Ito ang natuklasan ng college student na si Tammy habang gumagawa ng kanyang assignment.
Nabasa niya sa Internet ang tungkol sa isang obra ng babaeng ipininta nang nakatalikod, na tinaguriang The Seรฑorita. Ayon sa mga sabi-sabi, minamalas daw ang kung sino mang magmay-ari sa nasabing painting.
Nababalot ng misteryo ang obra mula pa noong panahon ng Kastila at walang nakakaalam ng kuwento tungkol sa babae rito.ย
Naisip ni Tammy na bumisita sa isang art museum kung saan matatagpuan ang The Seรฑorita. Ngunit hindi niya inaasahan na sa araw na iyon, magbabago ang takbo ng kanyang buhay.
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๐ง๐ต๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต๐๐:
Share ko lang, pero I had to cancel my order for this book twice because of a Shopee glitch. I still managed to buy it after the pre-order sale and got a pretty good discount too. However, I'm still sad kasi hindi ko nakuha yung limited illustrations nina Tammy and the gang huhu... Setting my rambling aside, this is the first story I've read by PinayBlonde, and it took me some time to adjust to their writing style since I'm more accustomed to Taglish storiesto the point na nagiging conyo na yung inner monologue ko AJHSAHSAAKSHA.
ANYWAYS, I really liked Tammy's journey to the past, especially when she was exploring the old town and sharing interesting facts about the place. The descriptions helped me visualize where she was going, at para na rin akong naliligaw sa loob ng Intramuros, even though I've never been to that part of Manila.
As for the mystery behind the painting itself, I noticed that there seem to be two differing explanations for the origin of The Seรฑorita: one involving the lady's suitor, and another that tells the aftermath of a tragic event. I was wondering if I just misread that part, or hindi lang talaga siya na-notice. It didn't really affect my overall enjoyment of the story, though, so yeah!
Overall, I had a great time reading this. It was an enjoyable introduction to PinayBlonde's work, and I'd love to read more of her historical novellas, though it might take me a while since busy pa rin ako sa internship. T-Tย Oh! Before I forget, I was genuinely surprised by the number of special chapters included in the book. It honestly felt like I was getting a mini sequel as a bonus, which made the purchased even more worth it for me. :DD
๐๐ฒ๐๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฝ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป:
Elois is in a constant state of doubt. She doubts the people around her, her place in the world, and even herself. And on one of the worst days of her already unstable life, she gets the most shocking plot twist of all.
When the rain stops falling literally in midair, she meets her future husband, Nikolas, who traveled back to her time to prevent losing her in the future. One mistake after another, however, forces Elois to stay away from the man she can't get herself to trust.
But Nikolas will continue to test fate and time and time again, risking everything in the process, to get even just one more day with the woman he loves.
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๐ง๐ต๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต๐๐:
Tanginaaaa!!! Bakit ko ba ginagawa 'to sa sarili ko!? I should have known that it would end in a tragedy; the majority of the reviews alluded to that, pero I was too stubborn to believe that they would end up together. It sucks, but unfortunately, that's what makes this story so special.
Nikola's is a fascinating character; if you think about it, he's both the hero and the villain of the story. His inability to move on from Elois pushed him to make a terrible decision, and as a consequence, he needs to sacrifice his cherished identity just so she can live peacefully. His love for her brings both the best and worst out of him, which is a fantastic characterization in my opinion.
As for Elois, she's a wonderful heroine. I relate a lot to her as a character, as I've also been put into positions before where I have to fight myself just to stay alive. The author did an incredible job of portraying her ups and downs, specifically when she's experiencing depressive thoughts.
In general, I really like the characters present in the novel, as they all hold an important part in the narrative. Even though I did not like the ending myself, I still suggest trying it out.
๐๐ฒ๐๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฝ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป:
Welcome to Celesteโs Best! Take a pick from its classic frozen treats! This quaint ice cream shop is also a special place for three curious characters: Chacha, Fiel, and Lilyโthree college girls who struggle to fit in their own world.
Si Chacha, ang mapagmahal na anak ng may-ari ng Celesteโs Best at matalinong estudyanteng lihim na gustong maging beauty queen. But her insecurities, especially about her weight, often get the best of her. Si Fiel, vocalist ng isang indie rock band at isang parttime crew sa shop. Pilit niyang itinataguyod ang sarili at tinatakbuhan ang kanyang masalimuot at magulong buhay pag-ibig. And Lily, the shy regular customer of the shop. Tanging sa pagguhit niya lang nailalabas ang matinding kalungkutang tinatago niya.
Despite their differences, Chacha, Fiel, and Lily form an unlikely bond that will help them get through the joys and pains of growing up, and embrace their own beauty, strength, and talent.
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๐ง๐ต๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต๐๐:
Not gonna lie, when I first read this, I found it cringy and painful to read. It reminded me a lot of my younger self, who was full of insecurities and struggled with negative self-esteem. Suffice to say it made me uncomfortable, but after sitting with it for awhile. I realized that my discomfort actually reflects how much I've outgrown that version of myself.
"The Tale of Three Misfits" perfectly encapsulates the experience of what it's like in your late teens. A stage where you're starting to figure out who you are in the ever-expanding world of adulthood. What initially felt awkward and cringy to me eventually became nostalgic for the past. And as the story went on, I came to appreciate its messy portrayal of growing into yourself and the vulnerability that comes with it.
If I'm going to recommend a book that represents what it's like to navigate your early twenties, I think this would be the one. Kudos to the authors for writing such a wonderful novel, and for depicting a diverse range experiences that women go through at some point in their life.
๐๐ฒ๐๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฝ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป:
Heโs coming for you.
Death is meant to come on a chariot of broken dreams or in the dark trenches of a storm, not in love letters and gifts.
He did not take my soul when I was meant to die. He did not want it all the other times that Iโve offered it to him on a silver platter. Yet, time and time again, he reminds me that I am his: His night monster, his dark love, his perfect other.
Death was the only thing keeping me alive. He watches me from his corner, taunts me with sweet messages, marks my body with his touch as I sleep.
He took the people that I love away from me. Still, no one believed me when I said that I saw the faceless man on the night of the accident.
No one can escape death.
Me? Thereโs nowhere else Iโd rather be.
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๐ง๐ต๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต๐๐:
Similar to other reviewers, I thought this book was too formulatic, which is a shame because the plot was actually good. The story basically revolves around the FMC suffering with suicidal thoughts, and the grim reaper MMC tries to comfort her through stalkerish means, which worsens her situation and mental health. It was played on for so long that I cannot help but feel like it was intentional so the storyline would stretch out.
๐๐ฒ๐๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฝ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป:
Long have we been alone.
Without brides, without females to warm us during the long nights. Without sweet mates. But we see them, from afar, brides that could be ours. Kept away from us by walls and weapons. Females we long for greatly.
Obsessively.
Human females.
And the one with red hair? I want her. I saw her first. I will fight to the death for her.
She is MINE.
So, we'll come together and make an exchange with their men that will benefit us all. After that? To the winner goes the spoils... Let the hunt begin.
But the red-headed female is MINE.
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๐ง๐ต๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต๐๐:
I love Nagas and monster romance, yet this story didn't do much for me. It was so focused on the smut and the main couple's relationship that it didn't tackle the world-building that much, which bummed me out. I still find the premise interesting, so I hope it will be more fleshed out in the future, especially given how much has been published in the series so far.
Regarding the main characters themselves, I find them alright. It did raise my eyebrows when the heroine mentioned how lacking her survival skills are because if she were a crew member on an important intergalactic mission on Earth, wouldn't they teach her to survive inside somehow? Suspicious...
For the MMC, I find him very lacklustre and annoying. He doesn't have that much personality apart from a prehistoric creature with access to modern technology, and even when they did try to give him some, it felt flat. Overall, I think it's an okay monster novel.
Jillian, a proofreader for a book publishing company, had one chance at making Luke, the guy she has been pining for since college, fall in love with herโand she blew it. All she had to do was shoot Cupidโs arrow straight to his heart. Instead, she shoots West, ang masungit at strikto niyang editor-in-chief, messing up the divine plan that Cupid had for him and four other people.
Now, Cupid wants her to fix her mess by setting up those five people the old-fashioned way. Little does she know na this little mix-up could be that one chance that Jillian needed all along to find true love.
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๐ง๐ต๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต๐๐:
Err... The premise is good, but the execution went terribly.
For the amount of information it was trying to convey, the story just felt too rushed and convoluted, especially at the end, when the plot twist was revealed. I hope they will improve the pacing in book two and give its readers some breaks in-between so we can actually digest what's actually going on
Other than that, I'm pretty okay with the novel. I love the grumpy-to-fallen-puppy trope so much that the ML was right up my alley. Filipino romance naturally brings the kilig out of me, so even though some parts might be confusing, I still enjoyed reading the book.
Like a songbird in a cage, Anya has spent her entire life as the General's perfect daughter. He snaps his fingers, she jumps. He tells her to smile, she beams like she is made of the sun itself. But underneath all those games and glitter, she's working to destroy her father and save the city she loves.
When an undine sneaks his way into her city, intent on kidnapping her, she lets him take her.
Daios is plagued by the decisions of his past. Souls haunt him, memories follow his every move, and all he knows is that perhaps stealing this woman will absolve him of his sins. If he can bring her back to his people, then they can destroy the city where his hatred was born. Heโs certain this will be easy. But then he sees the Generalโs daughter, and he knows nothing will ever be the same again.
Broken and damaged, he's certain no woman will ever love him. He shouldn't even try to encourage the mating instincts that ride him hard the moment he sees her.
But when he realizes that she's the same as he is, different from her people and on the outskirts of what others deem "normal", he knows he's a goner. Even if it means he has to risk everything to keep her.
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๐ง๐ต๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต๐๐:
Okay, I thought I already had my favorite couple, but I was wrong! Daios and Anya's relationship made me second-guess myself because their story arc truly hit the mark as the most heartfelt one. The way their bond developed felt so genuine and emotionally satisfying that I couldn't help but root for them until the very end.ย
I think what I love most about them is how they confronted their own insecurities, supported each other unconditionally, and refused to let the other sacrifice their own happiness just to keep their relationship together.
For Anya, that meant accepting Daios's decision to keep his prosthetic arm, despite her conflicting feelings about the idea of "fixing" disabilities. For Daios, it meant introducing Anya to the rest of his pod, even though in doing so carried the risk of her choosing another mate instead of him.
Both of them consistently chose what was best for each other, even when it meant facing their deepest fears. This fact completely stole my heart, and now I'm questioning if they've officially taken the top spot as my favorite couple
I was exhausted from reading the script all night and fell asleep, but it was about a kimchi fight, a secret birth, and an amnesia. I suddenly possessed Cha Ye-ryun, the villainous girl from the drama โFlower of Ordealsโ, which is full of all kinds of absurd situations. โI will protect you, Cha Ye-ryun.โ โIf I canโt go back to reality even after the drama ends, then I will be you.โ Cha Ye-ryun only has one goal. Avoiding her unfortunate ending where she has to spend the rest of her life in prison. In this drama, for a happy ending for the heroine, Han Seo-ri, the villain, Cha Ye-ryun. Slowly the colors of this macabre drama will show its true colorsโฆ โฆ . โwho are you?โ However, the condition of Park Eun-woo, the sub-male lead in the play, is suspicious. He, who should have sacrificed himself for the heroine Han Seo-ri, keeps hovering around Cha Ye-ryunโฆ โฆ . Will she be able to overcome the unfortunate ending and escape the Flower of Ordeal?
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๐ง๐ต๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต๐๐:
Shocks! If I weโre Cha-Ye Ryun I will probably gave up then and there becauseโ WHAT DO YOU MEAN THAT FATE ITSELF CONSPIRES AGAINST ME!? Like, it doesnโt matter how much precautions you take, or character development you undergone too. You will always be painted as a villain because that is your role in that shitty melodramatic story. Like shit! The itself stress will take me tf out!
Anyways, the manhwa was a good transmigration story, and Iโm actually seeking other series with the same premise. I havenโt anything similar since then but Iโm sure there are manhwa raws out there thatโs not been translated into English yet. All in all I high-key recommend reading this one.
Love. Magic. Fate. Best-selling romance novel author Karmina Joan writes about these things. She believes that every person has a purpose, that every soul has a destiny to fulfill. She thought hers was simply sharing her stories.
Her story unfolds with Cupid, the Angel of Love himself. He brings with him a mysterious vessel and a message from on high. It turns out Karmina has a bigger purpose after allโa mission that will make or break humanity as we know it.
As Cupid teaches her the tricks of his trade, Karmina unknowingly gives him something unexpected in returnโ something the angel of love will find oddly familiar. This may become the one flaw in an otherwise perfect plan that destiny had in store for them.
Does love truly conquer all or are there limits to what humanity can do in the name of love? Witness as Karmina struggles to find the answers before time runs out on true love.
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๐ง๐ต๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต๐๐:
Ever since I was in elementary school, I really wanted to get my hands on a copy of Karmic Hearts by Jhing Bautista, because a classmate of mine convinced me that it had the best interpretation of romance in media. Now that I read it myself, I can confidently say that it did provide a wonderful explanation of human relationships, not just romantic love but the entire spectrum as well, including platonic and familial love.
Using different myths and stories, such as the red string of fate and the angel with two souls, the novel promotes the idea of destined partners and soulmates. The book also contains a very Christian view of humanities' free will, which I find myself disagreeing with a lot, but it didn't really affect my enjoyment of the book that much.
In the end, the novel did a great job of meeting my expectations, and I'm glad I waited a decade before reading it, as, in my opinion, I wouldn't fully understand its message when I'm much younger. And though there are some parts here that I find very uncomfortable because of my personal beliefs, I still recognize the arguments it was trying to present, which I agree with for the most part.
All in all, I highly recommend it to someone who wants to see a story that has a pragmatic approach when it comes to love and relationships.
One of the many engineers that keeps Beta, the city under the sea, running, Mira only wants to make her family proud and to prove herself worthy. She knows the mysterious city better than anyone and itโs her dream to help it flourish.
But then, on a solo job in an abandoned section of the city, she encounters a monster of legend. An undine. A dangerous merman from an ancient civilization, long forgotten.
Arges has fought his entire life for his people. With deadly creatures under his control, he plans to eradicate Beta once and for all to protect his kind and their peaceful way of life. But when a human woman saves him, she unknowingly creates a bond between them, one he canโt ignore. Even though her flaming red hair haunts his dreams, he needs her for information on the undineโs enemies.
So he steals her. Keeps her. Feeds her. Only to realize their bond is far deeper than captor and captive. He cannot let her goโbut he cannot keep her under the sea. In a battle to determine if love can survive a war beneath the waves, it will be their decision that changes the tides.
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๐ง๐ต๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต๐๐:
The moment I read the dedication, I squealed! I always wanted to read an underwater monster romance, and by heavens, my wish was granted! I devoured this series in about a week, and I cannot wait to yap about it co'z it's all I ever wanted in a novel.
The main couple's chemistry is amazing! And I've genuinely enjoyed their enemies-to-lovers dynamic because they clash and challenge each other, but they also have this growing ache for each other, which isโAck!! LORD, WHY CAN'T IT BE ME!?
Weirdo... HSVSJSBSJSSJ
But in all seriousness, this is one of the few novels that I've rated five stars, and it has many things to offer beyond the monster f*cking content. It had amazing world-building with complex structures, culture, and politics. It holds a deliberate messaging of hope and resistance against a tyrannical government. And in my interpretation, the book mirrors a lot of the scars of colonialism, with the Undine being the natives who are driven out of their domain and the humans as the descendants of the colonialists who are trying to grapple with that harrowing fact.
All in all, I highly recommend this story because of its well-written, diverse, and nakakakilig romance. It will get you feeling a ton of emotions and make you think about a lot of things. Basta basahin nyo na
Itโs funny when men put a woman on a pedestal simply because they think she represents the โrespectableโ woman, as if her identity, sacrifices, and worth only materialize when sheโs bound by their imaginary rules.
Whatโs even more dubious is how they frame this comparison as a form of admiration. They post her photos with captions calling her a โmodern Maria Clara,โ despite the irony that Maria Clara herself was a victim of rape, even though she embodied the virtues of modesty and chastity.
The truth is, it was never about her appearance, nor about the morality of thirst traps in the first place. The problem was always women putting themselves out there, daring to be seen as something other than object of display.
In the end, respect that depends on conformity isnโt really respect, and misogynu disguised as admiration is still misogyny.
Iโm glad that fewer women are settling for approval masquerading as respect, and I applaud her for setting the record straight.
DISTANT VOICES COMING FROM DESPERATE SOULS ARE CALLING.ย
Ainslynn Quezon, an extraordinary academy teacher with an astonishing gift - the ability to hear future murder cases just three hours before they occur. In a world of uncertainty and darkness, her unparalleled hearing ability becomes a beacon of hope.
Having witnessed 200 brutal murders, Ainslynn's unique talent is both a curse and a calling. Heartbreakingly, not a single victim has survived her premonitions.ย
But the 201st murder case sets a chillingly different tone. A voice, haunting and desperate, calls out someone's name, reaching Ainslynn's ears with an undeniable urgency. This time, she senses an unmistakable need to locate the victim, to hear their cry for help and intervene before it's too late.
Who is the intended target in this mysterious case? Will Ainslynn finally break the cycle of tragedy and save the victim, or will darkness claim yet another life?
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๐ง๐ต๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต๐๐:
The premise of a psychic helping as a protagonist on a murder mystery is an interesting idea, but unfortunately, I have to drop this one because the main character acts more like a teenager than an adult handling a sensitive case.ย
Her childish antics make me want to pull my hair out, and she annoys me every time. Like, I get it. It's frustrating to be questioned multiple times about an ability that traumatized you every time you used it, but at the same time, you really can't blame people for doubting you since there are a lot of grifters out there. Proving yourself as trustworthy is not an unreasonable request, so I don't know why the story frames it as such.
Anyhow, there's a printed version of this novel, which means there's an edited version of the story. Hopefully, it has a much better protagonist because I really do want to like her despite my previous comments. I might try and check out book two to see if she has some character development.
It was supposed to be a relaxing vacation but at the end of the day, blood trails will mix with the beach and bodies will get mangled. Dinner is served. Organs are on the plate. It's time for a feast.ย
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๐ง๐ต๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต๐๐:
Gore isn't always my preference, so it's not surprising that I abandoned this story halfway through. I did go to the last chapters to see if I would change my mind, but the ending didn't really entice me to pick it up again. Despite that, however, I still recommend the novel for those who want a quick read about a terrifying encounter with a man-eating man. It's also perfect for beginners because the story was easy to follow, and again, it was so short that you could read it in one sitting.
Si Bela Angelique Flores, isang manunulat, ay walang ibang nais kundi ang magpatuloy na magbahagi ng kanyang sining. Walang problema para sa kanya na makilala siya bilang Angelica Bellaflor, ang kanyang sagisag-panulat para sa mga kuwentong nagbibigay ng pag-asa.
Ngunit ibang usapan na si Diabla Likha, ang sagisag-panulat niya para sa mga kathang may madidilim na tema. Kanyang isinusumpa sa sarili na pananatilihin niyang lihim na iisa lamang ang katauhan nina Bela, Angelica, at Diabla maski hanggang kamatayan . . . kahit ano'ng mangyari.ย
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๐ง๐ต๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต๐๐:
I saw this a while ago and decided to read it on Wattpad since there are only ten chapters inside. The physical copy is the extended version of the story, so I didn't mind finishing it until the end to see if I was interested enough in buying the book.
It's mainly about the alter egos of Bela, a writer who dabbles with the recesses of human emotion by manipulating people whom she has relations with. Despite the short narrative, the novel perfectly illustrates her twisted character as an unhinged creativeโone who uses morally questionable ways to extract inspiration for her dark poems. As the story goes further, her cruelty became more emphasize as she unbashfully confessed to enjoying preying on people.ย ย
Overall, I enjoy reading the novel and am considering purchasing it for collection purposes. There are other elements that I love inside but I couldn't reveal it because it would spoil the story. I would also love to see a flashback of Bella's past relationships so hopefully they added that on the extension.
Once, I was feared by all who gazed upon me. For centuries, I served, defending my crops in solitude and stillness, baring my scythe as an omen.
But when the crops die around me, I find myself standing over a field of shriveled stalks.
It is her fault.
The female who has taken over my fields. She might be the new queen of these lands, but in her wake, she brings only death.
So, I will scare her away. I will reclaim these fields, and she will learn to fear me!
Until one evening, she is attacked by no other than the Crow King. She cowers behind me for protection, begging him to spare her life.
Her terror and desperation stir me into action...
Nobody, not even a god, is allowed to frighten what is MINE.ย
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๐ง๐ต๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต๐๐:
The creativity? The passion!? THE CONCEPT!? These authors are scaring tf out of me! Who would have thought that a scarecrow would be perfect as aย humanoid monster-fuckable MMC? I certainly don't, but I'm glad someone did. I would never EVER thirst for a scarecrow, but my mind was permanently altered after seeing this.
Hallowstock (the MMC) is such a sweet gentleman that it pains me that he doesn't exist in real life. His devotion to Delilah was impalpable, yet at the same time, I love how he got his own goals and motivations that clash with hers. The conflict of interest gave him his own distinct personality that I haven't seen in other male leads for a while, so it's a breath of fresh air.ย
And for Delilah? I find her hesitancy to settle in a small town very realistics. A lot of stories romanticized the trope of embracing the small-town life, so I'm glad the novel acknowledge how isolating that kind of transition would be for someone whose used to living in the city. Her uncertainty made her feel grounded and believable, she didnโt magically adapt overnight, and I appreciated that the story gave her space to wrestle with what she truly wanted.
All in all this is a weird, unexpectedly heartfelt, and unhinged story. Somehow, the book made a literal scarecrow feel more emotionally available and compelling than half the human MMCs Iโve read lately. Literature are amazing sometimes.
