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Alamat, A History of the Awakened #1
The Awakening
Ancient Filipino gods are waking up in modern-day Metro Manila with all its 21st-century technology, delayed advancement, and madness. Amid the confusion and disgust, these angry deities are threatening to expose the dark world hiding in plain sight.
The country’s salvation, and perhaps the modern world, is in the hands of a peculiar group of characters—an espiritista who looks like a cosplayer, an orphan mind-reader, and a child running away from his destiny.
The country’s salvation, and perhaps the modern world, is in the hands of a peculiar group of characters—an espiritista who looks like a cosplayer, an orphan mind-reader, and a child running away from his destiny.
232 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2023
1 person is currently reading
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 26, 2024
Earlier this year, a friend of mine reached out to me and gifted me these books because he remembered that one of my goals is to read novels by Filipino authors that are not in the romance genre (I'm a romance reader, but u guys already know this). And he just witnessed me fangirl because of his gift 😅
Life got in the way, and I was waaay too busy, but I finally had the chance to pick it up last night. I was thinking that I'll just start the book... but I ended up waay too hooked that I almost lost sleep because I was too immersed in the story. I didn't even notice the time!
For one, this book showcases our rich culture by introducing lores and creatures unique to the Philippines. If you love mythology, this book is for you. To know more about the universe, read Behind the Veil!!
This book also has the found family trope, with lovable characters that you can't help but root for. Characters with different personalities, purposes, and get this, they differ in age as well (extremely), you'll want to learn more about each of them and possibly end up attached to them (like me). See, I loved their characters so much I took the quiz just to see my "ancient bloodline" (See 2nd photo).
The plot? It's a masterpiece. I never saw the twists coming! It's like, I feel like I know what will happen, and I ended up amazed that I was kind of both right and wrong. 😭 Your emotions will also be all over the place: I laughed, then I was scared, then I was mad, then thrilled, then I was in tears, then I was smiling again. This is a roller coaster ride.
There will also be mentions of lores outside the Philippines, which I think made the experience of the book more enriching.
This is a recommended book. I'm excited to read the 2nd book!! (Also, the author is so kind 🥹)
Life got in the way, and I was waaay too busy, but I finally had the chance to pick it up last night. I was thinking that I'll just start the book... but I ended up waay too hooked that I almost lost sleep because I was too immersed in the story. I didn't even notice the time!
For one, this book showcases our rich culture by introducing lores and creatures unique to the Philippines. If you love mythology, this book is for you. To know more about the universe, read Behind the Veil!!
This book also has the found family trope, with lovable characters that you can't help but root for. Characters with different personalities, purposes, and get this, they differ in age as well (extremely), you'll want to learn more about each of them and possibly end up attached to them (like me). See, I loved their characters so much I took the quiz just to see my "ancient bloodline" (See 2nd photo).
The plot? It's a masterpiece. I never saw the twists coming! It's like, I feel like I know what will happen, and I ended up amazed that I was kind of both right and wrong. 😭 Your emotions will also be all over the place: I laughed, then I was scared, then I was mad, then thrilled, then I was in tears, then I was smiling again. This is a roller coaster ride.
There will also be mentions of lores outside the Philippines, which I think made the experience of the book more enriching.
This is a recommended book. I'm excited to read the 2nd book!! (Also, the author is so kind 🥹)
June 28, 2024
#BernardReads | BOOK REVIEW 📚
#TheAwakening Volume One of #Alamat, A History of the #Awakened by Kadi Serafica ⚔️
This is one of the newest titles of PaperKat Books. I've been waiting for the launch of this since it tackles #PhilippineMythology.
I agreed at the Introduction with the author that our myths can be told and retold several times across generations. I was once as well hesitant to write stories based on Philippine Mythology, fearing that I might tarnish what was once believed upon by our ancestors. But that's how myths work, that's how folktales live up to this day.
This book's interpretation is somewhat unique, modern, and, definitely engaging, as if the background plot has been going on since time immerorial.
The use of card suits and chess pieces as naming conventions is witty and made the worldbuilding easier to digest.
The first story is kinda sad but introduced the world through familiar and innocent elements.
Sort of anecdotal storytelling is unique for me but quite effective. Kudos to the distinct characterizations for each character so far. I'm overwhelmed by a lot of new words but the gradual worldbuilding pace I believe would be enough for me to catch up.
There are violent scenes that I actually expected but still shocked on how gruesome they are.
By the second chapter, there's a balance of show and tell. I'm so overwhelmed by information, I couldn't get past my excitement to get to the first quest immediately.
Pop culture references here and there, very Pinoy flavor even though it's fully written in English.
The story structure feels like a graphic novel like #Sandman with new characters introduced bper chapter but one ongoing quest.
By the Middle part, I'll never look at horror documentaries the same way again. It's gory descriptions are very effective, quite witty with execution of ideas as well.
This author is the definition of "full of ideas". I wonder when he'll get exhausted haha.
It sometimes need to over-explain for worldbuilding or maybe the author is addicted to details but some readers actually like that.
It used a dangerous enemy I thought would be a big bad and hard to fight but with the author's cleverness, it used to to tell a story entertaining enough by the use of different elements. It was satisfying to see how things unfold.
The penultimate story reminds me of #TheSandman by #NeilGaiman. I felt exhausted after reading it, just like the characters in it, how they saw tragedy before their eyes.
Although, I'm not a fan of changing narrative voices midway to better suit the story telling but it didn't bother me especially if the story is as intriguing as this.
You have to read 'till the end to understand the cover and how it burst into a wider world of magic and mayhem.
Overall, it's more of a collective with main characters showing here and there, a story of a unlikely family traversing a veryyy dangerous path in the magical side of Manila. It's intriguing, it's haunting, it's awakening.
#bookreview #bookrecommendations
#TheAwakening Volume One of #Alamat, A History of the #Awakened by Kadi Serafica ⚔️
This is one of the newest titles of PaperKat Books. I've been waiting for the launch of this since it tackles #PhilippineMythology.
I agreed at the Introduction with the author that our myths can be told and retold several times across generations. I was once as well hesitant to write stories based on Philippine Mythology, fearing that I might tarnish what was once believed upon by our ancestors. But that's how myths work, that's how folktales live up to this day.
This book's interpretation is somewhat unique, modern, and, definitely engaging, as if the background plot has been going on since time immerorial.
The use of card suits and chess pieces as naming conventions is witty and made the worldbuilding easier to digest.
The first story is kinda sad but introduced the world through familiar and innocent elements.
Sort of anecdotal storytelling is unique for me but quite effective. Kudos to the distinct characterizations for each character so far. I'm overwhelmed by a lot of new words but the gradual worldbuilding pace I believe would be enough for me to catch up.
There are violent scenes that I actually expected but still shocked on how gruesome they are.
By the second chapter, there's a balance of show and tell. I'm so overwhelmed by information, I couldn't get past my excitement to get to the first quest immediately.
Pop culture references here and there, very Pinoy flavor even though it's fully written in English.
The story structure feels like a graphic novel like #Sandman with new characters introduced bper chapter but one ongoing quest.
By the Middle part, I'll never look at horror documentaries the same way again. It's gory descriptions are very effective, quite witty with execution of ideas as well.
This author is the definition of "full of ideas". I wonder when he'll get exhausted haha.
It sometimes need to over-explain for worldbuilding or maybe the author is addicted to details but some readers actually like that.
It used a dangerous enemy I thought would be a big bad and hard to fight but with the author's cleverness, it used to to tell a story entertaining enough by the use of different elements. It was satisfying to see how things unfold.
The penultimate story reminds me of #TheSandman by #NeilGaiman. I felt exhausted after reading it, just like the characters in it, how they saw tragedy before their eyes.
Although, I'm not a fan of changing narrative voices midway to better suit the story telling but it didn't bother me especially if the story is as intriguing as this.
You have to read 'till the end to understand the cover and how it burst into a wider world of magic and mayhem.
Overall, it's more of a collective with main characters showing here and there, a story of a unlikely family traversing a veryyy dangerous path in the magical side of Manila. It's intriguing, it's haunting, it's awakening.
#bookreview #bookrecommendations
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews