, she meets new people, makes new friends, and runs into new problems.

As with the first novel, Pahua and the Dragon's Secret is a wonderful example of the fantasy sub-genre based on the mythology of a particular culture, in this case Hmong. As with the first volume, this volume has magic, a quest, danger, and new friends. That such a wonderful story includes pieces of a mythology that many people are unfamiliar with helps bind it together and gives it a depth and richness that is often lacking, making for a wonderful and entertaining story. Like many second novels, it assumes you have read the first one, and I would recommend that you do so, for the appropriate background. Recommended for readers upper elementary to adult.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Pahua is invited to apply for the shaman warrior school but must prove herself and protect her family. She and Zhong sneak off for another rip roaring adventure. The use of mythology and the tween behaviors make this an excellent book for most upper elementary and middle school kiddos.

I flew through this book like I was on the back of a dragon.

Thank you to Net Galley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for the eARC!

In this action-packed sequel to PAHUA AND THE SOUL STEALER, Pahua, who discovered in the last book that she was a reincarnation of the legendary shaman Shee Yee, must continue the battle against Xov, the god of thunder, wrath, and destruction. With Zhong and Miv, her companions from the first book, she must find dragon scales to reinforce the weakening cage that keeps Xov imprisoned. At stake are the safety of her family, the magical shamanic school she hopes to join, and the world.

This is a myth-, magic-, and action-packed novel. I enjoyed the combination of Hmong cultural details and magical adventure. I also appreciated seeing the important role family in Pahua’s life. Even when she’s away from them, fulfilling her quest, I feel her ties to them. This feels culturally true and adds a layer of emotional dimension to the book--one that is missing from many middle grade books. A worthy addition to the Rick Riordan Presents series!

Pahua, Zhong, and Miv must find a way to repair Xov's prison before he escapes. The usual hilarity ensues.

Thank you Disney Publishing Worldwide, Rick Riordan Presents, and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this awesome book! This is the second instalment into the Pahua series and it was such a fun read! Same amazing characters, wonderful storytelling, adventure, and dragons made for a fantastic story! Can’t wait for Pahua’s next quest and in the meantime, would greatly recommend this book and series to anyone who enjoys exploring mythology and learn about different cultures.

A fun followup to the first Pahua Moua novel. While familiarity with the first book would be useful, it is not strictly required. In this volume Pahua, Zhong, and Miv travel to the Land of Dragons, where they find both old enemies and new friends. We also get to (briefly) see the famed shaman school, although very little of the novel is actually set there. I'm looking forward to the next Pahua book for sure, this is probably my favorite of the currently active Rick Riordan series.

Fun story with a snarky, clever cat spirit! I wish I had read the first one before delving into this one but I plan to read them both again later. Palau and her friends are delightful companions on a risk filled adventurous quest to reenforce the prison of an evil spirit . Exciting and full of friendship and amusement, this is a great series for reluctant readers or just for those who feel they don’t fit in. Dragons and magic and all the great things that you loved as a young adult, whether you admit to it or not.

I received an electronic ARC from Disney Publishing Worldwide through NetGalley.
Pahua, Zhong, and Miv are back for another adventure. They must locate the right metal to reinforce Xov's prison cage and reinforce the second seal. This continuation of the story offers new characters along with those from book one. Lee makes readers feel they are part of the quest as they venture to the dragon's land and locate the Seamstress. When a new friend betrays them, they must handle the emotional fallout as well as the physical dangers before completing the journey. Though successful in reinforcing Xov's prison, readers see how he tricked them and their actions have caused a much more dangerous situation at the end. Looking forward to the final book in the trilogy.
Middle grade readers will appreciate the action and the way Lee weaves Hmong mythology into the story. The Glossary helps with terminology.

Lori Lee expands an original mythical universe and does so in a way that expands Rick Riordan Presents. I recommend both of the books in Lee’s series for school and classroom libraries, and I hope to see more form this author in RR Presents and beyond.

I loved this story! As the second book in the series, it can stand on its own. I never felt like I was missing anything, even though I haven’t read the first book. The cliff hanger is a great segway to the next book.
This story does a great job of exploring emotions, reactions, and relationships of teenagers. I can’t wait to see how the characters grow in the next story.

Pahua is hoping to go school to learn how to a shaman, to use the gifts she has inherited as the reincarnation of Shee Yee, instead she sets off to fix the second seal of that is binding the destructive Xov. Her talking cat spirit, Miv, and Zhong, a friend/shaman-in-training and a young dragon help her on her quest.
Pahua is a great heroine. I especially love how much she deals with all the actual physical pain she goes through yet can still joke about spirit realm medical bills. It is wonderful to watch her grow into the gifts she has as Pahua and incorporate them with the gifts of Shee Yee.

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for this DRC.
#RickRiordanPresentsPahuaandtheDragonsSecretAPahuaMouaNovelBook2 #NetGalley

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. This was an action packed adventure filled with dragons and other mythical creatures. I like that Pahua and her friends still keeps trying regardless of the costs.

I enjoyed the second installment of Pahua Moua. It is definitely going on my classroom bookshelf and will be recommended to my students.

Pahua and the Dragon's secret was a fun adventure tale much like all the books in the Rick Riordans Presents series. I enjoyed the fast pace, the humor and the Studio Ghibli Spirited Away vibes. As with the first book in the series, the tale stays true to the Hmong culture and I enjoyed learning even more about it. It was a quick read. The characters are relatable and the book can be enjoyed by anyone adult or child.