Have you heard of the Rick Riordan Presents imprint? If you’re a fan of his epic mythological adventures or love learning about new cultures in a fun and engaging way, it definitely needs to be on your radar!
Below, you’ll find a list of all the books published so far under the imprint, along with a quick overview to help you decide which ones to add to your TBR list! Let’s very quickly go over what the RRP imprint is, though, because I really just love the story behind it!
What is Rick Riordan Presents?
I first learned about Riordan’s imprint back when I partnered with Disney Book Group to promote The Storm Runner and The Fire Keeper over on my other site, Pretty Opinionated (although I believe Aru Shah came before those). I’ve been a HUGE fan ever since.
You can learn more about the imprint on Riordan’s page, but here’s the short version. Basically, Riordan uses his massive success and well-known name to, in his words, “…publish great middle-grade authors from underrepresented cultures and backgrounds, to let them tell their own stories inspired by the mythology and folklore of their own heritage.”
Riordan knows he’s not the right author to tell these stories. Rather than appropriating them for his own gain, he openly admits this and chooses instead to help elevate the right authors.
The books chosen by his editor all have elements that Riordan’s fans know so well and love so much. Like RR’s stories, these books weave mythology and folklore into fun, engaging and relatable adventures that encourage readers to explore new cultures (or learn more about their own).
Now, let’s check out all of the books published through the imprint so far!
FYI, I used affiliate links to link to the books on Amazon. If you decide to buy through them, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks a bunch!
All of the Rick Riordan Presents Books So Far
A couple very quick notes. First, I’ll group these by series rather than the order they came out to make them easier to follow.
In most cases, you can actually read the first book in each series for free through Kindle Unlimited (KU). If you’re not already a member, you can get a free 30-day trial.
Some are also available through Prime Reading. If you’re a Prime member, you can read these without a KU membership. Again, if you’re not a member, you can snag a free 30-day trial. Okay, that about covers it. Let’s dive into the list!
Pandava Quintet (aka the Aru Shah Books) by Roshani Chokshi
The Pandava Quintet, often called the Aru Shah series, focuses on Hindu folklore and mythology. If you haven’t started it, now is a great time! The fifth (and last) book releases in the spring.
Here’s the complete list:
- Aru Shah and the End of Time (free for Prime members, no KU needed).
- Aru Shah and the Song of Death
- Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes
- Aru Shah and the City of Gold
- Aru Shah and the Nectar of Immortality (releasing April 5, 2022)
Overview
Aru Shah, the main character, is a spirited 12-year-old with one really bad habit: she’s a fibber. She makes up extraordinary lies about being royalty, mostly to compete with her super-rich classmates.
In reality, she’s the daughter of an archeologist and spends most of her days at the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture in Georgia (the state, not the country).
When she’s caught in a lie by her classmates, she tries to get out of it by lighting the Lamp of Bharata. It’s cursed, of course, but what’s the harm in lighting it up real quick, right? Turns out, A LOT!
When she lights up the lamp, she accidentally awakens a demon who has ONE job…to wake up the God of Destruction. And yes, that’s as bad as it sounds…and yes, it gets worse. Until she can unite the five Pandava brothers, her mom and all of her classmates are frozen in time. Luckily, she’ll make some great friends in the Otherworld to help her out!
Storm Runner Trilogy by Jennifer C. Cervantes
The Storm Runner Trilogy is my favorite out of all of the Rick Riordan Presents books. It focuses on Mayan & Aztec mythology, which is absolutely fascinating.
More than that, though, it’s also a story about defying expectations (even your own) and discovering that being different isn’t such a bad thing. In fact, sometimes those differences can even save the world!
Books in the series (all three are out):
- The Storm Runner (available on Kindle Unlimited)
- The Fire Keeper
- The Shadow Crosser
Overview
Zane, the main character, was born with mismatched legs. One is shorter than the other. He was homeschooled throughout elementary school, but he’s about to start his first day of middle school at Holy Ghost, a local private school. Oh, and he has a volcano in his backyard. Yes, a volcano (don’t worry, it’s dormant…or is it?).
He’s not exactly thrilled, but his mom is so excited about it, so he puts on a brave face, says goodbye to his dog Rosie, and heads off to start a new adventure. Little does he know, he’s in for more than just a “first day at a new school” adventure!
Another new student, a girl name Brooks, tells Zane that the volcano he’s played around his entire life is actually a gateway to another world. Oh, and Zane’s destined to wake up a great evil…unless Brooks can get to it first.
Thousand Worlds series by Yoon Ha Lee
Yoon Ha Lee’s Thousand Worlds series focuses on Korean mythology, but with a twist: they take place in space! So far, there are only two books out (one just released this month).
Series books:
- Dragon Pearl (available through Kindle Unlimited)
- Tiger Honor
Overview
Min, the main character, is tired of living by her mom’s rules on their bleak and poor planet. She’s also tired of her mom forbidding her from using her magic! See, Min- like most of her family- is a fox spirit. But mom worries about persecution, so Min MUST appear human at ALL times.
For now, all she can do is wait until she’s old enough to join the Space Forces like her brother. Sadly, she still has quite a long way to go until that day. But when her brother is accused of abandoning his post to run off to search for the Dragon Pearl, Min throws all of the rules out the window and embarks on a quest to clear his name.
Along the way, she’ll learn to tap into the side of her that she’s been forced to repress for so long. She’ll meet new allies and friends, but also dangerous new foes.
The Gifted Clans series by Graci Kim
The Gifted Clans series by Gracie Kim also focuses on Korean mythology, but with more of a fantasy vibe (versus sci-fi).
Only the first book is out. The trilogy includes two more set to release this year and in 2023.
Here are the titles:
- The Last Fallen Star (available through Kindle Unlimited)
- The Last Fallen Moon (June 2022)
- The Last Fallen Realm (Spring or Summer 2023)
Overview
The Gifted Clans stories follow Riley Oh, an adopted 12-year-old who just wants the same healing power that the rest of her family of witches has. Unfortunately, Riley was born without magic. So even though she knows every spell by heart, she’ll never be able to actual cast them.
That doesn’t stop Riley from being proud of her older sister, Hattie, who is about to earn her Gi bracelet and earn the privilege of casting spells without an adult. Still, she does feel like the odd duck of the family.
When Hattie comes up with a brilliant plan to cast a spell that would let Riley share her magic. What could possibly go wrong??? Turns out, quite a bit, actually (hey, if the plan went off without a hitch, it wouldn’t be much of a story, right?).
Hattie gets banished to the spirit realm, and to save her Riley must find the last fallen star of Godrealm. During her journey, she’ll discover more than just magical new friends and fascinating creatures, she’ll also discover who she is deep down.
Check out the video below to hear the author talk about the series in her own words:
Sal & Gabi Duology by Carlos Hernandez
The Sal & Gabi books aren’t really about mythology, but they do have a strong focus on Cuban culture. Like Riordan’s books, they’re also heavy on adventure, humor, and hijinks!
As “duology” implies, there are two books in the series:
- Sal & Gabi Break the Universe (available through Kindle Unlimited)
- Sal & Gabi Fix the Universe
Overview
If you could reach back through time and grab anything- even people that are no longer with you- would you do it? That’s the question Gabi has to answer when she meets Sal in the principal’s office (where he’s at for the third time in as many days).
Gabi isn’t exactly on Sal’s side at first. In fact, she’s there for her friend, Yasmany, who she claims Sal picked a fight with. Well, “picked a fight” isn’t the right phrase, actually. More like “magically put a chicken in her locker.”
Gabi finds out Sal’s secret: he can conjure things from other times and universes! Surprisingly, she’s pretty chill with that, so Sal decides that she’s someone he can work with.
Unfortunately, snatching things from time and space comes with some major drawbacks. Like, oh, breaking the universe! Fortunately, they have the sequel in which to fix it!
Tristan Strong Trilogy by Kwame Mbalia
The Tristan Strong trilogy introduces kids around the world to West African mythology and African American folklore.
All three books are out, and include:
- Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky (available through Kindle Unlimited)
- Tristan Strong Destroys the World
- Tristan Strong Keeps Punching
Overview
Tristan’s last name may be Strong, but he feels anything but after losing his best friend Eddie in a bus accident. The 7th grader feels like he should have been able to save Eddie. Now, he has nothing left of his best pal except a journal full of stories.
When Tristan’s family sends him to Alabama to spend time on his grandparents’ farm, Tristan is definitely NOT thrilled. To make things worse, a weird creature sneaks into Tristan’s room in the middle of the night and steals Eddie’s journal!
Tristan chases it down and tries to wrestle the book away from the strange being. In doing so, he accidentally punches a tree…and opens up a tear into another world filled with burning seas and monsters. His only hope of saving his world is to convince a trickster god to seal up the hole in the sky.
Along with help from African folk heroes like John Henry and Brer Rabbit, he’ll have to find a way to trick a trickster before he loses more people that he loves.
Paola Santiago series by Tehlor Kay Mejia
Dubbed as part ghost story, part family story, and part hero quest, Mejia’s Paolo Santiago story focuses on Mexican mythology and folklore (particularly the La Llorona myth).
The books include:
- Paola Santiago and the River of Tears (available through Kindle Unlimited)
- Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares
- Paola Santiago and the Sanctuary of Shadows (releases August 2, 2022)
Overview
Paolo Santiago, age 12, is obessesed with outer space and believes that science makes the world go round. Much to her embarrassment, her mom believes strongly in their culture’s superstitions, including the myth of La Llorona.
For those who haven’t heard of her, La Llorona is the stuff of nightmares and horror movies. Also known as the Wailing Woman, she’s the ghost of a mother constantly searching for her drowned children (some stories suggest she drowned them herself, while others say it was accidental). Her despair (or maybe just plain evil nature) makes her search out other young people to drag into a watery grave.
Whatever the story behind it, Pao doesn’t believe it. She thinks her mom’s superstitions are humiliating. But when her friend goes missing and Pao sees a mysterious figure in the reeds along the water, she starts to wonder if maybe her mom was right after all.
If she wants to save her friend, Pao will have to put aside the scientific method and venture into a world ruled entirely by the very creatures that her mom’s superstitions warned her about.
Rick Riordan Presents Books Not Yet Released
In addition to those mentioned above that are part of an existing series, the RRP imprint has a few other stellar titles in the works. I recommend checking out the Rick Riordan Fandom Wiki for the most up-to-date info about each.
- Shadow Bruja Duology: This spin-off of The Storm Runner series focuses on Aztec mythology. The first one should release in October 2022 (just in time to use as a stocking stuffer!).
- Serwa Boateng series by Roseanne A. Brown: The two-book series centers on Ghanaian mythology. The first one, Serwa Boateng’s Guide to Vampire Hunting, releases this summer (2022).
- Outlaw Saints by Daniel José Older: The first book, Ballad & Dagger, releases on May 3, 2022. It’s available for pre-order now, though. The series centers around Santeria mythology.
- Winston Chu Duology by Stacey Lee: The first book in Lee’s Chinese mythology series releases in Autumn, 2022. Expect to see the second one hit shelves sometime in 2023.
- Moko Magic Duology by Tracey Baptiste: You’ll have to wait a bit longer for Baptiste’s Caribbean mythology series. The first one doesn’t release until sometime in 2023.
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That about covers it! Happy reading!
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