It feels sooo good to say this—Squalo & Mage vs. the Rage of the Bakunawa is finally out in the world!
If you’re into fun fantasy adventures, RPGs, and Filipino music, and want to see what the power of friendship is capable of, then this graphic novel is for you. Squalo & Mage vs. the Rage of the Bakunawa follows Mage and her two-legged shark bestie, Squalo, as they embark on a quest to fulfill her father’s final wish: find the Bakunawa. As they battle creatures and monsters from Filipino folklore across Mundo, they discover that there’s something more sinister beneath the surface of the Bakunawa’s anger.
It’s out now wherever books are sold, but there’s a slight delay here in the Philippines. Copies should arrive within a week or two. I hope you guys watch out for it!
I’ll be having a local book launch here in Manila this June 20th. It will be held at Fully Booked BGC from 3pm to 5pm. Details to be announced soon!
Here’s a quick summary of Squalo & Mage vs. the Rage of the Bakunawa:
In this first book of an epic debut middle grade fantasy graphic novel duology by Kara Bodegón-Hikino, Mage and her shark best friend, Squalo, set off on a wild adventure filled with mythical and powerful creatures from Filipino folklore to save their world from the wrath of the Bakunawa. Perfect for fans of Hildafolk and Final Fantasy.
After losing her father in an attack by the evil Tikbalang, Mage and her best friend, Squalo, set off an important quest far from home to honor her father’s last wish—find the Bakunawa, the guardian of the sea.
But Mage and Squalo don’t know where to find the Bakunawa. And the evil Tikbalang was only one underling of Ventrolio, the nightmare maker, who is hunting Mage at any cost. Mage and Squalo’s journey takes them all over Mundo, facing monsters and possessed minions of Ventrolio until they hear news of an angry bakunawa that would rather destroy ships and summon storms than help sailors. Why would Mage’s father send them to someone so dangerous? Can Mage and Squalo uncover the truth before the Bakunawa unleashes her wrath and plunges all of Mundo into chaos?
Squalo & Mage vs. the Rage of the Bakunawa is available now at the following stores and outlets:
Barnes & Noble (USA)
Fully Booked (Philippines)
Indigo (Canada)
Kinokuniya (Singapore)
QBD (Australia)
Unity Books (New Zealand)
Waterstones (UK)
Amazon