A review by katonthejellicoe
Alamat Book 1: Lam-ang: Philippine Mythology by Herbert de Leon

adventurous challenging dark informative tense fast-paced

4.5

"Paalam sa tahanang payapa at yapos ni Ina.
Salubungin mo ako alapaap at dumarating na araw.
Ang aking kalgaaw ay sumapit na."
- Lam-ang

Everyone who knows me is probably aware that I'm not a huge reader of fantasy—worse than that, of mythology. However, Filipino stories always pique my interest. So, I decided to give this one a try, and I’m truly glad I did. I mean, how can we overlook an ongoing series in the contemporary era that retells Philippine mythology and epic stories?!

As mentioned, Alamat Book 1: Lam-ang is a reimagining of the Ilocano epic Biag ni Lam-ang, which centers on a chosen mortal fighting for the Dians and Poons against the Yawas in the human realm. Lam-ang is the first Lakandian, guided by his mother, Namongan; his father's best friend, Gibuan; and the spirit named Mangmankik. Together, they confront evil spirits, mythological monsters, and embark on quests to find his long-lost father.

I vaguely remembered the original material from my Philippine literature classes, so I had little reference to compare it to. Nevertheless, I believe in its potential to attract new readers and help them rediscover a folk tale that has long been forgotten—like I did. I appreciated how much I enjoyed this book. Despite being set in pre-colonial Philippines, the writing was accessible and easy to follow, reminiscent of the middle-grade fantasy books that I loved so much. The plot was engaging, and I enjoyed the mystery surrounding the quests. Furthermore, Lam-ang's character arc was complex and non-linear—annoying at times, but justifiable in my opinion. The same can be said for the other characters, though Namongan is probably my favorite.

Beyond these aspects, I loved how Filipino references extended beyond the lore. They were also evident in the familial and societal dynamics within and across their village, the Ilocos region, and the Samtoy nation. Gibuan's fatherly role toward Lam-ang and their complicated relationship is heartwarming. Namongan, as the incredible mother she is, consistently plays a significant role throughout the story. The supporting characters Lam-ang encountered on his journey add depth and complexity to the story. I teared up during that one scene where a character demonstrated incredible bravery. If you’ve read this book, I know you know.

Overall, I highly recommend this book if you enjoy Philippine mythology, epic heroes, chosen-one trope, and fantasy quests and adventures.