Quetzal's Labyrinth
Will be published approx. on 1. September 2026
Book
Hardback
352 pages
979-8-217-02893-1 (ISBN)
Description
From the Pura Belpre Award-winning author of Lola comes an action-packed middle grade fantasy where Aztec mythology crashes into everyday life. When twelve-year old Diego discovers ancient gods are real, he must journey into a deadly labyrinth to stop a vengeful power before it destroys the world.
Diego never believed his abuelo's stories of gods and monsters and the ancient magic woven through Mexican history. Not until he finds himself sprinting down a dark hallway, chased by a beast straight out of lore-its fur as coarse as iron and five human hands clawing furiously at his throat.
Turns out, the myths are real, and their magic is erupting into Diego's world. As shadowy creatures besiege his apartment, abuelo's dog Cholo fixes Diego with a human gaze and speaks. Cholo reveals they've been unwittingly ensnared in a centuries-old rivalry between the great God Quetzal and his ruthless brother Tezca. Tezca is rising, summoning an army of minions, while Quetzal, the only one strong enough to stop him, has vanished.
Humanity hangs by a thread, and Diego has no choice but to enter Quetzal's labyrinth-accompanied by his friends Violeta and Cholo, a sassy rubber chicken, and a bloodthirsty kitten-to face a power older than civilization itself.
The stakes are legendary, but maybe, deep down, Diego is too.
Diego never believed his abuelo's stories of gods and monsters and the ancient magic woven through Mexican history. Not until he finds himself sprinting down a dark hallway, chased by a beast straight out of lore-its fur as coarse as iron and five human hands clawing furiously at his throat.
Turns out, the myths are real, and their magic is erupting into Diego's world. As shadowy creatures besiege his apartment, abuelo's dog Cholo fixes Diego with a human gaze and speaks. Cholo reveals they've been unwittingly ensnared in a centuries-old rivalry between the great God Quetzal and his ruthless brother Tezca. Tezca is rising, summoning an army of minions, while Quetzal, the only one strong enough to stop him, has vanished.
Humanity hangs by a thread, and Diego has no choice but to enter Quetzal's labyrinth-accompanied by his friends Violeta and Cholo, a sassy rubber chicken, and a bloodthirsty kitten-to face a power older than civilization itself.
The stakes are legendary, but maybe, deep down, Diego is too.
Reviews / Votes
"This book has it all-humor, mythological intrigue, suspenseful adventure. I adored it." -Jasmine Warga, Newbery Honor author of Other Words for Home and A Rover's Story"I fell headfirst into this book and never wanted to climb back out! Full of humor, mythology, and rip-roaring adventure, Quetzal's Labyrinth takes readers to a world so alive with magic and wonder it sparkles off the page." -Kate O'Shaughnessy, author of the Newbery Honor winner The Wrong Way Home
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Random House USA Inc
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: From Third Grade to Seventh Grade, Interest Age: From 8 to 12 years
Dimensions
Height: 210 mm
Width: 140 mm
Weight
567 gr
ISBN-13
979-8-217-02893-1 (9798217028931)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Karla Arenas Valenti grew up in Mexico City in a house built around a tree. Her childhood was filled with fantastical elements, which she incorporates into her books-taking readers on journeys steeped in magical realism, fantasy, and big philosophical questions. Karla is the recipient of the Pura Belpre Award, and her middle grade novels Lola and Loteria have received a combined seven starred reviews. She currently resides in the Chicagoland area with her husband and three kids, two cats, and hundreds of books.