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Seventeen Prayers to the Many-Eyed Mother
In this highly anticipated follow-up to 2012’s “A Bottle of Storm Clouds,” award-winning author Eliza Victoria returns with 17 stories of displacement, disillusionment, desperation, and loneliness.
In “Seventeen Prayers to the Many-Eyed Mother,” characters seek solace – wittingly or unwittingly – in forces beyond human comprehension. A young woman agrees to make a blood sacrifice in exchange for an American visa. Strangers find themselves stuck in a fatal time loop in a convenience store. A plane crash survivor on a deserted island believes a deity’s name has been carved into the rocks. A broke tourist meets a being untouched by time and space. Diwata, in hopes of assimilation into human society, agree to have their wings surgically removed. And within the darkness of an old mansion, a figure in white appears by the doorway…
In “Seventeen Prayers to the Many-Eyed Mother,” characters seek solace – wittingly or unwittingly – in forces beyond human comprehension. A young woman agrees to make a blood sacrifice in exchange for an American visa. Strangers find themselves stuck in a fatal time loop in a convenience store. A plane crash survivor on a deserted island believes a deity’s name has been carved into the rocks. A broke tourist meets a being untouched by time and space. Diwata, in hopes of assimilation into human society, agree to have their wings surgically removed. And within the darkness of an old mansion, a figure in white appears by the doorway…
251 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2022
17 people are currently reading
272 people want to read
About the author
Eliza Victoria
40 books338 followersEliza Victoria is the author of several books including the Philippine National Book Award-winning Dwellers, the novel Wounded Little Gods, the graphic novel After Lambana (a collaboration with Mervin Malonzo), and the science fiction novel-in-stories, Nightfall. Her fiction and poetry have appeared in several publications, most recently in LONTAR: The Journal of Southeast Asian Speculative Fiction, The Best Asian Speculative Fiction, The Dark Magazine, The Apex Book of World SF Volume 5, Fireside Fiction, and Future SF. She has won prizes in the Philippines’ top literary awards, including the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature. Her one-act plays (written in Filipino) have been staged at the Virgin LabFest at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
August 14, 2022
Compelled, intrigued, fascinated, confused!
All the stories are good!
But some stand out especially The Seventh, Fortitude, Premium, Ghosts of Sinagtala and Fairy Tales. These are my favorites.
Some are still great. Nabitin lang ako.
All the stories are good!
But some stand out especially The Seventh, Fortitude, Premium, Ghosts of Sinagtala and Fairy Tales. These are my favorites.
Some are still great. Nabitin lang ako.
September 1, 2023
I picked up this captivating short story collection during my recent trip to Manila, while I was looking for books by promising local authors. While I don't typically gravitate towards SFF, I found myself enchanted by Eliza Victoria's prose in this collection. Her stories are imbued with a unique blend of mysticism and wittiness, seamlessly weaving together the logical foundations of science fiction with the spine-tingling allure of horror narratives. Eliza's stories in Seventeen Prayers to the Many-Eyed Mother invite us on a literary sojourn into the mystical and the mysterious.
The title of the collection itself is intriguing, alluding to the seventeen stories nestled within its pages. A Prayer to the Many-Eyed Mother is one of these tales, featuring a protagonist who is a balikbayan—a Filipino term signifying overseas Filipinos returning to their homeland. This story provides a glimpse into the complex identity and experiences of those who have ventured abroad, exploring how they reconcile their Filipino heritage with the global cultures they encounter during their travels.
The collection starts with Carpe Noctem, a story that introduces us to Michelle, a young woman who spends her entire savings to participate in a job interview opportunity in Hong Kong, only to be met with the disheartening revelation that she does not meet the qualifications. This narrative sets the tone for the overarching theme of dislocation, a recurrent motif in many of the stories. As we traverse the globe alongside the characters, from Hong Kong to Thailand, the US, Australia, and various other locations where overseas Filipinos have made their homes (or briefly visited), we are confronted with questions of identity. Eliza deftly explores what distinguishes overseas Filipinos from their counterparts in the Philippines, how they grapple with their Filipino heritage, and how remnants of mysticism and traces of their accent shape their lives, all in the context of their experiences abroad (and sometimes, at home).
Mysticism serves as a central element throughout the stories in this collection, manifesting in numerous curious Filipino terms that resist easy translation into English. These terms allude to the unique mystic phenomena of the Philippines, enriching the narratives with a profound cultural and supernatural richness. In one story, a character attempts to make sense of the strange events in her life by recounting a past encounter with an engkanto—a mythical environmental spirit with the ability to take on human form. In another story, a character draws parallels with the biblical tale of Belshazzar, the crown prince of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, who hosts a feast using vessels looted from the destruction of the First Temple, during which a mysterious hand appears and writes on the wall. This biblical reference, significant due to the prevalence of Christianity in the Philippines, introduces the concept of "being able to read the writing on the wall," a phrase often used to foreshadow impending disasters that may befall even the most unsuspecting individuals.
This collection not only showcases Eliza’s exceptional storytelling skills but also provides a window into the intricacies of Filipino culture, identity, and mysticism. Eliza’s prose is both enchanting and thought-provoking, making this anthology a literary treasure trove that beckons us to explore its rich and diverse tapestry of stories.
The title of the collection itself is intriguing, alluding to the seventeen stories nestled within its pages. A Prayer to the Many-Eyed Mother is one of these tales, featuring a protagonist who is a balikbayan—a Filipino term signifying overseas Filipinos returning to their homeland. This story provides a glimpse into the complex identity and experiences of those who have ventured abroad, exploring how they reconcile their Filipino heritage with the global cultures they encounter during their travels.
The collection starts with Carpe Noctem, a story that introduces us to Michelle, a young woman who spends her entire savings to participate in a job interview opportunity in Hong Kong, only to be met with the disheartening revelation that she does not meet the qualifications. This narrative sets the tone for the overarching theme of dislocation, a recurrent motif in many of the stories. As we traverse the globe alongside the characters, from Hong Kong to Thailand, the US, Australia, and various other locations where overseas Filipinos have made their homes (or briefly visited), we are confronted with questions of identity. Eliza deftly explores what distinguishes overseas Filipinos from their counterparts in the Philippines, how they grapple with their Filipino heritage, and how remnants of mysticism and traces of their accent shape their lives, all in the context of their experiences abroad (and sometimes, at home).
Mysticism serves as a central element throughout the stories in this collection, manifesting in numerous curious Filipino terms that resist easy translation into English. These terms allude to the unique mystic phenomena of the Philippines, enriching the narratives with a profound cultural and supernatural richness. In one story, a character attempts to make sense of the strange events in her life by recounting a past encounter with an engkanto—a mythical environmental spirit with the ability to take on human form. In another story, a character draws parallels with the biblical tale of Belshazzar, the crown prince of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, who hosts a feast using vessels looted from the destruction of the First Temple, during which a mysterious hand appears and writes on the wall. This biblical reference, significant due to the prevalence of Christianity in the Philippines, introduces the concept of "being able to read the writing on the wall," a phrase often used to foreshadow impending disasters that may befall even the most unsuspecting individuals.
This collection not only showcases Eliza’s exceptional storytelling skills but also provides a window into the intricacies of Filipino culture, identity, and mysticism. Eliza’s prose is both enchanting and thought-provoking, making this anthology a literary treasure trove that beckons us to explore its rich and diverse tapestry of stories.
October 2, 2022
The stories that came later in the collection were the ones that caught my interest the most, namely: The Impossible Place, 1:40am, Fortitude, and Premium.
But most of all, my favorites were The Ghosts of Sinagtala and Fairy Tales.
Many of the stories had potential (such as The Missing and Carpe Noctem), but were not as satisfactory as the others. However, I think this collection had more variety in story & is darker in its themes compared to the author’s “A Bottle of Storm Clouds”. Overall, it’s still an entertaining read. :)
But most of all, my favorites were The Ghosts of Sinagtala and Fairy Tales.
Many of the stories had potential (such as The Missing and Carpe Noctem), but were not as satisfactory as the others. However, I think this collection had more variety in story & is darker in its themes compared to the author’s “A Bottle of Storm Clouds”. Overall, it’s still an entertaining read. :)
November 23, 2022
The stories have interesting concepts (new planets, winged supernatural creatures, haunted mansions, to name a few) but they all left me wanting more because either they ended too abruptly or they went into confusing states.
October 17, 2022
4.5 out of 5 stars
I pray to the Many-Eyed Mother that more people are able to find this book and read it. Blood sacrifice to follow.
This might be one of my most favorite books of Filipino short story collections. All stories are good. The specific titles that have stood out to me the most are A Prayer to the Many-Eyed Mother, The Seventh, The Ghosts of Sinagtala, and Fairy Tales. I will say that Fortitude, Carpe Noctem, and Where you are now... are worth the mention since I found them very relatable in one way or another.
The use of local folklore and beliefs blend well into the modern settings. They don't have the cheesiness that I sometimes find in other short stories in similar settings. It's not a perfect 5 as I think there are stories in the book that were good but not remarkable enough to stick and there are some that are just too intriguing that it's an injustice that they're just too short.
I pray to the Many-Eyed Mother that more people are able to find this book and read it. Blood sacrifice to follow.
This might be one of my most favorite books of Filipino short story collections. All stories are good. The specific titles that have stood out to me the most are A Prayer to the Many-Eyed Mother, The Seventh, The Ghosts of Sinagtala, and Fairy Tales. I will say that Fortitude, Carpe Noctem, and Where you are now... are worth the mention since I found them very relatable in one way or another.
The use of local folklore and beliefs blend well into the modern settings. They don't have the cheesiness that I sometimes find in other short stories in similar settings. It's not a perfect 5 as I think there are stories in the book that were good but not remarkable enough to stick and there are some that are just too intriguing that it's an injustice that they're just too short.
April 19, 2025
This marks the 7th read from my Filipino TBR, and a great one at that. I fell in love with Eliza Victoria’s writing through ‘Ascension’ and went on to pick up everything else I could find of hers including this & I have not regretted it.
Victoria showcases her craft in a wide range of genres & topics in this collection but common to them all is an element of longing. Although firmly rooted in the Filipino experience and culture, these stories transcend borders and most of us will be able to find something that will resonate with our own lives.
An overview of the stories can be found below (I’ve marked the ones that stood out to me with an “*”)
——————-
-Carpe Noctem:
An disappointing job interview in Hong Kong leads Michelle to a transcendental experience. A story about transient nature of the things that way us down.
-The Missing:
Harold goes on a vacation to Thailand, suffers from odd recurrent dreams about someone not entirely unfamiliar. He can’t seem to shake this feeling that someone’s missing. This one has a dreamlike/ déjà vu-esque quality to it and deals with the way we perceive time; and more specifically loss in the way we perceive time.
-A Prayer to the Many-Eyed Mother:
A woman and her two companions search out her witchy cousin in order to have their greatest wishes fulfilled. As is often the case, it comes at a steep price: blood offering.
-The Seventh:
Julia thinks she’s just arrived at her late grandmother’s house until she’s told she’s already been there 7 days. Unsettled, she still decides to stay the night. What follows is screams from a well, a mysterious woman talking about suffering and ‘versions of yourself’. It might be short but manages to tackle some hefty topics; dementia, theological perspectives on suffering/redemption, loss, identity & timelines. Merging psychological horror with philosophy.
-Ayani:
A vignette with its feet firmly planted within isolation/psychological horror intersects with deities in this tale about a lone survivor trapped on an isolated island
-Queen Midnight:
A creature has risen and inadvertently taken out a country or so in the process (Norway!) Musicians are on their way to a Make-a-Wish-like gig encounter something more than the boy with cancer they’d expected to play for. Reads partly like a melancholy Filipino take on Cthulhu and a clever reimagining of Bakunawa.
-After the Crash:
A man struggles with feelings of guilt after loosing one of his sisters in the car he was driving. Still reeling from the loss and planning a funeral, he’s visited by an odd couple wanting him to alleviate them of a favour they somehow owe him. A bittersweet tale about loss, grief and letting go; one where the engkanto play a minor role in the end.
-The Impossible Place:
Two kids find each other in an impossible room with nearly as impossible task ahead of them; finding their way out. Barely able to make it, 20 years have passed and they’re about to find each other once more. A short tale encompassing a lot more than its scant pages would lead to you to believe; sexuality, bullying, identity and acceptance.
-When I Die, I Want You to Have All of My Stuff:
Someone’s life story + hints about something gone very wrong in the world as told through the items they want to leave them while they’re gone.
-Where You are Now is Better Than Where You Were Before:
Lily’s trying to make a new life for herself in Australia with all of the difficulties that entails when her co-worker hints at a tragic event in the flat she lives in. An unsettling encounter with a woman leads her to consider what really matters.
-1:40 AM:
A time-loop of a few minutes keeps repeating in a convenience store: a heartbroken girl, 2 men with different links to a shadowy agency, a cashier and an armed and angry man. Death follows in all scenarios until the cycle is broken; but by whom and how?
-Fortitude:
Reads like a not-entirely impossible dystopian future in which we find people with android parts, derelict neighborhoods, jaded soldiers and those who dream of better places (that might, or might not be real).
-Premium:*
Patients dying of a contagious illness hide out in a simulation to escape a miserable quarantine/death. Possibly the closest thing to living their lives in what time remains, the authorities aren’t just going to let that happen and one is going to have to sell the other out to keep their online half-life.
-Blessed are Those Who Suffer: *
An injured Manananggal or is she just pretending in order to get her hands on young prey? - letter recounts from an aunt or uncle recounts the events of a terrifying night they experienced with their brother many years ago.
Sometimes even kindness lead down dark paths.
-The Ghosts of Sinagtala:**
Brilliant Filipino Gothic about two siblings who inherit an old mansion with a dark history. The past bleeds into the present as unsettling apparitions and nightmares haunt them and tensions rise.
-Fairy Tales:
Diwata, or something akin to fairies, live among people under strict rules to not reveal themselves (their wings). A business dealing with the removal of their wings has sprouted among the oppressive regulations put on their existence. The story follows a girl who wants to risk come what may to get wings of her own in order to be with her love interest.
-Let Me Hold Your Hand:
A woman tells the story about how she made a friend on a hike and how they found themselves in ‘the in-between’; a place separate from the time/space they’d been trekking in. Her friend focused on the magic of words and tried getting them back home only for the narrator to betray her. A story about regret and trying to right a wrong when the offended party has already passed away.
Victoria showcases her craft in a wide range of genres & topics in this collection but common to them all is an element of longing. Although firmly rooted in the Filipino experience and culture, these stories transcend borders and most of us will be able to find something that will resonate with our own lives.
An overview of the stories can be found below (I’ve marked the ones that stood out to me with an “*”)
——————-
-Carpe Noctem:
An disappointing job interview in Hong Kong leads Michelle to a transcendental experience. A story about transient nature of the things that way us down.
-The Missing:
Harold goes on a vacation to Thailand, suffers from odd recurrent dreams about someone not entirely unfamiliar. He can’t seem to shake this feeling that someone’s missing. This one has a dreamlike/ déjà vu-esque quality to it and deals with the way we perceive time; and more specifically loss in the way we perceive time.
-A Prayer to the Many-Eyed Mother:
A woman and her two companions search out her witchy cousin in order to have their greatest wishes fulfilled. As is often the case, it comes at a steep price: blood offering.
-The Seventh:
Julia thinks she’s just arrived at her late grandmother’s house until she’s told she’s already been there 7 days. Unsettled, she still decides to stay the night. What follows is screams from a well, a mysterious woman talking about suffering and ‘versions of yourself’. It might be short but manages to tackle some hefty topics; dementia, theological perspectives on suffering/redemption, loss, identity & timelines. Merging psychological horror with philosophy.
-Ayani:
A vignette with its feet firmly planted within isolation/psychological horror intersects with deities in this tale about a lone survivor trapped on an isolated island
-Queen Midnight:
A creature has risen and inadvertently taken out a country or so in the process (Norway!) Musicians are on their way to a Make-a-Wish-like gig encounter something more than the boy with cancer they’d expected to play for. Reads partly like a melancholy Filipino take on Cthulhu and a clever reimagining of Bakunawa.
-After the Crash:
A man struggles with feelings of guilt after loosing one of his sisters in the car he was driving. Still reeling from the loss and planning a funeral, he’s visited by an odd couple wanting him to alleviate them of a favour they somehow owe him. A bittersweet tale about loss, grief and letting go; one where the engkanto play a minor role in the end.
-The Impossible Place:
Two kids find each other in an impossible room with nearly as impossible task ahead of them; finding their way out. Barely able to make it, 20 years have passed and they’re about to find each other once more. A short tale encompassing a lot more than its scant pages would lead to you to believe; sexuality, bullying, identity and acceptance.
-When I Die, I Want You to Have All of My Stuff:
Someone’s life story + hints about something gone very wrong in the world as told through the items they want to leave them while they’re gone.
-Where You are Now is Better Than Where You Were Before:
Lily’s trying to make a new life for herself in Australia with all of the difficulties that entails when her co-worker hints at a tragic event in the flat she lives in. An unsettling encounter with a woman leads her to consider what really matters.
-1:40 AM:
A time-loop of a few minutes keeps repeating in a convenience store: a heartbroken girl, 2 men with different links to a shadowy agency, a cashier and an armed and angry man. Death follows in all scenarios until the cycle is broken; but by whom and how?
-Fortitude:
Reads like a not-entirely impossible dystopian future in which we find people with android parts, derelict neighborhoods, jaded soldiers and those who dream of better places (that might, or might not be real).
-Premium:*
Patients dying of a contagious illness hide out in a simulation to escape a miserable quarantine/death. Possibly the closest thing to living their lives in what time remains, the authorities aren’t just going to let that happen and one is going to have to sell the other out to keep their online half-life.
-Blessed are Those Who Suffer: *
An injured Manananggal or is she just pretending in order to get her hands on young prey? - letter recounts from an aunt or uncle recounts the events of a terrifying night they experienced with their brother many years ago.
Sometimes even kindness lead down dark paths.
-The Ghosts of Sinagtala:**
Brilliant Filipino Gothic about two siblings who inherit an old mansion with a dark history. The past bleeds into the present as unsettling apparitions and nightmares haunt them and tensions rise.
-Fairy Tales:
Diwata, or something akin to fairies, live among people under strict rules to not reveal themselves (their wings). A business dealing with the removal of their wings has sprouted among the oppressive regulations put on their existence. The story follows a girl who wants to risk come what may to get wings of her own in order to be with her love interest.
-Let Me Hold Your Hand:
A woman tells the story about how she made a friend on a hike and how they found themselves in ‘the in-between’; a place separate from the time/space they’d been trekking in. Her friend focused on the magic of words and tried getting them back home only for the narrator to betray her. A story about regret and trying to right a wrong when the offended party has already passed away.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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September 4, 2022all-time fave: fairy tales
standouts: a prayer to the many-eyed mother, the seventh, queen midnight, the ghosts of sinagtala
standouts: a prayer to the many-eyed mother, the seventh, queen midnight, the ghosts of sinagtala
November 29, 2023
You don't know where this book will take you! It makes use of Filipino culture and puts it in an interesting way. Really great book!
October 15, 2022
The first story alone was enough to make me give this book 5 stars.
EDIT: I forced my friends to read this too because I couldn't shut up about it, and I am now back to share more of my thoughts because I still can't shut up about this. After my friends and I finished discussing our favorite parts, I think I can confidently say that two of the best stories in this collection are Queen Midnight and Fairy Tales.
The Ghosts of Sinagtala and The Seventh come close because of how horrifying they are, but I'm choosing to focus on Queen Midnight and Fairy Tales for this particular review because I'm a sucker for compelling world building. It genuinely made me want to learn more about what inspired Eliza Victoria to write these and had me actively wanting the story to be continued. Thank God I can pick up After Lambana after this to continue feeding my interest on the lore in Fairy Tales, but it's a shame there's no other book I can pick up to learn more about the world of Queen Midnight.
Anyway, in summary:
If you're looking for something with interesting world building...
1. Queen Midnight
2. Fairy Tales
3. Fortitude
4. Premium
If you're looking for something with more horror...
1. The Ghosts of Sinagtala
2. The Seventh
3. A Prayer to the Many-Eyed Mother
If you're looking for something that focuses more on the abstract, like time, love, mortality, etc...
1. Carpe Noctem
2. The Missing
3. The Impossible Place
4. Let Me Hold Your Hand
Additional note: While I was writing this review and checking the table of contents, I noticed that a significant portion of this story collection featured queer protagonists and/or side characters. Not sure if I should make a list for this but I'll make it anyway because I want to give a shout out to Fairy Tales. Anyway:
1. The Missing (MLM)
2. Fairy Tales (WLW)
3. The Impossible Place (MLM)
4. Where you are now is better than where you were before (WLW but only side characters)
5. 1:40 AM (MLM)
I really want to argue that Carpe Noctem and Let Me Hold Your Hand feature WLW characters, but I don't want to spread misinformation, so I'll refrain from adding them to the list above. But just know that I am 100% always eager to discuss my reasons why. And that I'm 100% eager to discuss this book, in general. (Please talk to me about it. My friends are sick and tired of me spamming their inboxes and I am so lonely)
EDIT: I forced my friends to read this too because I couldn't shut up about it, and I am now back to share more of my thoughts because I still can't shut up about this. After my friends and I finished discussing our favorite parts, I think I can confidently say that two of the best stories in this collection are Queen Midnight and Fairy Tales.
The Ghosts of Sinagtala and The Seventh come close because of how horrifying they are, but I'm choosing to focus on Queen Midnight and Fairy Tales for this particular review because I'm a sucker for compelling world building. It genuinely made me want to learn more about what inspired Eliza Victoria to write these and had me actively wanting the story to be continued. Thank God I can pick up After Lambana after this to continue feeding my interest on the lore in Fairy Tales, but it's a shame there's no other book I can pick up to learn more about the world of Queen Midnight.
Anyway, in summary:
If you're looking for something with interesting world building...
1. Queen Midnight
2. Fairy Tales
3. Fortitude
4. Premium
If you're looking for something with more horror...
1. The Ghosts of Sinagtala
2. The Seventh
3. A Prayer to the Many-Eyed Mother
If you're looking for something that focuses more on the abstract, like time, love, mortality, etc...
1. Carpe Noctem
2. The Missing
3. The Impossible Place
4. Let Me Hold Your Hand
Additional note: While I was writing this review and checking the table of contents, I noticed that a significant portion of this story collection featured queer protagonists and/or side characters. Not sure if I should make a list for this but I'll make it anyway because I want to give a shout out to Fairy Tales. Anyway:
1. The Missing (MLM)
2. Fairy Tales (WLW)
3. The Impossible Place (MLM)
4. Where you are now is better than where you were before (WLW but only side characters)
5. 1:40 AM (MLM)
I really want to argue that Carpe Noctem and Let Me Hold Your Hand feature WLW characters, but I don't want to spread misinformation, so I'll refrain from adding them to the list above. But just know that I am 100% always eager to discuss my reasons why. And that I'm 100% eager to discuss this book, in general. (Please talk to me about it. My friends are sick and tired of me spamming their inboxes and I am so lonely)
March 18, 2024
I FINALLY FINISHED IT.
But yes, I really like this collection of short stories. My one problem is that some of those stories end very unsatisfyingly.
Maybe the author wanted an open-ended story? But some stories end so abruptly that there's not much else to think about.
But hey, I still like a handful of it and I will talk about them!
- The Prayer to The Many-Eyed Mother
This is the story that kicked it for me. It was gory and it actually felt like horror. There are stakes and the way it was concluded was pretty satisfying.
- Ayani
Ayani is the shortest story from the collection and I think one of the most powerful. It was vague enough that you could decipher what was happening in the story, but not too vague that all of those words meant nothing. It's a fun ride and I wish we could've gotten more chapters like Ayani.
- When I die, I want you to have all of my stuff
This is such a sad story and one of the stories that could give you an existential crisis. Even if it made it hard to continue reading, I really like it. Simple yet personal.
- 1:40 AM
Is a thrilling ride and also sad at the same time. This is probably one of the stories with a strong plot, and even if it doesn't have a "conclusion" it ended well. I love how this sci-fi story was able to warm my heart.
- Fortitude
I like its theme and even if in retrospect, it wasn't able to stick with me well, it has this good message. It's such a simple story told in complex ways.
- The Ghost of Sinagtala
THIS IS THE HORROR I WAS TALKING ABOUT!!!! This story plays a lot like many Filipino horror movies, and that's why I like it so much. This not only has a strong plot but also strong writing. It was able to scare me??? It's just so good.
- Fairy Tales
These are one of those stories whose endings I didn't like. But the plot is so beautifulllllllllllllllll. It was kind of disturbing but I did not care, I was seated. The pacing of it is probably its best aspect.
To summarize my thoughts: Seventeen Prayers to the Many-Eyed Mother is a collection of short stories that would make you reflect not only on yourself but on your surroundings as well. It has topics of societal issues and existential questions that make those stories stay within you for a minute or two. The majority of the stories only use its supernatural aspect as a way to tell its message and that's beautiful. Even if it's only pure horror, I still like it.
So this one's 4/5. :)
But yes, I really like this collection of short stories. My one problem is that some of those stories end very unsatisfyingly.
Maybe the author wanted an open-ended story? But some stories end so abruptly that there's not much else to think about.
But hey, I still like a handful of it and I will talk about them!
- The Prayer to The Many-Eyed Mother
This is the story that kicked it for me. It was gory and it actually felt like horror. There are stakes and the way it was concluded was pretty satisfying.
- Ayani
Ayani is the shortest story from the collection and I think one of the most powerful. It was vague enough that you could decipher what was happening in the story, but not too vague that all of those words meant nothing. It's a fun ride and I wish we could've gotten more chapters like Ayani.
- When I die, I want you to have all of my stuff
This is such a sad story and one of the stories that could give you an existential crisis. Even if it made it hard to continue reading, I really like it. Simple yet personal.
- 1:40 AM
Is a thrilling ride and also sad at the same time. This is probably one of the stories with a strong plot, and even if it doesn't have a "conclusion" it ended well. I love how this sci-fi story was able to warm my heart.
- Fortitude
I like its theme and even if in retrospect, it wasn't able to stick with me well, it has this good message. It's such a simple story told in complex ways.
- The Ghost of Sinagtala
THIS IS THE HORROR I WAS TALKING ABOUT!!!! This story plays a lot like many Filipino horror movies, and that's why I like it so much. This not only has a strong plot but also strong writing. It was able to scare me??? It's just so good.
- Fairy Tales
These are one of those stories whose endings I didn't like. But the plot is so beautifulllllllllllllllll. It was kind of disturbing but I did not care, I was seated. The pacing of it is probably its best aspect.
To summarize my thoughts: Seventeen Prayers to the Many-Eyed Mother is a collection of short stories that would make you reflect not only on yourself but on your surroundings as well. It has topics of societal issues and existential questions that make those stories stay within you for a minute or two. The majority of the stories only use its supernatural aspect as a way to tell its message and that's beautiful. Even if it's only pure horror, I still like it.
So this one's 4/5. :)
October 18, 2022
My book review was published in The Flame.
(https://abtheflame.net/literary/2022/...)
(https://abtheflame.net/literary/2022/...)
January 22, 2023
Mga pinoy sa madidilim na sobrenatural na pangyayari at mga nilalang bilang talinghaga para maipinta ang sosyo-ekonomikong kalagayan ng mga ito sa kasalukuyang tanawing pulitikal ng bansa. Puno ng misteryo at hilakbot ang buong koleksiyon ng maiikling kuwento ni Victoria. Mantakin: may mga nilalang na nabubuhay sa labas ng oras; may mga nilalang na niluluwal ng balon ang kaniyang iba't ibang bersiyon kinabukasan; may mga nilalang na may pakpak na kabilang na minorya ng lipunan; at may mga nilalang na nagigising sa bangungot ng isa pang bangungot at sa isa pang bangungot. Malinaw ang sipat nito tungkol sa racismo, makauring pakikibaka, peminismo, pagkawasak ng kalikasan, ekokritisismo, mahiwagang realismo, at surrealismo. Bagaman na parang pagsilip lang sa bintana ang paglikha ng awtor sa mga mundo, nakikita mo itong buo. Parang pagtanaw lang mula sa malayo. Tingin ko, ang pag-iwan bigla ng awtor, o hayaang matapos ang mga kuwento na hindi tapos ang ideyal na gawin. Napanindigan din ng dalawang nalalabi sa koleksiyon ang malawak na haraya ng mga naunang kuwento ng aklat. At hindi guniguni lang ang nasa paligid ang mga naramdaman mo habang binabasa ang libro.
Ang pinaka-gusto ko sa kompilasyon na 'to ang The Ghosts Of Sinagtala. Nagustuhan ko rin ang Carpe Noctem, The Missing, 1:40 AM, at Fairy Tales. Ang imahe sa susunod na litrato ay larawan na nabanggit sa kuwento ng The Ghosts of Sinagtala. Minarcos ko lang ito mula sa Google.
#seventeenprayerstothemanyeyedmother #elizavictoria #avenidabooks #literature #fiction #shortstory #bookstagram #bookstagramph #booksiread #panitikan #maiklingkwento
Ang pinaka-gusto ko sa kompilasyon na 'to ang The Ghosts Of Sinagtala. Nagustuhan ko rin ang Carpe Noctem, The Missing, 1:40 AM, at Fairy Tales. Ang imahe sa susunod na litrato ay larawan na nabanggit sa kuwento ng The Ghosts of Sinagtala. Minarcos ko lang ito mula sa Google.
#seventeenprayerstothemanyeyedmother #elizavictoria #avenidabooks #literature #fiction #shortstory #bookstagram #bookstagramph #booksiread #panitikan #maiklingkwento
November 15, 2022
Edited this cuz I just realized that I didn't get to finish my thoughts on Fairy Tales lol
Much darker and scarier than A Bottle of Storm Clouds. Don't know how many times I've said "shet" "ay potek" "tangina?!" while reading this lol. Overall a great read but some stories just left me wanting more.
Top five:
- The Seventh (that one scene made me close the book for like 5 seconds before continuing)
- After the Crash (OH GOD IT HURTS)
- The Ghosts of Sinagtala (was reading this with my eyes half-closed LMAO)
- Fairy Tales (actually read this before but it still makes me wanna cryyyyy my goodness)
- Queen Midnight (just.... just no. but also yes)
Much darker and scarier than A Bottle of Storm Clouds. Don't know how many times I've said "shet" "ay potek" "tangina?!" while reading this lol. Overall a great read but some stories just left me wanting more.
Top five:
- The Seventh (that one scene made me close the book for like 5 seconds before continuing)
- After the Crash (OH GOD IT HURTS)
- The Ghosts of Sinagtala (was reading this with my eyes half-closed LMAO)
- Fairy Tales (actually read this before but it still makes me wanna cryyyyy my goodness)
- Queen Midnight (just.... just no. but also yes)
October 30, 2024
SO GOOD!! The last 4 stories being a continuous 5-star run for me was so delicious, i love that for me. Love u eliza victoria i will read more for sure
4.5 (ave story rating)
4.5 (ave story rating)
June 21, 2023
"Someone will always love you. The pain dulls and you become a ruin of yourself, and one day you will guide people into your halls, your avenues and your temples, and they will talk of your tragedy, and they will talk of your grandeur."
This was my first Eliza Victoria book, and it certainly won't be my last. I like her prose. There's just something about the way Filipino authors (who write in English) wield the English language that I like. I don't exactly know what it is but I just love the way they use the English language to write their stories. There's a subtle difference compared to the Western authors that I'm accustomed to and this just made me hungry for more Filipino-authored books.
But back to the book, as with most short story collections, there will always be hits and misses. Many of these stories look like snippets of longer stories and sometimes they felt incomplete and I longed for a continuation. I just prefer short stories, that even though they're open ended, still feel complete.
However, there were several some that really stood out to me, such as The Ghosts of Sinagtala - which was my favorite of the bunch, I loved its structure of the series of nightmares and the parallels with the past, it reminded me of Filipino haunted house films. Other favorites included Fairy Tales (and now I want to read After Lambana), Blessed are those who Suffer, A Prayer to the Many-Eyed Mother, and When I die, I want you to have all of my stuff.
Definitely a recommended book.
This was my first Eliza Victoria book, and it certainly won't be my last. I like her prose. There's just something about the way Filipino authors (who write in English) wield the English language that I like. I don't exactly know what it is but I just love the way they use the English language to write their stories. There's a subtle difference compared to the Western authors that I'm accustomed to and this just made me hungry for more Filipino-authored books.
But back to the book, as with most short story collections, there will always be hits and misses. Many of these stories look like snippets of longer stories and sometimes they felt incomplete and I longed for a continuation. I just prefer short stories, that even though they're open ended, still feel complete.
However, there were several some that really stood out to me, such as The Ghosts of Sinagtala - which was my favorite of the bunch, I loved its structure of the series of nightmares and the parallels with the past, it reminded me of Filipino haunted house films. Other favorites included Fairy Tales (and now I want to read After Lambana), Blessed are those who Suffer, A Prayer to the Many-Eyed Mother, and When I die, I want you to have all of my stuff.
Definitely a recommended book.
January 4, 2024
When I bought this book, I honestly did not have the slimmest idea of what this book is about or what its genre is, the info at its back portion seems helpless. Nor do I have any knowledge of the author, save that I know she is a Filipino. This is because I bought the book whimsically, just fumbling for books to buy in a Local section at a certain bookstore.
Honestly, when I first read the book, the first story Carpe Noctem, I was left confused. Eventually, nonetheless, I was able to get the style and the genre of which the book or its stories are emphasized.
The Ghost of Sinagtala is what stood out to me. It felt like I was reading not just horror but also an action fast-paced story like the one that tempts you to flip another page till the end of it in just one sitting.
Moreover, the story Fortitude I thought was like the movie Elysium. Those who have watched such will somehow agree to this.
Overall, it was a nice and a good read.
Honestly, when I first read the book, the first story Carpe Noctem, I was left confused. Eventually, nonetheless, I was able to get the style and the genre of which the book or its stories are emphasized.
The Ghost of Sinagtala is what stood out to me. It felt like I was reading not just horror but also an action fast-paced story like the one that tempts you to flip another page till the end of it in just one sitting.
Moreover, the story Fortitude I thought was like the movie Elysium. Those who have watched such will somehow agree to this.
Overall, it was a nice and a good read.
May 1, 2025
Each page presents an overview of the complexity of Filipino culture, identity, mysticism, which merge neatly with modern times, and this is no exception.
The title of the collection itself is fascinating; despite the fact that the stories were not related, they all created a sense of sorrow, tragedy, and loneliness that I strangely loved, the diversity of environments, and how I never knew what to anticipate from one story to the next. How I wished they were standalone stories that had been published separately, expanding the fabled settings and narratives of the stories.
I won’t spoil much, but my all-time favorite is Fairytale because of After Lambana Graphic Novel and The Ghosts of Sinagtala, the way that nightmares are laid out, and how they are parallel in the past. It’s definitely a collection of magical realism and surrealism—nostalgia, horror, hopelessness, and hope all at the same time.
The title of the collection itself is fascinating; despite the fact that the stories were not related, they all created a sense of sorrow, tragedy, and loneliness that I strangely loved, the diversity of environments, and how I never knew what to anticipate from one story to the next. How I wished they were standalone stories that had been published separately, expanding the fabled settings and narratives of the stories.
I won’t spoil much, but my all-time favorite is Fairytale because of After Lambana Graphic Novel and The Ghosts of Sinagtala, the way that nightmares are laid out, and how they are parallel in the past. It’s definitely a collection of magical realism and surrealism—nostalgia, horror, hopelessness, and hope all at the same time.
August 8, 2022
Words can't describe how this book made me feel. Compose of 17 short stories - filled with stories of loneliness, desperation, and emptiness - how I wished they are actually stand-alone stories published individually, extending the stories' surreal ambiances and plots. But I do also understand the need of them being short stories because it leave the impressions to the readers and lets them feel, immerse & decide to what's about to happen next. This was my 2nd Eliza Victoria book to read and I am thrilled to read her other works, as well! A well-recommended book.
P.S. My personal favorites among the 17 short stories are Queen Midnight, Where you are now is better than where you were before, The Ghosts of Sinagtala & Fairy Tales.
P.S. My personal favorites among the 17 short stories are Queen Midnight, Where you are now is better than where you were before, The Ghosts of Sinagtala & Fairy Tales.
January 26, 2023
It was a mistake reading this at night.
Favorites:
A Prayer to the Many-Eyed Mother - Funny, bloody, morbid. Ate Lucy is so slayful.
1:40 AM - “With limited consciousness, you have no choice but to love one thing, at most a handful of things, and derive fulfillment from them, but also feel wretched and inadequate all your life, for if you lose that one thing, what will be left?”
The Missing - Oh the melancholia. I am a sucker for themes that touch on meetings and partings. Mystical. Bitter-sweet.
Honorable Mention:
The Ghosts of Sinagtala - A pretty classic formula for ghost stories but well written nonetheless!
Favorites:
A Prayer to the Many-Eyed Mother - Funny, bloody, morbid. Ate Lucy is so slayful.
1:40 AM - “With limited consciousness, you have no choice but to love one thing, at most a handful of things, and derive fulfillment from them, but also feel wretched and inadequate all your life, for if you lose that one thing, what will be left?”
The Missing - Oh the melancholia. I am a sucker for themes that touch on meetings and partings. Mystical. Bitter-sweet.
Honorable Mention:
The Ghosts of Sinagtala - A pretty classic formula for ghost stories but well written nonetheless!
July 21, 2022
I loved The Seventh, 1:40 AM, Premium, Blessed Are Those Who Suffer, The Ghosts of Sinagtala, and Fairy Tales. There were a few stories with great bases, such as Carpe Noctem, but I wish they’d been developed a bit more because they could have been amazing. Others didn’t really land with me, but that’s expected when the collection is seventeen stories long.
I really liked how varied the worlds were and that I never really knew what to expect between one story and the next. And it doesn’t hurt that the cover is so pretty 😌
I really liked how varied the worlds were and that I never really knew what to expect between one story and the next. And it doesn’t hurt that the cover is so pretty 😌
February 24, 2023
I found this book while browsing books of Filipino authors. Looking at the cover and reading the blurb, I was intrigued. I am a fan of works with dark/horror genre. And being the first book I have read from the author, I was not sure what to expect.
I struggled finishing this book TBH. I was a bit underwhelmed. A lot of the stories, especially the first few, felt incomplete to me. To much of a cliffhanger I guess? I felt they ended it too abruptly.
There are a few stories that I liked:
1. The Ghosts of Sinagtala
2. 1:40 am
3. Fairy Tales
I struggled finishing this book TBH. I was a bit underwhelmed. A lot of the stories, especially the first few, felt incomplete to me. To much of a cliffhanger I guess? I felt they ended it too abruptly.
There are a few stories that I liked:
1. The Ghosts of Sinagtala
2. 1:40 am
3. Fairy Tales
August 5, 2023
My friend Yanna gave me a copy of A Bottle of Storm Clouds when we were in college and I've been a fan of Eliza Victoria's since. I find this collection very impressive. These are my favorites:
- The Impossible Place
- Blessed Are Those Who Suffer
- The Ghosts of Sinagtala
- Fairy Tales (Can this be a novel please!!!)
- Let Me Hold Your Hand (“Sometimes we like having someone to blame, even if that someone is ourselves. We find comfort in finding answers. It’s how we find meaning in tragedy.”)
- The Impossible Place
- Blessed Are Those Who Suffer
- The Ghosts of Sinagtala
- Fairy Tales (Can this be a novel please!!!)
- Let Me Hold Your Hand (“Sometimes we like having someone to blame, even if that someone is ourselves. We find comfort in finding answers. It’s how we find meaning in tragedy.”)
November 8, 2022
Reading the Seventeen Prayers to the Many-Eyed Mother felt like a trip to the writer's built world of memories, space and time, and nostalgia. It touched on various themes such as space and time, memory, racism, class struggle, mental health and stability, feminism, magical realism, and surrealism. While reading Eliza Victoria's book, I also felt like I needed to recite the prayers in some instances. It was a good read!
July 9, 2024
It's a very cohesive anthology. Each story fits right into the theme that encompass the whole collection. My favorite short stories are "Fairy Tales" (I love the juxtaposition of mythology and the modern world), "Fortitude," "1:40 AM," and "Ghosts of Sinagtala" (I especially loved this story because of the historical bits). I also noticed that I liked the stories from the latter half of this anthology.
July 6, 2022
What I love about reading Eliza Victoria's short stories is how effortlessly she can pull you into a different world each time. It's just a glimpse through a window, but it's replete with so many lived-in details that I feel like I've known this world before. It's an adventure every time and I'm always delighted with where I end up.
June 14, 2025
many of the stories made me gasp and sit up straight (in a good way) but so many of them also fell flat. most of them actually had very good set ups and ideas but had boring execution or awkward dialogue. ironically enough, the story i loved the most was the shortest one of the bunch. i still enjoyed reading this and would highly recommend everyone to do so too.
June 30, 2022
Been an Eliza Victoria fan for many years now, and this latest collection is one of my favorites. She writes horror and spec fic, but her words are poetry-
".. and what a blessed life to only want this and have this and nothing else."
What an absolute treat.
".. and what a blessed life to only want this and have this and nothing else."
What an absolute treat.
October 29, 2022
I think this book was a bit more on the horror side and I am not complaining. I love Carpe Noctem because it evoked melancholia and Ayani as it expressed hopelessness and hope at the same time, it is so creepy.
The others ended so soon.
The others ended so soon.
December 23, 2022
Definitely a book that I did struggle a bit to finish. Some stories stuck to me like honey, and others were a bit too confusing, I had to reread it a lot to follow along. Either way, it was an okay read.
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