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carlomartinez__'s review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
thebookblah's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
sobiancaso's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
s0op's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
I really liked some of the stories but had to drag myself through others. Not all the stories seemed to fit in the horror genre as I know it, but they were all disturbing to some extent in wildly different ways. I liked the reference to Filipino mythology in many of them, my favourites were "the child abandoned" and "kulog".
momoxshi's review against another edition
3.0
This book is marketed as a collection of horror stories so it was a let down that there were stories here that are anything but horror.
There were hits and misses in this book. I have to say that I did enjoy the stories that revolve around Filipino Mythology, specifically:
- The Bridge
- Stella for Star
- Kulog
- Waking the Dead
"Daddy" is a good short story that tackles grief and loss. It seems like a personal story from the author.
"The Child Abandoned" is a good bit of folklore that ties myth and religion together. I like how the last story, "Sidhi", ties in together with this first story. However, "Sidhi" is just all over the place.
"Stars" had an interesting concept but it can benefit if the story was fleshed out more. "Delivering the goods" is a good look into atrocities possibly happening in real life. However, it actually feels more tame than the horrors of our reality.
"Boss, ex" felt more of an attempt at sci-fi and, together with "Fade to Nothing," reads more like a story about human behavior and relationships. Not really a fan of these last two.
There were hits and misses in this book. I have to say that I did enjoy the stories that revolve around Filipino Mythology, specifically:
- The Bridge
- Stella for Star
- Kulog
- Waking the Dead
"Daddy" is a good short story that tackles grief and loss. It seems like a personal story from the author.
"The Child Abandoned" is a good bit of folklore that ties myth and religion together. I like how the last story, "Sidhi", ties in together with this first story. However, "Sidhi" is just all over the place.
"Stars" had an interesting concept but it can benefit if the story was fleshed out more. "Delivering the goods" is a good look into atrocities possibly happening in real life. However, it actually feels more tame than the horrors of our reality.
"Boss, ex" felt more of an attempt at sci-fi and, together with "Fade to Nothing," reads more like a story about human behavior and relationships. Not really a fan of these last two.
medievalfantasyqueen's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
A fascinating collection of Yvette Tan's horror tales, ranging from the supernatural to the horrors humans inflict upon each other, Waking the Dead is its best when operating on retaining the unknown as the unknown, and the mystery as a mystery. My personal favourites were "Stella for Star" and "Kulog", though others were good and unique in their own ways.
A strong recommendation to anyone interested in Filipino horror and folklore, and shoutout to my buddy for gifting this copy to me.
A strong recommendation to anyone interested in Filipino horror and folklore, and shoutout to my buddy for gifting this copy to me.
dee2799d's review
3.0
I like the stories, I guess? Interesting, horrific in a way that humans and human emotions are horrific. Not exactly horror like Stephen King does horror, or even M.R. James does horror. I guess this is the Yvette Tan brand of horror and all the respect for the author for that.
I like the Quiapo stories best, I want to see more of that world; a city where saints and dreamers and creatures from our lower mythology all live together.
The voice and narrative aren't particularly strong, the constant use of the first person perspective isn't my cuppa usually, and I guess that's why this collection doesn't make as much of an impact on me as, say, Bottle of Stormclouds. Could be stronger. Will look for her work in the future, since this feels more like someone beginning to get their grip on their writing voice.
I like the Quiapo stories best, I want to see more of that world; a city where saints and dreamers and creatures from our lower mythology all live together.
The voice and narrative aren't particularly strong, the constant use of the first person perspective isn't my cuppa usually, and I guess that's why this collection doesn't make as much of an impact on me as, say, Bottle of Stormclouds. Could be stronger. Will look for her work in the future, since this feels more like someone beginning to get their grip on their writing voice.
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