BOOK REVIEWS : THE IMMORTALS

The Immortals is a fantasy fiction debut novel by an amazing writer - Jordanna Max Brodsky.  It's the first book in the series called Olympus Bound. A fresh tale about our beloved gods and goddesses from the Greek Mythology.

Obviously, Brodsky has a wide rage of knowledge regarding the subject. It seems that her understanding about myths and legends is beyond what is written in history books and scrolls. Aside from the fact that she has a degree in History and Literature from Harvard according to her goodreads profile. This is probably the reason why she's able to write this book effortlessly and perceived these immortal characters as if they're living among us today. I mean, who knows right?

Honestly, I randomly picked this book because of it's title. As a fantasy fiction enthusiast, anything that has something to do with Immortals, white people withe fangs or wings are interesting for me. I was a skeptic at first because I am the type of reader who don't normally check reviews before burying myself into the pages. I just dive head first! HA!  I always feel that my perception about a certain book is my own. It might be a best seller but if everything about the book is so distant and unrelatable for me then that book is a major let down. I am a sucker for good cover and I want the characters to seduce me for me to keep flipping the pages. I don't normally give up on books but there are few that I just can't finish and I just have to stop and put it aside.

The Immortal is surprisingly amazing! I enjoyed every second of this book and I loved all the references Brodsky used to explain plainly what is happening inside in every plot.

Divinity is living among us - that's the idea of the book it presents. These Deities, they existed for millennia and ruled the pagan world but because the pagan worship was destroyed thousands of years ago when the civilization started to change and when the new religion came forth.

Yes! It seems like Yahweh killed Zeus. shocker!




So what happens to the gods without their devoted worshipers? Their graces diminished until their divine light fades away. This is what happened to the Greek Gods and Goddesses of Mount Olympus. Now, after the Diaspora happened, they are scattered everywhere in the world. Some of them still dwells in the old world waiting for some faithful follower to revive the worship but others just moved on and live like mortals do. Surprisingly, a lot of them ended up living in the concrete jungle of New York as if they're drawn to the skyscrapers and its secret undergrounds.

The book follows the mighty Goddess of the Hunt, protector of the innocent, the relentless one, moonbeam, mistress of the moon, sworn to celibacy and lady of the hound, one of the delian twins - the Goddess Artemis or as preferred to be called Selene deSilva.

She had lived for so many lifetime but most of it blurred in her memory as the fading of her godliness diminished through the years. But Selene is true to her calling as the protector of the innocents and of course she is the ultimate feminist because she only protect women as her charge.

But ancient rituals is revived in her name and once again she taste the incalculable amount of power as a goddess and became Artemis once again. But there's always a consequence, because embracing Artemis will only meant one thing - She will loose Selene in the process, her version of humanity.

A choice has to be made.

The great thing about this book is that Brodsky did her best to humanize the gods and they are thrown into mortal living were they have to make choices for their own and suffer for the consequences after. It made them relatable for me and I ended up rooting for the main characters to actually make the right decision. Brodsky did a great job putting the pieces together and making the greek mythology fresh again but still all elements that we love about the myths are still there. The mystery, the fun, the magic, the fucked up deities and many more... It's amazing and I am hooked.

I'm definitely going to read book 2 and will blog about it very SOON.

Xoxo

   
 

THE WRITER WENT TO PANGLAO

While were in the van traveling from one tourist destination to the next, I noticed that everywhere I look I saw a lot of tourists but mostly westerners riding a motorbike. Many of them were in their flipflops and short shorts and Ray-ban, just taking the road to see the different places of what Bohol could offer. I was curious and so I asked our manong driver.

He said that there are many stores from where you can rent a motorbike if you want to have that intimate experience with the beauty of the place and I couldn't agree more.

So after we had an overnight at Tagbilaran, the next morning, we rendezvous with the others at the Island City Mall where we took a jeepney ride to bring us to Panglao. For me the ride was amazing and it felt like we were traveling with the locals which was the best way to travel in my opinion.The jeepney was fully packed and we were crammed like sardines but it was fun. The ride dropped us off at Alona Beach.

I always find the light

Alona Beach is where the tourist mecca. The beach front where you'll find affordable restaurants depending on your budget. It caters to all and there are locals offering island tours, scuba diving, snorkeling and many more every corner.

 The thing was, it felt like we were the tourist who came from a different country since everywhere I turned, I found westerners if not Korean and Japanese. Good thing I looked like Japanese and I often mistaken as one but that didn't bother me anymore and I could use it to easily blend in.

Some Japanese guy talked to me in their language and I had no idea what he was talking about, I politely answered him in English which was a very funny encounter.

Hello Boys

Alona Beach Front

I have to say, the Beach front was amazing. You'll hear reggae music blaring somewhere and beach tourists were sitting in front of the restaurants or in a bar drinking refreshments and eating tacos and nachos, the good stuff. Life in the beach was really great and relaxing. The sound of the waves lapping at the shores, the blue seas, boats taking tourists to their island tours, people perfecting their sun tanned skin. I couldn't wait to strip right down to my speedos to join them and worshiped the sun god. The goal was, I wouldn't go home until I was crisp brown. LOL

Tan Mug or Not

Your Beach Babe Realness

Who do I kill to go back here?

We walked the entire stretch to see all the stores and saw sun worshipers on their back or front on the sand reading books or just simply soaking the heat.

Rasta Style

Sun Bather Unite

View from where we Ate

 That night, after we took a shower and cleaned ourselves, we were ready to have dinner. We went back to the beach front and the entire scene changed. There were acoustic band, the chairs and tables were outside and tourists were ready to party. Since none of us drink so we were only there for the food and beside, we were already famished - good meal over amazing conversation.

We had seafood of course and took a little stroll by the beach afterwards. It was the best thing to do before we end the day - watching the moon from the horizon as the night sky meets the dark sea. Before we went home, we ordered mango shake in a store near the lodge.

 The lodge where we stayed was very cheap. For a room we payed 900 pesos and it could go low up to 800 pesos.

Panglao was amazing. The only downside was, you could hardly swim in the water because there were lots of boats but other than that the place was great.

I wanted to go back though. Probably very soon.

Xoxo

THE WRITER WENT TO BOHOL

This has been a long awaited vacation. We book the flight last year via ticket promo sale online just like most of us ordinary peeps do. I've been looking forward for this trip and been counting days until March 11 came. Aside from the fact that I've never been to this beautiful provincial island in Central Visayas, I also wanted to see the white sand of Panglao, the majestic Chocolate Hills, the nocturnal Tarsier species and the floating restaurant of Loboc and many more.

The flight was 7 in the morning so after my adjusted shift from work since I worked graveyard, I booked a GrabCar to take me to the Airport (NAIA 4). We booked the plane ticket from AirAsia so the Airport was the old one which was okay with me. I've been to this Airport before when all the domestic flights were still located here and 5 years ago when I went to Boracay. I have to say, there's not much of a change though, it still looked the same aside from the Seattle's Best Cafe booth which was kinda new - but as long as it served its purpose then I'm good.

Despite of the vexation my Allergy Rhinitis brought, I was with the good company and everyone was smiling and happy and excited to take this vacation.

Besides, my partner and I, we haven't been in a vacation for awhile so this would be our first for 2017. Oh that was ME by the way with the glasses.

The plane took off and the moment we were airborne, I put on my sun-glasses and enjoyed watching the cloud formation since I was sitting beside the window. The weather was great so the view from the top was heaven on earth.

 
That was me by the way looking at the window before the plane took off. What was I thinking at that time? Well, I quoted Lestat deLioncourt as he ascended to the sky uttering these immortal lines:

"I walked for hours among mortals in the narrow old streets of Heidelberg, and of Lisbon, and of Madrid. I passed through Athens and Cairo and Marrakesh. I walked on the shores of the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean and the Adriatic Sea.

What was I doing? What was I thinking? That the old cliché was true- the world was mine."

Wasn't he amazing? This is my traveler's mantra every time I take a plane or go somewhere by land. I think he said these lines in the Tale Of the Body Thief book. It's one of the best Anne Rice books by the way.

The plane left on time so we arrived at the Tagbilaran Airport earlier than expected. One of our companion had relatives from the province of Hagna so she asked her Aunt to fetch us. From the airport, we rented a Van to tour us around the famous tourist spots for P3000 which was actually cheap given that there were 5 of us. We divided the amount and we ended up paying 600 each which wasn't that bad.

My lame ass with Airport sign

From the airport, we went straight to the tour and first stop was called the Blood Compact.

It was also known as Sandugo - It was a tribal tradition done by a Spanish explorer Miguel López de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna the chieftain of Bohol on March 16, 1565. A ritual to sealed their frienship according to the all knowing Wikipedia.

Me and Bruno Mars

The Gang

Second stop is the amazing Baclayon Church.

Trying to be cute

Ancient Wooden Door

Can I get an Amen?

 According to my friend Wiki, the Baclayon Church is actually called La Purisima Concepcion de la Virgen Maria Parish Church that was founded by Jesuit Priests on 1596. Obviously it was during the Spanish Era. The church was so old that during the 7.3 earthquake on 2013, the building facade suffered a major devastation. Inside, the construction to rebuild the church was still on going but despite of the damage there, you could still marvel at how majestic it was. It also has a Museum on the 2nd floor show casing old scrolls and paraphernalia including priests gown and small altars.

The Majestic Altar

The high ceiling latin writings

Baroque Pulpit

 

3rd stop was the Wildlife Park.

This was the least of my favorite stop. I just wanted it to throw it out there that I hate snakes or anything that crawls. So seeing humongous serpent made my anxiety wild. But I thought about one of my characters name Gakud, he has four of these attached to his head.  

Agfa Moment

The biggest Snake I've seen EVAH!

4th stop was the Floating Restaurant of Loboc.

It was the most refreshing and relaxing part of the tour. We were already starving after all the picture taking we did and so going to the floating restaurant where they served a buffet lunch and a trip along the entire stretch of the Loboc river with an acoustic band playing novelty bisanyan songs was just perfect. I saw children on the site climbing the highest trees and jumping to the river, it was amazing! The boat ride while eating, the relaxing ambiance and the smile of the people around would take away all the burdens from your back.

Starving faces

When Vanity Strikes

Excuse my Beauty

Tree of Life

Scenic

5th stop was the mystic Man-made Forest.

Taking picture in the man made forest was very tricky and not to mention dangerous. You see it was in a highway and for you to be able to get that mystic perfect picture, you have to brave yourself and get in to the street while there is no vehicle from both sides. But hey, vanity won all the time. It looked like an enchanting place and I swore the Sang'gres were there hiding somewhere.

The road to Lireo

Obligatory Selfie

Staying at the side

 6th stop was to see our nocturnal friend the Tarsier.

What did I expect? I thought Tarsier were bigger and lively like jumping from tree to tree like a small monkey but instead we were greeted by sleeping little creatures hiding behind leaves and tree branches. They were cute though but I wasn't sure how they doze off with tourists trying to wake them up.

The Fat Guy Outside

Sleepy Head

Wake Up!

7th stop was the Butterfly Farm.


As if I had stepped into the garden of Eden when we got to the Farm. Wow! I've never seen so much beautiful butterflies in my life. I was in the corner with mouth open in amazement. I suddenly wanted to belt out in a full on Mariah Carey song Butterfly. It was amazing to see how this beautiful species strive.

Last but not the least stop was the breath taking views of the Chocolate Hills.

The old cliche' must be true and that you save the best for last. It was one of my favorite stopover in the tour. Finally I saw them but first we must climbed one of the hills to see the beauty up above and despite my lack of sleep, I summoned my inner most Glamazon and climbed relentlessly to reach to top. Was it worth it? It was worth my fuckin' kidney! It was beautiful up there and seeing the scenic hills everywhere was amazing. It was the best way to end the tour.

My mug

You have to see it with your own eyes

Trying to look adorable LOL

After seeing the infamous Chocolate Hills, we decided that it was time to go home. Our host wanted us to spend the night in their place and so we did. We went to Hagna, it was a quaint little town with smiling friendly people. It was a long day and it was fun. This was our first day in Bohol. 2nd day, we went to the capital city of Tagbilaran and booked a room at Arabelle Suites then had dinner at Chicken Ati-atihan along Maria Clara Street.

The next day, it was the Panglao day and I will talk about it in my next post. But if you want to see some videos of this trip, please check out my YouTube Channel.

Xoxo