Lei and the Fire Goddess - The Library of the Uncommons

English language

Published 2023 by Penguin Young Readers Group.

ISBN:: 978-0-593-52203-5

From debut author Malia Maunakea comes a sweeping fantasy about a part-Hawaiian girl who must save her best friend and her island from an angry fire goddess.

Curses aren't real.

At least, that's what twelve-year-old, part-Hawaiian Anna Leilani Kamaʻehu thinks when she listens to her grandmother's folktales about sacred flowers and family guardians. Anna's friends back home in Colorado don't believe in legends either; they're more interested in science and sports — real, tangible things that stand in total contrast to Anna's family's loopy cultural traditions.

So when Anna goes back to Hawaiʻi to visit her Tūtū, she's set on having a touristy, fun vacation. But when Anna accidentally insults Pele the Fire Goddess by destroying her lehua blossom, a giant hawk swoops in and kidnaps her best friend, and she quickly learns just how real these moʻolelo are. In order to save her friends and family, …

From debut author Malia Maunakea comes a sweeping fantasy about a part-Hawaiian girl who must save her best friend and her island from an angry fire goddess.

Curses aren't real.

At least, that's what twelve-year-old, part-Hawaiian Anna Leilani Kamaʻehu thinks when she listens to her grandmother's folktales about sacred flowers and family guardians. Anna's friends back home in Colorado don't believe in legends either; they're more interested in science and sports — real, tangible things that stand in total contrast to Anna's family's loopy cultural traditions.

So when Anna goes back to Hawaiʻi to visit her Tūtū, she's set on having a touristy, fun vacation. But when Anna accidentally insults Pele the Fire Goddess by destroying her lehua blossom, a giant hawk swoops in and kidnaps her best friend, and she quickly learns just how real these moʻolelo are. In order to save her friends and family, Anna must now battle mythical creatures, team up with demi-gods and talking bats, and evade the traps Pele hurls her way.

For if Anna hopes to undo the curse, she will have to dig deep into her Hawaiian roots and learn to embrace all of who she is.

Story Locale:Oahu, Hawai'i

Series Overview: For fans of Moana and the Aru Shah series comes a rollicking fantasy duology about a part-Hawaiian girl trying to save her island.

3 editions

KnitAFett reviewed Lei and the Fire Goddess by Malia Maunakea (Lei and the Legends, #1)

Middle grade, fun read.

4 stars

I really enjoyed this one. I'm always a little wary when it comes to middle grade books due to an overdoing (understandably) of hand-holding and explaining. This one didn't do much hand-holding and instead, Malia went full force in sharing the language and mythology and just explained along the way.

The whole book is completely filled with mythology, action, and growth encircling our FMC as she struggles with finding her place in the world and accepting the beliefs of the Island. This is one that I will be pushing my kids to read. If you're ever up for a middle grade read, pick this one up. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

I really enjoyed this one. I'm always a little wary when it comes to middle grade books due to an overdoing (understandably) of hand-holding and explaining. This one didn't do much hand-holding and instead, Malia went full force in sharing the language and mythology and just explained along the way.

The whole book is completely filled with mythology, action, and growth encircling our FMC as she struggles with finding her place in the world and accepting the beliefs of the Island. This is one that I will be pushing my kids to read. If you're ever up for a middle grade read, pick this one up. I don't think you'll be disappointed.