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starryjoy's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
crunchycrystals's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
3.75
pinoy percy jackson !!! genuinely feels like this was made for me. last half of the book was a lot better for me i found it pretty funny and really liked the characters and the world and i wish we had more time with it like i feel like there’s so much that can be done here and i don’t want it to end after like 350 pages and only have one more book left. yeah i thought this was funny i laughed out loud a lot and the reveals in the last half made me really invested but i’d give this a higher rating if we got more time with the world and characters
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping and Colonisation
Minor: Death of parent
ljg765's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
craftymxlibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
This was a very fun start to a fantasy series and I'm definitely looking forward to the next one! It had great representation and I enjoyed learning about Filipino culture and gods. The only thing keeping me from giving a higher rating is that it felt too similar to Percy Jackson, just with different gods and cultural underpinnings. That said, it's now at the *very top* of my list of books to hand to the many library patrons who say, "I need something new to read and I really enjoyed Percy Jackson."
earldizon's review
3.0
Fans of Percy Jackson will enjoy this first book in a fantasy duology that might be their first introduction to Philippine mythology. Readers may find a lot in common with eleven-year-old Lulu Sinagtala who loves K-Pop and will do anything for her family. Suddenly, she learns there is much more to her world and herself that puts everything she ever knows in danger.
I did find some parts very inconsistent but I will definitely still read the next book.
I did find some parts very inconsistent but I will definitely still read the next book.
readerpants's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Loved the representation and all the supportive, accepting family love. The exposition in the first half really dragged and I'm not sure the plot really held together? Not really for me but I'm hoping it's for other readers.
mezzythedragon's review
4.0
Enjoyable. Will look forward to the sequel. My main complaint is the audio. Wish they could have had a narrator who’s fluent in Tagalog, because Ferdelle Capistrano’s American accent was jarring, especially since the story took place in the Philippines.
therearenobadbooks's review
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.5
Great Representation of bisexuality and epilepsy.
What a fun and energetic middle grade filled with adventure, good fighting evil, and Tagalog mythology.
Eleven-year-old Filipino Lulu suddenly discovers that all the people she knows and the place she calls home are not exactly who or what she thought to be all these years. She also begins to remember another self.
With super strength, like a Marvel hero, she will do her best to keep her family safe from the evil plans of Maligno.
A great homage to the Filipino folklore that suffered from the Spanish imposition and dominance in the past recovers its lore with lots of action and humor. Deities obsessed with K-dramas the Korean wave of popularity and many other modern pop culture references that make the dialogue fun.
I'm so pleased that more books are being released that represent and teach us more about other cultures, their rich mythology, deities, creatures, demons, and legends.
I'm glad this is a duology.
Perfect for fans of Aru Shah.
What a fun and energetic middle grade filled with adventure, good fighting evil, and Tagalog mythology.
Eleven-year-old Filipino Lulu suddenly discovers that all the people she knows and the place she calls home are not exactly who or what she thought to be all these years. She also begins to remember another self.
With super strength, like a Marvel hero, she will do her best to keep her family safe from the evil plans of Maligno.
A great homage to the Filipino folklore that suffered from the Spanish imposition and dominance in the past recovers its lore with lots of action and humor. Deities obsessed with K-dramas the Korean wave of popularity and many other modern pop culture references that make the dialogue fun.
I'm so pleased that more books are being released that represent and teach us more about other cultures, their rich mythology, deities, creatures, demons, and legends.
I'm glad this is a duology.
Perfect for fans of Aru Shah.
alexalovesbooks's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
I really do love that I’m getting to see more Filipino lore and history in middle grade reads! It’s something I think elementary school Alexa would have enjoyed seeing tremendously, and something that even now, as an adult, I still find pretty cool.
Villanueva’s story is jam-packed with all sorts of Filipino touches, from language to legendary figures to food. It also has a fast-paced plot with plenty of action and witty comments. This book is also led by a refreshing main character… who I unfortunately didn’t end up strongly connecting to or feeling emotionally invested in, and neither did I feel particularly attached to any of the secondary cast. Still, as with a lot of middle grade books, I was content to let the story play out till the end and I generally enjoyed my time with it.
Villanueva’s story is jam-packed with all sorts of Filipino touches, from language to legendary figures to food. It also has a fast-paced plot with plenty of action and witty comments. This book is also led by a refreshing main character… who I unfortunately didn’t end up strongly connecting to or feeling emotionally invested in, and neither did I feel particularly attached to any of the secondary cast. Still, as with a lot of middle grade books, I was content to let the story play out till the end and I generally enjoyed my time with it.