Review to follow!

Among everything in the collection, I adored In the Moonlight, Come Full Circle, and Lemon Drop Friday the most. Although I was not able to emotionally connect and invest in all the stories, for the most part, Start Here managed to exceed my expectations and left my heart all warm and fuzzy and hopeful. This anthology definitely addresses the sorely lacking, disappointingly limited representation of LGBTQIA+ stories and serves as an insightful, inspiring guide that hopefully, other authors can utilize as a springboard.

The collection of diverse short stories in Start Here – each one offering different perspectives and unique portrayals but all written with the same amount of heart – has set an incredibly high bar for future ‘unapologetically queer’ romances. I look forward to the awaiting plethora of surprises #romanceclass has in store for all of us because, as the title of the anthology suggests, from this point onwards, we start here.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of the Start Here anthology in exchange for an honest review, as part of my participation in a blog tour hosted by Tara Frejas. This neither affects my opinion nor the content of my review. I am extremely grateful to Tara and the rest of the #romanceclass community for this amazing opportunity!

Update (03 Jan 2019):

I now have hardbound copies of the first two books, and I've decided to reread The Bone Witch as a way of starting my 2019 right (wink, wink). Needless to say, I found the story more enjoyable and more satisfying the second time around! I discovered a few details and foreshadowing bits that I overlooked during my first read. I think The Bone Witch is one of those books that I can repeatedly reread and still find something new to appreciate (and to fall in love with).

Tea is still hands down the best protagonist I've ever encountered, and I both love and fear her. Rin Chupeco's writing style is phenomenal, and we honestly do not deserve the gift that is her storytelling.

With all that said, I'm changing my initial rating.

Rating: 5 stars
* Read the full reviews in my natural habitat: The Bone Witch | The Heart Forger | The Shadow Glass

******

From this synopsis alone, we are led into thinking that The Bone Witch is about a girl named Tea learning to become one of the asha. However, at its innermost core, The Bone Witch is about an innocent girl gifted with necromancy and the events that changed her into a vengeful, terrifying force to be reckoned with. At its innermost core, this is, more or less, a villain’s origin story (although using “villain” oversimplifies too many things).

And I think that’s why this novel has garnered an ocean of mixed opinions and responses from readers. With mentions of witches, necromancy, and war, many readers, myself included, start The Bone Witch with expectations that are formulaic to the fantasy genre: girl learns about her powers (in this case, by accidentally raising her brother from the dead), girl is taught to control said powers, girl faces off with antagonist, and girl triumphs.

But the book actually veers away from this linear formula. Told in dual perspectives with different tenses of time (i.e. past and present), we are immediately shown the aftermath: Tea abandoning the traditions of the asha and getting herself exiled from the eight kingdoms. We then spend most of the story trying to make sense of the past in order to find answers to the questions: What went wrong? Why was Tea exiled? What does present Tea plan to do next? In many ways, reading The Bone Witch felt like assembling an extremely complicated, occasionally perplexing puzzle, and I immensely enjoyed doing so.

The asha were actually less like witches with black cats and broomsticks and more like geisha-esque female magic wielders and strategists. I was recently told by the author herself that while the asha were inspired by the geisha culture in Japan, the conceptualization of bone witches was actually rooted in Filipino folklore(!!!). Specifically, a bone witch is essentially similar to our mangkukulam, which is sort of a cross between a witch doctor and a voodoo priest/priestess (segue: I suggest you look it up because Filipino folklore is incredibly fascinating!!!).

What I love even more is how the author managed to maintain a lovely balance between presenting a seemingly utopian magical world and not shying away from societal, economic, political and ideological imperfections. Power and gender struggles were seamlessly incorporated (e.g. only women were allowed to become asha, and likewise, only men were allowed to become deathseekers).

With an ability to effortlessly spin words into wonderfully breathtaking imagery, a natural expertise in navigating through complicated webs of details (most of which are probably of her own making), and a knack for creating compelling and complex characters, Rin Chupeco wields magic of her own whenever she writes. Her writing style is thoughtful, deliberate and secretly calculating, veiled under descriptive flourishes and vivid images. The Bone Witch was extremely heavy on details and nuances, but they’re not without purpose.

Wrapped in intrigue, mystery, and high fantasy, The Bone Witch is a magnificent gift to the literary world. Tea’s story is impactful and inspiring. Is this a book I’d actively recommend to everyone? Not exactly. I definitely wouldn’t recommend this to readers with very little attention spans or who are only looking for thrill and action sequences. The book leans more heavily on engaging rather than exciting. Reading The Bone Witch requires a great deal of patience and open-mindedness, but trust me, the rewards at the end of the story are worth a hundredfold.

Quick disclosure: I received a digital copy of The Bone Witch as part of my participation in a blog tour for its sequel, The Heart Forger. This neither affects my opinion nor the content of my review. Thank you very much to the blog tour organizers (The Fantastic Flying Book Club) and the publisher for the opportunity!

Actual rating: 4 stars
* Read my full review in my natural habitat! Trust me, I have more to say about this one.

More often than not, romances are about sparks flying, and heat sizzling as fingers touch, and exploding feelings of giddiness. But what Cris and Nathan had wasn’t all fire and noise; but rather, a quiet, steady romance that held promises of being there for each other no matter what, which I found to be really beautiful. Their chemistry did not rely on insanely fiery attraction; instead, it banked on their mutual empathy and trust.

It genuinely baffles me how Celestine Trinidad was able to explore sensitive topics and themes with painful accuracy, thorough research, and thought-provoking depth within a limited handful of pages. For a relatively short novel, Ghost of a Feeling offered so many wonderfully positive messages, as well as a lot of thoughtful insight on the harsh reality of mental health struggles and the repercussions of denying people the help and support that they need. One of my favorite takeaways from this novel is that we should never undermine or invalidate someone else’s struggle! The story also featured quite a handful of medical jargon that was presented in a way that was never overwhelming or intimidating.

With all that said, it’s an understatement to say that I really, really enjoyed reading this novel. More than just a well-written medical romance, the story Celestine Trinidad tells in Ghost of a Feeling is no-holds-barred honest, carefully constructed, and consistently heart-wrenching.

Note: I received a digital Advanced Reader’s Copy (ARC) of Ghost of a Feeling from the author herself in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Celestine Trinidad for the opportunity!

My favorite thing about Kris and Ringo? Their banter, which was nothing short of memorable, witty, and highly entertaining. However, as much as I loved Kris and Ringo together, I adored them just as much individually! Both characters had distinct voices, strong (yet oddly complementary) personalities, and mature mindsets. I can’t help myself from admiring Kris’ headstrong defiance and tough cookie persona. Similarly, I really enjoyed how Ringo approached everything methodologically in an adorably nerdy way.

As endearing as the romance was, what really stood out the most to me was the impeccable use of imagery and local color, which allowed Jay’s writing to capture both the Filipino and Korean cultures wonderfully and realistically.

From the gripes over the problematic public transportation system (I’m looking at you, MRT) to the exploration of “tita” culture (it’s so much more than just being an aunt – wink, wink), You Out of Nowhere embodies the epitome of Filipino contemporary romance at its most current.

Unfortunately, unlike most of the people who’ve read this book, I was not a fan of Ringo’s constant use of the title “tita” to refer to Kris. I found it really strange and not sweet at all. I guess that’s because I really can’t imagine myself feeling kilig (read: giddy) over someone calling me “tita”, no matter what the inside joke or context is. It sort of got in the way of my reading enjoyment, but hey, to each their own.

Note: I received a digital review copy of You Out of Nowhere as part of my participation in a blog tour. This neither affects my opinion nor the content of my review. Many thanks to the #romanceclass authors for this fantastic opportunity!

By the time the blog tour for Second Wave Summer was announced on Twitter, I had already bought an ebook of this short anthology via Amazon. Nonetheless, I still rushed to hop aboard the blog tour! Many thanks to the authors for the opportunity!

What I loved the most about this was its setting and how the setting was cleverly maximized. I haven’t gone to La Union in ages, but reading this book really made me feel like I was there, enjoying my own plate of delicious bagnet (yep, I’m more of a bagnet girl than a champorado fan, sorry), listening to the soothing sounds of waves kissing the shoreline, and enjoying the summer wind in my hair.

While I really enjoyed all the character crossovers (from Six de los Santos’ Sounds Like Summer, Jay E. Tria’s You Out of Nowhere, Tara Frejas’ Like Nobody’s Watching, and of course, their first anthology together, Summer Crush), I, at times, felt a bit overwhelmed and confused. Sometimes, as I read, it felt like I was missing something. Having said that, I believe that, had I read their respective books beforehand, I would have greatly appreciated this short anthology a whole lot more!

Nevertheless, with tons of endearing friendships and spectacularly vivid imagery, Second Wave Summer makes for a quick, delightfully fun, and highly addictive beach read that can get anyone immediately invested in its unique set of characters. I have no doubt that readers will frantically scramble to get their hands on the characters’ respective books because quite frankly, Second Wave Summer has left me incredibly curious and really hungry for more.

Although I initially felt overwhelmed by all the names being tossed around (which is the natural response to meeting a big family, in my opinion), every Capras sibling had a distinct and dynamic personality, and by the end of the book, I just wanted to learn more about all of them! Plus, I thought it was fantastic how the Capras family effectively represented the essence of a Filipino family.

Quite frankly, what I loved the most about Chasing Mindy was not the romance aspect, which basically constituted the primary plot of the story. Instead, what I loved the most about Chasing Mindy was the dynamic, multi-layered character growth of both Mindy and Javier as individuals – watching them both navigate and negotiate between who they are outside of the shadows of other people and who they can be, in order to figure out whom they want to become. Underneath their personal battles with inner demons lies a really powerful and empowering message which, I think, can resonate deeply with everyone.

Chasing Mindy is a cute, heartwarming romance set in one of the most magical places in the world and manages to thoughtfully explore struggles with self-image and self-identity. Carla de Guzman’s latest book is definitely a read I’d recommend, especially to people, like myself, who still have tons of shit to figure out.

Quick disclosure: I received a digital advanced reader’s copy (ARC) of Chasing Mindy from the author herself in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Carla de Guzman!

Update (14 Nov 2020):

My third time reading this book and here I am, broken and still crying over the same scenes.



Update (07 Jan 2019):

I now have hardbound copies of the first two books, and I've decided to reread them before diving into my ARC of The Shadow Glass.

My initial review already nicely summarizes how much I loved The Heart Forger. This book is straight up perfection, really. However, I think it's worth noting that I never expected to love the romantic development in this sequel so much? Tea and her love interest (I won't be dropping names, as it spoils the first book) are so adorable together! I've never swooned so hard for a pairing in a YA fantasy before, and I think that's really saying something.

Undoubtedly still a five-star read for me.

Rating: 5 stars
* Read the full reviews in my natural habitat: The Bone Witch | The Heart Forger | The Shadow Glass

*****

One of the most noticeable differences between The Bone Witch and The Heart Forger is that while the former was anchored to its characters, the latter was significantly more plot-driven. With the intricacies of the world-building already firmly established in the first book, The Heart Forger was given a lot of allowance to place more weight in its plot – a plot that is very faintly reminiscent to numerous dark fantasy novels, but without compromising the integrity and ingenuity of its original premise.

On its own, The Heart Forger is an incredibly well-thought, phenomenally written fantasy told in hauntingly compelling narratives at a thrillingly suspenseful pace. What I really loved about it was the author’s ability in expertly balancing out all the elements. The eventfulness of the plot never compromised the complexity or the development of the characters, especially Tea. The faster pacing never took away any depth – be it in terms of character relationships, themes, or impact. The deepening of a romantic relationship that was only hinted at in The Bone Witch was effective without overshadowing any of the other crucial elements.

I’m not exaggerating when I say that I can continue raving about The Heart Forger for hours and hours, but let me keep this as simple as I can. Basically, this sequel was everything I could hope for and more: excellently placed tension, subtle social commentary, meaningful and relevant themes, surprising reveals from both main and supporting character roles, engrossing and effective writing, and more insight to tons of unanswered questions while still leaving hopelessly obsessed readers, such as myself, wanting more and more and more. Book 3, I cannot wait to get my hands on you!

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of The Heart Forger as part of my participation in a blog tour. This neither affects my opinion nor the content of my review. Thank you very much to the blog tour organizers (The Fantastic Flying Book Club) and the publisher for the opportunity!

Actual rating: 5 stars
* Read the full review (as well as an interview with the author herself!) in my natural habitat.

LUSH, IMAGINATIVE FANTASY SET IN THE GLITTERING CITY OF PARIS:

Set in the 1800s, specifically in the glamorous yet highly secretive heart of Paris, The Gilded Wolves is anchored and shaped by its historical timeline. Its story takes place at the height of colonial power and the telltale beginnings of revolution. This, combined with an elaborate magic system that makes use of several religious and cultural influences, consequently seeps into the overall world-building. And the result? A wonderfully sophisticated urban fantasy with richness and nuance that totally blew me away.

DYNAMIC, ENDEARING, & DIVERSE CAST OF UNLIKELY HEROES:

The Gilded Wolves is one of the most effortlessly diverse books I’ve ever read, and I love Roshani Chokshi all the more for it. Despite being alternately told in the perspectives of four characters, I was easily able to follow the unfolding of story events, as well as to emotionally invest in each member of their five-but-later-on-six-person heist crew.

Enrique and Zofia are hands down my favorites but all of these six characters have a death grip on my heart, if I’m being honest. With dazzlingly eccentric personalities, distinctive voices, and personal motivations, I found them to be nicely fleshed out and well-written. I also really appreciated that they all had significant character arcs outside of their marginalized backgrounds. I just love them so much, okay.

SLIGHTLY UNDERWHELMING ANTAGONIST & AREAS OF CONFUSION:

I was a bit disappointed by the reveal of the antagonist. In the first part of the book, I expected a wholly different villain to take the stage – but the more I read, the clearer it became that the story was heading towards a more predictable direction. The story’s antagonist was underwhelming, and I couldn’t help but feel that his motivations were too shallow and clear cut, that is, black-and-white. I really would have liked a bit more moral grayness in navigating between good and evil.

GENEROUS DOSAGE OF LOVABLE RELATIONSHIPS, BANTER, & HUMOR:

As much as I love the characters individually, their interactions with each other had me smiling goofily, snort-laughing unattractively, and openly weeping. Seeing a bunch of diverse misfits with difficult pasts come together and find a sense of home and belongingness in each other was truly a moving experience that had me feeling all sorts of soft and vulnerable. Yes to more found families in YA fantasy!

The sizzling chemistry and profound understanding shared between Laila and Séverin is really something else, and I look forward to seeing where the sequel will take their relationship. However, on the other hand, I think the potential love triangle among three beloved characters held my attention and interest more tightly. To my most pleasant surprise, the love triangle introduced by Roshani Chokshi is so phenomenally executed that I am both frustratedly torn and strongly rooting for an eventual polyamorous romance.

ATMOSPHERIC STORYTELLING INTERLACED WITH STRONG THEMES OF COLONIALISM, POWER, & STRUGGLES WITH CULTURAL IDENTITY:

Aside from incredibly atmospheric storytelling, this YA urban fantasy offers much-needed nuances regarding colonialism, historical revisionism, cultural erasure, and the double-edged sword of being biracial. As a Filipino reader, most of these discourses really hit close to home, and I cannot thank the author enough times for writing something so important and needed. Moreover, the characters’ struggles with their cultural identities, particularly Enrique, were portrayed with utmost sensitivity and rawness. Evidently, The Gilded Wolves is a carefully constructed homage and beautifully written love letter to all marginalized readers.

With wonderfully combined fantastical and historical elements, a lovable cast of diverse characters, and impeccably gorgeous prose, The Gilded Wolves is a well-rounded heist story that shouldn’t be missed! This book is definitely a perfect read for fans of high-stakes adventures, character-driven plots, and found families.

* I received a digital ARC of The Gilded Wolves from Wednesday Books (via NetGalley) as part of my participation in their blog tour.

Content & trigger warnings:

Spoiler

Strong themes of colonialism, cultural erasure, and racism (challenged and portrayed in a negative light); graphic depictions of blood and violence; death; parental neglect and abandonment; torture and abuse (both mental and physical); depictions of grief; anxiety attacks; mentions of suicide, stillbirth, bullying, and animal abuse

5 stars
* Read the rest of this review in my natural habitat!