Rick Riordan Presents is a book
imprint
Imprint or imprinting may refer to:
Entertainment
* ''Imprint'' (TV series), Canadian television series
* "Imprint" (''Masters of Horror''), episode of TV show ''Masters of Horror''
* ''Imprint'' (film), a 2007 independent drama/thriller film
...
of Disney-Hyperion (
Disney Publishing Worldwide
Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW), formerly known as The Disney Publishing Group and Buena Vista Publishing Group, is the publishing subsidiary of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. Its imprints inclu ...
) that was launched in 2018 and is led by Stephanie Owens Lurie. The line publishes books that utilize the mythology of various cultures and countries in its storytelling akin to
Rick Riordan
Richard Russell Riordan Junior (; born June 5, 1964) is an American author, best known for writing the ''Percy Jackson & the Olympians'' series. Riordan's books have been translated into forty-two languages and sold more than thirty million co ...
's ''
Percy Jackson & the Olympians
''Percy Jackson & the Olympians'' is a series of five fantasy novels written by American author Rick Riordan, and the first book series in the '' Camp Half-Blood Chronicles''. The novels are set in a world with the Greek gods in the 21st centu ...
''. The first book published under the imprint, ''
Aru Shah and the End of Time
''Aru Shah and the End of Time'' is a 2018 American literature, American-fantasy literature, fantasy-adventure novel written by Roshani Chokshi and published in March 2018 by Disney-Hyperion. It is the first of many "Rick Riordan Presents" impri ...
'', was released on March 23, 2018.
History
American author Rick Riordan was approached by Disney about creating an imprint but was initially unable to focus on the request. He later responded to Disney stating that he wanted to launch an imprint that would "find, nurture, and promote the best storytellers for middle grade readers" and "focus on diverse, mythology-based fiction by new, emerging, and under-represented authors".
Books released through the imprint would be edited by Riordan and have a short introduction written by him. Prior to the announcement of the imprint in September 2016, Riordan was frequently approached by readers and fans of his mythology-based series, asking when he would write novels based on other mythologies.
Riordan's editor Stephanie Owens Lurie noted that he did not have enough time to write novels on every mythology and that "he feels that, in some instances, the books his readers are asking for him to write are really someone else’s story to tell".
Since then the imprint releases approximately four books a year. The novels and the imprint have received praise for its diverse representation.
''Pandava Quintet''
The ''
Pandava Quintet
''Pandava Quintet'' is a five-part book series written by Roshani Chokshi. It is part of the "Rick Riordan Presents" publishing imprint. The first book of the series and the imprint was published on March 23, 2018, under the name ''Aru Shah and th ...
'', written by
Roshani Chokshi
Roshani Chokshi (born February 14, 1991) is an American children's book author and a New York Times bestselling author.
Personal life
Chokshi's mother is Filipino and her father is Indian, both immigrants to the United States. She grew up spe ...
, is a five-book series centering around
Hindu mythology
Hindu mythology is the body of myths and literature attributed to, and espoused by, the adherents of the Hindu religion, found in Hindu texts such as the Vedic literature, epics like ''Mahabharata'' and ''Ramayana'', the Puranas, and reg ...
. It follows Aru Shah, the reincarnated form of the
Pandava
The Pandavas (Sanskrit: पाण्डव, IAST: Pāṇḍava) refers to the five legendary brothers— Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva—who are the central characters of the Hindu epic ''Mahabharata''. They are acknowledg ...
Arjuna
Arjuna (Sanskrit: अर्जुन, ), also known as Partha and Dhananjaya, is a character in several ancient Hindu texts, and specifically one of the major characters of the Indian epic Mahabharata. In the epic, he is the third among Panda ...
and the birth daughter of the Sleeper, who also serves as the main antagonist of the book. Over time, Aru must find the other four Pandavas and defeat the Sleeper, while having many adventures and encountering Hindu deities. In September 2017, Lurie and Riordan announced that the first novel in the imprint would be ''
Aru Shah and the End of Time
''Aru Shah and the End of Time'' is a 2018 American literature, American-fantasy literature, fantasy-adventure novel written by Roshani Chokshi and published in March 2018 by Disney-Hyperion. It is the first of many "Rick Riordan Presents" impri ...
'' by Roshani Chokshi and that it would release in March 2018. The first book in the ''Pandava Quintet'', ''Aru Shah and the End of Time'', was released on March 23, 2018, as the first book in the "Rick Riordan Presents" imprint.
''
Aru Shah and the Song of Death'', book two in the series, was published on April 30, 2019. ''
Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes'' was released one year later on April 7, 2020. The fourth book in the ''Pandava Quintet'' and the fifteenth overall published by Disney Hyperion in the imprint, ''
Aru Shah and the City of Gold'' was released on April 6, 2021.
The cover of ''Aru Shah and the City of Gold'' was revealed on Rick Riordan's website in June 2020. The fifth and final book, ''
Aru Shah and the Nectar of Immortality'', was published on April 5, 2022. Chokshi will also release a short story centering around the characters introduced in her novels in the "Rick Riordan Presents" anthology ''
The Cursed Carnival and Other Calamities
Rick Riordan Presents is a book imprint of Disney-Hyperion (Disney Publishing Worldwide) that was launched in 2018 and is led by Stephanie Owens Lurie. The line publishes books that utilize the mythology of various cultures and countries in its ...
'' along with eight other writers and Riordan himself. In addition, an upcoming graphic novel adaptation of ''Aru Shah and the End of Time'' was released on March 2, 2022. It will be illustrated by Anu Chouhan and adapted by Joe Caramunga. ''
Entertainment Weekly
''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, and popular cul ...
'' likened the series to Riordan's ''Percy Jackson'' series and the ''
Sailor Moon
is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Naoko Takeuchi. It was originally serialized in Kodansha's ''shōjo'' manga magazine ''Nakayoshi'' from 1991 to 1997; the 52 individual chapters were published in 18 volumes. The seri ...
'' franchise.
''Storm Runner'' and ''Shadow Bruja'' series
The ''Storm Runner'' series is written by J. C. Cervantes and centers around
Aztec
The Aztecs () were a Mesoamerican culture that flourished in central Mexico in the post-classic period from 1300 to 1521. The Aztec people included different Indigenous peoples of Mexico, ethnic groups of central Mexico, particularly those g ...
and
Mayan mythology
Maya or Mayan mythology is part of Mesoamerican mythology and comprises all of the Maya tales in which personified forces of nature, deities, and the heroes interacting with these play the main roles. The myths of the era have to be reconstructed ...
. It follows Zane Obispo, a young boy who walks with a cane because of a debilitating limp. Zane discovers through Brooks, a new acquaintance, that he is the child of
Hurakan
Huracan (; es, Huracán; myn, Hunraqan, "one legged"), often referred to as ''U Kʼux Kaj'', the "Heart of Sky", is a Kʼicheʼ people, Kʼicheʼ Maya mythology, Maya god of wind, storm, fire and one of the creator deities who participated in ...
, a Mayan god. The trilogy began with the second book in the whole imprint, ''
The Storm Runner
''The Storm Runner'' is a novel written by J. C. Cervantes and published in September 2018. It is the second of many books in the "Rick Riordan Presents" imprint and is about thirteen-year-old Zane Obispo who uses a cane to get around due to a de ...
'', which was released on September 18, 2018.
The second book, entitled ''
The Fire Keeper
''The Storm Runner'' is a novel written by J. C. Cervantes and published in September 2018. It is the second of many books in the " Rick Riordan Presents" imprint and is about thirteen-year-old Zane Obispo who uses a cane to get around due to a d ...
'' was released on September 3, 2019, and a third and final installment in the trilogy, ''
The Shadow Crosser
''The Storm Runner'' is a novel written by J. C. Cervantes and published in September 2018. It is the second of many books in the " Rick Riordan Presents" imprint and is about thirteen-year-old Zane Obispo who uses a cane to get around due to a d ...
'', was published on September 1, 2020. The series will be followed by a sequel duology, also written by Cervantes, called the ''Shadow Bruja'' series. The duology will consist of two novels, both of which focus on Ren Santiago, a character introduced in ''The Fire Keeper''. The first book in the duology will be ''The Lords of Night'' and is set to be released on October 4, 2022.
''Thousand Worlds'' series
The ''Thousand Worlds'' series is written by
Yoon Ha Lee
Yoon Ha Lee (born January 26, 1979 in Houston, Texas) is an American science fiction and fantasy writer, known for his '' Machineries of Empire'' space opera novels and his short fiction. His first novel, '' Ninefox Gambit'', received the 2017&n ...
and is a mix of
science fiction
Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel unive ...
and
Korean mythology
Korean mythology ( ) is the group of myths told by historical and modern Koreans. There are two types: the written, literary mythology in traditional histories, mostly about the founding monarchs of various historical kingdoms, and the much l ...
. The series follows Kim Min, a fox spirit on the planet Jinju whose brother, Jun, was a space cadet. When Jun disappears, Min sneaks away to find him. The first book in the series and the third in the imprint overall, ''
Dragon Pearl
''Dragon Pearl'' is a middle grade novel written by Yoon Ha Lee and published on January 15, 2019 by Disney Hyperion under their "Rick Riordan Presents" publishing imprint. The book is a mix of Korean mythology and science fiction as the main c ...
'', was released on January 15, 2019.
''
Tiger Honor
The tiger (''Panthera tigris'') is the largest living Felidae, cat species and a member of the genus ''Panthera''. It is most recognisable for its dark vertical stripes on orange fur with a white underside. An apex predator, it primarily pr ...
'', the second book in the series, was initially announced on Lee's website, with more information included on a ReadRiordan article published on May 19, 2021.
On May 21, ReadRiordan released an article with the cover and title. In addition, the second book, though existing within the same continuity of ''Dragon Pearl'', focuses on a different character than Min. ''Tiger Honor'' was released on January 4, 2022.
Speaking to the large "departure" in the genre difference in ''Dragon Pearl'' as opposed to the other series in the imprints, Lee said he drew on sources such as ''Folk Tales from Korea'' by Zong In-Sob, Hong-Key Yoon's ''The Culture of Fengshui in Korea'', and ''Religions of Korea in Practice'' by Robert Buswell Jr. for inspiration. The third book is currently being worked on.
''Sal & Gabi'' series
The Sal & Gabi series is a series of novels written by
Carlos Hernandez. The series focuses on
Cuban mythology, and in it, Sal Vidon is a young magician attending Culeco Academy. After his mother died, though, Sal developed the ability to reach into different dimensions, and he and new friend Gabi Real have an adventure that spans multiple universes in order to save Gabi's dying baby brother, Iggy. The first book in the duology and the fourth overall in the "Rick Riordan Presents" imprint is entitled ''
Sal and Gabi Break the Universe'', and it was published by Hernandez on March 5, 2019. The second and final novel, titled ''
Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe'' and published on May 5, 2020, sees an
alternate-universe version of Gabi, who Sal dubs "FixGabi" coming to prevent Sal's father's machine from destroying the universe as it did hers.
''Tristan Strong'' series
The
''Tristan Strong'' series is a trilogy of novels written by Kwame Mbalia and published by Disney Hyperion from 2019 to 2021. The series, which is all about
African-American
African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American ...
and
West African mythology, follows the character Tristan Strong. After the tragic and sudden death of his best friend Eddie, Tristan goes to stay at his grandparents' farm for the Summer. One night, a mysterious doll-like creature steals Eddie's notebook, the only thing Tristan has left of his friend, so Tristan follows the doll into a world of deities and mythological creatures. The first book in the series, ''
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky'', was released on October 15, 2019.
According to Mbaliia, Tristan Strong deals with grief and loss in ''Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky'', both personal and cultural. The second book in the trilogy, ''
Tristan Strong Destroys the World'' was released almost a year later on October 6, 2020.
A third and final installment in the series, ''
Tristan Strong Keeps Punching'', was published on October 5, 2021. Illustrated by Olivia Stephens, the graphic novel adaptation of the first book was released on August 9, 2022.
''Paola Santiago'' series
The ''Paola Santiago'' series, written by Tehlor Kay Mejia, consists of three books. The series follows Paola Santiago, a space-obsessed nerd whose friend disappears after walking by a forbidden river. Paola, along with her other friend Dante, must venture there to find her, and meet the Niños de la Luz, a group of children who have gone missing. The first book, ''
Paola Santiago and the River of Tears'', was released on August 4, 2020.
A sequel, ''
Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares'', was released on August 3, 2021.
The third installment in the trilogy, ''
Paola Santiago and the Sanctuary of Shadows'', was released on August 2, 2022.
A live action
Disney+
The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney (), is an American multinational mass media and entertainment
Entertainment is a form of activity that holds the attention and interest of an audience or gives pleasure and deligh ...
series was announced on February 8, 2022.
''City of the Plague God'' series
The ''City of the Plague God'' series is written by Sarwat Chadda. The first novel, "City of the Plague God", was published on January 5, 2021. It follows young Sikander "Sik" Aziz, who must stop the Mesopotamian god of plagues and sickness before he takes over
Manhattan
Manhattan (), known regionally as the City, is the most densely populated and geographically smallest of the five boroughs of New York City. The borough is also coextensive with New York County, one of the original counties of the U.S. state ...
and turns it into a diseased wasteland. Sik must work with his friend from school, Belet, who is the adopted daughter of a goddess.
A sequel, "Fury of the Dragon Goddess", is set for release in Summer 2023.
''The Gifted Clans'' series
''The Gifted Clans'' is a trilogy of novels written by Graci Kim. The first book, ''
The Last Fallen Star'' was released on September 7, 2021. Two sequels are planned; ''
The Last Fallen Moon'' was released on June 7, 2022. The final installment in the trilogy, ''
The Last Fallen Realm'', will be released in Summer 2023.
''Pahua Moua'' series
The ''Pahua Moua'' series is written by Lori M. Lee. The first book, ''
Pahua and the Soul Stealer'' was released on May 4, 2021. The sequel, ''
Pahua and the Dragon's Secret'', is set to be published in Fall 2023.
''Outlaw Saints'' series
The ''Outlaw Saints'' series is written by Daniel José Older. The first book, ''
Ballad & Dagger'' was released on May 3, 2022.
Standalone novels
''Race to the Sun''
''Race to the Sun'' is a novel written by
Rebecca Roanhorse
Rebecca Roanhorse (born March 14, 1971) is an American science fiction and fantasy writer from New Mexico. She has written short stories and science fiction novels featuring Navajo characters.Kerry Lengel"Navajo legends come to life in Rebecca Ro ...
and was published on January 14, 2020. The book follows Nizhoni Begay, who has the self-proclaimed power of detecting monsters, as she adventures with her brother, Mac, and her best friend, Davery Descheny, through a series of trials to the House of the Sun to find her father, who was taken by the mysterious Mr. Charles.
A short story written by Roanhorse about Nizhoni will be featured in the upcoming short story anthology book, ''
The Cursed Carnival and Other Calamities
Rick Riordan Presents is a book imprint of Disney-Hyperion (Disney Publishing Worldwide) that was launched in 2018 and is led by Stephanie Owens Lurie. The line publishes books that utilize the mythology of various cultures and countries in its ...
''. The cover art was revealed in February 2019 to have been by Dale Ray DeForest.
''The Cursed Carnival''
A short story anthology called ''The Cursed Carnival and Other Calamities: New Stories about Mythic Heroes'' was announced in 2021. It will consist of 10 short stories written by "Rick Riordan Presents" authors
Roshani Chokshi
Roshani Chokshi (born February 14, 1991) is an American children's book author and a New York Times bestselling author.
Personal life
Chokshi's mother is Filipino and her father is Indian, both immigrants to the United States. She grew up spe ...
, J. C. Cervantes,
Yoon Ha Lee
Yoon Ha Lee (born January 26, 1979 in Houston, Texas) is an American science fiction and fantasy writer, known for his '' Machineries of Empire'' space opera novels and his short fiction. His first novel, '' Ninefox Gambit'', received the 2017&n ...
, Carlos Hernandez, Kwame Mbalia,
Rebecca Roanhorse
Rebecca Roanhorse (born March 14, 1971) is an American science fiction and fantasy writer from New Mexico. She has written short stories and science fiction novels featuring Navajo characters.Kerry Lengel"Navajo legends come to life in Rebecca Ro ...
, Tehlor Kay Mejia, Sarwat Chadda, and Graci Kim, in addition to Riordan himself. The stories will be about their respective characters.
In January 2021, Rick Riordan announced that his story would be about
Irish mythology
Irish mythology is the body of myths native to the island of Ireland. It was originally passed down orally in the prehistoric era, being part of ancient Celtic religion. Many myths were later written down in the early medieval era by C ...
and would be titled, "My Life as a Child Outlaw".
In March 2021, Kwame Mbalia announced that his story, entitled "The Gum Baby Files" would be about the titular character in the ''Tristan Strong'' series. In addition, J. C. Cervantes' story will be entitled "The Cave of Doom". Mbalia also released an image of the first page of his story and of the cover of the book.
''The Cursed Carnival and Other Calamities: New Stories about Mythic Heroes'' was released on September 28, 2021.
List of books
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
Publications established in 2018
Book publishing company imprints
Disney Publishing Worldwide