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Twice Removed
2024 BIBA® Young Adult Winner!
As part of an immigrant family, Jay has never felt like he belonged in his hometown of New Orleans. But in the summer before his senior year in high school, he thinks things are finally going his way when Maya, the half-Filipino girl in class he’s had a crush on, starts talking to him.
But Maya has secrets. And the more time they spend together, the further he’s pulled into a world of magic and superstition. When a generations-old family curse is revealed, Jay has to find a way to stop this winged, vampiric monster before sunset on Maya’s 18th birthday.
If he doesn’t, his new girlfriend might kill him.
Or worse, he’ll have to kill her.
As part of an immigrant family, Jay has never felt like he belonged in his hometown of New Orleans. But in the summer before his senior year in high school, he thinks things are finally going his way when Maya, the half-Filipino girl in class he’s had a crush on, starts talking to him.
But Maya has secrets. And the more time they spend together, the further he’s pulled into a world of magic and superstition. When a generations-old family curse is revealed, Jay has to find a way to stop this winged, vampiric monster before sunset on Maya’s 18th birthday.
If he doesn’t, his new girlfriend might kill him.
Or worse, he’ll have to kill her.
- GenresYoung AdultMythology
Hardcover
First published June 12, 2024
7 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Zee Lacson
5 books33 followersZee Lacson has lived half her life in one country and the other half in another. Born and raised in Manila, Philippines with her grandparents, father, and twin brothers, she now enjoys the small town life in Illinois with her husband and twin sons.
She has had practice in many professions. Engineer. Educator. Photographer. Artist. Storyteller.
The Woolgathering Trilogy is her first completed story. Reverie, a finalist for the 2021 Illinois Author Project, was published in 2020. Revenant, its sequel, was released the following year. The trilogy was completed in 2023 with the final book, Réveil.
Twice Removed, her most recent novel, was published on Philippine Independence Day in 2024 and received a BIBA® in the young adult category.
She’s never been a big believer of monsters hiding in the dark but she eats lots of garlic and will sleep with a little light on. Just in case.
ZeeLacson.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/ReverieTheBook
IG: https://www.instagram.com/zeelacson/
She has had practice in many professions. Engineer. Educator. Photographer. Artist. Storyteller.
The Woolgathering Trilogy is her first completed story. Reverie, a finalist for the 2021 Illinois Author Project, was published in 2020. Revenant, its sequel, was released the following year. The trilogy was completed in 2023 with the final book, Réveil.
Twice Removed, her most recent novel, was published on Philippine Independence Day in 2024 and received a BIBA® in the young adult category.
She’s never been a big believer of monsters hiding in the dark but she eats lots of garlic and will sleep with a little light on. Just in case.
ZeeLacson.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/ReverieTheBook
IG: https://www.instagram.com/zeelacson/
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 27, 2024
What a heartwarming book this was.
Zee Lacson gives us a wonderful, well-rounded read with Twice Removed. It is full of charm and innocent humor with just enough grit to create some fun thrills. Told from the first-person perspective of an angst-ridden teenager, Twice Removed acts as a bit of a guided tour through New Orleans, while exploring some fascinating elements of Filipino history, culture, as well as mythology and folklore with the reveal of a terrifying monster, the Manananggal. And the food! Oh my gosh. As if I didn’t already love Filipino cuisine enough. Basically, this book made me hungry. All the while, the writing is fun, engaging, and easy to digest. (Pun intended)
Zee covers even more ground by addressing some important issues ranging from prejudice and racism, social acceptance, tackling inner demons (literal and figurative), daily struggles that immigrants face, and so on. In this case, the main character is caught in between different worlds and struggles to find his own identity at the peak of his teenage years - being native born in the United States, with a family that originated in the Philippines. I feel this exploration offers an important helping of perspective that people may not have. But perhaps most-noteworthy is the underlying message Zee passes on to her readers. It is one of encouraging openness and understanding, having a willingness to listen to those who may feel they don’t have a voice, and to treat others with kindness and respect.
A job well done! I would encourage anyone and everyone to check out Twice Removed. It’s written very much from the heart.
Zee Lacson gives us a wonderful, well-rounded read with Twice Removed. It is full of charm and innocent humor with just enough grit to create some fun thrills. Told from the first-person perspective of an angst-ridden teenager, Twice Removed acts as a bit of a guided tour through New Orleans, while exploring some fascinating elements of Filipino history, culture, as well as mythology and folklore with the reveal of a terrifying monster, the Manananggal. And the food! Oh my gosh. As if I didn’t already love Filipino cuisine enough. Basically, this book made me hungry. All the while, the writing is fun, engaging, and easy to digest. (Pun intended)
Zee covers even more ground by addressing some important issues ranging from prejudice and racism, social acceptance, tackling inner demons (literal and figurative), daily struggles that immigrants face, and so on. In this case, the main character is caught in between different worlds and struggles to find his own identity at the peak of his teenage years - being native born in the United States, with a family that originated in the Philippines. I feel this exploration offers an important helping of perspective that people may not have. But perhaps most-noteworthy is the underlying message Zee passes on to her readers. It is one of encouraging openness and understanding, having a willingness to listen to those who may feel they don’t have a voice, and to treat others with kindness and respect.
A job well done! I would encourage anyone and everyone to check out Twice Removed. It’s written very much from the heart.
September 12, 2024
Food, Filipino Folklore, and Fantastic Character Development
I enjoyed the heck out of Twice Removed. You're immediately immersed in the life of Jay, a soon-to-be high school senior who comes from an immigrant Filipino family, and you learn what it's like from his perspective to sit between worlds. Maya, a half-Filipino girl in his class he'd been crushing on, suddenly becomes an integral part of his life. They bond over their shared culture—something that Maya has embraced more than Jay, stories of the Philippines, and, of course, the most important thing: Food! Maya also brings something more sinister to the table: a family's old curse. It's a burden she doesn't wish to bestow on anyone, and it's set to emerge on her 18th birthday.
Twice Remove is a multifaceted, smooth-as-butter read that leaves you turning page after page. It has elements of romance, horror, superstition, magic, coming-of-age topics, innocence, angst, and fear. But there's also love, compassion, and understanding—things that we can use more of in this world.
As someone who comes from a very mixed bloodline and has no substantial cultural background, I love experiencing others' heritage and culture. Admittedly, my favorite way is through food, which Zee made sure that Twice Removed has plenty of. Zee does an excellent job at immersing you in Filipino culture and adds some interesting twists on things connecting to the monster in the story, like with Balut, which I admire. There are also other notable elements in Filipino culture she shares through her storytelling, like the Capiz Shell, and impactful perspectives between the different generations. This is a perfect read for all audiences.
My absolute favorite part (without spoiling anything) is how the scene at the cemetery was painted with Jay, Maya, and Maya's father and all the fireworks. It felt like I was there watching the events unfold. I'm totally going to have to draw what I see in my head because it's perfection. Well done!
I enjoyed the heck out of Twice Removed. You're immediately immersed in the life of Jay, a soon-to-be high school senior who comes from an immigrant Filipino family, and you learn what it's like from his perspective to sit between worlds. Maya, a half-Filipino girl in his class he'd been crushing on, suddenly becomes an integral part of his life. They bond over their shared culture—something that Maya has embraced more than Jay, stories of the Philippines, and, of course, the most important thing: Food! Maya also brings something more sinister to the table: a family's old curse. It's a burden she doesn't wish to bestow on anyone, and it's set to emerge on her 18th birthday.
Twice Remove is a multifaceted, smooth-as-butter read that leaves you turning page after page. It has elements of romance, horror, superstition, magic, coming-of-age topics, innocence, angst, and fear. But there's also love, compassion, and understanding—things that we can use more of in this world.
As someone who comes from a very mixed bloodline and has no substantial cultural background, I love experiencing others' heritage and culture. Admittedly, my favorite way is through food, which Zee made sure that Twice Removed has plenty of. Zee does an excellent job at immersing you in Filipino culture and adds some interesting twists on things connecting to the monster in the story, like with Balut, which I admire. There are also other notable elements in Filipino culture she shares through her storytelling, like the Capiz Shell, and impactful perspectives between the different generations. This is a perfect read for all audiences.
My absolute favorite part (without spoiling anything) is how the scene at the cemetery was painted with Jay, Maya, and Maya's father and all the fireworks. It felt like I was there watching the events unfold. I'm totally going to have to draw what I see in my head because it's perfection. Well done!
February 22, 2025
this was a truly lovely read that i wish i could’ve had growing up as a second gen filipino <3 i had the pleasure of seeing zee lacson speak during a CPL FAHM event and am glad i finally was able to read her book.
October 23, 2025
Jay, a Filipino-American teen living in NOLA, must find a way to help his girlfriend, Maya, stop a generations-old family curse that transforms her into a manananggal when the sun sets on her 18th birthday.
Jay is such a complex character. There were many instances where I could relate to him, as a Fil-Am, and then many instances where I heavily disagreed with him, and his actions, despite having many similarities growing up. I’m glad that there was a lot of character growth by the end of story. It was actually refreshing to see him go through all of his joys and inner turmoils.
On the other hand, I heavily related to Maya. She has this fierce love of the Philippines and Filipino culture. She immerses herself in it, despite not being born or raised there. I have so much respect for Fil-Ams that strive to know the culture of their ancestors.
The take on the manananggal was also very interesting! It brings science into folklore which was really intriguing.
I enjoyed this book so so much, and can understand why it received the BiBA award! Whether you’re into Filipino folklore or not, this is a great read that also tackles the unique experience of being born to immigrant parents in the U.S. Highly, highly, recommend.
Jay is such a complex character. There were many instances where I could relate to him, as a Fil-Am, and then many instances where I heavily disagreed with him, and his actions, despite having many similarities growing up. I’m glad that there was a lot of character growth by the end of story. It was actually refreshing to see him go through all of his joys and inner turmoils.
On the other hand, I heavily related to Maya. She has this fierce love of the Philippines and Filipino culture. She immerses herself in it, despite not being born or raised there. I have so much respect for Fil-Ams that strive to know the culture of their ancestors.
The take on the manananggal was also very interesting! It brings science into folklore which was really intriguing.
I enjoyed this book so so much, and can understand why it received the BiBA award! Whether you’re into Filipino folklore or not, this is a great read that also tackles the unique experience of being born to immigrant parents in the U.S. Highly, highly, recommend.
August 17, 2024
This is a very cute, cheesy romance that turns paranormal part way through. It's rich with Filipino and New Orleans culture and teenage problems. I think it's perfect for middle school and early high school readers.
Currently reading
November 13, 2024** 2024 BIBA® WINNER **
When New Orleans meets Manila ...
3 generations
2 families
1 monster
Order your Twice Removed Swag Kit: https://zee-lacson.square.site/
Visit https://ZeeLacson.com/Twice-Removed for more information.
"Can you ever be whole when you're always torn apart?"
When New Orleans meets Manila ...
3 generations
2 families
1 monster
Order your Twice Removed Swag Kit: https://zee-lacson.square.site/
Visit https://ZeeLacson.com/Twice-Removed for more information.
"Can you ever be whole when you're always torn apart?"
January 22, 2026
Between 3.25 and 3.5. The story picked up in the second half, when Jay learns Maya is a manananggal. This is perhaps the first story I’ve read where a manananggal is a central character, and is not evil. I was fascinated with Lacson’s take on this being, how it’s not the fetus the manananggal is after so much as the amniotic fluid. Never heard of that before.
Though I did think the book was written for a non-Filipino audience, especially how the mom immediately translates her Tagalog to English, even though Jay understands her. The translation could’ve been better incorporated, since the book’s dialogue was kinda clunky for me.
Also, the word “Filipino” keeps getting repeated, as if the author had to constantly remind the audience what ethnic group the majority of the characters were. And parts explaining the food and culture, as well as identity issues and microaggressions, seemed a bit heavy-handed.
Though all in all, I enjoyed the book, and I liked the ending.
Though I did think the book was written for a non-Filipino audience, especially how the mom immediately translates her Tagalog to English, even though Jay understands her. The translation could’ve been better incorporated, since the book’s dialogue was kinda clunky for me.
Also, the word “Filipino” keeps getting repeated, as if the author had to constantly remind the audience what ethnic group the majority of the characters were. And parts explaining the food and culture, as well as identity issues and microaggressions, seemed a bit heavy-handed.
Though all in all, I enjoyed the book, and I liked the ending.
May 12, 2025
A fun way to learn about a different culture and a spotlight on challenges faced by 1st and 2nd generation immigrants. And, monsters.
November 20, 2025
I loved this book! Full of Filipino food and culture, plus it made me cry. Very heartwarming coming of age feels
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews