BOOK READS: HEAVEN CAN WAIT

It took me a while to finish reading this book for some reason. I didn’t say that I like it but it isn’t that bad either. There’s just something off about this book, probably it lack something…

For once, I didn’t know the purpose of the character. Yes, the character has an emphatic ability and can travel outside of her body and enter the realm of the dead. So she used this ability to help the dead get their closure and all. Other than that, she is also an Angel who decided to live among mortals in a dystopian world where humans considered supernatural beings as outcast and dumped them in a segregated place.

Then there is a half demon girl who’s some kind of hot in a femme fatal sort of way who worked as a bounty hunter for rogue creatures. But then she died in a very morbid way and now trying to reconnect with the Angel to pin those who are responsible with her death from the afterlife. This character for me is more interesting compared to the Angel whom the only dilemma she got is if she would give in from her sexual desires that she’d been suppressing since she clipped her wings and lived among mortals.

This could have been an interesting plot. However, it seems the author dwells mostly on the Angel’s emotional battles about moral values rather than pushing the narrative. The premises itself has so much potential to give action scenes blow by blow but the climax ended flatly for me, garnering a sort of confusion for the readers at the end.

Xoxo

BOOK READS: PENTECOST (ARKANE SERIES #1)

I first discovered this book while researching self-publishing and eBook writing on the internet. I stumbled upon Ms. Joanna Penn’s website, The Creative Penn, which provided me with an abundance of valuable information on those topics.

What initially drew me to the book was its captivating cover. As a reader, I often find myself picking up books based solely on their covers, and this one was no exception. While the premise of the book seemed promising, I was a little disappointed when the narrative didn’t quite match the beauty of its cover. However, there are always those rare gems that exceed our expectations—and Pentecost by Joanna Penn is certainly one of them.

From the title alone, I was hooked! Pentecost made me think of a story deeply rooted in biblical history and ancient myth. As a fan of fantasy fiction, I’m also an avid lover of historical fiction—especially when it weaves in elements of biblical wonders. I won’t give away any spoilers here, as I want you to experience the book for yourself, but I’ll share how I felt as I read it, keeping things vague rather than technical.

Ms. Penn’s writing is fast-paced, making it a thrilling read for those who enjoy high-action scenes filled with fighting, gunfire, and intense moments. The book features a strong female protagonist, which I loved, as I’m always a fan of "girl power" themes in both books and films. The characters’ journey to find the Stone of the Apostles spans a wide range of locations, from the Middle East to Spain, Europe, North America, and even Africa. These diverse settings made for an exciting and immersive reading experience.

The only drawback I found was that, as I became more absorbed in the story, I realized I wasn’t connecting deeply with the characters. They didn’t quite come to life for me, and I didn’t develop a strong emotional attachment to them. That said, the narrative itself and the mysterious myth surrounding the Apostles and their stone were intriguing enough to keep me going—and I ended up ordering the second and third books in the series.

All in all, Pentecost is a hidden gem!

Xoxo

THE BOOK IS DRAGGING ME

I am currently behind with my reading and the book that I am not-so-hook right now is something that I picked randomly online. Well, to say the least, I am literally pushing myself to finish it so I could move on and forget about it.

Though I like the premise of the book, Angels and Demons and all that stuff but there's something about the writing that failed to pull me in. I never had the kind of attachment  that I used to have when I read other supernatural theme books. I am not drawn to these characters, I am not even compelled.

Normally, when I encounter this kind of problem with books it only meant one thing - I'm loosing my interest.

Anyway, I am not going to give up easily since I already finished half of the book. It doesn't hurt if I need to spend more time to get this over with.

I know I need more luck to do it...



Xoxo

ATENISTA TALK: The Girls at Manang Restaurant

Scenario:

Girl #1 was waiting for her friend near the entrance at Manang Restaurant in Burgandy Tower along Katipunan Avenue in front of Ateneo de Manila University.
After a few minutes of stomping and eye rolling while constantly checking her iPhone, her friend arrived in front of the building emerging from the common public transportation called Tricycle.

When her friend finally entered the restaurant:

Girl #1 obviously appalled : You commute?! Where's your Car?

Girl #2 funning her face with a hand: I left it in the campus, I'm so tired to drive.

Girl #3 rolling her eyes again: Huh! You're so charitable!