I will eventually have a full review up and ready, but for the time being, let's make one thing clear: This book is unapologetically Filipino. It draws from various Filipino folklore. It centers Filipino characters. It illustrates the importance of community and bayanihan, which are highly regarded virtues in Filipino culture. THIS IS FILIPINO.

I am genuinely pissed off at the reviews that write off this incredibly unique story because their ignorance of other people's cultures has led them to believe that Lalani is an imitation od Moana, who isn't Filipino in the slightest. Moana isn't the only island girl to ever exist, and honestly, the racism really leaped out from that reach. Period.