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introspectiv's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
3.25
soupdumpling's review
5.0
This is by far one of the BEST books I have ever read in my entire life (definitely the best book I have read in 2019).
I'll admit, when I picked up this book from Arkipelago Books in San Francisco, I mostly selected it for the extremely aesthetically pleasing cover. And even reading over the brief summary on the back of the book, I thought I'd be signing up for a casual "folklore" story about some Philippine myths (and being Filipino American myself, I wanted to understand more about my culture). However, within the first couple pages, I was thrown into a story that read closer to a (possible murder) mystery and thriller.
I did not notice the usage of third person writing until halfway through the novel -- I think this was to make the reader really focused on Regina's character (both her early beginnings/upbringing as well as her development throughout the story) to make it so we are learning information as she is. I feel like if I even remotely share any aspect about the story, it would give away vital plot information; and that in it of itself, the fact that every word/sentence/page was used so meaningfully, is one of the biggest reasons I love this book.
Ironically enough, I have two Bachelors degrees in Psychology and Asian American Studies. So although I was familiar with the concepts of eugenics and "civilized v uncivilized discourses, western cultures colonizing the east, etc.", it was mind-boggling to have both handed to me presented as a page-turning "fictional" story. I suppose one could read this story as a large metaphor for the thousands of years of colonization that took place in the Philippines, or in general a critique of how the PI has become industrialized/modern and forgets its indigenous traditions and beliefs...
YET one could also interpret it as a story that tests the limits of how far people would go to protect the ones they love.
I suppose for me personally as someone living in the diaspora and not directly in the Philippines, this story was a breath of fresh air -- I think I've grown tired of reading about "ah I'm Asian/Filipino in America and this is my experience of being caught between two cultures" because if I am LIVING the experience every day, I want my reading to serve as a distraction away from my reality. Therefore, reading this book makes me wonder how I would have interpreted the story (as well as myths, racism, eugenics, traditions, etc) if I were actually born and raised in the Philippines? Would I love it just as much, or more, or less?
Some questions (potential themes?) that arose for me were:
If humans created the concept of gods/spirits, can they also destroy them OR do gods/spirits truly control everything, regardless of how they were created?
Is something a lie even after you've convinced yourself and others it is the truth?
Are all lies bad?
What does forgiveness look like?
What does seeking forgiveness/feeling true remorse look like?
I'll admit, when I picked up this book from Arkipelago Books in San Francisco, I mostly selected it for the extremely aesthetically pleasing cover. And even reading over the brief summary on the back of the book, I thought I'd be signing up for a casual "folklore" story about some Philippine myths (and being Filipino American myself, I wanted to understand more about my culture). However, within the first couple pages, I was thrown into a story that read closer to a (possible murder) mystery and thriller.
I did not notice the usage of third person writing until halfway through the novel -- I think this was to make the reader really focused on Regina's character (both her early beginnings/upbringing as well as her development throughout the story) to make it so we are learning information as she is. I feel like if I even remotely share any aspect about the story, it would give away vital plot information; and that in it of itself, the fact that every word/sentence/page was used so meaningfully, is one of the biggest reasons I love this book.
Ironically enough, I have two Bachelors degrees in Psychology and Asian American Studies. So although I was familiar with the concepts of eugenics and "civilized v uncivilized discourses, western cultures colonizing the east, etc.", it was mind-boggling to have both handed to me presented as a page-turning "fictional" story. I suppose one could read this story as a large metaphor for the thousands of years of colonization that took place in the Philippines, or in general a critique of how the PI has become industrialized/modern and forgets its indigenous traditions and beliefs...
YET one could also interpret it as a story that tests the limits of how far people would go to protect the ones they love.
I suppose for me personally as someone living in the diaspora and not directly in the Philippines, this story was a breath of fresh air -- I think I've grown tired of reading about "ah I'm Asian/Filipino in America and this is my experience of being caught between two cultures" because if I am LIVING the experience every day, I want my reading to serve as a distraction away from my reality. Therefore, reading this book makes me wonder how I would have interpreted the story (as well as myths, racism, eugenics, traditions, etc) if I were actually born and raised in the Philippines? Would I love it just as much, or more, or less?
Some questions (potential themes?) that arose for me were:
If humans created the concept of gods/spirits, can they also destroy them OR do gods/spirits truly control everything, regardless of how they were created?
Is something a lie even after you've convinced yourself and others it is the truth?
Are all lies bad?
What does forgiveness look like?
What does seeking forgiveness/feeling true remorse look like?
scribbledmetaphors's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? No
2.75
fantaghiro23's review
4.0
This was a gripping read and another winning Eliza Victoria book. I love stories that bring myths back to life, and Eliza has done this wonderfully in Wounded Little Gods. Beyond the set-up of the mystery and the myths walking around, I was fascinated by the thread of children doing damage and having damage done to them. And I appreciated Eliza's mention of Far From the Tree in the acknowledgements. (I hope this isn't a spoiler. Is it?)
Congratulations again, Eliza! By the way, I can totally see this as a much longer novel. You know, getting the Smaller and Smaller Circles treatment.:)
Congratulations again, Eliza! By the way, I can totally see this as a much longer novel. You know, getting the Smaller and Smaller Circles treatment.:)
nouveau's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
savingkaye's review
4.0
The first 10 pages promised me a fun adventure while on a summer vacation but not even a few pages in it made me feel like we made a wrong turn and can't turn back but what the heck let's just go along with it then all of the sudden everything is getting worse and omg i didn't sign up for this and by the time we're on the right path we're just too tired even to be grateful to be alive.
yeah, i enjoyed this very much.
yeah, i enjoyed this very much.
ppphanon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I enjoyed the eerie aspects and folk lore. It also nice to see provincial Filipino life. Ending felt rushed tho, they just explained everything almost in one go. I also didn't understand the protag's relationship with her brother. They don't seem that close for most of the book so the emotional ending between them felt flat to me.
literary_hazelnut's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.75
nkkalxs's review
4.0
Fabulous writing style and the concepts of the gods and spirits are commendable. At part two, the page just kept turning on itself it was almost unable to put it down!
I always like to read something about my own country's mythology. I understand why the author is successful on writing about something that sets in the Philippines.
I always like to read something about my own country's mythology. I understand why the author is successful on writing about something that sets in the Philippines.
mel2's review
3.0
2.2 Stars. Great gowns, beautiful gowns.
Pros:
Nice concept, great title and cover art. I liked the little illustrations within the book. I liked that she explored (or rather, wanted to explore) the history and Filipino Gods and mythology. I did enjoy the culture and Filipino heritage and representation.
Cons:
The time she had was spent on random descriptions, the plot doesn't move until the end(and then it rushes and you feel confused and the loose ends aren't tied up neatly which leads to a feeling of dissatisfaction), the characters feel very stiff, the relationships are written awfully, there's no reason to root for Luciano/Regina siblinghood other than the author telling you. I wasn't scared or spooked at anytime. The conversations/interactions were not written well.
I like Clara and Regina's friendship and potential future relationship. I mean: !!
"Regina fell asleep again in the haze of the quiet, sweltering afternoon, and once again dreamt that she was running. This time, though, someone was holding her hand".
Also, this is not due to great writing of chemistry, just me seeing the potential. The way they became friends and started to trust each other is almost comical what is this insta-friendship?
Also this book wouldn't exist if Gina just decided to be a normal human being.
To quote Nicki Minaj about this book, "I never found you smart, I never found you entertaining, I never found you funny. I just found you annoying" (and time wasting).
Pros:
Nice concept, great title and cover art. I liked the little illustrations within the book. I liked that she explored (or rather, wanted to explore) the history and Filipino Gods and mythology. I did enjoy the culture and Filipino heritage and representation.
Cons:
The time she had was spent on random descriptions, the plot doesn't move until the end(and then it rushes and you feel confused and the loose ends aren't tied up neatly which leads to a feeling of dissatisfaction), the characters feel very stiff, the relationships are written awfully, there's no reason to root for Luciano/Regina siblinghood other than the author telling you. I wasn't scared or spooked at anytime. The conversations/interactions were not written well.
I like Clara and Regina's friendship and potential future relationship. I mean: !!
"Regina fell asleep again in the haze of the quiet, sweltering afternoon, and once again dreamt that she was running. This time, though, someone was holding her hand".
Also, this is not due to great writing of chemistry, just me seeing the potential. The way they became friends and started to trust each other is almost comical what is this insta-friendship?
Also this book wouldn't exist if Gina just decided to be a normal human being.
To quote Nicki Minaj about this book, "I never found you smart, I never found you entertaining, I never found you funny. I just found you annoying" (and time wasting).