Published on: July 1, 2025
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Genres: Ficiton, Middle Grade Fantasy, Mythology
Grab your copy on Barnes & Noble
From the author of Marikit and the Ocean of Stars, a magical middle grade adventure about three Filipino children who must find their way through a mystical land filled with monsters and gods from Filipino lore.
The town of Santo Cristo is known for two things–their colorful town fiesta capped off with a solemn evening procession, and the dozens of people that have disappeared over the years. When three kids–the headstrong Bayani, his sister Isay, and anxious Aaron–find their way over the other side of a mysterious bridge and to a long-forgotten island of myth, they’re faced with monsters, cryptids, and sinister characters. In this land of Night, they must find their way back to their world and keep their light burning bright lest they lose themselves too.
Happy Publication Day to The Boy, the Mountain, and the Serpent Who Ate the Moon. Congratulations to Ms. Caris Avendaño Cruz!
It’s the night of the prusisyon and Bayani is grounded. With the help of his younger sister Isay, he persuades their mother to let him attend the prusisyon with a promise to stay out of trouble. But Bayani being Bayani, ends up in a deep trouble but this time he is not alone. Trap in a world of darkness filled with terrifying creatures, Bayani, Isay, and their cousin Aaron need to find their way back home before it’s too late.
This was my first middle-grade read this year and I’m happy that it’s a book by a Filipino author. The characters were one of my favorites in this book. I loved how each of them has their own adventures. Facing their fears and using their unique talents and even their weaknesses to outsmart their ways through different obstacles.
The first thing that caught my attention was Bayani’s mantra – “there’s always a way” which screams Filipino resilience. This book is a perfect introduction to Filipino culture and mythology. I loved how the mythical creatures were terrifying but also likable. The unexpected friendship and bond they developed with the our main characters were delightful to read. It shows how they’re misunderstood by humans and towards the end, we find out who the real villains are. I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the town and the missing persons.
I loved the beautiful, lyrical writing! The eerie atmosphere combined with humor. The author has perfectly managed to balance important themes (like climate change) and dark elements with fun moments and whimsical adventures. I felt nostalgic while reading this book. The pink-colored popcorn! This book brought back some memories from my childhood.
The Boy, The Mountain, and the Serpent Who Ate the Moon is a well-crafted story with complex characters filled with moral lessons perfect not only for young readers but also for adult and young-at-heart readers out there.
★★★★☆
Thanks to the author and The Filipino Shelf for providing a free digital review copy. This did not affect my overall opinion of the book.
The Last Reader 