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Contract Killer Kina
Above the dark, criminal underworld of Manila is a world of innocence and mundanity, a world that contract killer Kina Sanchez wants to be a part of. But when her past starts creeping into her new life as a college student, Kina has to make a choice between what she is and who she wants to be to protect the ones she loves. Ysa, an incessantly friendly classmate, further complicates things when she starts piecing things together about Kina.
242 pages, Unknown Binding
First published November 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 28, 2026
I liked the pacing, the action, and the genderbent Punisher MC. I just wish it was longer and the storyline + character arcs are more layered bc Kina’s backstory is really intriguing. Paired with Ysa’s background and it could 30-50 pages more. Always satisfying to read about revenge plots especially when it involves corrupt officials. 3.5stars!!
September 30, 2026
In a dangerous city like Manila, there are those who are above the law. While people seem to be helpless, they turn their hopes to someone who would take revenge for them – a young journalism student.
Thank you to TSF and Milo for having me on this tour.
The story is interesting, with the concept of revenge and the mercenary. Plot-wise, it is easy to get along with. I do like the backstory and the build-up of Kina’s character, as it gives the ultimate reason for the whole plot.
It is a very action-packed story that you will somehow associate with some of the DC and Marvel superheroes. The interesting part is how the story relates to the socio-political issues of our country, where corruption is prevalent.
The only thing is, I believe even without the character of Ysa, the story can stand on its own. The story can navigate several themes on revenge and being the defender of the helpless. However, Ysa has some story to tell.
The story is a cliffhanger, and I am eager to find out what will happen next.
rate 3.5
Thank you to TSF and Milo for having me on this tour.
The story is interesting, with the concept of revenge and the mercenary. Plot-wise, it is easy to get along with. I do like the backstory and the build-up of Kina’s character, as it gives the ultimate reason for the whole plot.
It is a very action-packed story that you will somehow associate with some of the DC and Marvel superheroes. The interesting part is how the story relates to the socio-political issues of our country, where corruption is prevalent.
The only thing is, I believe even without the character of Ysa, the story can stand on its own. The story can navigate several themes on revenge and being the defender of the helpless. However, Ysa has some story to tell.
The story is a cliffhanger, and I am eager to find out what will happen next.
rate 3.5
May 3, 2026
I received a complimentary ebook from the author as part of a book tour by Book Chickas PH in exchange for a promotional post and honest review.
Talk about an action-packed thrill ride of a read! The book features two main characters:
🥷 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗮, journalism student by day and vigilante-type contract killer by night
👩🎓 𝗬𝘀𝗮, fellow journalism student with a mission to befriend Kina or die trying
Together, you get a textbook grumpy-sunshine combo (think of the friendships or something-more-ships of Batman and Clark Kent, or the Punisher and Deadpool, or Daredevil's Matt and Foggy).
They take the streets of Manila by storm and gunfire in a bloodsoaked mission to end corruption in the only way they can, given a world where law and the government has failed its people long before they can even begin to think of finding justice.
𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙆𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙧 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙖's play-by-play had the kind of guns-and-garrotes spectacle you'd expect from movies like The Man from Nowhere or the John Wick series. But the reality of the systemic corruption, desperation, and moral degradation the girls uncover while doing a meant-to-be-harmless assignment for their journalism class is all too real, as every Filipino with open eyes and ears could tell you.
This is a novel you'll want to read at least twice: first, to let yourself take that action-packed roller coaster ride of a story; and then, to appreciate the way the author has painted a chiaroscuro of darkness and light in the characters and situations, mixing heavy political commentary and cold-blooded murder sprees with moments of humor and care between characters who show that hope, love, care, and genuine friendship can exist even in the shadows.
Additional notes:
👩🔬 The murder geek (and Forensic Files addict) in me had some moments questioning the characters' proficiency at crime scene coverups, but having personal experience with less-than-stellar forensic practices for murders and suspicious deaths in the Philippines, I decided to forgive these as, while these would've been glaring mistakes elsewhere, they probably would've gotten away with things over here.
🥣 Like Orphan Oliver, I wanted to go up to the author with my imaginary reader-bowl empty and be all, "Please, sir, I want some more." As I felt like I would have appreciated more character development to bolster the escalation into the absolute Hollywood-level killfest (in the middle of a typhoon, at that). But what I did get, I really did enjoy!
Talk about an action-packed thrill ride of a read! The book features two main characters:
🥷 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗮, journalism student by day and vigilante-type contract killer by night
👩🎓 𝗬𝘀𝗮, fellow journalism student with a mission to befriend Kina or die trying
Together, you get a textbook grumpy-sunshine combo (think of the friendships or something-more-ships of Batman and Clark Kent, or the Punisher and Deadpool, or Daredevil's Matt and Foggy).
They take the streets of Manila by storm and gunfire in a bloodsoaked mission to end corruption in the only way they can, given a world where law and the government has failed its people long before they can even begin to think of finding justice.
𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙆𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙧 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙖's play-by-play had the kind of guns-and-garrotes spectacle you'd expect from movies like The Man from Nowhere or the John Wick series. But the reality of the systemic corruption, desperation, and moral degradation the girls uncover while doing a meant-to-be-harmless assignment for their journalism class is all too real, as every Filipino with open eyes and ears could tell you.
This is a novel you'll want to read at least twice: first, to let yourself take that action-packed roller coaster ride of a story; and then, to appreciate the way the author has painted a chiaroscuro of darkness and light in the characters and situations, mixing heavy political commentary and cold-blooded murder sprees with moments of humor and care between characters who show that hope, love, care, and genuine friendship can exist even in the shadows.
Additional notes:
👩🔬 The murder geek (and Forensic Files addict) in me had some moments questioning the characters' proficiency at crime scene coverups, but having personal experience with less-than-stellar forensic practices for murders and suspicious deaths in the Philippines, I decided to forgive these as, while these would've been glaring mistakes elsewhere, they probably would've gotten away with things over here.
🥣 Like Orphan Oliver, I wanted to go up to the author with my imaginary reader-bowl empty and be all, "Please, sir, I want some more." As I felt like I would have appreciated more character development to bolster the escalation into the absolute Hollywood-level killfest (in the middle of a typhoon, at that). But what I did get, I really did enjoy!
July 17, 2026
Pretty entertaining. I really did enjoy this one! I loved the idea of a teenage vigilante assassin learning to be a normal student and befriending an idealistic girl who slowly gets corrupted with hate because of the injustice around her. It was very atmospheric and I loved how vivid the Manila setting was. Dark and gritty characters but there's still a core of hope that shines through. I also enjoyed the writer's prose. Unfortunately, this needed an editor very badly. The novel constantly shifted between present and past tense, sometimes in the same paragraph. I think a big picture editor also could've helped with the pacing issues especially in the second half. There were large leaps in character and plot development that could've been fleshed out more if only the novel was a little longer. Despite that, Galang is a promising writer with good ideas. I look forward to what he could accomplish with some more practice and with some more guidance from an experienced editor. Let's support local Pinoy authors!
[Btw, this novel has sapphic characters but I'm not tagging it as wlw because there is no actual romantic development, no confession, no kiss, etc. Although Ysa has a low-key, subtextual crush on Kina, they pretty much stay friends throughout the entire novel. It's a strong, well-written friendship that contributes to both of their character arcs but doesn't necessarily read as queer]
[Btw, this novel has sapphic characters but I'm not tagging it as wlw because there is no actual romantic development, no confession, no kiss, etc. Although Ysa has a low-key, subtextual crush on Kina, they pretty much stay friends throughout the entire novel. It's a strong, well-written friendship that contributes to both of their character arcs but doesn't necessarily read as queer]
October 7, 2026
Contract Killer Kina was such an interesting read because beneath the action and the “college student by day, contract killer by night” premise, it explores something that feels uncomfortably familiar: What happens when people stop believing that justice will come through the proper channels?
I liked how Kina’s story sits between wanting an ordinary life and being shaped by a much darker reality. It made me think about how difficult it can be to separate ourselves from the things that have changed us.
I also liked how Manila and its realities: the corruption, injustice, and people losing faith in the system were woven into the story. The line between justice and revenge felt especially interesting because while it’s easy to understand why someone would want to take matters into their own hands, the choices that follow aren’t always so black and white. I also really enjoyed Kina and Ysa’s dynamic because their friendship brought some warmth and humanity to an otherwise dark story.
How I wish that the book were longer. I wanted more time with the characters and their relationships, especially Kina, because there was so much potential to explore. Still, it was an entertaining and thought-provoking read, and that cliffhanger definitely left me curious about where Kina’s story goes next.
I liked how Kina’s story sits between wanting an ordinary life and being shaped by a much darker reality. It made me think about how difficult it can be to separate ourselves from the things that have changed us.
I also liked how Manila and its realities: the corruption, injustice, and people losing faith in the system were woven into the story. The line between justice and revenge felt especially interesting because while it’s easy to understand why someone would want to take matters into their own hands, the choices that follow aren’t always so black and white. I also really enjoyed Kina and Ysa’s dynamic because their friendship brought some warmth and humanity to an otherwise dark story.
How I wish that the book were longer. I wanted more time with the characters and their relationships, especially Kina, because there was so much potential to explore. Still, it was an entertaining and thought-provoking read, and that cliffhanger definitely left me curious about where Kina’s story goes next.
October 3, 2026
“to most people, with his sweat-stained sando and gun and badge still out on full display, he looked like a cop. but for people with sense, they knew to look away. it wasn’t about the facts, it was about principle.”
kina sanchez—a student by day and a contract killer by night—grew up surrounded by manila’s injustice. as her past started to haunt her, she wished nothing but a normal life, and she knows she’ll never have it because she’s fallen deep in after her first kill.
i appreciated the premise because it’s something we constantly face in society, even if it isn’t directly. i felt very strongly for ysa and kina who hoped for justice in the city. although, i wish the book was longer because i wanted any kind of redemption for both protagonists. i should also say that this book isn’t for everyone. i feel like it may appear somewhat stressful, especially this is something that’s still happening in the country. the morally grey characters made it a bit more stressful for me.
overall, it was a really good premise. i just felt i needed it to be a longer read.
p.s. pls check trigger warnings before reading this book!
kina sanchez—a student by day and a contract killer by night—grew up surrounded by manila’s injustice. as her past started to haunt her, she wished nothing but a normal life, and she knows she’ll never have it because she’s fallen deep in after her first kill.
i appreciated the premise because it’s something we constantly face in society, even if it isn’t directly. i felt very strongly for ysa and kina who hoped for justice in the city. although, i wish the book was longer because i wanted any kind of redemption for both protagonists. i should also say that this book isn’t for everyone. i feel like it may appear somewhat stressful, especially this is something that’s still happening in the country. the morally grey characters made it a bit more stressful for me.
overall, it was a really good premise. i just felt i needed it to be a longer read.
p.s. pls check trigger warnings before reading this book!
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October 5, 2026While this was fast-paced, it wasn’t always an easy-read. When stories showcase parallels to conflicts and issues that reflect real-life situations, things are bound to stir within your soul.
If you’re a reader interested in unsettling crime noir novels with morally gray characters, I’d recommend picking up this one!
If you’re a reader interested in unsettling crime noir novels with morally gray characters, I’d recommend picking up this one!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews