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katonthejellicoe's reviews
164 reviews
The Philippines Is Not a Small Country by Gideon Lasco
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
My initial questions while reading this book were, "Why isn’t this part of the required reading in school? Why are we not dissecting the essays compiled in this tiny white book? And why aren’t we talking more about this?"
The Philippines is Not a Small Country is a collection of short essays that gives us a hundred of reasons why, indeed, our country is not so small after all. From historical and anthropological background to cultural and societal norms in both traditional and modern contexts, Lasco have explored it all. The writing was easy, accessible, and digestible to any types of readers (whether you read or like non-fiction or not), and yet it offers depth and provokes one's thoughts and beliefs.
Personally, there were many essays that put me in deep thought and a few that hit home. However, as is common with literary compilations, there were some that either missed the mark or held my interest the least. Nevertheless, it's a book that I would definitely recommend to everyone. You can read this in one go or savor each essay and each part at your own pace (as I did).
The Philippines is Not a Small Country is a collection of short essays that gives us a hundred of reasons why, indeed, our country is not so small after all. From historical and anthropological background to cultural and societal norms in both traditional and modern contexts, Lasco have explored it all. The writing was easy, accessible, and digestible to any types of readers (whether you read or like non-fiction or not), and yet it offers depth and provokes one's thoughts and beliefs.
Personally, there were many essays that put me in deep thought and a few that hit home. However, as is common with literary compilations, there were some that either missed the mark or held my interest the least. Nevertheless, it's a book that I would definitely recommend to everyone. You can read this in one go or savor each essay and each part at your own pace (as I did).
Ipinanganak Akong Bakla At Ilan Pang Mga Akda by Gerald Gruezo
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
5.0
"At higit sa lahat, kung hindi siya sumakabilang-buhay, alam kong sa araw na magdesisyon akong ibuka ang pakpak ko, alam kong yayakapin niya ako at gagabayan sa paglipad patungo sa tunay na ako." - Gerald Gruezo, Ipinanganak Akong Bakla
Hindi pa man nailalabas ang libro, alam ko na agad na bibigyan ko ito ng 5 stars. At oo, bias ako dahil ang awtor na ito ay isa sa pinakamahalagang tao sa buhay ko. PERO - pagkatapos kong isara ang chapbook na ito, napagtanto ko na hindi naman pala kailangan ng bias para maipagmalaking si Gerald Gruezo ay isang mahusay na manunulat. Pinaluha ako ng unang dalawang sanaysay, tinakot ng sumunod na dalawa, at kinilabutan sa panghuling kuwento.
Nagsisimula pa lang si Gerald, pero buong-puso akong naniniwalang malayo ang mararating ng kanyang pakpak.
Proud ako sa'yo, Gerald the Author!
Hindi pa man nailalabas ang libro, alam ko na agad na bibigyan ko ito ng 5 stars. At oo, bias ako dahil ang awtor na ito ay isa sa pinakamahalagang tao sa buhay ko. PERO - pagkatapos kong isara ang chapbook na ito, napagtanto ko na hindi naman pala kailangan ng bias para maipagmalaking si Gerald Gruezo ay isang mahusay na manunulat. Pinaluha ako ng unang dalawang sanaysay, tinakot ng sumunod na dalawa, at kinilabutan sa panghuling kuwento.
Nagsisimula pa lang si Gerald, pero buong-puso akong naniniwalang malayo ang mararating ng kanyang pakpak.
Proud ako sa'yo, Gerald the Author!
Tellurian Dreams by Khiara Laurea
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
"If you seek it so, look not in distance,
For it resides within you,
and in all of existence.
More so, it exists in twin souls, in twin hearts,
In flames beyond time ,
In fates perpetually entwined."
- Khiara Laurea, Tellurian Dreams (In Lucid Dreams #1)
This is definitely one of my favorite reads of the year and for many reasons, but my absolute favorite would be the world-building and how well the author have pulled-off the multiverse and/or parallel universes as a great springboard to develop the plot and characters. It was also admirable how she mashed different genres, concepts, and elements into the story without overdoing it and making it feel messy and all-over-the-place. Similarly, I never thought I'd say this (because I don't usually like this), but I loved the conflicting emotions that the love quadrangle trope roped us into. It was difficult to choose who I will I root for for Kaia even after I closed the first book (hence, I need the sequels and spin-off novels ASAP!).
Overall, this is one my highly recommended SFF books at the moment. I hope that many readers will discover the wonder that is In Lucid Dreams.
Disclosure: I received the complimentary copy as part of the book tour from the author herself, but all opinions expressed in this review are my own and have not been influenced by the author nor publisher.
Link to the video review: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_-HNAjy8vH/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
For it resides within you,
and in all of existence.
More so, it exists in twin souls, in twin hearts,
In flames beyond time ,
In fates perpetually entwined."
- Khiara Laurea, Tellurian Dreams (In Lucid Dreams #1)
This is definitely one of my favorite reads of the year and for many reasons, but my absolute favorite would be the world-building and how well the author have pulled-off the multiverse and/or parallel universes as a great springboard to develop the plot and characters. It was also admirable how she mashed different genres, concepts, and elements into the story without overdoing it and making it feel messy and all-over-the-place. Similarly, I never thought I'd say this (because I don't usually like this), but I loved the conflicting emotions that the love quadrangle trope roped us into. It was difficult to choose who I will I root for for Kaia even after I closed the first book (hence, I need the sequels and spin-off novels ASAP!).
Overall, this is one my highly recommended SFF books at the moment. I hope that many readers will discover the wonder that is In Lucid Dreams.
Disclosure: I received the complimentary copy as part of the book tour from the author herself, but all opinions expressed in this review are my own and have not been influenced by the author nor publisher.
Link to the video review: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_-HNAjy8vH/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
The Drowning Faith by R.F. Kuang
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This was a nice novella to read after finishing this whole series. I still love-hate Nezha, tho. No matter what.
The Burning God by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
"She was a goddess. She was a monster." - R.F. Kuang, The Burning God
Finally, my friends, after four long years, I have concluded this series and finished all R.F. Kuang's books. It took me a while confront it (ikyk) and three weeks to read it (with Akdang Pinoy in between) but it was all worth it. The pain, the suffering, the emotional turmoil - it was all worth it. And here's the thing: I have never written a proper review of the first two books in this series. So, let me take this opportunity to write one once and for all.
First and foremost, this is one of my most favorite series of all-time. I would rank it second to The Hunger Games trilogy and it's because of plenty of reasons. One was how this series changed the trajectory of my reading perspective when it comes to fantasy books. This is a genre that I don't commonly read, but The Poppy War in 2020 made me realize that I could fall in love with it. I loved the world-building immediately, especially when I learned later on where it was referenced from. Kuang's writing, as we all probably know by now, was simple yet intricate and immersive from the very first page. I was also amazed with how brilliantly she forged the magic system in this world with shamanism at its very core. And the plot? How will I describe it? Unpredictable. Non-linear. Twisted. Unhinged. In-fucking-sane. It doesn't matter if it's a fight scene or a quiet moment in a camp fire, it kept me on the edge of my seat that I craved for more.
And lastly and definitely not the least because these, in my personal opinion, were the strongest points of this entire trilogy - THE CHARACTERS. I've never felt strongly, whether love, hate, or a mix of both, for a whole set of characters in fiction (well, maybe, except for tv shows). Both their character arcs individually and their dynamics with one another held me in such chokehold that I cried in every installment of this series (the worst one was the third book). I don't think I could ever move on. I'll forever love-hate Rin and Nezha. I'll always admire Venka. And Kitay will stay as one of my favorite characters of all-time. And the rest will be imprinted in my brain for as long as I could remember.
Overall, this was, indeed, a long journey (literally and figuratively), but I'll do it over and over again. R.F. Kuang, you insane woman, I hope you'll always have the best meals and warmest bed for the rest of your life.
Finally, my friends, after four long years, I have concluded this series and finished all R.F. Kuang's books. It took me a while confront it (ikyk) and three weeks to read it (with Akdang Pinoy in between) but it was all worth it. The pain, the suffering, the emotional turmoil - it was all worth it. And here's the thing: I have never written a proper review of the first two books in this series. So, let me take this opportunity to write one once and for all.
First and foremost, this is one of my most favorite series of all-time. I would rank it second to The Hunger Games trilogy and it's because of plenty of reasons. One was how this series changed the trajectory of my reading perspective when it comes to fantasy books. This is a genre that I don't commonly read, but The Poppy War in 2020 made me realize that I could fall in love with it. I loved the world-building immediately, especially when I learned later on where it was referenced from. Kuang's writing, as we all probably know by now, was simple yet intricate and immersive from the very first page. I was also amazed with how brilliantly she forged the magic system in this world with shamanism at its very core. And the plot? How will I describe it? Unpredictable. Non-linear. Twisted. Unhinged. In-fucking-sane. It doesn't matter if it's a fight scene or a quiet moment in a camp fire, it kept me on the edge of my seat that I craved for more.
And lastly and definitely not the least because these, in my personal opinion, were the strongest points of this entire trilogy - THE CHARACTERS. I've never felt strongly, whether love, hate, or a mix of both, for a whole set of characters in fiction (well, maybe, except for tv shows). Both their character arcs individually and their dynamics with one another held me in such chokehold that I cried in every installment of this series (the worst one was the third book). I don't think I could ever move on. I'll forever love-hate Rin and Nezha. I'll always admire Venka. And Kitay will stay as one of my favorite characters of all-time. And the rest will be imprinted in my brain for as long as I could remember.
Overall, this was, indeed, a long journey (literally and figuratively), but I'll do it over and over again. R.F. Kuang, you insane woman, I hope you'll always have the best meals and warmest bed for the rest of your life.
Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-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
First Read: June 8, 2024
This series continues to never disappoint - from handling relatable issues on coming-of-age to a complex dynamics of all the characters. I loved how we see Charlie recovering from his struggles in the previous volume.
This series continues to never disappoint - from handling relatable issues on coming-of-age to a complex dynamics of all the characters. I loved how we see Charlie recovering from his struggles in the previous volume.
Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
First Reread: June 8, 2024
First Read: April 8, 2022
This volume made me cry A LOT. It has heavier topics than the first three and I think it was handled well.
TW: eating disorder, self-harm, homophobia
First Read: April 8, 2022
This volume made me cry A LOT. It has heavier topics than the first three and I think it was handled well.
TW: eating disorder, self-harm, homophobia
Heartstopper Volume 3 by Alice Oseman
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-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
Second Reread: June 7, 2024
First Reread: April 8, 2022
First Read: November 23, 2020
I fell in love with all the characters in this volume. THE BEST YA CAST EVER.
First Reread: April 8, 2022
First Read: November 23, 2020
I fell in love with all the characters in this volume. THE BEST YA CAST EVER.
Heartstopper Volume 2 by Alice Oseman
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-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
Second Reread: June 7, 2024
First Reread: April 7, 2022
First Read: November 23, 2020
Best scene ever: Nick's coming out to his mom. I still cry every time I think about it.
First Reread: April 7, 2022
First Read: November 23, 2020
Best scene ever: Nick's coming out to his mom. I still cry every time I think about it.
Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
Third Reread: June 7, 2024
Second Reread: April 7, 2022
First Reread: November 23, 2020
First Read: March 30, 2020
Definitely my favorite graphic novel and YA romance series ever existed. Nick and Charlie will forever be my babies and I'd take a bullet for these two.
Second Reread: April 7, 2022
First Reread: November 23, 2020
First Read: March 30, 2020
Definitely my favorite graphic novel and YA romance series ever existed. Nick and Charlie will forever be my babies and I'd take a bullet for these two.