First off, LOVE finding more Filipino fantasy books - specifically precolonial fantasies! Bansil crafts a rich world filled with uniquely Filipino details and it’s wonderful to explore. I love the matriarchy, the abundance of powerful women, and the fearlessness with which Bansil allows them to be imperfect. 

I just really struggled to connect with these characters. Duja and Imeria were the most interesting of the main POVs we got, but I wish I could’ve heard more from Eti and Bulan! Laya’s emotional mood swings were so intense and impractical at times I felt tired after reading so many chapters from her perspective 😅 And ultimately? Despite the emotional climax of so much happening at the end, I felt as if I was held at a distance from these characters. Where normally I would’ve felt such scenes more intensely, it didn’t impact me like intended. 

That cliffhanger though? You can bet I’ll be keeping an eye out for the sequel!