Rick Riordan Presents: Pahua and the Soul Stealer-A Pahua Moua Novel Book 1 - by Lori M Lee (Hardcover)

About the Book

While trying to rescue her brother's soul from the spirit world, eleven-year-old Pahua discovers that she is the reincarnation of a legendary shaman warrior.

Book Synopsis

Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents Lori M. Lee's middle grade debut, a fantasy adventure inspired by Hmong mythology.

"I love the adventures Pahua has in this book. I also love the sense of humor, the clever plotting, and the fantastic cast of characters. But most of all I love Pahua: her courage, her kindness, and her love for family."--NYT best-selling author Rick Riordan


Winner of the 2022 Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature

Pahua Moua has a bit of a reputation for being a weirdo. A lonely eleven-year-old Hmong girl with the unique ability to see spirits, she spends her summer days babysitting her little brother and playing with her best friend, a cat spirit no one else can see.

One day Pahua accidentally untethers an angry spirit from the haunted bridge in her neighborhood--whoops. When her brother suddenly falls sick and can't be awoken, Pahua fears that the bridge spirit has stolen his soul. She returns to the scene of the crime with her aunt's old shaman tools, hoping to confront the spirit and demand her brother's return. Instead, she summons a demon.

Thankfully, a warrior shaman with a bit of an attitude problem shows up at the last minute and saves her butt. With the help of this guide, Pahua will have to find her way through the spirit worlds and rescue her brother's soul before it's too late. Little does she know she'll have her own discoveries to make along the way. . . .

With its unforgettable characters, unique nature-based magic system, breathtaking twists and reveals, and climactic boss battle, this story based on Hmong oral tradition offers everything a fantasy lover could want.

Endorsed by Rick Riordan, author of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, soon to be a series on Disney+.

Complete your middle grade fantasy collection with these best-selling fan favorites:

• Rick Riordan Presents Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi
• Rick Riordan Presents Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee
• Rick Riordan Presents The Last Fallen Star by Graci Kim
• The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan

Review Quotes

PRAISE FOR PAHUA AND THE SOUL STEALER

Winner of the 2022 Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature!

"I love the adventures Pahua has in this book. I also love the sense of humor, the clever plotting, and the fantastic cast of characters. But most of all I love Pahua: her courage, her kindness, and her love for family."
--Rick Riordan, New York Times #1 best-selling author of The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series

"Reminiscent of the magic and whimsy of Howl's Moving Castle. An enchanting blend of humor and heart in an adventure that readers won't soon forget."
--Claribel A. Ortega, New York Times best-selling author of The Witchlings series

"I was happily, helplessly tangled up in the sparkling magic of Pahua's story from the first line. She isn't just courageous when it comes to fighting through beautiful, scary spirit worlds; she's courageous enough to be her uniquely awesome self in this world, too. She makes you feel braver with every page turn, and that's a special kind of magic."
--Natalie Lloyd, New York Times best-selling author of A Snicker of Magic

"This book had me biting my nails and laughing out loud all at once. Lori M. Lee has woven a story of enchanting spirits, terrifying demons, and one fiercely courageous shaman warrior. Pahua is my new hero!"
--Christina Soontornvat, author of the Newbery Honor winner A Wish in the Dark

★ "This powerful story rooted in Southeast Asian mythology should be on all shelves for teens and tweens to find. Fantasy readers will love Pahua and look forward to her adventures."
--School Library Journal (starred review)

"A classic, satisfying adventure tale packed with magical beings."
--Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Lori M. Lee has been writing stories since the third grade and earned a bachelor's degree in creative writing. She specializes in science fiction and fantasy and has two YA series to her name: Gates of Thread and Stone and Shamanborn. She's also a contributor to several anthologies, including A Thousand Beginnings and Endings, and Color Outside the Lines. Lori was born in a village in the mountains of Laos, which her family was forced to escape when she was just an infant. They relocated to a refugee camp in Thailand refugee for a few years and moved permanently to the United States when she was three. Now she lives in Wisconsin with her husband, kids, and excitable shih-tzu. Her Twitter handle is @LoriMLee.