Bookbed reviews: ‘Kingdom Cold’ by Brittni Chenelle

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THE STORY Attempted murder, that’s how sixteen-year-old Princess Charlotte’s engagement starts. It seems like the only thing she has in common with Prince Young of Vires is their mutual discontent. When her kingdom’s attacked, Charlotte’s parents renegotiate her hand in marriage to a handsome stranger with a sinister plan. With the people Charlotte loves dying around her, and her kingdom’s future at stake, the only person she can turn to is the prince she betrayed. But, should she save her kingdom or her heart? One must fall. Get a copy: Amazon / Read reviews: Goodreads WHAT I LIKED The racial…

Bookbed reviews: ‘A Story About Cancer With a Happy Ending’ by India Desjardins, Marianne Ferrer

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by KB Meniado THE STORY I think about everything I’ll miss if they tell me I’m going to die . . . my mom, my dad, my sister, cookies, TV shows I’ll never get to see the end of, walking outside when it’s really nice, the smell of fall, the starry sky on a full moon, my grandparents, my grandpa’s lasagna, kissing Victor, Victor’s eyes, Victor’s voice, Victor’s smell, Victor’s hands . . . Victor. A teenage girl heads towards the hospital waiting room where the doctors are going to tell her how much time she’s got to live. As…

Bookbed reviews: ‘Quinn and the Metropolis (The Metropolis Series, #1)’ by Jay Pillerva

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by KB Meniado THE STORY QUINN VASQUEZ has problems with her romantic life. No biggie. It’s just like your average teenage drama. But what if you suddenly have these monsters that begin popping out of nowhere, and suddenly, poof! They’re gone, and everyone goes about their lives like nothing happened. As these strange happenings begin to unfold, why does it feel like time has been repeating itself over and over again? Most importantly, where did those monsters come from? As everything begins to spiral out of control, Quinn kisses her normal high school life goodbye. She becomes a fugitive and…

Bookbed reviews: ‘Beyond Light and Darkness: A Kathbute Anthology’

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by KB Meniado THE STORY The 11 stories in this anthology showcase the interpretations of the Kathbute writers to the theme of light and darkness in the genres of Romance, Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Mystery. The Watch Repairman’s Son – H. Bentham Can I Stay? – Nigel Libranages Potion Lunacy – Irina Jean Etienne and Amelie – Johanna Lee The Man in Between – Trix Luna The Time Banker – Raine Rillera The Trial of the Tainted – Trix Luna Word Wisp – AlaraChan IDA Allegro – RK Sanchez Thirty-Seven – Yelle Felicenny Darker Than Night – AlaraChan IDA Read…

Bookbed reviews: ‘Ekspedisyon: Biyahe sa Nakaraan’ edited by Cindy Dela Cruz

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by Gaelle Ansaldo THE STORY Tara, roadtrip tayo! Lakbayin natin ang nakaraan. Ating ungkatin ang mga nakatagong kuwento at… mga sikretong matagal mo nang kinalimutan. Malayo-layo ‘to, marami kang masasakyan: motor, tricycle, jeep, tren, eroplano,  tangke de gyera karo ng patay. Bakit kamo? Para makausad na tayong muli sa kasalukuyan. Get a copy: 8Letters, Bookbed Store / Read reviews: Goodreads WHAT I LIKED This is an anthology of stories of various authors, and each story has a different theme. Some spoke of the realities one realizes growing up, and others talk about the emotions they felt realizing the truths they discovered. I honestly struggled reading…

Bookbed reviews: ‘To the Sun, Moon, and Stars’ by Cariza Opana

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by Agnes Manalo THE STORY To the Sun, Moon, and Stars, written by Cariza Opana and illustrated by Ellé Om, is a collection of poetry and prose that reads as letters meant to be sent to the skies and diary entries stored and locked in cages we all keep in our hearts.  This book talks about holding on and letting go, of becoming and unbecoming, of struggling, yet still going, and finally, of one’s self journey on the road towards healing. Get a copy: Amazon (ebook), author’s website (print) / Read reviews: Goodreads WHAT I LIKED I liked this part of the…

Bookbed reviews: ‘America Is Not The Heart’ by Elaine Castillo

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by Twila Bergania I have to admit that it took me a while to finish this book. I was convinced, after meeting Elaine at her book launch presented by National Bookstore, that I will be able to finish the book in two weeks, that I would not be able to put it down, and that I would be spending sleepless nights poring through the pages. But surprisingly, this book took longer for me to finish—not just because I’m a busy person (I write for a living too) but also because it was just so good. I would liken Elaine Castillo’s…

Bookbed reviews: ‘It’s A Question of Space’ by Clayton C. Anderson

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by KB Meniado Like many others, I’m fascinated by space travel. I imagine what it would be like to not be in this planet at least once a day (I’m sure you too). So bless all these astronaut and cosmonauts writing about their experiences—I get to vicariously fly through the atmosphere and live in zero gravity! THE STORY Having spent over 150 days on his first tour of the International Space Station, it’s safe to say that Clayton C. Anderson knows a thing or two about space travel. Now retired and affectionately known as “Astro Clay” by his many admirers…

Bookbed reviews: ‘Chroma Hearts’ by Mayumi Cruz

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by KB Meniado THE STORY Can love triumph over all—even catatonic depression? Can love defeat everything—even a diabolical evil? A new bride suffering from catatonia. A determined husband trying to break through the black pit in which her brain escaped to. And a ruthless abomination who will stop at nothing to tear them apart. Melvin and Erica are childhood sweethearts. Theirs is a love nurtured through the years. Everything is perfect. They are on the road to their happily ever after. Until their love is put to a series of tests: trials of fire. Erica is brutally assaulted, left for…

Bookbed reviews: ‘What Kind of Day’ by Mina V. Esguerra (plus an interview!)

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by KB Meniado THE STORY It’s a bad day for Ben. After years of earnest work, he’s been fired from his job as a speechwriter for a Philippine senator. Name tarnished and bridges burned, he steps into what he thinks is a shuttle ride home, and accidentally joins a tour of his own city.  It was supposed to be a good day for Naya. Her passion is traveling, her hobby is discovering cool things to see and do, and taking people on tours of Metro Manila is her only job right now. An extra person at the last minute isn’t…