Author: Mina V. Esguerra
Date Published: July 13, 2013
Publisher: Createspace
Source: ARC
Genre: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Rating: ★★★★★
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Book Information:
College sophomore Hannah Maquiling doesn't know why everyone tells her their love problems. She's never even had a boyfriend, but that doesn't stop people from spilling their guts to her, and asking for advice. So maybe it shouldn't be a surprise when the cutest guy in school tells her that she's going to have to take on this responsibility -- but for all humanity.
The Goddess of Love has gone AWOL. It's a problem, because her job is to keep in check this world's obsession with love (and lack of it). The God of the Sun, for now an impossibly handsome senior at an exclusive college just outside of Metro Manila, thinks Hannah has what it takes to (temporarily) do the job.
While she's learning to do this goddess thing, she practices on the love troubles of shy Kathy, who's got a secret admirer on campus. Hannah's mission, should she choose to accept it, is to make sure that he's not a creepy stalker and they find their happily ever after -- or at least something that'll last until next semester. (As if she could refuse! The Sun God asked so nicely. And he's so, well, hot.)Review:
A uniquely Filipino brand of mythology told from the perspective of Hannah Maquiling, a college student, a responsible daughter, and presently, the Interim Goddess of Love.
Story-wise, I love how Miss Mina had incorporated Philippine folklore into the story. Sure, Philippine mythology is totally different from the more famous Roman or Greek, but it's none the less colorful, and without the complicated sexual relations among the gods. *snicker*
I also like Hannah. She's like a completely relatable friend. At the beginning of the story, she's just like any other girl, which is one of the charms of the story. She's a listener, she's good-natured and she's level-headed
Personally, I feel like I've found a kindred soul in Hannah. I've been the confidant of several of my friends, and I'm mostly a listener rather than a talker. This is one of the reasons why I really liked her. I'm no Interim Goddess of Love, though. I think it's too much work, and I'm too lazy. LOL.
And then there's also Quin - leader type, mysterious and enigmatic Quin. I've been pinning for him and Hannah to end up together, but he's just too... aloof. Yes, he's polite. Yes, he's always there when Hannah needs him. Yes, it's very easy to fall for him. But he has this wall up around him!
During the scene where Quin awakened some of Hannah's Goddess powers, I kept imagining that Quin didn't really need to be touchy feely with Hannah, but he did anyway because it gave him a valid excuse to touch her. (I think this is just a product of my imagination, but what the hell?)
I honestly wanted more to happen between Hannah and Quin. Sure, Kathy Martin's love life seriously needed help, but I was more into Quin and Hannah, so when the story ended, I was crying for more! The ending seriously frustrated me that I had a hang-up about the story for almost three days. (Can you imagine that?!)
The only thing I didn't like about this book is that it's too short and I wanted more!!
All in all, the whole story was engrossing. It painted a pretty accurate picture of a middle-class community in the Philippines. It incorporated Philippine folklore into the story. The characters were distinct and engaging, and the story is sure to make the reader want more.
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