Lei and the Fire Goddess

By Malia Maunakea

Book #1 in the Lei and the Legends series

A cursed flower, a kidnapped friend, and a battle with mythical forces await Anna in Hawaii.

4.1/5 Goodreads · 859 ratings

304 pages· 77,362 words· Est. 11 hour read

$17.99Save 6%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Twelve-year-old Anna Leilani Kamaʻehu dismisses her grandmother's Hawaiian legends as mere stories. But during a vacation in Hawaii, she accidentally angers Pele, the fire goddess, leading to her friend's abduction by a giant hawk. To save her friend, Anna must confront mythical creatures, ally with demigods, and navigate Pele's traps. As she battles these challenges, Anna must embrace her Hawaiian heritage to break the curse and rescue her loved ones. Will she uncover the strength within her roots to triumph over the supernatural forces at play?

From the publisher

“Lei and the Fire Goddess blends preteen angst and beloved Hawaiian moʻolelo in a way that hasn’t been done before.” –Auliʻi Cravalho, actress and voice of Disney’s Princess Moana 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 embarrassing stories. So when Anna goes back to Hawaiʻi to visit her Tūtū, she has no interest in becoming the heir to her family’s history; 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 demigods 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.

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