May is the month in which we celebrate and acknowledge Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. To mark the occasion, we’ve rounded up a list of some recent Rick Riordan Presents books that include releases from AAPI authors, as well as stories about AAPI characters.
The Pandava Quintet
Ah, it seems like just yesterday the first Rick Riordan Presents title was released. Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi kicked off the series that introduced us to the modern-day reincarnations of the legendary Pandava siblings from Hindu stories. Book 4, Aru Shah and the City of Gold, was just released last month, and the stakes are higher than ever in the war between the devas as asuras. Catch up today before spoilers become unavoidable! And prepare yourself for the climactic series finale, Aru Shah and the Nectar of Immortality, coming in April 2022.
The Thousands Worlds Series
Dragon Pearl, written by Yoon Ha Lee, is a sprawling epic that puts a sci-fi twist on traditional Korean mythology. For readers who have been eagerly awaiting a follow-up, Tiger Honor is set to release in January 2022. Explore different parts of the galaxy with some new and not-so-new members of the Thousands Worlds Space Forces. (Psst! We’ve heard a rumor that there may be a third book in the works!)
City of the Plague God
Written by Sarwat Chadda, City of the Plague God explores Mesopotamian mythology through the experiences of a 13-year-old Muslim kid from New York named Sikander Aziz. The story features ancient gods, a talking sword, an army of demons, and house cats that can transform into flying lions. What more could you ask for? And this isn’t the last we’re going to be hearing about Sik tangling with the gods. . . .
The Gifted Clans Series
The Last Fallen Star by Graci Kim is the newest addition to Rick Riordan Presents. The story follows Riley Oh, a Korean American girl who was adopted into a witch clan at a young age. Unlike the rest of her family, she doesn’t possess magical abilities, and yet she still attends Sunday school with kids of other witch clans, each of whom is granted their own powers and responsibilities when they turn thirteen. Is it any wonder Riley will go to any length to belong? Her out-of-this-world adventures will continue in The Last Fallen Moon, to be released in Summer 2022.
Pahua and the Soul Stealer
On-sale September 7th, this book from Lori M. Lee is based on Hmong mythology and stars an 11-year-old protagonist named Pahua Moua who must navigate the spirit worlds in order to save her brother’s soul. You know, as we all have to do sometimes.
Winston Chu Versus the Whimsies
This just in, we are excited to share news of a new Rick Riordan Presents title by award-winning YA author Stacey Lee! Coming in early 2023 is Winston Chu Versus the Whimsies, the story of a Chinese American boy named Winston who is gifted a pair of powerful weapons after preventing a robbery at a curiosities shop. . . . Oh, wait. We read that wrong. “This book follows a young Chinese American boy named Winston Chu who is gifted a powerful broomstick and dustpan after preventing a robbery at a curiosities shop.” There. That’s better.
And don’t forget, we get more fine writing from Roshani Chokshi, Yoon Ha Lee, Sarwat Chadda, and Graci Kim in The Cursed Carnival and Other Calamities, on sale 9/28/2021!