DWELLERS by Eliza Victoria

Family Secrets.

The story started with these two cousins who can inhabit another person’s body. Their present hosts are brothers Louis and Jonah, bachelors living in an affluent village, both IT professionals.

These dwellers' abilities go back in history. They came from a well-off clan, very private, but were never reluctant to amassing their wealth and holdings. But in spite of their power, it was strictly prohibited among them to exercise their abilities without justification and always as a last resort. They set rules that they need to follow carefully.

This is Eliza Victoria’s latest book, and I am really glad to find it very easy to read and engaging. The pacing and the direction of the story are really good, driving the reader to make second guesses as to what’s ahead. It was really fun making “what if scenarios” as I read. And that, for me, is a good mystery. 

Victoria was careful not to focus on the whole magical system, but elements were divulged to make the background story of the clan enticing enough –incantations, symbols, rape, and incest. It took her less than 200 pages to make a very interesting read.

And to make this story more delicious, the mystery is not about the clan’s magical powers. It’s about the dead body the boys found in the basement.

Book details:

Title:  Dwellers

Author:  Eliza Victoria

Publisher:  Visprint, Inc.

Publication:  June 2014

Genre:  Fiction

Rating:   ★★★★

...

F2F35 @Filipino Reader Conference,
Bayanihan Center.
Photo courtesy of Monique.

Read more →

Filipino Friday (4): Let’s talk about Diverse Books

Look at that, we are now on our fourth Filipino Friday!

Let’s talk about Diverse Books:  (1) Do you think we have enough diversity in the books that we read? Are our choices enough to satisfy our different tastes? Are our writers able to present the variety of people, culture, lifestyle, interests and so on?  (2)How diverse are your reading interests, and are you able to find enough books to satisfy your reading needs? Do you think we need more diverse books?

My reply would have to be a resounding "NO", I'm afraid. That is not out of disappointment or despair. If we scour Filipino Literature, we will discover books of different genres. True. But is there enough choices, vast enough, that choice would be a tad difficult? No, definitely. But I believe in the Filipino writing ability, our spirit to rise up to the challenge, and the inspiration to drive it forward. So, I do encourage our local writers to write more, create more. We may not be there yet, but we are swiftly and surely will achieve that soon. Maybe even sooner than we dreamed.

I do have a pretty diverse collection of books. What I can't find here, I googled, shipped, and bought internationally. Procurement is no longer a problem nowadays.

Diversity is essential in life, even in reading. The choices on how to mix and balance the books may depend on how each reader will take them. Parang Centrum lang 'yan, from A to Zinc, para complete! *corny

Happy weekend, everyone. Ciao!

Read more →

Filipino Fridays (3): What do you think of fanfiction?

Hi!  We have to clock this before midnight. Not because the dead will come walking. And not because it's Halloween. But because on this part of the globe, Friday is already bidding us Good Night. So, we'll sort of do a Cinderella trick on this post.

What do you think of Fanfiction?: Fanfiction is pretty popular, no doubt about it, but it has been received with mixed feelings by many authors and writers. Some don’t mind it, and even welcome readers who give their own spin on their work. Some writers don’t like it at all, to the point that they contact fanfiction authors to take their work down. Others use it as a jump-off point for their own writing.

How about you? What is your take on fanfiction? Do you read fanfiction, and if you do, what kind of fanfiction do you read? Do you write fanfiction, and why? Or are you against fanfiction? Enlighten us.

What is your take on fanfiction?  Or are you against fanfiction? 

• To be honest, before this question, I don't have any concrete opinion about Fanfiction. I can't be against it since I've read some of them. And I do think it's a good start for aspiring writers. On the other hand, original authors have the right to react against them. We are talking about their life's work here. But wasn't it also said, "imitation is the highest form of flattery"?

Do you read fanfiction, and if you do, what kind of fanfiction do you read? 

• Yes, I do. One of the best ones I've read so far is G. Norman Lippert's adaptation of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series.

For more information and updates about the 4th Filipino Reader Conference, please feel free to visit the site. 

Read more →

Filipino Fridays (1): Surprise, Reader!

Filipino Friday is a tradition for us Pinoy book bloggers. Since 2012, we look forward to this meme, marking the countdown to the much-awaited Filipino Reader Conference. So, even though it's already Saturday, there is no way I am going to skip this.

Surprise, Reader! Hello, it’s the first week of Filipino Fridays 2014! Whether it’s your first time to participate or not, tell us a bit about yourself. More specifically, tell us about your favorite book discoveries for this year. Any author you started reading this year that you can’t get enough of? A book you didn’t think you’d like, but you ended up liking/loving? Any book series that you just have to get your hands on? Have you discovered anything new from Filipino authors this year?

I am Louize, and I love hoarding books. I have no problem reading both printed copies and digital formats. I read anywhere, even in grocery and bank queues. And yes, I prefer reading while eating, too. 

More specifically, tell us about your favorite book discoveries for this year.

• There's this one book that came to mind, The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien. I was dared to read this from I Dare You to Read 2014, a TFG challenge.  I very rarely read war stories, and I have never heard of the author before this. So, I was surprisingly seized by O'Brien's narration; I read the book in less than five hours.

Any author you started reading this year that you can’t get enough of?

• Last April, I had a great time reading White Teeth by Zadie Smith with buddy reader Monique. It was such a wonderful experience that prompted me to acquire Smith’s other books.

A book you didn’t think you’d like, but you ended up liking/loving?

• To the Lighthouse was my first encounter with author Virginia Woolf. I didn't like it at first, but the prose and its ability to tap the reader's mental impression was so powerful. Exemplary, indeed!

Any book series that you just have to get your hands on?

• I am excited about The Visitor (The Graveyard Queen, #4) by Amanda Stevens -I do hope editing will conclude soon. 
• I am also looking forward to Who Buries the Dead (Sebastian St. Cyr, #10) by C.S. Harris -I am so into this series, I love the protagonist so much. 
• And, Killer Instinct (The Naturals, #2) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes -It is coming out this November; and the 1st book happens to be my favorite YA mystery from 2013. 
• Lastly, I want to get my hands on The Winds of Winter (A Song of Ice and Fire, #6) by George R.R. Martin –I have no idea when this is due, but the wenches and I will keep an earnest watch.

Have you discovered anything new from Filipino authors this year?

• Yes, I have. Thanks to Lynai, I was introduced to Eliza Victoria. And after reading her Project 17, I purchased the rest of her books last MIBF. Plus, I have to Whispersync Fall Like Rain by Ana Tejano very soon!

For more information and updates about the 4th Filipino Reader Conference, please feel free to visit the site. 

Read more →

Wednesday Spotlight | Nature's Destiny by Justine Winter

Publication:  14 March 2014

About the book:

My life was changing,  morphing into something greater than  I  could have anticipated. I  was becoming something  I  didn't recognize as myself anymore.  A  Werewolf.

I  was different.

Bitten.

‘Hybrid’  was what they called me,  and the weight that rested against that one word was crippling.  They depended on me to bring them safety.  What made me so special?

Oh,  that’s right.  My destiny.

I  was sucked into a  world  I’d had no idea existed.  Twenty-one years as a  human and this was what  I  found out.

My traveling plans,  my writing degree,  all of it was gone within one night.  One evil night that robbed my humanity.

I  wasn't completely sour.  Life had been unfair a  while ago,  only now  I’d had something worth fighting for besides myself.  Something to live for.

I  was afraid of the others.  I  couldn't let them down.  I  wouldn't let them down.

I’d gone to bed a  human and woken up a  Werewolf.

A  special  Werewolf.

A  Hybrid.

More about  Nature's Destiny by Justine Winter

About the author:

I've always lived a life based on my imagination, from hopeless dreams of romance to concocting alternate realities involving supernaturals. I'm completely fascinated with anything hero-related and often speculate which superpower I'd possess. I haven't settled on one yet.

I was born in England and currently reside in Wales, UK. I love to write, and most days you'll find me happily tapping away at the computer whilst in my pajama-clad bubble. I also spend my time reading, and if that isn't enough I’m often in the kitchen baking up a treat.

As part of this blog tour, Justine Winter invites you to join this raffle giveaway, wherein you can take away these lovely prizes:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Content sent by the author for this blog's publication. This is a free ad.

Read more →

TFG Yuletide Party 2013, A Success!

It was such a test of patience, but I finally got my copy of today's Daily Prophet...

Read more →

Filipino Friday (Bonus!): ReaderCon Excitement

Hello!  I think I got my wish.  There's one more Filipino Friday meme, a bonus!  So let's get onto it...

Filipino Friday (Bonus):

What are you most excited about for this year’s ReaderCon?

Looking at the schedules, I believe I am pretty much looking forward to everything.  But I am very excited to see the outcomes of this year's Filipino Readers' Choice Awards.  We have some pretty great choices and I would like to congratulate each of the nominees beforehand.  They are all winners, congratulations.

Eight more days to go and we'll see all the excitement. Remember it's The 3rd Filipino ReaderCon: What Do Readers Want? on December 7, 8:00am to 6:00pm, at the Rizal Library – Ateneo de Manila University. See you soon!!

Read more →

Filipino Friday (5): What Do Readers Want?

Hello, guys!  Yes, our Filipino Readers' Conference is rescheduled on December 7, due to Typhoon Yolanda.  As planned, this is our last Filipino Friday meme, but after the recent events, I kinda hope the organizers might want to extend it.   While we are keeping that hope in mind, let us answer this Friday's questions.

 

Filipino Friday (5)  

"What do readers want? What’s your favorite genre/reading material? Who is your favorite author (local or foreign)? What kinds of books would you like to see more of from local authors or publishers? What is your favorite book from a Filipino author?"

Like I told you before, I am a Free-range reader (sounds like I'll be sprouting some feathers after admitting that). I do my best in trying different genres, but there will always be favorites: Historical Fiction and Mystery & Thrillers.

Historical Fiction could be a variation of everything- historical mystery, historical romance, historical adventure- suits just fine. The language and setting mostly did it for me. It's how authors weave fiction into historical facts, in a voice that blends with the time, that fascinates me the most. Some good examples would be Caleb Carr's Dr. Laszlo Kreizler books, C. S. Harris's Sebastian St. Cyr mystery series, and books by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss.

Mystery & Thrillers should have a strong reliable protagonist. Someone I need to root for until the end, even in death. It should be fast-paced and unrelenting. I don't mind gruesome and blood-spill. I follow both of James Patterson's Alex Cross series and Women's Murder Club, and Robert Ludlum's Covert-One series.

I have tons of favorite authors. Aside from those, I mentioned above, Neil Gaiman being on top of that list, I also love Markus Zusak, Amanda Stevens, DJ MacHale, Donita K. Paul, Carlos Ruiz Zafón, and Robert Fulghum. Lately, I've come to like China Miéville, John Green, George RR Martin, and Matthew Quick.

It has always been my regret that I read less Filipino-authored books. When I was young, I used to read a lot of Filipino fables and myths. A lot of local comics too. How I used to adore Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang and Pokwang then. My interest waned maybe because none (or, at least, almost none) of them cater to what I like to read now. I try to read as much as I could from here and there. I can't say I am disappointed with what our local writers have come up with. I'm pretty proud of how far they have gone, and local publishers are recognizing and promoting these talents. Maybe I'm looking for something like our old fairy tales, with great grand adventures and lessons to learn in the end. Aside from the paranormal, humorous, and romance, why can't we have something like the Bourne series? Why can't we have a plot set in a different country with different cultures, other than our own? If Kazuo Ishiguro had the guts to explore the life of an English butler in the Remains of the Day or Arthur Golden's profound Memoirs of a Geisha, why can't we explore the life of a Marseille fisherman and learn his life lessons? Why can't we write a novel that doesn't have to drive any political awareness into it, but states instead simple facts of life, like The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes?

That wasn't a rant, simply sharing ideas if there are takers. I still keep high hopes for our local writers, though. I know that sooner or later more would be encouraged to write, put their ideas on print, and surprise us all.

Read more →

Filipino Friday (3): The Pinoy Book Drop

Hey, guys!  This is the 3rd week for our Filipino Friday meme.  

Filipino Friday (3):"Did you participate in the Pinoy Book Drop? If yes:- First, kindly detail all the books that you have dropped, and where and when you dropped them.– Next: tell us all about your experience. How did you feel before and after you dropped the books? How did you choose the places where you dropped them? Did you check back and see if the books were still there? Do you have any idea who might have found them?"

• Blackberry Wine by Joanne Harris, dropped at Intramuros, Manila, October 23;
• Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler, dropped at Star Mall Annex, Las Pinas, October 24.

I have to say that these past few days were pretty exciting. Dropping the book was one thing, but taking a photo was something else entirely. It involved a lot of cunning and subtlety.  I chose random places, just someplace I have to be on that day, but I have to make sure it's a spot with most human traffic.  The Intramuros Wall is a lover's lane, while the latter is conveniently near a fast-food restaurant and a grocery on the other side.  I did check later.  The books were gone, but, sadly, I have no clue as to who got them.

Check the books I dropped last month.  Color me excited, I want to see your book drop photos too!

BTW, you had better pre-register, because the 3rd Filipino ReaderCon: What Do Readers Want? is fast approaching.

Read more →