#i think most modern YA writers forgot the SUBTLE part

[astrologista]

can there just be fun adventure fiction without having to create metaphors for current events. please

[bentchcreates]

Philippine Independence Day was yesterday and it’s a happy coincidence that I finished this wonderful story about our local Gods and Goddesses. It’s set in modern times, sure, but now I’m itching to know more about our own mythologies!

Interim Goddess of Love (The Complete Trilogy) by Mina V. Esguerra

I really shouldn’t be surprised to like this book so much because it’s Mina, but agh, I love it to bits!

The gist is that the ancient gods and goddesses of the pre-colonial Tagalogs have come down to earth guised as college students in this posh, 21st century school in search for a replacement to Diya, the missing Goddess of Love.  Hannah Maquiling is the titular Interim Goddess, chosen to train and eventually inherit all of the goddess’ powers and abilities.

And because this is a romance, Hannah’s own NBSB heart is thrown in the mix.

*heart eyes*

This summer, I read more steamy reads than I thought was possible in just two months. I thought I have crossed that “maturity” bridge and that I wouldn’t be able to enjoy sweet YA romance as much anymore. But hot damn, I enjoyed this too much, I finished all three books in four days!

The folklore part is toned down, just a few mentions here and there for context, but is enough to spark interest in local myths and legends. As the fictional characters tell Hannah that the stories passed down differ greatly between various sources, the stories featured here are just a version of it. There is so much more that needs to be researched and retold.

I commend the authenticity of the settings. Ford River College is undeniably a Philippine school influenced by globalization but limited by local culture. It needed to be hip and new and progressive, but not too much to stand-out like a sore thumb in the Philippines. LOL, this is a fictional school but I got so invested.  (XD) Hannah mentioning “…I was sheltered in some ways, but growing up in Manila was still somewhat gritty, no matter how sheltered you were.” is so on point! There’s also a part where the characters needed to travel to Naga and I loved that even with all the powers these gods had at their fingertips, they weren’t immune to hours long drives and economy flights.

I liked that each book in the trilogy is treated as if it’s a standalone. Of course, there are themes that are constant in all books and there is a common story to unite all three, but there is no lull in the second book, unlike so many trilogies where book two is more or less skipable in essence. And book three is just, argh, so good! It is enjoyable on its own but I doubt the intensity of the emotional punch it packs will be as…well, intense!

I also liked that the twist and turns fit perfectly together and didn’t feel forced whatsoever. The references to the fantastical elements, as well as the genuine treatment of teenage romance of everyone (Hannah’s projects and even non-projects) is just right to serve entertainment but not too much to be ridiculous.

Other things I liked (in no particular order):

Light tricks, or what I’d like to call “real life IG filters” and Shadow Notes (clever clever use of these legendary elements)

“…Anything worth knowing is taught to kids first anyway.” – Maya, still being a sassy, vindictive Moon Goddess in this lifetime.

Maganda’s Regret

Diego (because Baywatch Jason Momoa feels EVERY.SINGLE.TIME)

The klepto-arc is handled well.

Psych Test Result inserts

Front gate slow dance. (How kilig is this???!!!)

Sol and her plot driven ‘uniqueness’

The non-condescending distinction between RK’s, SK’s and flashy moms

Tita Carmen

The fact that Hannah still goes back to her Manila home every two weeks and that she’s worried about being in places without her Mom knowing. It’s distinctly Filipino for college kids to still be under the watchful eyes of parents/guardians

 “I’ve been calling you Original Goddess.” , and the entirety of Hannah’s witty narrative.

 And watch out for the red herring called Denise Cabral. I thought I figured it all at a quarter in in Book 3, but no. The plot twist goes deeper and better and it was delicious!

What I love most about this has got to be Hannah’s journey from the seemingly ordinary Manila girl to what she ultimately becomes after, when the dust settles. I love that everything she does is her choice, that she is given powers, options, and time to think it all through. I love that despite the magnificent and uncanny situations she is thrust into, the tests she have to pass, she stays true to her heart; and that in the end, in the grand finale of it all, the unusual happily ever after she is rightfully given, satisfies the confusions and kiligs she has been through in all three books. Hannah Maquiling is a subtle heroine, yes, but a powerful, well rounded heroine, nonetheless.

5 of 5 Stars. LYF is still my all-time favourite Mina V. Esguerra book, but this is a close second. I’ve heard that this book is an assignment reading to some students and let me just say that they’re so lucky if this is what needs to be read for school. It’s light but compelling, and fun but also deep. And it’s so relatable, OMG. Haha! ;)

Also, I want moar. Like, separate trilogies for Diego, Vida and Sol. XD *demanding

BLURB

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.  INTERIM GODDESS OF LOVE: 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.)  QUEEN OF THE CLUELESS: If you've been feeling neglected by the Goddess of Love lately, don't worry -- Hannah Maquiling, college sophomore, is in training to take over. The Original Goddess is missing, but Hannah is Interim Goddess now, and she should figure out how to solve humanity's love problems soon. Quin (God of the Sun) is still her mentor, still really hot, but apparently isn't as honest about his other earthly relationships as she thought. It's frustrating, and enough to make her check out possibilities with Diego (God of the Sea) and Robbie (Cute Human).  In the meantime, she's decided to spend some of her precious training time helping to break up a relationship, instead of putting one together. Why? Because the girl in question happens to be her best friend Sol, whose boyfriend is stealing not just from her, but from other people on campus. Sol didn't exactly summon the Goddess, but this is what power over Love is for, right? Surely it's not just about matchmaking, but ending doomed relationships too. (Even when it's not what people want.)  ICON OF THE INDECISIVE: College student Hannah Maquiling, also temporarily working as the Goddess of Love, has had enough of everyone asking for her help when it comes to relationships. It's her turn to find romance! She deserves it, after serving as matchmaker and confidant to everyone else in Ford River College for the past year. She's had a crush on handsome senior (and God of the Sun) Quin forever, but he's destined to fall in love with an extraordinary mortal woman, so she's figured her chances with him have pretty much dropped to zero.  It's not like she doesn't have any options for a classic college romance though. There's Diego, God of the Sea and Quin's best friend/enemy. And regular guy Robbie is stepping up, making sure she knows how he feels about her. How hard can it be for a goddess to find someone to love, and be loved in return

BUY LINKS

Ebook:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Interim-Goddess-Love-Complete-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00IAV7ZT0

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/interim-goddess-of-love-mina-v-esguerra/1125515690

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/interim-goddess-of-love-the-complete-trilogy

Print Book:

BookDepository: https://www.bookdepository.com/Interim-Goddess-of-Love-Min-V-Esguerr/9781490962290

*Amazon and Barnes & Noble have paperback editions too!

*I got my own print copy from Mina herself. I haven’t asked her to sign it yet because, what else?, I forgot to ask her. LOL

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mina V. Esguerra writes contemporary romance, young adult, and new adult novellas. Through her blog Publishing in Pajamas (minavesguerra.com), she documents her experiments in publishing.  When not writing romance, she is president of communications firm Bronze Age Media, development communication consultant, indie publisher, professional editor, wife, and mother. She created the workshop series “Author at Once” for writers and publishers, and #romanceclass for aspiring romance writers.  Her young adult/fantasy trilogy Interim Goddess of Love is a college love story featuring gods from Philippine mythology. Her contemporary romance novellas won the Filipino Readers’ Choice awards for Chick Lit in 2012 (Fairy Tale Fail) and 2013 (That Kind of Guy). 

Author Page: http://minavesguerra.com/

P.S.

I just realized I have Freshman Girl and Junior Guy (An IGoL short story) on Kindle while writing this review, and omg, be still, my heart…