Lulu Sinagtala and the City of Noble Warriors (Lulu Sinagtala and the Tagalog Gods #1)

by Gail D Villanueva (Author)

In this fast-paced, thrilling middle grade fantasy rooted in Tagalog mythology, a young Filipino girl discovers realms beyond our own full of monsters and gods, a terrible evil who wants her magic, and even a talking duck! The first book in a duology from Gail D. Villanueva (My Fate According to the Butterfly) that's perfect for fans of Tristan Strong and Aru Shah.

Lulu Sinagtala can't wait for a fun Christmas break. She's excited to hang out with her sister, Kitty, and best friend, Bart; to reenact her favorite legends from Tagalog folklore (like the amazing tale of Bernardo Carpio); and, of course, to eat as much yummy street-side inihaw as possible! But when a vicious wakwak attacks her neighborhood and kidnaps Mom, Lulu discovers the creatures and deities of Tagalog myth are real and that two additional Realms exist beyond our own.

To make it worse, Lulu has superhuman strength and the ability to wield magic, meaning she's the only one powerful enough to stop the evil spirit who's determined to rule the three Realms at all costs. No pressure, right? Lulu, Kitty, and Bart set off on a quest to rescue Mom, where they outsmart cunning enemies, battle vengeful beings, and form unlikely alliances. Soon they find themselves swept into a centuries-long fight, unraveling secrets about Lulu and her past that threaten to upend everything and throw the whole universe into chaos.

Can Lulu muster the strength (superhuman or not) to find out who she really is and who she can trust to save Mom and the three Realms before it's too late?

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Kirkus

Rich in adventure, intrigue, and magical fun.

ALA/Booklist

A good pick for fans of Rick Riordan–style mythological fantasies, especially those who liked Erin Entrada Kelly’s Lalani of the Distant Sea (2019) or Tracy Badua’s Freddie vs. the Family Curse (2022).

Publishers Weekly

All 11-year-old Luningning Sinagtala wants is "an ordinary life" in the Philippines with her adoptive Chinese Filipina mother and sister Kitty, also 11, in this high-energy exploration of Tagalog mythology, strong relationships, and self-identity by Villanueva (Sugar and Spite). But their physical differences ("My being dark and flat-nosed means I'm not 'pretty'") and her epilepsy make her feel like the odd one out. And when strange things begin happening to Lulu that other people don't seem to remember afterward--such as her single-handedly stopping a truck from hitting her and Kitty--she feels even more at odds with her family. As enchanted creatures descend upon her community, seeming intent on finding and targeting Lulu, she realizes that the Tagalog myths she learned about in school are real, and that she's been chosen by the Anito, or the spirits, to wield their power to protect the universe. Laugh-out-loud humor and a plethora of pop-culture references add contemporary sparkle to this vividly imagined and riveting fantasy adventure starring a charming protagonist whose quick wit and loyalty, as well as love for those around her, make her easy to root for. Ages 8-12. (Jan.)

Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"Villanueva's fun fantasy adventure takes us on a quest through the urban landscape of metropolitan Manila and includes details of street life in Silanganan: aromatic food vendors, high-speeding bucket trucks, and sari sari stores. Tagalog words and phrases are sprinkled throughout the book and add to the overall atmosphere and world building. There's plenty of humor in this story, and it also touches on epilepsy and adoption in mixed-race families (Chinese and Filipino)." — Booklist

"?A Manila tween learns of her magical powers in this duology opener steeped in Tagalog mythology... Readers will be completely immersed in the book's fantastical and culturally and historically rich world, which features inclusive representation; Lulu's bisexuality is naturally woven into her characterization. Villanueva deftly balances complex worldbuilding, plot twists, and moments of levity while touching on serious themes such as colonization. Rich in adventure, intrigue, and magical fun." — Kirkus Reviews

"A gem of a fantasy novel, vibrant with thrilling Tagalog mythology, laugh-out-loud humor, and the love of family and friends. Readers will cheer for Lulu as much as I do." — Elsie Chapman, author of The Scroll of Chaos

"Readers will fall in love with Lulu Sinagtala as she makes her way through the world of Tagalog gods and monsters while exploring the complexities of family, friendship, colonialism, and compassion. Sincerely protective, deeply determined, and supernaturally strong, Lulu is a hero for the ages." — Misa Sugiura, author of the Momo Arashima series

"In this page-turning, twisty middle grade fantasy rooted in Tagalog folklore, readers will be enthralled by Lulu's adventurous spirit and inspired by her love for her family and friends. A must-read for mythology fans everywhere!" — Katie Zhao, author of The Dragon Warrior and Winnie Zeng series

"Lulu Sinagtala and the City of Noble Warriors is a funny, fast-paced romp across Tagalog mythological worlds, packed with karaoke-singing creatures, epic Filipino heroes, and boy band-loving gods. Amid all the twists, turns, and treachery, Gail D. Villanueva masterfully weaves in a heartfelt exploration of family and identity: there is so much to love about Lulu!" — Tracy Badua, author of Freddie vs. the Family Curse

Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780063255364
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
HarperCollins
Publication date
January 09, 2024
Series
Lulu Sinagtala and the Tagalog Gods
BISAC categories
JUV037000 - Juvenile Fiction | Fantasy & Magic
JUV001000 - Juvenile Fiction | Action & Adventure
JUV012020 - Juvenile Fiction | Fairy Tales & Folklore | Country & Ethnic - General
JUV012060 - Juvenile Fiction | Legends, Myths, Fables | Asian
JUV074000 - Juvenile Fiction | Diversity & Multicultural
Library of Congress categories
Magic
Fantasy
Kidnapping
Mothers and daughters
Imaginary wars and battles
Animals, Mythical
Mythology, Philippine

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