A great debut that stars a Filipino-inspired YA fantasy novel with a magic system connected with tides, storms, and winds. The women with magic get their power from the goddess they pray to. This is a Colonialism 16th century story well-researched and interesting ya. The characters are interesting, it's very rich in lore, folklore, and culture and I loved that Lunurin is a stormcaster.
The rawness of the first chapters of this book will tell you if this is, or not, the read for you.
The part where women are mistreated and seen as properties of males is infuriating but historically accurate.
I listened to the audio and the narrator was perfect for this book.

This was truly a story unlike one I’ve ever read. The premise and the setting were completely captivating and the author did a wonderful job at blending fantasy with real life problems.

I appreciated all of the Filipino culture tied into the story, but felt that it was delivered in a way that was confusing in the beginning as I wasn’t familiar with the terms.

I also really liked the idea of the magic system, but I do wish that it was explained a little better in the beginning of the book to make things more clear. It took a little bit to understand it all, but once I did I really liked this aspect of the story.

Read this if you like:
→ Filipino lore and mythology
→ Elemental magic
→ Found family
→ Marriage of convenience

I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me an advance audio copy in exchange for my honest review.

I fully loved being able to experience this world with the audio book and hear the words and names pronounced by the narrator. As an American reader I do not feel I would have done as much justice to pronouncing the names as well as they did so i felt I was more able to immerse myself into the story through the narration.

I loved exploring the environment and reading as the main character, Lunurin, works to control her unwieldable power. The Philippines is a gorgeous country and one I have had the opportunity to learn a little about through some family ties. This book helped me to better understand some of the struggles of their nation's past even if it is through the lens of a fantasy read, There are still tones of colonialism and Spanish rule as well as the role of the Church and faith on the island nation.

This book feels as though it could belong on the same shelf with The Hurricane Was by Thea Guanzon.

This book was a 5 star for me. I loved the characters and the magic system. It had some spice but it wasn't overwhelming. The narrators of the audiobook were perfect. I'm very picky with narrators and this book had the perfect ones. I loved the story from the very first chapter. I can't wait to devour more books by Gabriella Buba.

I would like to thank NetGalley for giving me an audio-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a sucker for a good mythology, and this book delivered. I loved the gods and the way the magic system worked (it might've been slightly confusing every once in a while but overall I found it unique and well written). Not only was there a unique and interesting magic system, you have themes of anti colonialism that are addressed as well as what it means to be in a toxic relationship, both with your religion and with someone else.

(minor spoilers ahead, but nothing that will ruin your experience)
I mean, at one point I was screaming at Lunurin that Cat was just a giant walking red flag from page one. I hated the way Cat talked both to Lunurin about the old gods and about her own religion. However, that toxicity was so well written that I found myself physically angry to the point where I had to pause reading just to collect myself.

The writing was amazing, the audio narrators were amazing (I mean, COME ON IT'S PRINCE ZUKO!! How could he NOT be absolutely amazing??), but overall I both enjoyed this one and hung on to every word.

Actual Rating: 4.5 stars

I was in love with the Filipino culture that was entwined with this story. It also gives a bit of context of the time Spain colonized the Philippines. While I liked the audiobook, I definitely feel like I would love it more reading it on my own. But I highly recommend! Amazing characters, setting is amazing, and the narrator really pulls you into the story.

I really enjoyed this book! As a reader I love exploring new perspectives in diverse reads and this was a great read being Filipino inspired. The colonialism in this book and some aspects can be triggering, so it’s important to read the trigger warnings and put your own mental health first, I of course have very few triggers and felt this story was dark, but inspired. The book felt well researched and well written.

I think the narrator of this book did a good job and told the story well.

4.5 Stars
I loved this book so much - it was amazing to get so much Filipino culture in this, and bonus points for having Dante Basco as the narrator for the male MC, Alon! Lunarin was so badass and I loved her character growth and I was rooting for her and Alon the whole time (probably even more so because he was voiced by Dante Basco, did I mention that already? lol). However, I was not a fan of Cat, especially at the end (IYKYK)!! I enjoyed the exploration into colonialism and the history of that in the Philippines, especially with it just being the Philippine's 126th independence Day from Spain this month. I will say that I definitely enjoyed this way more because I'm Filipino and this uses a lot of terms I was already familiar with but could be confusing for others. Adding this one to my favourite's!

Thank you NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for the ARC!

4/5 stars

I really enjoyed reading something that was Filipino inspired and that delved deep into the impact of colonization. Although the first few chapters felt a little slow paced, there was a lot that happens after that keeps you on your toes. I will admit I almost didn't finish because I greatly disliked Catalina. I was excited to see bisexuality represented, but I was very much rooting for Alon and Lunurin. The magic system took some getting used to, and it could be explained better, but it was very fascinating.

I highly recommend this book for fans of diverse characters, morally grey MCs, and unique fantasy worlds.

Thank you to Netgalley and Spotify Audiobooks for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.

The writing was doing a great job of setting up the story all round, the world building was very coherent. The author had great insight into the world they were creating and were able to dive deep into description about places and characters to give the readers a full view. I really enjoyed the set up and can see that this was going to be an epic tale.

However, certain events that occur (involving a young girl and a preist) made me stop and I had to go away from the book for a few days. I just couldn't get past it to finish the book.

This is my opinion only, and the events stirred something in me that was very confronting and uncomfortable. I know books are made for this but I just couldn't get past that. This is in no way a comment on the author or novel, it is my personal perspective.

Thank you to NetGalley and Spotify Audiobooks for the ALC of Saints of Storm and Sorrow!

To save who she holds dear, Lunurin gives up the life she has known for the last ten years of serving as a novice nun. In doing so she embraces her identity as a stormcaller and the chosen daughter of the Aynilan goddess Anitun Tabu and sets in motion an uprising against the Christian colonizers of her people.

This took a while to get in to. The magic system was a little hard to follow and the introductory chapter was incredibly confusing without having any contextual clues. It definitely would have been better served as a flashback instead of the introduction to the story. Overall I felt the story was rather uneven. I think this was partly a conscious choice as the goddess is trying to overtake her and Lunurin struggles to tell what are her motivations and what are the goddess's but it kept happening despite the dampers everyone was throwing on Lunurin's power. I also felt that the book had a seismic shift once Lunurin was in Alon's house that had no precedence in the rest of the story. Lunurin's relationship with Catalina was weird because even at the beginning of the book Cat was undeserving of any sort of affection from Lunurin but she continued to be devoted to her in spite of rational thought.

I enjoyed the parts that were narrated by Danice Cabanela far more than the sections narrated by Dante Basco.

Overall I enjoyed the uniqueness of the story but felt sections could have been stronger.

Listening to the audio ARC was rally difficult with this title. Maybe the book will have some information such as a character list, map, ... I was very confused and I want to listen to this so much! I will try again when we get the actual book in the library.

I am of two minds about "Saints of Storm and Sorrow." On the one hand, I have to acknowledge that my reception of the work is influenced by the fact that I often only graze summaries when they are substantial in length as they normally give away more than I'd like. If I had properly read the summary, I would have been warned that an story/character trait I don't normally enjoy was going to be a significant factor. I still would have given things the benefit of doubt though as despite here being nods to romance in the description it was categorized primarily as fantasy/scifi. However, this is most certainly very easily slotted into the 'romantasy' subgenre that has risen in popularity of late.

So in all fairness to the work, I believe it is only right to split the parts of this story in two. Now, you may argue that for a book to be truly successful it should work for readers of all genres. I disagree. To have such a broad appeal is a VERY high bar to set, and as I'm a stingy reviewer in some ways, one that did that when it didn't have a factor that automatically tries my patience would probably still be more of a 'four star' read. Recognizing that my own bias is not likely to be someone else's I don't care for the simple sight of a 'three' to deter anyone from a work that does have some very good elements--those that were found in the world and culture of the book, the 'fantasy' half of that genre category.

The world of Aynila is heavily based in Filipino history. While I have read a lot about the conquests of colonization and conversion in Japan, Macau, and South America, this was a total blind spot to me. The patterns and tactics were familiar. I really enjoyed the spirit of a culture being reclaimed. I also appreciated the levels of social-political-industrial matters it dipped into. The book also gave me a peek into certain traditions and creatures of folklore. If anything, I wish we had more scenes akin to one early on where Maria risks a daring rescue.

The second thing I enjoyed was the magic system. I admit, I didn't always understand its boundaries. The possibilities created, however, were tantalizing. I particularly enjoyed the thought of someone's presence and touch itself could be grounding, centering, and in its own way empowering.

Unfortunately, this book also deals with jealous and a love triangle that usually is found handled like this in a slightly younger target audience category. Now, it is not impossible for a love triangle to feel compelling. It is not impossible to have jealousy be complicated and a warranted element. The problem is the severity of Cat's reactions is so extreme that it feels almost careless for a book that otherwise deals with relationships an interpersonal dynamics so well.

The problem is perspective. Because of where we enter the story, it would be reasonable to have Cat have years of suspicion, a slow growing jealousy, and understandable combination of circumstance and own self loathing to create a multiple layered character. But where as it's easy to see in this situation, or in life, where someone might be blind to another's blatantly toxic behavior, we are never privy to the version of Cat Maria once knew outside of her just insisting they had this wonderful bond. and by the third or fourth time Maria tries to tame Cat's jealousy, instead of showing a fraction of the faith that Maria has in her, Cat always jumps to the worst possible reaction. It makes it harder and harder to even see a scrap of what Maria might find redeemable.

Now, one thing I will say it did well was Alon's own reactions. There were so many levels of consent. There was a general care, and even self sacrificing and recognizing and permission that their desires were not always the same. Except he was not immune to anger. It is a simple nuance such as that which makes him feel like a more realistic character whereas Cat comes off more as a caricature, a device.

In the end, I found the world and concepts appealing. There were some characters I greatly enjoyed. I would have liked to see the magic more explored and I do hope there is a map in the print edition. I also have to hand it to Danice Cabanela for a wonderful performance. She handled the lead beautifully. For me, this was a decent read. however, for a more apt audience, this could be much more enjoyable.

The world of Saints of Storm and Sorrow is so vividly depicted and so well-established as a Filipino-Based Fantasy setting. It all feels so authentic to the terrible real world history of colonization. And from all of this history, I get the anger of the Aynilan goddess Anitun Tabu, who gives our FMC, María Lunurin, her powers that make her a stormcaller. The hunting down of all people with magical powers and Lunurin’s desire to remain hidden and tamp down on her power in order to survive all resonate so well.

There is some great lesbian and bi representation in the story with Cat and Lunurin, respectively. And there was a lot of self-hatred for Cat as she wrestled with her identity versus the Catholic teachings of the colonizers. The drama that ensues from this was entertaining and really drove Lunurin’s anger and drive to be rid of the people that took over their lands. On the other side of the love interests is Alon, the son of the highest ranking Filipino official, and someone who is also blessed with powers from a deity. They end up married due to a marriage of convenience/to save Lunurin’s life and how their relationship develops from there is fantastic.

The magic system is a little nebulous, but still very enjoyable and many of the side characters blend into the background, likely because the main characters stand out so much more.

I listened to the audiobook for this story and love how the two narrators were able to distinguish our two POVs of Lunurin and Alon. I never found myself lost during POV changes which can always be a challenge with audiobooks. They brought the world to life so well.

3.5 rounded up.

Bit of mixed feelings on this.
I really liked the premise and representation.

Myths I haven’t heard much of before.

Filipino inspired goddesses and magic people that fight colonialism and religious fanaticism. Lulurin is a storm caller hiding from her goddess as a nun, life is tough but she has made a family that she loves and tries to protect when circumstances require her storm calling powers and bring the goddess to her.

I loved that Lulurin is bi, and that the powers to fight are religious and colonialistic and the love story between her and Alon was slow burn and sweet.

What I struggled with was some plot holes with the magic system and the pacing was unbalanced-leaving me really enjoying some parts and wishing it was over in some sections.
The authors note was a highlight as well I really liked learning about how and why she wrote the story.

As a debut it was pretty good and I’d love to see more from the author.

Thanks to netgalley and Spotify audiobooks for an advanced listening copy.

I wanted to love this so much, and there were parts of it that I latched onto tenaciously, but it just didn’t hold up against the barrage of my curiosity.

I loved the Filipino-inspired pantheon of Goddesses, the magic system drawing upon the environment, and the goal of fighting back against colonialism/imperialism (particularly against weaponized religious conversion). I loved that the main character is bisexual and that she cares fiercely for her found family.

The magic system was bizarre and didn’t seem to follow its own rules. If the Tide-touched needed tongues to sing forth the waves, why does Alon never sing and how can a person with no tongue still perform healing magic? If Lulurin’s magic is controlled by her hair (??) then why are her volatile emotions causing storms and wreaking havoc? It’s not like being angry or having an orgasm affects your hair??

The timeline is also kind of warped, which messes with the pacing. In order to make sense with the construction of the bridge, the acquisition and use of building materials, and the steady buildup of revolution, the story would have had to take place over the course of months but honestly I have no idea how much time passed between the wedding and the ending.

And one of the major betrayals/“twists” is telegraphed pretty much from page one because that character is toxic AF.

For the audiobook specifically, the male narrator was difficult to understand (words weren’t very clearly enunciated, which made them almost slur together at higher playback speeds) and the two narrators pronounced the main characters’ names differently - which shouldn’t have made it past initial recording. Danice Cabanela (female narrator) was fantastic and did a great job differentiating all the characters and bringing the story to life.

Let me start by saying that Saints of Storm and Sorrow is a masterpiece! Hands down one of the best debut books I’ve ever read Gabriella Buba does an amazing job writing a world with interesting characters, magic, and how colonization affects the native inhabitants. This book really made me emotionally invested in the journey Lunurin takes to not only accept who she is but also help her people break the chains of the Codicíans suppression. The magic system is interesting as to there are the tide-touched, fire tenders, and storm callers each having their own goddess that helps protect their people. What I found really interesting is that with each type of magic, there is a physical aspect that helps them draw their powers.

Throughout the book, there was one character that I slowly started to despise and that was Cat, at first I wanted to root for Lunurin and Cat but while reading I saw how toxic Cat became and I wanted her GONE. Seeing the relationship of Alon and Lunurin was sweet and they were end game for me once I saw just how much Alon loved her even after he realized she was using him for her own gain. One thing that shocked me and surprised me the most was that neither Lunurin nor Alon died in the end, there were close calls and I honestly thought that one of them was going to die by the end of the book but I was pleasantly surprised that was not the case.

While Saints of Storm and Sorrow ended well (with no big cliffhangers) there’s a small hope that another book be part of the series. The note that Alon’s dad left him opens that option up to what might happen in the future, but this book is amazing by itself and I loved every part of it.

I think that Danice Cabanela and Dante Basco as narrators were the best chose for Saints of Storm and Sorrow. A++ performance from both of them!!