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Rajah Versus Conquistador: A King's Gambit in the Age of Conquest
"Rajah Versus Conquistador by Kahlil Corazo is that rare a literary fiction novel that not only retells a historical truth, but reframes it entirely, while being thoroughly entertaining." - Gabi Francisco, Ex Libris Philippines
A King’s Gambit. A Conqueror’s Ambition. A Battle That Will Shape a Nation.Cebu, 1521. At the center of the Visayan seas, Rajah Humabon rules through ritual, trade, and blood. When foreign ships arrive bearing steel, gunpowder, and the cross of an unfamiliar God, he sees not just a threat—but a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
Led by the relentless Ferdinand Magellan, the Castilian fleet promises power and divine favor. But in Sugbo, every alliance is a wager, every ritual a weapon, and every oath a potential betrayal.
As Humabon gambles for survival and dominion, the feared warrior Lapulapu emerges to challenge both king and invader. What begins as diplomacy becomes sacred deception. What ends in massacre is remembered as myth.
Rajah Versus Conquistador is a speculative epic of religion, sacrifice, and statecraft—told in two the psychospiritual transformation of a Southeast Asian strongman, and the theological unraveling of a crusading knight. Blending indigenous memory with historical record, the novel reimagines the fateful clash that birthed Philippine Christianity and reshaped a nation’s soul.
For readers of Shogun, Dune, and Wolf Hall, this is not just the story of a battle—but of the spiritual technologies behind empire, the hidden women who shaped it, and the battle of memories that still rages beneath our festivals and flags.
About the authorKahlil Corazo is a writer based in the southern Philippines. He grew up in Pari-an, Cebu, the heart of what was once Rajah Humabon’s domain and where this novel takes place. His scholarly work lies in the intersection of the figure of the Southeast Asian Orang Besar (Big Man) and René Girard’s scapegoat mechanism. Rajah Versus Conquistador is Kahlil’s debut novel.
What Readers Are Saying
As someone who enjoys historical fiction and fantasy, I was hooked from the start. I loved how the story reimagined pre-colonial Cebu, bringing its culture, politics, and everyday life to the forefront... The mythology and belief systems woven into the story added so much depth, influencing decisions and conflicts in ways that felt authentic and meaningful.
—@mikbookreads
I just want to say, WHAT A DELIGHT THIS BOOK IS! My history geek heart flutters, reading this wonderfully crafted piece that tells the story of Rajah Humabon on the days when the Magellan first set foot on Mactan. It's so interesting how @kahlilcorazo writes it in a narrative that literally IMMERSES you AS Rajah Humabon. You ARE Rajah Humabon as you read it!
—@jef.reads
I was absorbed by this book, like literally. I didn’t expect to feel like I was part of the story, but the way it was narrated made me feel like I was right there among the characters… Personally, I love the 23rd chapter. It felt like I was present during the Battle of Mactan. It created an entirely new scenario with a deeper understanding and a broader perspective of what happened, far beyond what was taught in books or in history class.
A King’s Gambit. A Conqueror’s Ambition. A Battle That Will Shape a Nation.Cebu, 1521. At the center of the Visayan seas, Rajah Humabon rules through ritual, trade, and blood. When foreign ships arrive bearing steel, gunpowder, and the cross of an unfamiliar God, he sees not just a threat—but a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
Led by the relentless Ferdinand Magellan, the Castilian fleet promises power and divine favor. But in Sugbo, every alliance is a wager, every ritual a weapon, and every oath a potential betrayal.
As Humabon gambles for survival and dominion, the feared warrior Lapulapu emerges to challenge both king and invader. What begins as diplomacy becomes sacred deception. What ends in massacre is remembered as myth.
Rajah Versus Conquistador is a speculative epic of religion, sacrifice, and statecraft—told in two the psychospiritual transformation of a Southeast Asian strongman, and the theological unraveling of a crusading knight. Blending indigenous memory with historical record, the novel reimagines the fateful clash that birthed Philippine Christianity and reshaped a nation’s soul.
For readers of Shogun, Dune, and Wolf Hall, this is not just the story of a battle—but of the spiritual technologies behind empire, the hidden women who shaped it, and the battle of memories that still rages beneath our festivals and flags.
About the authorKahlil Corazo is a writer based in the southern Philippines. He grew up in Pari-an, Cebu, the heart of what was once Rajah Humabon’s domain and where this novel takes place. His scholarly work lies in the intersection of the figure of the Southeast Asian Orang Besar (Big Man) and René Girard’s scapegoat mechanism. Rajah Versus Conquistador is Kahlil’s debut novel.
What Readers Are Saying
As someone who enjoys historical fiction and fantasy, I was hooked from the start. I loved how the story reimagined pre-colonial Cebu, bringing its culture, politics, and everyday life to the forefront... The mythology and belief systems woven into the story added so much depth, influencing decisions and conflicts in ways that felt authentic and meaningful.
—@mikbookreads
I just want to say, WHAT A DELIGHT THIS BOOK IS! My history geek heart flutters, reading this wonderfully crafted piece that tells the story of Rajah Humabon on the days when the Magellan first set foot on Mactan. It's so interesting how @kahlilcorazo writes it in a narrative that literally IMMERSES you AS Rajah Humabon. You ARE Rajah Humabon as you read it!
—@jef.reads
I was absorbed by this book, like literally. I didn’t expect to feel like I was part of the story, but the way it was narrated made me feel like I was right there among the characters… Personally, I love the 23rd chapter. It felt like I was present during the Battle of Mactan. It created an entirely new scenario with a deeper understanding and a broader perspective of what happened, far beyond what was taught in books or in history class.
333 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2025
3 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 23, 2025
"Rajah Versus Conquistador by Kahlil Corazo is that rare thing: a literary fiction novel that not only retells a historical truth, but reframes it entirely, while being thoroughly entertaining. What Hilary Mantel has done for Thomas Cromwell, Corazo has done for Humabon, elevating him from turncoat historical footnote into a cunning and complex ruler...
There is a purpose to each display of obeisance, each declaration of war. For the thirst for power is a tale as old as time, and, as Corazo shows, only the players and the battlefield change with the seasons and the tide."
Read the rest of the review at https://exlibrisphilippines.com/2025/...
There is a purpose to each display of obeisance, each declaration of war. For the thirst for power is a tale as old as time, and, as Corazo shows, only the players and the battlefield change with the seasons and the tide."
Read the rest of the review at https://exlibrisphilippines.com/2025/...
May 31, 2025
In the dance of power, faith is like any other weapon–its value lies not in its truth but in how it can be wielded.
Synopsis:
This is a reimagined look at a turning point in Philippine history, the moment when Rajah Humabon, the King of Cebu in 1521, encountered Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese conquistador who was working for Spain.
The story is framed as though it was told and translated by the descendants of Rajah Tupas, the cousin and successor of Rajah Humabon.
Thoughts:
So first of all, and I only found this out after finishing the book, the novel doesn’t start at Chapter 1 but at the Translator’s Note before that. Samantha Gonzales, the supposed translator, is part of the story (along with her family).
For the story itself, the second person POV was a really interesting choice. It made me feel as though I was looking through the eyes of Rajah Humabon himself. I think this will really help Filipino readers relate to him despite the differences in beliefs. Majority of today’s Filipinos are more familiar with Roman Catholicism compared to the precolonial animistic belief in diwatas, so being in Humabon’s POV helps us readers to root for him even more.
I really liked learning about the kalag (spirit) and diwata (god) as though it was a magic system. Different diwatas speak to different parts of our kalag, such as wanting wealth, power, faith, love, etc, and that’s the value that dominates a person.
I also enjoyed learning about the women in this story, especially the comparison of the baylan (shamans) versus the binukot (secluded women), and how each has their own kind of power.
For the pace of this book, there was actually a lot more introspection than action. Here, Rajah Humabon is a really smart leader. He’s scheming, manipulative, and thinks of power as a game. But we also see that there are two sides to him, the power-hungry snake, and the innocent boxed up boy. There are also parts that are in Magellan’s POV, but in third person. He is depicted as kind of insecure, someone who has something to prove. The few action scenes that were present were really good and exciting, though.
For me, the things to improve are these:
- Make it clearer that Samantha and Aunty Camy aren’t real people. It really seemed like they were.
- There are footnotes that seem reversed, like the main text has the regular English terms while the footnote contains the Bisaya translation, when it’s usually the other way around.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. While flipping back through the pages to make this review, I found myself appreciating the writing even more. If the author will release another fiction book in the future, I would be interested in reading it.
How I found out about this: Through my book club.
Who should read this: If historical fiction is your genre, then this is for you. While reading this, I compared it to Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe because of the clash of worlds and beliefs, and also The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene because of Humabon’s cunning ways of manipulation. So if you liked those books, you might like this too.
Other quotes I like:
“The serpent is neither good nor evil. It simply is. Those who fear it call it evil. Those who harness it call it power.”
“...true greatness comes not from birth but from skill. From hard work. From results.”
“It’s the kind of darkness that emboldens lovers and assassins, when even the most familiar paths become treacherous and secrets can be whispered without fear.”
May 24, 2025
Have you ever been curious about where our slang words came from? I’m quite a fan of this kind of knowledge—even when it’s not from a formal source—as long as it makes sense to me. Take the word “giatay”, for example. Some people use it as an expression when they hear something disagreeable or even when a sentence makes them recoil. But it actually comes from a piece of bed furniture called atay, which was once common in many homes. The expression originated from the phrase “Gi-atay na siya kay,” meaning someone is already bedridden—lying on the atay, waiting for their end time.
Rajah Versus Conquistador awakened my geeky side for this kind of lore. It broadened how I see my own culture and faith as a Bisaya. The vivid imagination that unfolds inside the payag of one of the great rulers of the Philippines is so well written that you might accept it as fact—especially because it’s told as if you are Humabon. He was intuitive, and so are you. The writing is deeply persuasive.
What struck me the most was the portrayal of women in the book. They’ve been silently weaving our governing systems in the background! Long ago, women already held power, and men like Humabon recognized that. Unlike others who have viewed them merely as fragile or child-bearers—something that sadly still persists in some people’s thinking today—this book presents them as clever and capable. I have some idea of the sad events in the past (and present) that led to their stories being excluded from the texts shared with the masses. But Rajah Versus Conquistador makes sure they are not forgotten.
I also appreciated that the book gave us Magellan’s perspective. To me, it didn’t seem unfair—we’re shown the intent behind his actions. Still, I won’t dwell on his part, as his story has already been written and read countless times. What this book stirred in me is a stronger desire to know our story.
Rajah Versus Conquistador is a historical fiction novel set in Cebu, Philippines. It lays out a preserved memory of culture, leadership, and devotion—especially from the often hidden but powerful positions. Certainly an engaging read.
Source of copy: Author through Book Chickas PH - Thank you! · I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This review is also available at litfae.blogspot.com.
Rajah Versus Conquistador awakened my geeky side for this kind of lore. It broadened how I see my own culture and faith as a Bisaya. The vivid imagination that unfolds inside the payag of one of the great rulers of the Philippines is so well written that you might accept it as fact—especially because it’s told as if you are Humabon. He was intuitive, and so are you. The writing is deeply persuasive.
What struck me the most was the portrayal of women in the book. They’ve been silently weaving our governing systems in the background! Long ago, women already held power, and men like Humabon recognized that. Unlike others who have viewed them merely as fragile or child-bearers—something that sadly still persists in some people’s thinking today—this book presents them as clever and capable. I have some idea of the sad events in the past (and present) that led to their stories being excluded from the texts shared with the masses. But Rajah Versus Conquistador makes sure they are not forgotten.
I also appreciated that the book gave us Magellan’s perspective. To me, it didn’t seem unfair—we’re shown the intent behind his actions. Still, I won’t dwell on his part, as his story has already been written and read countless times. What this book stirred in me is a stronger desire to know our story.
Rajah Versus Conquistador is a historical fiction novel set in Cebu, Philippines. It lays out a preserved memory of culture, leadership, and devotion—especially from the often hidden but powerful positions. Certainly an engaging read.
Source of copy: Author through Book Chickas PH - Thank you! · I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This review is also available at litfae.blogspot.com.
June 17, 2025
We usually get to know our historical figures through classroom textbooks or novels by well-known Filipino authors. The most visible reminders are the statues of our heroes proudly standing in rotundas and public plazas. But unlike Rizal and the other celebrated heroes, the events that took place in Sugbo rarely get the spotlight. I'm glad that we now have Rajah vs Conquistador, a historical fiction novel about the key events of 1521. 😊
RVC is beautifully written; despite its plot being soaked in deceit, dirty politics, and bloody conquests of colonization and indoctrination. Yet what I truly enjoyed was how the historical characters were each given distinct personas. As I read, they came alive with faces, distinct personalities, and layered backstories. These characterizations made history easier to relate to.
Rajah Humabon, for instance, is nothing like the towering and bemuscled warrior I always imagined. Instead, he’s short and stout. Obviously he's a political psycho, yet a softy towards one of his Binukot wives… in bisaya-MURAG GILUMAY, completely bewitched by love. His brother Isagani is portrayed as someone who speaks without tact and with hints of OCD. Magellan, on the other hand, seemed overly obsessed with religious practices and beliefs—perhaps even a fanatic. Add to that his weak battle plans and overconfidence, and, well… we all know how that turned out. Lapu-Lapu makes his cameos too!
RVC is an enjoyable read and is rich with takeaways - strengthened faith in God, the cost of selfishness, the power of love and devotion, the consequences of deception.
RVC is beautifully written; despite its plot being soaked in deceit, dirty politics, and bloody conquests of colonization and indoctrination. Yet what I truly enjoyed was how the historical characters were each given distinct personas. As I read, they came alive with faces, distinct personalities, and layered backstories. These characterizations made history easier to relate to.
Rajah Humabon, for instance, is nothing like the towering and bemuscled warrior I always imagined. Instead, he’s short and stout. Obviously he's a political psycho, yet a softy towards one of his Binukot wives… in bisaya-MURAG GILUMAY, completely bewitched by love. His brother Isagani is portrayed as someone who speaks without tact and with hints of OCD. Magellan, on the other hand, seemed overly obsessed with religious practices and beliefs—perhaps even a fanatic. Add to that his weak battle plans and overconfidence, and, well… we all know how that turned out. Lapu-Lapu makes his cameos too!
RVC is an enjoyable read and is rich with takeaways - strengthened faith in God, the cost of selfishness, the power of love and devotion, the consequences of deception.
Read
August 23, 2025In Rajah Versus Conquistador, the novelist delivered a nuanced interpretation of history: heady, inspired, and feasible. It was a compelling version and vision of 1521, a provocative addendum to the national imaginary. In it, the characters interact not wholly in words but in body language. Every gesture was of fatal import, and power wore the skin of a chameleon before rearing its timeless hydra head. The novel was a refreshing counterpoint to the hagiographic and colonialist biographies and films of Magellan or the nationalist myth-rendering of Lapulapu in many misdirected novels and films.
"The most effective lies are those wrapped around a core of truth", wrote Kahlil Corazo in the novel. Perhaps only the untethered imagination of fiction, and fiction of imagination, could allow us to view historical events with a grain of truth. Corazo's recovery of Humabon through fiction was a recovery of a lost point of view.
Full review: https://booktrek.blogspot.com/2025/08...
"The most effective lies are those wrapped around a core of truth", wrote Kahlil Corazo in the novel. Perhaps only the untethered imagination of fiction, and fiction of imagination, could allow us to view historical events with a grain of truth. Corazo's recovery of Humabon through fiction was a recovery of a lost point of view.
Full review: https://booktrek.blogspot.com/2025/08...
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews