The Serpent Rider

Tani has trained her whole life to become a Serpent Rider, one of the warriors bonded to an elemental serpent and trained to protect their village from monsters. However, it's hard to feel worthy of the prophecy that she will fend off the Great Bakunawa when her own serpent egg has yet to hatch, leaving her behind her fellow trainees. Desperation to prove herself leads Tani to make an impulsive bargain with a woman in the woods, which grants her the bakunawa of her dreams - but soon reveals itself to have a terrible cost.

This story is spunky and full of heart, just like Tani. She's a great fighter, tree climber, and conspiratorial sister. She has to work with her friends and not-so-friends to fight fearsome beasts, and I loved getting to know the monsters from a new and unfamiliar mythology. Plus, the bakunawa (elemental serpents) are that perfect mix of deadly magic and adorable animal companions, and they're as much characters as the people.

It's also cool to see how the kid warriors and adults work together to save their village. The youngsters might be impulsive or not understand the rules, but at the end of the day they still respect and love their parents and teachers, and none of them could have accomplished the same thing alone.

Pick this up for a standalone adventure that's rich in monsters and proves compassion and knowledge are some of the greatest gifts of all.

What worked:
A prophecy saying Tani will be her village’s savior becomes a major issue. She’s training along with other warriors but she’s the only one who doesn’t have a serpent companion called a bakunawa to help her fight. She’s the best when it comes fighting with swords but a rival named Bato can now beat her with the help of his fire bakunawa. Tani is frustrated that her bakunawa egg still hasn’t hatched which leads to her making bad choices. She’s embarrassed and angry since the villagers expect her to save them when the Great Bakunawa rises from the depths of the sea but she’s not even the top warrior from the recruits. The final straw occurs when her timid best friend Kiri hatches his water bakunawa and she can’t help defend the village from a monster.
Action lovers will enjoy this adventure as Tani faces non-stop, man-eating creatures and other dangers. She travels to unknown parts of the jungle where she’s forced to enter a dark, dangerous cave and scale a formidable mountain. She encounters a witch-like old woman with a bakunawa that’s able to control shadows. A formidable manananggal separates into two parts as its torso flies with bat-like wings and its jaws wields razor-sharp fangs. Tani and her friends fear for their lives when a giant clenches them in its massive fists. They’re overwhelmed by a relentless swarm of aswang before facing the Great Bakunawa in the story’s climax. Readers will barely have time to relax before the characters face another deadly challenge all throughout the plot.
Readers will connect with Tani’s determination to rescue her younger sister Ligaya, the village’s story keeper. Tani’s desperation for her own bakunawa created the problem and the love she has for Ligaya keeps her going. Tani has a kind heart that proves to be a valuable asset during her quest. Her acts of compassion toward foes result in unexpected outcomes. Ligaya also exhibits caring and forgiveness toward a malevolent character which projects a positive message to readers. A surprise ending awaits when the story reaches its climax.
What didn’t work as well:
The story includes many Filipino terms and names that are probably unfamiliar to young readers. It’s not a big issue but it may cause readers to pause and think at times.
The final verdict:
Young readers won’t want to put the book down as Tani faces one challenge after another. Tani and the characters learn it’s important to understand the thoughts and feelings of others, their motivations, to dispel unfounded assumptions. This book is very entertaining and engaging and I highly recommend you give it a shot.