katonthejellicoe's reviews
162 reviews

Wayang Alimagnum by Joel Donato Ching Jacob

adventurous inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

One Night Stand by Kantarin Leelahuta, Baison

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

I was expecting a YA mystery romance, and that's exactly what I got. Despite being nearly 500 pages long, it never felt that way—you'll keep turning the pages to uncover the secrets and mysteries. Recommended for readers who love an adrenaline rush!

Sixty Six: Book 2 by Russell Molina

dark emotional sad tense fast-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

Tulad ng naunang libro—maangas ang kuwento, magandang ilustrasyon, makatotohanang representasyon—pero ang pinagkaiba nito, mas solid ang mga tauhan. Mang Tino-Donat tandem, sakalam!

Sixty Six by Russell Molina

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Madaming maaaring banggitin kung bakit ko sobrang nagustuhan ang komiks na ito—ang napakagandang ilustrasyon, mahusay na pagganap ng iba't ibang tauhan (Mang Tino!), nakakapanabik na kuwento, at iba pa—pero sa totoo lang, tingin ko na ang nagpasolid nito ay ang makatotohanang representasyon ng madilim na bahagi ng ating lipunan. 

Between Here and There by Kyra Ysabel

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

The second installment of the Magnolia Heights series hits differently when you're the eldest daughter in a Filipino household, and I fully embraced that in this book. The plot had its own twists and turns, but the message it conveyed was straightforward. What stood out to me the most, though, was how, in Emily, Josh, or both, we could see parts of ourselves—and be reminded that we, too, need someone we could lean on.

Nino Bughaw by CJ Reynaldo

adventurous informative inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A graphic novel featuring Filipino mythological creatures with a deaf boy as our main character? I'm immediately sold. As an advocate of inclusivity and intersectionality—both as an educator and a reader—I consider Nino Bughaw's story as an essential read for all readers. To add, the illustrations were also topnotch. CJ Reynaldo sure knows how to paint a narrative.

Sansaglit by Lean Borlongan

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

4.0

Inaamin ko, hindi ako magaling magrebyu ng mga tula. Sa palagay ko kasi mas madalas ay hindi ko ito lubos na nauunawaan. Pero parang sa librong ito, hindi ko na dapat unawain. Siguro sapat ng ito'y damhin.

Damhin ang sakit, lungkot, o pait ng isang taong umiibig. Damhin ang pagkadismaya o pagkabigo. At damhin na kahit sa kabila ng lahat ng ito, ang paniniwalang patuloy tayong iibig at iibigin din tayo pabalik. Dahil sabi nga ni Lean,

"libig kang muli.
Laging may darating
at makikilala.
Umibig ka sa macho
o sa lesbyana, umibig ka
kahit kanino
at iibig din ako.

Iibigin ko silang mga darating.
Iibigin ko silang mga makikilala.
Iibigin ko ang lahat ng ikaw na darating at makikilala."

Between Then and Now by Kyra Ysabel, Kyra Ysabel

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This romcom is a mash-up of everything I like in romance: opposite personalities, close proximity, witty banters, and most importantly, a good ol' friends-to-lovers trope. It also has realistic and relatable character arcs that one couldn't help but root for. Whether you're a walking ray of sunshine who wears your heart on your sleeve or a somewhat grumpy, nonchalant, and stoic personality—you'll find yourself here. And I hope the validation it brings finds you, too.

Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

Hood Feminism is a bold and clear reminder that unless we include Black, Indigenous, Asian, and other women of color, as well as disabled women, trans women, and non-binary individuals in the feminist movement, IT IS NOT TRULY FEMINISM AT ALL.

Note: Pls refer to Black reviewers for this book. Some who I recommend (because I admire them!)

Ashley of Bookishrealm:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3106154106

Loc'D Booktician:
https://youtu.be/V2_lJ3ZNunE?si=vhaD-vNMkvRnM2QY

Split Tooth by Tanya Tagaq

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

This book - which is a mixed-media fused with surrealism, contemporary, and mythology - was such a challenge to comprehend and go through, but frankly, I think that I'm not meant to. So instead of trying to organize its structure to form a story, I just sat and listened. I listened to the narrator's beautiful prose. I listened to their throat singing. I listened to the tune of their emotions. I just listened.

If you're interested to further understand this book, here are some reviews that I found substantial and interesting:

• https://denalisunrisepublications.com/split-tooth-review/ 
• https://ivereadthis.com/2019/06/04/book-review-split-tooth-by-tanya-tagaq/
• https://www.cloudlakeliterary.ca/blogposts/book-review-split-tooth-by-tanya-tagaq