This was a really wonderful adventure story. A mixture of Hmong folk stories and 2 powerful Hmong girls. The loved both of the lead female characters who have a great, relatable mixture of strengths and weaknesses. These are great role models, and great for girls to see themselves in this powerful story.

4.5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
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Thank you to the publishers and Net Galley for giving me a copy of this book! This is my honest review, all views are my own.
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Pahua and the Soul Stealer is a fast-paced, comedic, and wholesome adventure about a girl who rights her mistakes and journeys to the Spirit Realm to save her brother… with the help of some friends, of course!
While there are a couple of loose threads and less-than-well-explained areas, overall this book was super fun! I loved learning about Hmong mythology surrounding their different realms and spiritfolk, especially their shamans and shaman-warriors. Pahua was a great character with a lot of complexities. She makes mistakes, but tries her best to right her wrongdoings. She’s very caring and will fight tooth and nail for those that she loves. She also has a good head on her shoulders, as she is intelligent enough to recognize when a situation requires a tactful approach, resulting in her outsmarting the enemy without having to battle it out. Her companions were equally as memorable and good, with both Miv and Zhong having shining personalities that created a great group dynamic throughout their adventure. The only things I wasn’t the hugest fan of were the parts where the storytelling that Zhong would do would be packed with a ton of information, making it confusing and overwhelming to follow. It took away from my immersion into the story, so it knocked the final rating down a little bit… But the foreshadowed plot twists near the final battle were jaw-dropping! I debated whether this would be 5 stars for a while, and I determined that it comfortably sits at 4.5 stars.

Pahua and the Soul Stealer is a super fun middle-grade adventure that is very similar to many of the other Riordan Presents imprint. This quick read entails an amazing world of Hmong inspired fantasy and adventure for our 11 year old protagonist. I loved the spirit cat companion, Miv, and how Pahua grows in her self confidence throughout the story. Readers of other Riordan Presents books will notice similar themes: relatable kid, discovering supernatural connections, quests, prophecies/curses, helpful allies, and lots of twists and turns in the pursuit to save the day. I really love the fantasy premise of this book, and it makes me very excited to read more of Lori M. Lee's books. I'm very excited to buy this book once it's released next week. A big thank you to Disney Publishing Worldwide, Rick Riordan Presents, and Netgalley for a copy of this eArc in exchange for an honest review!

⚔👻 BOOK REVIEW* ⚔👻

Wowwowowowowowow. This book is absolutely brilliant.
The writing is so good, the plot is fast-paced and fascinating, and the characters are utterly delightful.
This book made me laugh, it made my heart hurt, and the plot twists literally had me gasping for breath. I was so scared, you guys😂😫🤯
I love every single thing about this incredible tale and I'm so glad I got to read this one! It's one of my new faves for Rick Riordan Presents for sure, and I NEED THE SEQUEL IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!!!!

*thanks to the publisher for giving me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a fun ride. I love all the Rick Riordan Presents stories, but this was especially up my alley. Shaman magic, fights, ghosts/spirits..? Count me in!

First of all, I think the release of the book is very timely because it comes out after the win of gymnast Sunisa Lee (a member of the Hmong community) at the Tokyo Olympics. More people are curious about the culture than ever. I admittedly knew very little about the Hmong culture prior to reading this book, but after finishing I’m eager to learn more.

Pahua, the titular character of the story, lives in a small town away from the majority of the Hmong community with her mother and little brother (definitely an awesome sibling relationship there). Her life is fairly normal, except she can see spirits (her best friend is a talking cat spirit named “Miv” - aptly named “Cat” in the Hmong language). After Pahua makes a mistake and releases an angry bridge spirit, she must journey into the spirit realm and retrieve her brother’s soul before it is too late. The story includes all types of crazy shenanigans, from spirit horse rental agencies to dragons (which always make a story better) and the all-important prophecies.

One thing that would be awesome to see in future Rick Riordan Presents books is the inclusion of a resource list from the author, places, and books that they suggest (and endorse) if a reader would want to learn more about their specific culture. For example, what resources would Lori recommend if a reader would want to learn more about the Hmong culture and mythology? Specific websites? Books? Epic poems like the Mahabharata or the Odyssey? Inquiring minds want to know.

If you love Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians books, then you should really give Pahua and the Soul Stealer a chance. I would very easily recommend it to readers of all ages who have an interest in learning more about different cultures and mythologies. Thank you to NetGalley, Disney-Hyperion Publishing, and the author Lori M. Lee for allowing me to read an early copy of this book at no cost to myself. I voluntarily read and reviewed Pahua and the Soul Stealer; all opinions in the review are my own and not influenced in any way.

Pahua is an 11 year old Hmong girl. For as long as she can remember, she has been able to see and interact with spirits that no one else seems to notice. When her brother's spirit is stolen by another and he ends up in a coma at the hospital, Pahua teams up with her spirit cat and a shaman-in-training to rescue her brother’s spirit in a tale filled with themes of self-worth, friendship, and found family.

Overall, this book was incredibly well done; this is definitely one of my favorite books in the Rick Riordan Imprint. The main characters were lovable and each had their own well-executed arc, and the plot was interesting and well constructed. But the world building is where this book truly shines. I’m not exaggerating when I say that the world building is flat-out stunning, and I want to know so much more about Hmong culture and their oral traditions now!

I would give Pahua and the Soul Stealers 4.25 stars. My biggest critique is that it started to feel a bit long in the middle, and I could feel myself losing interest when the quest dragged on in parts, which is similar to how I felt when I read the Magnus Chase books. But on the whole, it was exceptionally well written, and I would strongly recommend Pahua to fans of the Rick Riordan Imprint.

I received a digital advance reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared. But to get back to my brother, I had to stand my ground. And not pretend to be someone else. This time, the only person who could save me was me.”

Eleven-year-old Pahua Moua has a secret: she can see spirits. She can’t tell anyone because, um duh, they’d think she was even more of a weirdo than they already do. But when she accidentally releases the spirit of a haunted bridge who then proceeds to steal her little brother’s soul, everything Pahua thought she knew about the world and herself changes. Desperate to save him, she decides to venture into the spirit world itself with only her best friend who happens to be a cat spirit and a shaman-warrior-in-training whose attitude could be a bit better. But the spirit world is no place for mortals, and Pahua soon realizes there’s much, much more to her than meets the eye. She’ll have to dig deep within herself and face the secrets waiting for her there if she wants to save her brother in time.

Inspired by Hmong mythology and filled to the brink with adventure and daring, Pahua and the Soul Stealer is the perfect addition to the Rick Riordan Presents imprint. Lori M. Lee’s newest novel is bold, heartwarming, and so, so fun. Pahua is a brilliant protagonist, and her journey of self-discovery will resonate with middle-grade readers who need just a little extra boost of self-esteem. I thoroughly enjoyed Pahua’s voice throughout, but the other characters also shine on the page. Zhong and Miv are the best partners in adventure Pahua could ask for, and Lee brings them to life beautifully. The mythological elements are fabulous, and I loved learning about Hmong mythology through Pahua’s story. Fans of races against the clock and magical mythology will love this fast-paced middle-grade adventure.

Content Warnings: Absent parent, racism, some violence, some graphic descriptions, bullying, character in a coma, hospital scenes, blood

(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)

Pahua and the Soul Stealer by Lori M. Lee is the story of Pahua, a Hmong girl who is seen as different. She has the ability to see spirits, including her best friend who is a cat spirit. Pahua looks after her brother Matt. When Pahua visits the haunted bridge not too far from their school, she accidentally frees the spirit attached to it. Matt suddenly falls ill and cannot be woken up. Pahua fears the bridge spirit has taken his soul. She takes it upon herself to confront the spirit and bring her aunt’s old shaman tools. Without meaning to, Pahua summons a demon. Pahua is swiftly rescued by a shaman warrior. Pahua and her new guide work to enter the spirit world and rescue Matt before it’s too late. Pahua makes lots of discoveries in the spirit world, including some about herself.

I couldn’t get enough of this book. It’s so fun and full of action and lovable characters. I hope we get a sequel. I need to see more Pahua!

Riordan and his Presents line are popular in our community and amongst my coworkers! This is a great addition to the collection. I did not know much about Hmong culture before reading this book, but I like that it opens the doors for children to learn about other cultures and peoples. I'll be recommening this for my library!

This book has adventure, Hmong mythology, and an "Own Voices" author. I think kids will love this story.

I had never heard of the Hmong culture prior to the summer Olympics and gold medalist Suni Lee. I received an ARC of Pahua from Netgalley and was so excited to learn more about the Hmong culture and traditions. This is a great addition to the Rick Riordan presents series. Following Pahua as she interacts with spirits and journeys through the spirit realm to save her brother. This is an action-packed book that anyone who likes adventure will love! Strong female character who I was excited to get to know! Can’t wait for future books about Pahua!

Lori M. Lee does an amazing job bringing the mythology of Southeast Asia to life. I didn’t know much about the Hmong culture and this book made me want to reach out to learn more. I loved how the characters were well developed but still slightly flawed. I adored the introduction of the spirits that only Pahua could see without making it feel creepy. The action was fast paced and I can’t wait to read more about Pahua and her life as a shaman warrior.

Yet another triumph for Rick Riordan Presents - Pahua's story is full of family, the longing for friends, and Hmong folklore. Being a member of an ethnic minority is difficult for any child. Add in an absent father, a mother working double-shifts, and being constantly responsible for a younger brother - then multiply by the ability to see spirits. Imagine what it would be like to see things no one else is aware of, not be able to talk about it with anyone because you have no friends, and add it to all the other awkwardness. But when an angry ghost threatens her little brother, Pahua will channel her inner shaman and dare to enter the Spirit Realm to protect him.

The author shares her inspiration for the story in her note, which comes at the end of the book. I had never read any Hmong mythology before, but the figures are fascinating. There are nature spirits, demons, dragons, gods, demi-gods, ghosts, elephant spirit guides, shapeshifters. Any reader who has enjoyed Percy Jackson, Paola Santiago, or other characters from Rick's imprint should grab a copy of Pahua as soon as they can.

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.