Pahua and the Dragon's Secret: A Pahua Moua Novel, book 2

 

My Thoughts:

Pahua Moua is back for the second installation of this Hmong modern fantasy tale. When Pahua and  the Soul Stealer concluded, she and shaman-in-training Zhong were able to defeat Xov and place him behind an enchanted prison that straddles different worlds. The problem is that Xov's cage is eroding and Pahua, her mother and little brother are still in danger. 

Although she gets into the Hogwarts-like school for shamans, nothing is ever easy for Pahua. In order to keep everyone safe, this next adventure takes her to the Land of Dragons, accompanied by Miv, her talking cat and Zhong. There is even a ring of power, "my precious" literary cameo from LORTR for older readers. It is one of the reasons why as an adult, I just love YA. 

Pahua must once again face an ethical dilemma in this next story. After all, there are always sacrifices necessary with powerful magic. More importantly for middle school readers, if they like this series, this story leaves the door open for more adventures with Pahua. 

From the Publisher:

A snarky cat spirit, a rivalry between two shamans-in-training, a dangerous dragon encounter, and a stand-off with a thunder god are just a few of the delights and thrills in this sequel to Pahua and the Soul Stealer, winner of the 2022 Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature.

Eleven-year-old Hmong girl Pahua Moua recently discovered that she's the reincarnation of Shee Yee, a renowned warrior. With the help of her friends Miv, a talking cat; and Zhong, a shaman-in-training, Pahua defeated Xov, the god of wrath, destruction, and thunder. Now she has to retrieve some metallic dragon scales to reinforce his weakened prison cell.

Pahua, Zhong, and Miv travel to the Land of Dragons, where they come upon the truth stone, an object that reveals the world as it is. The stone will help them locate the second seal that will bind Xov. However, magic is circular, and if Pahua wants to create something as powerful as a cage for a god, she will have to make an equally powerful sacrifice. . . .

Publication Information:

Author: Lori M. Lee

Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents (September 10, 2024)

Hardcover: 432 pages

ISBN-13: 978-1368083416

Grade level: 3-7

Pahua and the Soul Stealer

 

My Thoughts:

This middle-grade friendly adventure/fantasy/mythology book is another great addition to the Rick Riordan presents series of books coming out from YA authors of color who are writing about their own culture and community. For Ms. Lee, she introduces us to Hmong mythology in this very exciting race to battle demons and save her younger brother. 

As the United States left Afghanistan this fall and images of hundreds of Americans and Afghans with American ties trying to get to the airport in Kabul inundated our television and computer news screens,  I thought of the images from the Vietnam war and the fast retreat of Americans in our history books. The Hmongs, similar to the Afghan translators,  fought and died next to American troops in the Vietnamese war. However, there was no exit strategy for them when the Americans left. A large number of Hmongs fled Laos to refugee camps in Thailand. Some of them made their way to the United States  and they have established large communities in states like Minnesota and Wisconsin. The summer Olympics in Tokyo featured gold medal gymnast Suni Lee, an American Hmong athlete out of St. Paul, Minnesota. In other words,  they have been in America for generations, yet I have not read much literature from their community, especially in YA. This story, then is both timely and fresh. Middle grade readers will get pulled in by the excitement and supernatural elements. They will root for Pahua as she has to face fears, face her weakness, and in the process find her strength.

If middle grade readers like this, they may like Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom by Sangu Mandanna, The Last Fallen Star by Graci Kim, or Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia next. 

From the Publisher:

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.