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Anne Plaza

Author | Dreamer | Blogger

Book Review + Interview: #StrangeLit Darkest Dreams

March 19, 2016 · 1 Comment

Darkest Dreams Book Cover Darkest Dreams
#StrangeLit
Jay E. Tria, Madelyn Tuviera, Myra Mortega, C.J. Edmunds, D.A., Motzie Dapul, Therese Barleta, Yeyet Soriano, Chen Cabaluna, Mikael Javellana
Paranormal, Horror, Fantasy
September 2015
e-book
ARC from Bookish Diaries Book Tours

This is what happens you allow yourself to unlock your dreams: You may just find the darkness that lurks there. Explore the tragic, the romantic, and the comedic side of our darkness in these stories.

Bayani by Motzie Dapul

In the year 2050, Patrick "Paquino" Aquino: president of the Philippines, former superhero, and murderer—not necessarily in that order—deals with the consequences of his actions following four years of martial law and the raid that ended a bloody political dynasty in the far north.

With a death sentence looming over his head and a revolution rising against him, he begins to wonder if his bid to save the country, made back when he was the impetuous young bayani Lastikid, is worth dying for.

Buqo | Add to Goodreads

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Book Review
Bayani by Motzie Dapul

I first heard of Motzie Dapul’s novel during the #StrangeLit launch party, describing the story as “What would happen if Philippine mythological heroes became politicians?”. I was sold. I had to read Bayani if not for that very same reason. I was intrigued at the premise of Philippines in the year 2050 when the likes of “supers” dabbling in politics, specifically Patrick “Paquino” Aquino, or Lastikid in his former life. There were also familiar names like Bernardo Carpio, Adarna, and Lakampati—all familiar mythological personalities with interesting roles to play in the story. Paquino was depicted as the son of a business tycoon, a privileged individual in his own right, but also a man torn by guilt and remorse about his past. He was the president who, in today’s times, did the right thing as expected of his office. But this is the Philippines, the land where the adage “damn if you do, damn if you don’t” is something that happens in the literal sense. I loved Paquino as a flawed character, and I think his actions were justified by the motivations and personal cross he carried.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Blog Tours, Reviews Tagged: #StrangeLit, Buqo, Darkest Dreams

Book Review + Interview: #StrangeLit Fateful Turns

March 9, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Fateful Turns Book Cover Fateful Turns
#StrangeLit
Justine Camacho-Tajonera, Nina Tuballes, Chi Yu Rodriguez, Carla de Guzman, J.M. Agustin, Sue Donymko, Ren Mayari, Sette Luis , Will J. Sarm, Johan Farson, Rose Gallardo
Paranormal, Horror, Fantasy
September 2015
e-book
ARC from Bookish Diaries Book Tours

Maybe once upon a time we all were ordinary, until the day life took a fateful turn. Do we accept this, or run from it? Explore the path of extraordinary choices in these stories.

Buqo | Add to Goodreads

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Book Review

The Mermaid from Siquijor by Justine Camacho-Tajonera

I’m a sucker for stories dealing with Philippine mythology and folklore. There’s so much to explore and talk about in our own myths that I want to constantly look for stories that feed my wonder and interest in this topic. Justine Camacho-Tajonera’s The Mermaid from Siquijor was the perfect read–it was an intriguing story about mermaids/sirena and it had elements of mystery and romance. I was sold!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Blog Tours, Reviews Tagged: #StrangeLit, Buqo, Fateful Turns

Book Review: No Love Allowed by Kate Evangelista

February 27, 2016 · Leave a Comment

No Love Allowed Book Cover No Love Allowed
Kate Evangelista
Young Adult Contemporary Romance
Swoon Reads
April 19, 2016
Advanced Readers Edition
256
The Author

Caleb desperately needs a fake girlfriend. Either he attends a series of parties for his father’s law firm with a pretty girl on his arm, or he gets shipped off to Yale to start a future he’s not ready for and isn’t sure he wants. And sadly, the last unattached girl in his social circle has just made the grievous mistake of falling in love with him. Fortunately, Didi, recently fired waitress and aspiring painter, is open to new experiences. As the summer ticks by in a whirl of lavish parties, there’s only one rule: They must not fall in love!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Add to Goodreads

I heard about No Love Allowed* back when it was first called Warning! You Might Fall in Love With Me written by the fabulous Kate Evangelista. While I wasn’t able to read the story in its pre-published form, I had every confidence that Kate’s work will be picked up by Swoon Reads at the time she was crowd sourcing this piece for reviews and feedback. Turns out I wasn’t wrong because soon enough, it was soon considered for publication!

I’ve read all of Kate’s previous books from other publishers and what made each novel a worthwhile read was the fluid prose. It was so easy to get into the minds of the characters and feel whatever they’re feeling, even easier to read the entire book in one sitting. While I loved Kate’s paranormal stories, her contemporary novels are also something of note. Reading No Love Allowed made me live vicariously through the characters, and made me fall in love with the picturesque Dodge Cove.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged: book review, YA romance

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When I don't procrastinate, I write spec fic and a bit of romance on the side. And then I hoard books. Lots of it.

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