The Serpent Rider

Get in the xigxag app
Already purchased

Click to open directly in the xigxag app.

This book is not purchasable in your country. Please select another book. Pre-order Buy Now ${{ price }} Send as a gift
How does xigxag pricing work?

Listen to a sample

What to expect

Bloomsbury presents The Serpent Rider by Yxavel Magno Diño, read by Edelyn Okano

In this middle grade debut inspired by Filipino folklore, a spunky, determined warrior must claim her destiny in order to save her sister, perfect for fans of Witchlings and The Owl House.

Tani dreams of fulfilling her destiny as a Serpent Rider, fighting alongside an elemental serpent to defend her village against monsters. More than anything, she wants to protect her little sister Ligaya, the village princess who’s tasked with memorizing their community’s history, including the tale of Great Bakunawa, the most powerful and feared sea serpent that swallowed six of the world’s seven moons.

After a devastating monster attack, Tani can no longer wait patiently for her bakunawa egg to hatch. She makes a desperate deal with a stranger who promises her a serpent of her own. But when her gamble puts her sister in major danger, Tani must find a way to save Ligaya before she’s lost forever. All the while, in the depths of the sea, Great Bakunawa is stirring, threatening to devour the last moon and plunge the night sky into eternal darkness . . .

This accessible, standalone novel is a perfect gateway for new fantasy readers to dive into enchanting worlds and embark on heart-pounding adventures.

Critics Review

In this fast-paced middle grade fantasy shimmering with themes of family and friendship, Tani seeks to save her sister while coming to terms with her place among the Serpent Riders. Readers will root for the brave and spunky Tani throughout the many twists and turns of her story!
Katie Zhao, author of the Dragon Warrior and Winnie Zeng series
Action-packed and splendidly enchanting, Diño gives wings to an epic middle-grade debut worthy of enthroning Bakunawas as one of the world's most beloved lore. Set in a world where Filipino myths come alive, Tani's adventures brim with courage, friendship, and hiwaga--that breathtaking mystical force that shines in Diño's prose. An absolute treat for lovers of dragons and fantastical beasts.
Caris Avendaño Cruz, author of MARIKIT AND THE OCEAN OF STARS
A spellbinding tale of destiny, courage and friendship. Yxavel Magno Diño masterfully weaves Filipino mythology into a thrilling page turner full of plot twists that will leave readers wanting more.
Jenna Yoon, author of the Lia Park series
An empathic and endearing story of friendship, courage, and sisterly love, The Serpent Rider will pull on your heartstrings, but in the same breath, get your pulse pounding like the Great Bakunawa thundering against her magical cage.
Gail D. Villanueva, author of MY FATE ACCORDING TO THE BUTTERFLY and the Lulu Sinagtala and the Tagalog Gods series
High octane adventure that incorporates Filipino language and folklore . . . An immersive debut.
Publishers Weekly
Diño’s debut is an action-packed fantasy filled with twists and turns. . . . An engaging adventure full of Filipino magic.
Kirkus Reviews

More from the same

Author

Narrator

About xigxag

Experience the best audiobooks with xigxag, an innovative and user-friendly audiobook platform designed for seamless discovery, purchase, and enjoyment of your favorite titles. Our flexible pricing model offers bestselling audiobooks for less, providing affordable prices and the best audiobook deals without requiring a subscription. Perfect for gifting, xigxag also features convenient audiobook gift cards and in-app audiobook gifting options.

 

Beyond the listening experience, xigxag stands as an exciting alternative to big tech, embodying a strong commitment to sustainability and ethical practices. As the only B Corp certified UK audiobook service, we ensure a guilt-free listening experience from a leader in audiobook innovation.

 

Effortlessly search audiobooks, access honest audiobook reviews that evaluate both the content and narration, and easily discover hidden gems. Whether you prefer to download or stream top audiobook titles, xigxag provides the best possible listening experience anytime, anywhere, on the UK’s best independent audiobook app. Discover the future of audiobooks today.