The Extraordinary Life of Riz

A Praying Mantis' Quest for a Happy Ending

by Nida Farid

This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.

Buy on Amazon Buy on BN.com Buy on Bookshop.org

*This page contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.

Pub Date Apr 18 2025 | Archive Date May 26 2025

Nida Rizwan Farid | NRF

Middle Grade | Sci Fi & Fantasy | Teens & YA

Talking about this book? Use #TheExtraordinaryLifeofRiz #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!

Description

In a world where marriage means death, can a praying mantis have a happy ending?

Riz needed no one in his life except his best friend, Big Al, and Uncle Qasim. And he especially did not need any of those annoying, pesky, fatal she-mantises.

Until Dua came into his life.

When Mother Nature steps in to ruin Riz’s life and happy ending, Riz and Big Al are thrust into an extraordinary adventure, running for their lives from an enemy who knows them too well and will never give up.

If they manage to survive this adventure, could they find the answer to the most mysterious question of it all:

Can a praying mantis have a happy ending?

In a world where marriage means death, can a praying mantis have a happy ending?

Riz needed no one in his life except his best friend, Big Al, and Uncle Qasim. And he especially did not need any of...

A Note From the Publisher

This book is meant for the ages 10+, so it is for Upper Middle Grade readers in the Middle Grade Category, as well as for Teen/YA readers. I would not recommend it for children younger than 10.

Advance Praise

" The Extraordinary Life of Riz is an imaginative, daring story that doesn’t play it safe, and that’s what makes it worth the read." - NetGalley Reviewer

"A wild ride through the life (and dangers) of a little praying mantis with a huge heart. Riz’s story had me laughing, tearing up, and thinking way more deeply about bugs than I ever expected." - Joy's Corner

"A beautifully sweet, if sometimes tense and dramatic, story of whether love can survive every obstacle, even Mother Nature. Riz is such a kind hearted main character, you can feel his emotions so loudly in everything he does." - NetGalley Reviewer

" The Extraordinary Life of Riz is an imaginative, daring story that doesn’t play it safe, and that’s what makes it worth the read." - NetGalley Reviewer

"A wild ride through the life (and dangers) of...

Marketing Plan

1. Social media posts on personal accounts on Facebook and LinkedIn. (F: @nida.farid, L:@nidafarid)

2. Facebook Author Page : will be used for social media posts, as well as to run Meta Ads to access Facebook and Instagram audience.

3. Author email list, managed through Kit.com. Broadcast twice a month.

4. Available on all Amazon stores

5. Distributed by Bookvault and it's global distribution options.

6. Accessing China and India market through PublsihDrive.

7. Use promo sites, like FussyLibrarian, BargainBooksy, BookBub, etc.

8. Amazon Ads

9. School, library and bookstore visits and readings.

10. Visits to local and regional Literature festivals once the season starts in Fall '25.

1. Social media posts on personal accounts on Facebook and LinkedIn. (F: @nida.farid, L:@nidafarid)

2. Facebook Author Page : will be used for social media posts, as well as to run Meta Ads to access...