{Series Review}: Interim Goddess of Love Trilogy by Mina Esguerra
icon of the indecisive Saturday, August 03, 2013
by Mina V. Esguerra
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary / Fantasy
Publisher: Bright Girl Books
Publication date: January 14, 2012
Source: Copy from author (Thanks Mina!)
Author's website | GoodReads
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.)
by Mina V. Esguerra
Genre: Young
Adult Contemporary / Fantasy
Publisher: Bright Girl Books
Publisher: Bright Girl Books
Publication date: January 14, 2012
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.)
by Mina V. Esguerra
Genre: Young
Adult Contemporary / Fantasy
Publisher: Bright Girl Books
Publisher: Bright Girl Books
Publication date: January 14, 2012
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?
In the Interim Goddess of Love trilogy, Filipina college student Hannah Maquiling is tasked to perform the duties of the Original Goddess of Love while she's gone away without leave. The God of the Sun, a handsome senior student as of the moment at Hannah's school, believes Hannah has what it takes to substitute Original Goddess for the time being. As she learns the ropes of this whole Interim Goddess thing, Hannah's faced with producing happy-ever-afters, an old & ancient sibling war, a decided destiny, friendship conflicts, and her own, inner teenage-girl love problems.
Good points:
1. Hannah's a very complex but easy-to-relate-to character. She's sarcastic, witty, and mature. I love reading through her thoughts because it gives me the "Hey... you're actually right" and "I KNOW RIGHT" reactions. Sometimes I would want to slap her but then I'd love her decisions in the end. I could easily emphatize with her and she'll be forever stuck in my heart.
2. The plot's interesting and it's set in my own country so what's not to like. I get this whole 4D feel of the story. And also, the college school drama was portrayed well. Unrequited love, campus queens clash, basketball varsity love interests, parties, first romance, "I like" and "I dislike" professors. [Also, I'm TEAM ROBBIE!]
3. The stories were straightforward, no inessential plot fillers or anything. There wasn't a scene where I was disinterested.
3. The last parts of the story because ASDKGHKLFJSLD it was perfect. I, seriously & honestly, couldn't ask for anything different. It was just... ... ...no word could possibly describe it.
Not-so good points:
1. I was expecting a more vivid picture of the Philippines as it's not so common of a setting. Sadly, I didn't get enough. Although, the Pinoy culture references were nice (food, traditions, characteristics). It added more identity to the book's setting and feel.
2. There was a lack of the more-fantasy side of the books. I understand that though, with them being more in the contemporary genre. It wasn't because the romance was overwhelming, it just really fell short in that aspect.
3. Some parts of the story were a little confusing (esp. the dreams). It wasn't until the end that everything pieced together. However, there were still some unclear parts.
4. The books were short. I needed more!
THE NUB AND GIST: 4 STARS
