Paola Santiago and the Sanctuary of Shadows

Written by Tehlor Mejia

Part of the Paola Santiago series

A girl must rescue her friend from a mysterious void, facing legendary foes and her own fears.

4.0/5 Goodreads · 584 ratings

352 pages· 93,330 words· Est. 13 hour read

$16.99Save 6%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Paola Santiago returns from a ghostly battle only to face a new challenge: rescuing her friend Dante from a mysterious void. With her prophetic dreams gone, she must rely on her wits and the help of her friend Emma to navigate a journey to Texas. There, Paola confronts not only the terrifying El Cucuy but also a shadowy figure eerily similar to herself. As she delves deeper into Mexican folklore, Paola discovers that the greatest battles are often fought within. Can she save Dante and herself before it's too late?

From the publisher

Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents Tehlor Kay Mejia’s third chilling ghost story based on Mexican folklore. “Paola Santiago is a whip-smart Latina who dares to explore the shadows between folklore and middle-school friendship. A thrilling adventure.”–Nina Moreno, author of Don’t Date Rosa Santos Paola Santiago has recently returned from Oregon, where she defeated the Hitchhiker ghost and saved her father from the vengeful spirit that was possessing him. The poor girl deserves a rest! But first she has to rescue Dante from the void, where he’s been imprisoned by some unknown force. Even though Dante has turned against Pao, she can’t just leave him there–they’ve been friends for too long. Paola’s prophetic dreams seem to have dried up, so she has to find other ways to locate a new rift where she can enter the void. Signs point to Texas–but how is she going to get there from Arizona? It just so happens that Emma’s new group of politically active friends, the Rainbow Rogues, are planning a field trip to San Antonio. It’s the perfect ruse for Paola, if she can stand being with the judgmental girls for that many days. . . . Relying on her wits, training from the Ninos de la Luz, and the emotional support of her best friend Emma, Pao makes it into the void. Once there she must face down not just one but two enemies: El Cucuy, the bogeyman . . . and someone even scarier who looks a lot like Pao herself. Tehlor Kay Mejia’s third exciting journey into Mexican folklore has our lovable, intrepid protagonist making discoveries both wondrous and fearsome. Presented by Rick Riordan, author of Percy Jackson, soon to be a series on Disney+. Complete your middle grade fantasy collection with: Rick Riordan Presents: Paola Santiago and the River of Tears by Tehlor Kay MejiaRick Riordan Presents: Paola Santiago and the Forest of Nightmares by Tehlor Kay MejiaRick Riordan Presents: The Last Fallen Star by Graci KimRick Riordan Presents: City of the Plague God by Sarwat ChaddaRick Riordan Presents: Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

At a glance