Happy on-sale day to our latest from Rick Riordan Presents! Before we count down the minutes to Tehlor Kay Mejia’s first virtual tour event (tonight!), we’re celebrating with an intro to our favorite new shape-shifter.
As if Pao didn’t have enough to worry about. Between her battles with monsters and fantasmas, her prophetic nightmares, and the growing problems in her personal realm, Pao’s life is always on the verge of blowing up. Now, on top of everything else, a mysterious shape-shifting hitchhiker is set to plague Pao on her cross-country trip to find her father.
Is The Hitchhiker a friend or a foe? What is their true identity? And how will they change the course of Pao’s destiny? Here are our best guesses.
Pao’s Father
It’s possible! Especially considering that The Hitchhiker sometimes takes the form of a man who might look like Pao’s father. But if he did want to reconnect with his daughter, a simple phone call would be more effective than silently stalking her across the country.
Franco
Franco only recently returned from the void. And the dynamic between the Niños de la Luz has been way off ever since he was reinstalled as their leader alongside Marisa. Could he have somehow . . . changed while he was trapped on the other side?
(Changed from good to evil, that is. Not changed his outfit. Just to be clear.)
One of Dante’s Parents
We know that Dante lives with his abuela, who was a former member of the Niños de la Luz. But how much do we know about his parents? Could one or even both have fallen victim to dark forces long ago? Dante has been acting sketchy lately. Maybe he knows more than he’s letting on . . .
Maria Santiago’s New Boyfriend
Ever since Aaron has been coming around, Pao’s mom has seemingly abandoned her supernatural theories and abilities. Unless you count supreme obliviousness as a magical power. Did the man do something to her? Truthfully, Aaron is too boring not to be suspicious. This guy is clearly hiding something.
One of La Llorona’s Sons
Yes, we know that Beto didn’t see eye-to-eye with his mother. And Luis didn’t survive her experiment on him. But these are ghosts we’re talking about. Is it really that much of a stretch to believe that one of them might want to seek revenge on Pao after what she did to their mother?
Ondina
Speaking of La Llorona’s kids—SPOILER ALERT—it seems as though her daughter, Ondina, received a pretty definitive ending at the end of the last book. It’s unlikely we’ll be seeing her again anytime soon. And yet, we weren’t the only ones creeped out by this ghost girl, right? Maybe Ondina had a little something extra up her sleeve . . .
Chances are, the real answer lies in an old Mexican folktale . . .
Want to learn more about The Hitchhiker? Be sure to pick up Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares, on sale now!
