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A review by titalindaslibrary
Homicide and Halo-Halo by Mia P. Manansala
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Ugh, Lila, when did you become so annoying!?!?
As a FilAm who barely saw herself or her culture represented in books, Tita Rosie’s Kitchen is a delight! I love all the food and creative fusions Lila comes up with. But in book 2, I felt like her character arch massively suffered.
Perhaps my biggest annoyance with her flared up when her two potential love interests appeared on page. Instead of handling these situations with any sort of maturity, she corners one guy (whom she has repeatedly turned down I may add) when he starts flirting with another woman, and sets her friends loose to interrogate him!? Please.
Also her cousin Bernadette made some valid critiques of Lila’s behavior and she reacted in the most self righteous way. Instead of conceding any sort of ground she snubbed her and demanded an apology. Girl, take a look in the mirror!!
While I enjoyed everything else about this book, it’s a shame our main character (and therefore narrator) is so insufferable. I’m going to give book 3 a chance and hope Lila’s had some self reflection and growth by then because I can’t keep doing these books if not!
As a FilAm who barely saw herself or her culture represented in books, Tita Rosie’s Kitchen is a delight! I love all the food and creative fusions Lila comes up with. But in book 2, I felt like her character arch massively suffered.
Perhaps my biggest annoyance with her flared up when her two potential love interests appeared on page. Instead of handling these situations with any sort of maturity, she corners one guy (whom she has repeatedly turned down I may add) when he starts flirting with another woman, and sets her friends loose to interrogate him!? Please.
Also her cousin Bernadette made some valid critiques of Lila’s behavior and she reacted in the most self righteous way. Instead of conceding any sort of ground she snubbed her and demanded an apology. Girl, take a look in the mirror!!
While I enjoyed everything else about this book, it’s a shame our main character (and therefore narrator) is so insufferable. I’m going to give book 3 a chance and hope Lila’s had some self reflection and growth by then because I can’t keep doing these books if not!