berrybiaful's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I received an ARC of this book from the author through BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
4 stars!
This was a thoroughly enjoyable book, and really mad me appreciate Filipino folk-lore. I might have to do a deep-dive and research more of the culture's myths!
The blend of myths with modern elements is a great way to make these stories more engaging and I found myself totally engrossed with each tale. I found the illustrations to be a nice touch, especially as someone who visualises the books they read.
Sometimes the pacing needed to be broken up and made me want to take a break from the book at times, but overall I think the book had good pacing.
Also, as someone who isn't well-versed in Filipino myths, the terminology went over my head for most of the book. Perhaps a little index page would have helped with that.
Overall, I think this collection of stories were a really great way to present myths and folklore! I would definitely read more in this sort of style!
4 stars!
This was a thoroughly enjoyable book, and really mad me appreciate Filipino folk-lore. I might have to do a deep-dive and research more of the culture's myths!
The blend of myths with modern elements is a great way to make these stories more engaging and I found myself totally engrossed with each tale. I found the illustrations to be a nice touch, especially as someone who visualises the books they read.
Sometimes the pacing needed to be broken up and made me want to take a break from the book at times, but overall I think the book had good pacing.
Also, as someone who isn't well-versed in Filipino myths, the terminology went over my head for most of the book. Perhaps a little index page would have helped with that.
Overall, I think this collection of stories were a really great way to present myths and folklore! I would definitely read more in this sort of style!
tanaz_masaba's review
5.0
When I picked up Song of the Mango and Other New Myths, I was expecting a collection of fantastical, whimsical stories which, rooted in Filipino folklore and mythology, that would sweep me off my feet and take me to places that could only exist in my imagination.
I got all of that and so. Much. More.
At times enchanting and captivating, at times unnerving, Song of the Mango is an anthology like no other. With stories that openly and joyfully celebrate Filipino culture and heritage, Song of the Mango is an epic anthology of fantastical stories written with great, vivid imagery and a lush narrative style.
Though the book is definitely written with a Filipino audience in mind, it was surprisingly easy for someone like me, who have little knowledge about the culture, to dive in and immerse myself in the stories.
Each short story is diverse in its subject matter as it is in its narration style, but several of them definitely took up a special place in my heart. To Megan With Half My Heart, Ink: A Love Story, The Museum of Incomplete Statues, Chosen Mother, A Mask For The Queen of Shards, Child Of Two Worlds, How The Jungle Got Its Spirit Guardian and Odd and Ugly were in my opinion, the best of the stories in this book.
And yes I am aware I have listed what is possibly more than 70% of the book, but that's just a testament of all the wonderful, delightful stories that you can get when you pick Song Of The Mango and Other New Myths.
I also want to send a special thank you to the author for listing the trigger warnings for each story at the end of the book. Such a thoughtful but strangely uncommon gesture really made me happy, as I know that there are tons of readers who have traumas of their own and may feel disturbed by certain subject matters.
I got all of that and so. Much. More.
At times enchanting and captivating, at times unnerving, Song of the Mango is an anthology like no other. With stories that openly and joyfully celebrate Filipino culture and heritage, Song of the Mango is an epic anthology of fantastical stories written with great, vivid imagery and a lush narrative style.
Though the book is definitely written with a Filipino audience in mind, it was surprisingly easy for someone like me, who have little knowledge about the culture, to dive in and immerse myself in the stories.
Each short story is diverse in its subject matter as it is in its narration style, but several of them definitely took up a special place in my heart. To Megan With Half My Heart, Ink: A Love Story, The Museum of Incomplete Statues, Chosen Mother, A Mask For The Queen of Shards, Child Of Two Worlds, How The Jungle Got Its Spirit Guardian and Odd and Ugly were in my opinion, the best of the stories in this book.
And yes I am aware I have listed what is possibly more than 70% of the book, but that's just a testament of all the wonderful, delightful stories that you can get when you pick Song Of The Mango and Other New Myths.
I also want to send a special thank you to the author for listing the trigger warnings for each story at the end of the book. Such a thoughtful but strangely uncommon gesture really made me happy, as I know that there are tons of readers who have traumas of their own and may feel disturbed by certain subject matters.
mezzythedragon's review
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.25
My favorites are the stories from Ma. Rosario P. Herrera of The Archipelago Daily, especially “In the Shadow of the Typhoon, Humans and Mahiwaga Cooperate for Survival.” Love commentary on climate change and environmentalism, as well as the story starting off on the sea. Although Maria Makiling opening the Heartbreak Cafe was very imaginative as well.
Other stories were a hit-and-miss for me (just preferences here) but I will say this collection started and ended strong. “Odd and Ugly” wrapped this book up well with its Spanish colonization take on “Beauty and the Beast.”
Other stories were a hit-and-miss for me (just preferences here) but I will say this collection started and ended strong. “Odd and Ugly” wrapped this book up well with its Spanish colonization take on “Beauty and the Beast.”
xyzeereads's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
chingwan7's review
4.0
Actual Ratings
Song of the Mango- 4.0/5.0
To Megan, with Half My Heart- /5.0
First Play For and by Tikbalang Triggers Uproar on Opening Night- 4.5/5.0
The Museum of Incomplete Statues- 3.0/5.0
Chosen Mother- 4.5/5.0
Voices in the Air- 3.5/5.0
In the Shadow of the Typhoon, Humans and Mahiwaga Cooperate for Survival- 4.25/5.0
Blushing Blue- 3.25/5.0
Ink: A Love Story- 3.0/5.0
Call of the Rimefolk- 4.75/5.0
Queen of Shards- 3.5/5.0
Child of Two Worlds- 4.75/5.0
How the Jungle Got Its Spirit Guardian- 4.25/5.0
Have Your #Hugot Harvested at This Diwata-Owned Cafe- 3.5/5.0
Odd and Ugly- 5.0/5.0
Average Rating: 3.95/5.0
Full review of every short story will release later on
Song of the Mango- 4.0/5.0
To Megan, with Half My Heart- /5.0
First Play For and by Tikbalang Triggers Uproar on Opening Night- 4.5/5.0
The Museum of Incomplete Statues- 3.0/5.0
Chosen Mother- 4.5/5.0
Voices in the Air- 3.5/5.0
In the Shadow of the Typhoon, Humans and Mahiwaga Cooperate for Survival- 4.25/5.0
Blushing Blue- 3.25/5.0
Ink: A Love Story- 3.0/5.0
Call of the Rimefolk- 4.75/5.0
Queen of Shards- 3.5/5.0
Child of Two Worlds- 4.75/5.0
How the Jungle Got Its Spirit Guardian- 4.25/5.0
Have Your #Hugot Harvested at This Diwata-Owned Cafe- 3.5/5.0
Odd and Ugly- 5.0/5.0
Average Rating: 3.95/5.0
Full review of every short story will release later on
pamshenanigans's review
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to the author and publisher for sharing with me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Off the bat, when I finished a few chapters, I thought to myself: “This kinda reminds me of Black Mirror but with Filipino myths and folklore.” And that’s what made this collection so intriguing and interesting for me. Each story has a different format and unique writing style but someone when you look at it as a whole, it is cohesive and consistent and still seemed like they’re written by one person.
I’ll have to admit though that the writing of 1 or 2 stories didn’t work for me and it felt like I was just powering through so I could get to the next story. But overall, the rest of the stories were really good.
I gave this anthology 4 stars and would recommend it to friends, especially Filipino readers, looking for a new and unique spin on Filipino myths and folklore.
Off the bat, when I finished a few chapters, I thought to myself: “This kinda reminds me of Black Mirror but with Filipino myths and folklore.” And that’s what made this collection so intriguing and interesting for me. Each story has a different format and unique writing style but someone when you look at it as a whole, it is cohesive and consistent and still seemed like they’re written by one person.
I’ll have to admit though that the writing of 1 or 2 stories didn’t work for me and it felt like I was just powering through so I could get to the next story. But overall, the rest of the stories were really good.
I gave this anthology 4 stars and would recommend it to friends, especially Filipino readers, looking for a new and unique spin on Filipino myths and folklore.
Check out the review on my channel: https://youtu.be/hf7MGQWagjw
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
sphynxreads's review
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed about half of the stories here as I found them to be quite unique and compelling while the rest I felt like I wasn't smart enough for. The author really showcases her writing chops and creativity in each story. Overall, I think where this anthology shines is how the author was able to mix fantasy with a lot thought-provoking, albeit sometimes heavy-handed, social commentary.
I enjoyed about half of the stories here as I found them to be quite unique and compelling while the rest I felt like I wasn't smart enough for. The author really showcases her writing chops and creativity in each story. Overall, I think where this anthology shines is how the author was able to mix fantasy with a lot thought-provoking, albeit sometimes heavy-handed, social commentary.
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