Lulu Sinagtala and the Battle for the Realms - (Lulu Sinagtala and the Tagalog Gods) by Gail D Villanueva (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Lulu should never have let Maligno get away. Corrupt souls are escaping the Underworld in droves, unrest is plaguing the Middleworld, and factions are pitting gods in the Upperworld against each other. Nothing Lulu, Bart, and Kitty can't handle, right?"--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

The second book in an action-packed middle grade fantasy duology by Gail D. Villanueva, steeped in Tagalog mythology and perfect for fans of Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky.

Lulu should never have let Maligno get away. Corrupt souls are escaping the Underworld in droves, unrest is plaguing the Middleworld, and factions are pitting gods in the Upperworld against each other. Nothing Lulu, Bart, and Kitty can't handle, right?

Then Lulu finds outs that the Maligno intends to awaken the king of destruction, the primordial serpent god Ulilang Kaluluwa, in order to control the god's power with the Sacred Niyog of legend--a powerful and ancient magical artifact that has been broken in three and kept hidden by the Salamangkeros of the past. But the Maligno isn't the only one in search of the niyog. Bathala, the god of gods, wants to use it to vanguish Ulilang Kaluluwa once and for all in a battle that would destroy the universe.

To protect all three Realms, Lulu, Bart, and Kitty set off on a secret mission to find the three parts of the niyog before their enemies. But will they be able to keep the universe from falling into total chaos before it's ripped apart?

Review Quotes

"The first in what is sure to be a hit series full of magic, mythical beings, and an endearing cast of characters... Villanueva is a spectacular worldbuilder and does a remarkable job of depicting Tagalog mythology and Filipino history that is riveting, and also accessible to readers with no background in either. A solid magical thriller that will leave readers anxiously awaiting Lulu's next adventure". - School Library Journal (starred review)
"Villanueva seamlessly and naturally incorporates Tagalog folklore and vocabulary into the story along with Lulu's epilepsy, which she matter-of-factly describes as neither a weakness nor a strength but "just part of who I am." Humor and references to K-pop and P-pop help offset the existential threat. This easy-to-follow entry, which is accessible to new series readers thanks to succinct recaps, contains plenty of intrigue and hints of romance. An entertaining, immersive, and twisty adventure." - Kirkus Reviews