Series: Interim Goddess of Love #1
Author: Mina V. Esguerra
Int’l Edition
Source: own copy
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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.)
My Thoughts:
It’s actually my first time reading a fantasy/ contemporary romance YA novella by a Filipino author and I absolutely liked it! Though it’s not my first time reading a Mina V. Esguerra novel.
The plot in itself is very simple. It took some little time getting used to old Filipino myths incorporated to the story wherein the setting is also here in the Philippines. This is because I am more accustomed to US/European settings with different myth origins. Anyway, Interim Goddess of Love first caught my attention some time last year when I’ve read some reviews about it and I saw it around the bookstores here in the Philippines. Finally, when I saw the new cover of the books, I ordered the two books from the author’s site. Two days after receiving the books, I was finished. It was worth it.
The story is about Hannah, an ordinary college student who started to be friends with a really hot handsome guy (and yes of course, she eventually fell for him, duh! lol) whose name is Quin (as in Joaquin). Turns out, Quin is the god of the sun, and currently they’re looking for a temporary goddess of love as she has gone AWOL...and he picked out Hannah. And now, she is in training, and is currently having her “first project”. That can determine if she’s fit for the job..or not.
What I liked about the story is its simplicity, short length, easy read and lovely characters. Hannah is not hard to like, but there are times when she’s impossible to understand too. Quin is the guys we all know and love, and despite the quiet demeanor, and wise words, he’s still charming in his own way. The title of the novella is pretty cool too and very captivating. The only problem I had with Interim is at times it tends to be unclear and facts are foggy. I was clueless most of the time, especially in the beginning because the foundation of the basic story was not very clear yet. And I found Hannah’s “first project” to be so cheesy and super not that challenging. I was expecting a heavier load for them.
But overall, it was a fun, quick read. :)
Series: Interim Goddess of Love #2
Author: Mina V. Esguerra
Int’l Edition
Source: own copy
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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.)
My Thoughts:
I’m going to keep this sweet and short. :) I loved Queen of the Clueless more than I did the first book. Probably because I found the plot to be more promising, and that the problem posed in the story is more challenging (somewhat). I mean, there are actually two ongoing dilemmas Hannah is facing and balancing (barely), and I find them more substantive. Especially since there’s a hidden mystery waiting to be solved in the book. That was exciting and it stirred up my brain cells a bit. Plus, the characters are getting more and more interesting, as more things about them are revealed. The writing is also better, and I found the plot just more interesting and less cheesy.
I can’t wait for the last book in the series: Icon of the Indecisive.
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