The logo for the imprint.
Rick Riordan Presents is an imprint series within Disney Publishing Worldwide. The series features books that are connected to ancient myths in the modern day, much like Rick Riordan's books.
Riordan had confirmed that the books were set in a distinct universe from his and he merely edited the books and wrote the introduction, for which he was paid a nominal fee by Disney. The series allows other authors to explore their cultural myths in the modern day and aims to bring them to the attention of Riordan's audience by being associated with his name.
Development
Rick Riordan was initially approached by Disney to create his own imprint series, which would be an extension of his Percy Jackson universe.[1] The author, who was writing on a deadline at the time, was too busy to consider the idea and did not respond.[1] After giving thought to the matter, he later reported that he agreed with the creation of an imprint series, however, it would not be an extension of his world, instead, the imprint's primary purpose would be to bring other aspiring writers to the attention of Riordan's audience by using his brand name.[1]
Selection Criteria
All the books in the imprint series are children's books that focus on mythology in the modern age. All submissions to Rick Riordan Presents are made through literary agents and sent to the attention of Stephanie Lurie, Riordan's editor. The final decision will be taken by Riordan, who will review proposals and manuscripts and also serve as editor for the acquired projects. The books and the authors will also be promoted by Riordan through his social media accounts and appearances.
Books by different authors can focus on the same mythology, such as Yoon Ha Lee’s Dragon Pearl and Graci Kim‘s The Last Fallen Star both focusing on Korean mythology.
The imprint hopes to publish 4 books per year. Currently, 2 books were released in 2018, and 5 have been planned in 2019, as well as 6 in 2020 and 4 in 2021.
Series and Stand-Alone Books
Pandava Quartet by Roshani Chokshi (Hindu Mythology)
- Aru Shah and the End of Time (March 27, 2018)
- Aru Shah and the Song of Death (April 16, 2019)
- Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes (April 7, 2020)
- Untitled fourth book (April 2021)
- Untitled fifth book (April 2022)
Storm Runner series by Jennifer Cervantes (Mayan and Aztec Mythology)
- The Storm Runner (September 18, 2018)
- The Fire Keeper (September 3, 2019)
- The Shadow Crosser (September 1, 2020)
Sal & Gabi series by Carlos Hernandez (Cuban Mythology)
- Sal & Gabi Break the Universe (March 5, 2019)
- Sal & Gabi Fix the Universe (May 5, 2020)
Tristan Strong series by Kwame Mbalia (West African/African American Mythology)
- Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky (October 15, 2019)
- Tristan Strong Destroys the World (October 6, 2020)
Paola Santiago series by Tehlor Kay Mejia (Mexican Mythology)
- Paola Santiago and the River of Tears (August 4th, 2020)
- Untitled sequel (May 2021)
Stand-alone novels
- Dragon Pearl (January 15, 2019) by Yoon Ha Lee (Korean Mythology)
- Race to the Sun (January 14, 2020) by Rebecca Roanhorse (Navajo Mythology)
- City of the Plague God (Fall 2020) by Sarwat Chadda (Mesopotamian Mythology)
- The Last Fallen Star (spring/summer 2021) by Graci Kim (Korean Mythology)
References to Rick Riordan's Work
Pandava Quartet
Aru Shah and the End of Time
- When first going into the Night Bazaar, Aru Shah said "Dude, these are my feet. It’s not like I’m hiding cloven hooves." This is a nod to Grover Underwood who hides his Satyr hooves with fake feet.
- When entering Karma & Sins in the Kingdom of Death, Mini mentioned Egyptian Mythology when Aru mentions a hippo that chomps on people.
Aru Shah and the Song of Death
- Agni told the Pandavas that good things happen to bad people. An example of this is Minos who became a judge of the dead despite all the bad things he had done.
- The plot of the book is similar to the plot of The Lightning Thief.
Storm Runner series
The Storm Runner
- The Sacred Oath the Mayan Gods is similar to the Oath of the Big Three.
- When Zane Obispo, Brooks and Hondo Obispo talk to Jazz in his shop, Hondo mentioned they are looking for gods "who ride motorcycles." This alludes to Ares.
- Later on in the book, Nakon, the Mayan war god, is shown dressed as a biker which Zane called cliché.
- At the end of the book, Zane Obispo was shown writing the actual book. This is similar to what Carter and Sadie Kane did in the Kane Chronicles.
The Fire Keeper
- When Hondo Obispo mentioned Midas, Quinn said that the Greeks had nothing on the Maya. They latter were the first engineers, architects, and astronomers and they developed one of the most accurate calendar systems in human history. Zane awkwardly decided not to mention the Greeks anymore.
- Ixtab explained that the Mexica Gods went extinct after Hernán Cortés conquered the Mexica Empire. This is similar to what Apollo said about Emperor Theodosius evicting the Olympian gods by closing all the temples. Coincidentally, both Cortés and Theodosius converted the people to Christianity.
Sal & Gabi series
Sal & Gabi Break the Universe
- During Adam Hoag’s wedgie documentary, Sal Vidon described one types of Wedgie as “the Perseus wedgie”, a wedgie mimicking the son of Zeus‘ decapitation of Medusa. This could refer to both Perseus and Percy Jackson, who both decapitated Medusa.
- When Sal and Principal Torres were playing around the cafeteria with bauta masks, they refer to each other as demigods.
Tristan Strong series
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky
- The Thicket’s ability to adapt to fit a growing number of occupations is similar to the way the Waystation works.
- The way the African American Gods became gods is similar to how Nero, Commodus, and Caligula became gods.
- High John’s axe has the ability to fight on its own is similar to Sumarbrander.
Stand-alone novels
Dragon Pearl
- Sujin had an invisibility cap just like Annabeth Chase.
Gallery
Pandava Quartet
Storm Runner series
Sal & Gabi series
Tristan Strong series
Paola Santiago series
Stand-alone novels
Trivia
- Rick Riordan Presents titles cover genres outside the Urban Fantasy of the Rick Riordan's main series: Dragon Pearl is a Space Opera and Sal and Gabi Break the Universe is Sci-Fi.
- Riordan had once joked that he chose the first three authors of the series for three different reasons: Roshani Chokshi for his fans, who always asked him about stories based on Hindu mythology; Jennifer Cervantes, because her children loved his books; and Yoon Ha Lee because Riordan found a kindred spirit in him.[2]
- For each release of a book under the imprint, ReadRiordan releases artwork for three or four of the main and/or major characters.
- Despite saying that Rick Riordan Presents will focus on other mythologies, some titles barely do it.
- Dragon Pearl focuses more on outer space, the book only has Korean creatures in it, it never mentions any stories from mythology.
- Sal & Gabi Break the Universe mentions nothing of Cuban folklore, only focusing on the culture.
- While Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky has characters from African and African-American folklore, it also has creatures and place made in an allegorical manner. For example, the Bone Ships represent slave ships and fetterlings represent the shackles used to keep slaves in bondage.
- Rick Riordan writes an introduction at the start of every stand-alone book and first book in a new series.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Disney announces new Rick Riordan Imprint Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 6 November 2017
- ↑ Rick Riordan - the author. Friday Magazine. May 2017.
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