Before reading Pahua and the Soul Stealer, I knew very little about Hmong culture and mythology. I'm so glad I read this book because it introduced me to so much I didn't know before, and I really think anyone who enjoys the other Rick Riordan presents stories will love this one, too.

Pahua's character is very interesting, and I loved watching her progression throughout the story. While she's eager (if a little bit apprehensive) to learn everything she can about being a shaman warrior, she never loses sight of her empathy and compassion for others. While a different protagonist might have jumped to fight every time they were met with opposition, Pahua tried to leave violence as a last resort. It was refreshing to see.

I also loved the relationship between Pahua and her brother Matt, along with the tentative bonds that grew between her and Zhong. But of course, we can't forget the loveable cat spirit, Miv. While the plot was certainly compelling and interesting, it was the friendships exhibited that kept me hooked.

I'm so glad I read Pahua and the Soul Stealer. I've yet to read a book from Rick Riordan Presents that I haven't enjoyed at least a little, and this book is no exception!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

There are so many things you're going to love about this book!

The sidekick, Miv, is hilarious! Pahua is uncertain of herself and her abilities and grows through the book. Her "friend", a member of a school to train Hmong warriors also has a journey and changes her tune through the story. We genuinely feel for Pahua and all she's going through. She has to take on the role of an adult in so many ways even though she's only 11-years old.

The setting is amazing! Once Pahua goes into the spirit realm, you get to feast on descriptions and get scared by monsters. The author does a good job by including reminders for the reader who the monsters and gods are to avoid confusion with names that might be unfamiliar. I love how some of the creatures have a dual nature and we don't quite know how much we can trust them.

Learning about the Hmong people, their history, and mythology is interesting. I knew very little about the Hmong, and now I feel like I know them better. I love stories that introduce me to new cultures!

Adventures! Your middle-grade reader is going to dig this book for all the adventures! After catching your breath for about one second, trouble comes barrelling in, upsetting Pahua's plans. The big question is can she save her brother? She's just 11!

I highly recommend this story for anyone who loves fun characters, rich settings, learning about cultures, and having adventures! Seriously, the kids are going to eat this up! And when does the next come out? I don't know, but I know there are going to be readers clamoring for it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I loved this book, I was sucked in from the moment I started reading and couldn't bring myself to put it down until I had finished reading. The characters were lovable and easy to connect with, and the plot was extremely interesting.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for providing me with a free ebook copy of this title in exchange for my review.

I so loved this book! I'm a huge fan of Rick Riordan and his Presents line, introducing me and my family to new authors and the lore and mythology of their respective cultures. Even though these books are written for elementary/middle grade readers, my new adult children and I really enjoy them as well. This new title is no different. I loved learning to story Ms Lee had to tell us about Pahua, her culture and life journey. I really enjoyed reading the book, but also look forward to the release of the audio as well.

Description and character development kept me turning pages, waiting to see what is next. The story is resolved at the end, but I could see it being a series easily enough as well.

I adored this awesome tale. Pahua is very relatable and we can all empathize with her in one way or another. Learning more about the Hmong people and their mythology, the author did a fantastic job bringing these myths to life. I hope that the author continues to build this world she created and that we can continue to go on adventures with Pahua, Zhong, and Miv.

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.