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A review by librarymistress
Si Janus Sílang at ang Tiyanak ng Tábon by Edgar Calabia Samar
4.0
Crossposted @ The Library Mistress
I've been a gamer myself. I used to go to computer shops to play Counter Strike in elementary, but what really hooked me was Gunbound, I don't know if any of you still remember that game but it has really been popular back in 2006. Don't let its cute GUI fool you because I've met serious gamers around the world in the Gunbound arena. It's not just two players firing at each other, this artillery game is all about strategic calculation. However, as the fuss died down and DOTA captured the hearts of every gamer I know at that, I let the girl in me bloomed into a lady and shied away from RPG and online games. Okay, let's just be truthful here, DOTA is beyond me. My then 5 year old brother (who will turn 11 in June) understands it better than I do! I've tried so hard, but believe me, this brain I have just won't accept it.
In this book, Janus and his friends chose another online battle arena over DOTA, Terra Anima Legion of Anitos (TALA), a game developed by three Filipinos only known to many as ECS, LOG and JAP. TALA plays a huge part in the narrative of this book. Online games lure kids and every kid at heart, its magnet is something no one can turn away from and that is why Janus and his friends can't stop playing TALA, be it just for bragging rights or self fulfillment, they know they need to find Tala and finish the game.
Like every other game, TALA has different levels and a player must compete and win against Philippine mythical creatures like the Tiyanak on Level 1.
Every player needs a BAT or the Bayani-Anito-Tandem to combat the monsters on every level and because of TALA's intricate game design, every player is assured that no BAT is alike.
A player can choose between a Bagani or a Pusong for their Bayani and their Anito can either be a Diwata or a Nuno.
But the mystery will begin to unfold as Janus and his friend Harold alongside with four other gamers vie for a place in the nationwide TALA tournament and everyone died as they reach a certain level, save for Janus. The question is: Is the role-playing game really instrumental in the death of Harold and the others? Another gamer Joey, who contacted Janus affirms the theory, but should we really believe him?
I had my 10 year old brother read this before I did. I felt he'll appreciate this because he is an RPG addict like the protagonist of the story. He kept talking about the game and how to play it while reading and that to me is a testament that the author did an awesome job on world building. Well, it is safe to say that he created Janus's universe in a way even young readers can grasp and imagine it. I can say that at a time it is almost believable that I myself had to think about its implication to the real world I'm in. What if, what if the legend of the Tiyanak from Tábon were true?
I don't know if you've already read the first chapter but if ever you haven't I suggest you do. It just doesn't open Janus's story but it's a sneak peek into the life he leads -- a look into his family, friends, environment and who Janus really is.
The book is written in third person narrative as opposed to other Young Adult novels that are in first person but this only allowed the author the freedom to explore not only the thoughts of the protagonist but other events as well.
My instincts tell me that I must stop here and just invite you to the book discussion I will lead next week (I shall announce the venue very soon) or else I won't be able to stop myself from blurting out spoilers. Too. Much. Feels. I can't even....
Let me just leave you with this...
I've long concluded that the books written by The Edgar Calabia Samar are not just manuscripts but a mixture of love, passion and hardwork. Reading his work has always been an experience and Si Janus Silang at Ang Tiyanak ng Tábon didn't stray away from that streak. It is exciting, thought-provoking and action-packed I just hate I need to wait until November for the second book.
I've been a gamer myself. I used to go to computer shops to play Counter Strike in elementary, but what really hooked me was Gunbound, I don't know if any of you still remember that game but it has really been popular back in 2006. Don't let its cute GUI fool you because I've met serious gamers around the world in the Gunbound arena. It's not just two players firing at each other, this artillery game is all about strategic calculation. However, as the fuss died down and DOTA captured the hearts of every gamer I know at that, I let the girl in me bloomed into a lady and shied away from RPG and online games. Okay, let's just be truthful here, DOTA is beyond me. My then 5 year old brother (who will turn 11 in June) understands it better than I do! I've tried so hard, but believe me, this brain I have just won't accept it.
In this book, Janus and his friends chose another online battle arena over DOTA, Terra Anima Legion of Anitos (TALA), a game developed by three Filipinos only known to many as ECS, LOG and JAP. TALA plays a huge part in the narrative of this book. Online games lure kids and every kid at heart, its magnet is something no one can turn away from and that is why Janus and his friends can't stop playing TALA, be it just for bragging rights or self fulfillment, they know they need to find Tala and finish the game.
Like every other game, TALA has different levels and a player must compete and win against Philippine mythical creatures like the Tiyanak on Level 1.
Every player needs a BAT or the Bayani-Anito-Tandem to combat the monsters on every level and because of TALA's intricate game design, every player is assured that no BAT is alike.
A player can choose between a Bagani or a Pusong for their Bayani and their Anito can either be a Diwata or a Nuno.
But the mystery will begin to unfold as Janus and his friend Harold alongside with four other gamers vie for a place in the nationwide TALA tournament and everyone died as they reach a certain level, save for Janus. The question is: Is the role-playing game really instrumental in the death of Harold and the others? Another gamer Joey, who contacted Janus affirms the theory, but should we really believe him?
I had my 10 year old brother read this before I did. I felt he'll appreciate this because he is an RPG addict like the protagonist of the story. He kept talking about the game and how to play it while reading and that to me is a testament that the author did an awesome job on world building. Well, it is safe to say that he created Janus's universe in a way even young readers can grasp and imagine it. I can say that at a time it is almost believable that I myself had to think about its implication to the real world I'm in. What if, what if the legend of the Tiyanak from Tábon were true?
I don't know if you've already read the first chapter but if ever you haven't I suggest you do. It just doesn't open Janus's story but it's a sneak peek into the life he leads -- a look into his family, friends, environment and who Janus really is.
The book is written in third person narrative as opposed to other Young Adult novels that are in first person but this only allowed the author the freedom to explore not only the thoughts of the protagonist but other events as well.
My instincts tell me that I must stop here and just invite you to the book discussion I will lead next week (I shall announce the venue very soon) or else I won't be able to stop myself from blurting out spoilers. Too. Much. Feels. I can't even....
Let me just leave you with this...
I've long concluded that the books written by The Edgar Calabia Samar are not just manuscripts but a mixture of love, passion and hardwork. Reading his work has always been an experience and Si Janus Silang at Ang Tiyanak ng Tábon didn't stray away from that streak. It is exciting, thought-provoking and action-packed I just hate I need to wait until November for the second book.