Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tábon

The Janus Silang blog tour kicks off today, and I was eager to join this event because it’s an exciting new series for young Filipino readers, and I was quite curious to read it myself.

The Janus Silang series is Edgar Calabia Samar’s first foray into YA. Published by Adarna House, the first book “Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tabon” is set to launch this May, with bookstore tours slated on May 10 at National Book Store SM North and May 17 at National Book Store Glorietta 5.

This first book introduces us to Janus Silang, the thirteen-year old hero of the series. Obsessed with the RPG game TALA Online, Janus joins the biggest tournament in the town of Balanga, and is horrified to find the contenders have died while playing the game — all except him. Even stranger, the same incident has been reported to have happened at computer shops all across the country. Janus is bewildered by this bizarre turn of events, and is even more perplexed when he is contacted by a mysterious Joey, who claims to have also survived the game. Janus discovers that his favorite RPG is more than just a game; it is tied into the legend of the Tiyanak from Tabon, and Joey has a bigger role to play in the quest for the elusive Tala.

I read the novel in practically one sitting (admittedly not easy for me, as I read considerably slower in Filipino)  —  it was everything I had hoped it would be.

I loved the character of Janus Silang, mostly because he came across as a living, breathing Filipino boy. Series heroes tend so often to be idealized, but I like how Janus isn’t — he’s no model student; he cusses like a sailor; he constantly gets into trouble because of his obsessive gaming; he’s tried gambling, smoking, and even a few beers. While he’s caught up in TALA Online, Janus also has some very real concerns: the eagerness to receive that special first “real” kiss from his crush Mica, longing for a better relationship with his father, even the desire to be a better role model for his little brother. The reader gets to know Janus pretty well in this first novel, and his credibility as a character makes the story all too real, amping up its emotional pull.

While I’m more into casual and tabletop games than RPG, I found the concept of TALA to be impressive. The way Janus describes TALA, from the character selection to gameplay and strategy, makes it easy to understand how immersive the experience is Janus and makes me want to play the game myself (tie-in app, please?). I also like how the novel deftly weaves in Philippine mythology into the RPG, with the bagani and pusong as the hero characters, the nuno and diwata as spirit  guides (anito), and a selection of fantastic creatures as the boss character for every level.

Story-wise, the plot moves along at a good pace. Initially, the reader puzzles over the mystery along with Janus, and as we get deeper into the story, it gets deliciously darker, progressing into a satisfyingly horrific turn of events. I have no qualms in saying I loved every gory bit of it – the feel is reminiscent of YA horror master Darren Shan (“Cirque du Freak” and “Demonata”) – and I daresay its target audience will, too!

Finally, I love how the book looks — great print quality and lovely paper, and the cover design by Borg Sinaban looks like it could give the Percy Jackson series a run for its money (the Janus Silang logo: cool beans!).I do hope we see the mythological creatures in the covers for succeeding installments, and that the next books match this one (there is nothing more frustrating than a mismatched set!).

Janus Silang is off to an awesome start,  and I look forward to reading his next adventures.

***

Si Janus Silang at ang Tiyanak ng Tabon, paperback, 4.5/5 stars (review copy).

Available in bookstores this May for P175.