Author: Chris Mariano
Title: Cover (Story) Girl
Place Published: Manila, Philippines
Publisher: Christelle Rhodamae Mariano
Year Published: 2013
No. of Pages: 131 Pages (Print Version)
Price: US$0.99
Place Bought: Amazon
+Girl.jpg)
Cover illustration and design by Miguel Calvan
Chris Mariano, in her first self-published novella Cover (Story) Girl, shows how a Philippine-based koreanovela can be told well through the power of words.
Her story is set in Boracay, known for its white sand beaches and all-night parties. But this isn’t a story about clubbing, flings, and other typical Boracay stuff. Instead, it begins with Gio, head curator of his family-owned Boracay Heritage Museum.
Gio is busy preparing for an exhibition when a group of Korean tourists enter the museum for a photo shoot. Among them is a girl in blue: the pretty, pixie-like, and cream-skinned Jang Min Hee. Gio finds her attractive, but is put-off by her prima donna attitude. He scolds her for moving boxes of materials he is in the process of cataloguing. In return, she calls him “Boring” and “Mr. Museum.”
As Gio walks alongside the beach after buying calamansi muffins for his grandmother the next day, he spies Min Hee drinking at one of the nearby bars. He says ‘Hi,’ and the two talk. She complains about how bored she is now that she’s done everything there is to do in Boracay. Gio begs to differ, so Min Hee asks him to personally organize a tour for her. Inadvertently, Gio agrees.
So begins the duo’s Boracay adventures, the beginning of romance, the revelation of secrets, and the ultimate drama of whether or not they will end up together in the end.
Review:
Chris Mariano, author of Cover (Story) Girl
I didn’t read the synopsis of Cover (Story) Girl before reading the novella itself, so I was pleasantly surprised that the leading lady was Korean. As an avid fan of K-pop and K-dramas, the story’s premise immediately interested me.
As part of Ayala Museum’s curatorial team, and being quite introverted and serious by nature, I found it easy to relate to Gio throughout the story. I appreciate that this story was written from the point of view of a guy, and a shy one at that—not some hunk who could get any girl in a snap. This made the story more realistic, down to earth, and inspiring.
I also enjoyed how the novella gave me a different look at Boracay, showing had plenty of culture, nature, and was more than just a party place. It also gave me a glimpse of how Boracay is to the people that live and make a living there.
Despite being written in koreanovella format, Chris Mariano kept the twists to a minimum. This gives the story adequate pacing that isn’t too slow (boring) or fast (jarring). And the ending is just amazingly classic K-drama stuff.
If I had one quip about Cover (Story) Girl, it would be that it started really slow. Chris took plenty of care in establishing Gio’s character and the Boracay setting in which he lived, and for me it was perhaps a little too overdone.
Nevertheless, this novella is fun, detailed, and well-written—and a special gem for Filipino fans of Korean pop culture.
My Rating:
4.5 out of 5
Title: Cover (Story) Girl
Place Published: Manila, Philippines
Publisher: Christelle Rhodamae Mariano
Year Published: 2013
No. of Pages: 131 Pages (Print Version)
Price: US$0.99
Place Bought: Amazon
+Girl.jpg)
Cover illustration and design by Miguel Calvan
Chris Mariano, in her first self-published novella Cover (Story) Girl, shows how a Philippine-based koreanovela can be told well through the power of words.
Her story is set in Boracay, known for its white sand beaches and all-night parties. But this isn’t a story about clubbing, flings, and other typical Boracay stuff. Instead, it begins with Gio, head curator of his family-owned Boracay Heritage Museum.
Gio is busy preparing for an exhibition when a group of Korean tourists enter the museum for a photo shoot. Among them is a girl in blue: the pretty, pixie-like, and cream-skinned Jang Min Hee. Gio finds her attractive, but is put-off by her prima donna attitude. He scolds her for moving boxes of materials he is in the process of cataloguing. In return, she calls him “Boring” and “Mr. Museum.”
As Gio walks alongside the beach after buying calamansi muffins for his grandmother the next day, he spies Min Hee drinking at one of the nearby bars. He says ‘Hi,’ and the two talk. She complains about how bored she is now that she’s done everything there is to do in Boracay. Gio begs to differ, so Min Hee asks him to personally organize a tour for her. Inadvertently, Gio agrees.
So begins the duo’s Boracay adventures, the beginning of romance, the revelation of secrets, and the ultimate drama of whether or not they will end up together in the end.
Review:
Chris Mariano, author of Cover (Story) Girl
I didn’t read the synopsis of Cover (Story) Girl before reading the novella itself, so I was pleasantly surprised that the leading lady was Korean. As an avid fan of K-pop and K-dramas, the story’s premise immediately interested me.
As part of Ayala Museum’s curatorial team, and being quite introverted and serious by nature, I found it easy to relate to Gio throughout the story. I appreciate that this story was written from the point of view of a guy, and a shy one at that—not some hunk who could get any girl in a snap. This made the story more realistic, down to earth, and inspiring.
I also enjoyed how the novella gave me a different look at Boracay, showing had plenty of culture, nature, and was more than just a party place. It also gave me a glimpse of how Boracay is to the people that live and make a living there.
Despite being written in koreanovella format, Chris Mariano kept the twists to a minimum. This gives the story adequate pacing that isn’t too slow (boring) or fast (jarring). And the ending is just amazingly classic K-drama stuff.
If I had one quip about Cover (Story) Girl, it would be that it started really slow. Chris took plenty of care in establishing Gio’s character and the Boracay setting in which he lived, and for me it was perhaps a little too overdone.
Nevertheless, this novella is fun, detailed, and well-written—and a special gem for Filipino fans of Korean pop culture.
My Rating:
4.5 out of 5
Thank you for introducing this book to me! While I've never been one for romance novels (or koreanovelas), the fact that this was written by a Filipino, and self-published makes me want to really really really support it. =)
ReplyDeleteWere you able to contact Chris with your review? I'm sure she'd love to hear from her readers!
YAY VERNE!
Hi Najee! It's a great read. Chris and I are connected on social media, so I've informed her and she's read my post. :)
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