3 - Never Were They Myth In The First Place

The world ended. It was not because of a comet, prophecy, natural disaster or whatever garbage foretold on the internet, but because every myth ever written turned out to be an account of historical fact. These monsters we’ve read about as children waged a war that lead to the human race’s downfall. And the unlucky who survived are hunted down or, worse, tortured. 

In these dark times, people could only turn to the Shepherd for help. I am one such Shepherd and I thought my only task was to protect the few humans who still thrived on this desolate world. But when I rescued Dorian from Dwende captivity, I discovered that not only is he the most dangerous thing to have around, but he could be our one hope for redemption. I now find myself protecting a born killer, but in doing so, I’m turning my back on everything human.

I personally used to believe that folklore monsters are only hidden behind the storybooks and legends, fables and bedtime stories.

… until they waged war towards the human race’s downfall.

Naermyth –never were they myth in the first place, is a novel written by Karen Francisco and is more than just a paranormal trash.

This is the first not-required-book I ever finished.  Reading just the first three chapters, you’ll find yourself glued and engaged with the book!

The story features the Philippine Mythology and Folklore’s rich culture from the nicotine-addicted giants, Kapres, through the half-bodied Manananggals, down to the smallest spine-chilling creatures, the Dwendes.

“. . . If it’s one lesson that I should impart, it’s that things aren’t always what they seem” – was spoken by Benevidez – the adviser, teacher, mentor, and the father of the Protagonist, Athena ‘Aegis’ Dizon.

Written by a Filipino author, who would have thought Karen Francisco can make a story as visual and as smart as it is?

Ohh.. The Author finished a degree in Visual Communications – this explains why.

 

The story is a post-apocalypse set in the Philippines five years after the entire human race was defeated in war with the Naermyth.

NaBuCAT or the National Bureau of Conflict and Transport is a group of highly skilled men and women serving as the last hope for the remaining humans.  They are informally known as the Shepherds, whose basic task is to give refuge to the remaining survivors against the Naermyth who are scattered all over the country.

Best thing about the book is that you’re not only reading … you’re visualizing. The author was able to make the setting become so real you’ll even be scared! The setting was oh so smart.

Baguio was a dead spot for a Naermyth because of its altitude.

Pangasisnan being the country’s salt center was also a relatively safe spot for humans. Salt was used as a weapon against aswang because it stops them from regenerating.

Makati was the Naermyth’s territory because of how it used to be a swamp.

 

Capiz of course is the Naermyth’s headquarters. This served as the New Malacaňang place for them.

Not only that. Since we are talking about a post-apocalyptic event, it involved the rest of the world. Each country has their own kind of Naermyth based on their folklore.

Norway has dragons. Europe has vampires. And yes, even the Loch Ness monster is alive.

Make sure to always check your back once in a while because ...

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Photo references:

http://naermythofficialsite.blogspot.com/2012/05/predestined.html

http://naermythofficialsite.blogspot.com/2012/04/character-painting.html

http://naermythofficialsite.blogspot.com/2011/04/how-it-all-started.html

https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/disp/9d579737237013.560661ddf15bc.jpg

https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/disp/9aedc837237019.5606610309b55.jpg

http://naermythofficialsite.blogspot.com/p/book-unmyth.html