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Eye of the Moon is a stunning debut by Ate Maarte, earning a spot in the upper echelons of interactive fiction (where works such as A Tale of Crowns, Project Hadea, and A Mage Reborn also belong) with just the prologue and first chapter under its belt. From the opening words, I took a deep breath and plunged headfirst, like a sailor taking to the deep blue waters, into a rich and immersive world teeming with color and life. EOTM feels like the transient boundary where sky and land meet. It is an enduring love letter to the culture and natural beauty of the pre-colonial Philippines, a way for Ate Maarte and fellow Filipinos to connect with the stories told in a distant past. 

EOTM's prose is just as striking as its visual presentation: bold, powerful, and evocative. Ate Maarte writes with a deft and confident hand, joyfully painting moving scenes and landscapes across the infinite canvas of her work. I could not help but linger longingly on the loving descriptions of the traditional Filipino cuisine featured in certain parts of the story, so detailed and expressive that Ate Maarte evidently remembers these dishes herself with fondness. The graceful prose effortlessly balances the plot with vivid imagery, smooth dialogue, and well-established characters. 

Both EOTM's setting and worldbuilding benefit immensely from the strength of Ate Maarte's prose. She establishes the physical context for the Moonfinder quickly and efficiently, leaving a strong impression that the Moonfinder has indeed traversed these divine domains for many years. Like the Moonfinder, I would love to wake up to pristine weather and meander around the terraces or go for a walk along the river.

Speaking of our MC, I should mention that the Moonfinder is no blank slate. The Moonfinder has been around for literal centuries, so it would be rather strange not to have a clear personality by now. Ate Maarte turns this trait into a strength through the game's customization, which allows for distinct variations in appearance, personality, and relationship management approaches. In Chapter One alone, I enjoyed the variety in the dialogue, choices, and subsequent responses from MC's parents and the first LI, Duma. I already plan to make several save files for different pursuits, such as the friendships, solo romances, and poly between Tala and Duma.

The relationships in EOTM are a highlight of the work for me. What stands out about EOTM is that I can work on managing the relationship between Moonfinder and their parents, the beloved pair of Mapulon and Lakapati. They clearly invented Good Parenting, and I love that the MC can potentially take on character traits similar to their parents, an accurate reflection of what can happen in real life. While I am not SEA, I am the child of immigrants that also value the bonds of family and so, I notice many things in EOTM that I value and want out of my own relationships. As for the Romance™, I believe that I can aptly summarize my feelings about Duma with this: I am a lesbian through and through, but I would not hesitate to make an exception for the god of mountains and hunting. 

By Tala, this can't be happening. 

On a more serious note, Duma and the MC have had a prior point of connection in MC's parents. There is the possibility of Something More, but the Moonfinder should keep a good head on their shoulders and act wisely around Duma, who exudes competence so rarely seen in Men (derogatory). The banter between Moonfinder and Duma is delightful, and I so appreciated the different contexts and lens through which the MC can view Duma. You can feel spiteful toward his cool demeanor, attracted to his devastatingly good looks, or responsible for living up to his high expectations. The romance between Moonfinder and Duma is bound to be a slow burn, so strap the hell in. 

What I might love the most of all about EOTM is that Ate Maarte has taken the beloved lore of pre-colonial Philippines and written her own original take on the famous myth of Apolaki and Mayari. Chapter One sets the foundation of EOTM's divine world in a way that feels distinctly mortal somehow, like a charming slice of life vibe. That being said, EOTM's prologue does a great deal of work in setting up the main threads of the plot. You can tell from the first scene what will emerge later down the line as major points of contention. Nothing that happens later in the story should come as a huge surprise if you are a careful reader, as far as I can tell. 

All said, Eye of the Moon is a fantastic debut by a rising star in the IF community. 

A Tale of Crowns is a work of epic proportions by Cherry, a skilled and masterful storyteller who has evidently raised the bar for interactive fiction. Before ATOC, I had not read many IFs outside of perhaps Ace Attorney, so I wasn't sure what I was getting into. Little did I know that ATOC would soon pull me into a richly defined world of court intrigue, meaningful choices, and fully realized characters. The most striking aspect about ATOC is just how clearly it is a labor of love, a heartfelt declaration of Kurdish pride. Before reading ATOC, I was unaware of the existence of the Kurdish, which speaks to geopolitical concerns beyond the scope of the game. To those who plan to play ATOC, I ask that you pay due respect to Cherry's culture and seek to understand its Kurdish context and existence in the real world.

The prose of ATOC possess a quiet power, smoothly weaving each scene with an effortless ease. Cherry writes confidently, in a way that makes it evident that the story is crystal clear in her mind. Particular lines and entire scenes stand out in the story to a devastating degree, ensnaring the heartstrings and provoking genuine emotions and intense reactions in readers (some of which I've seen expressed in the ATOC Discord server). Beyond the prose, I am impressed by how Cherry balances multiple story threads with a well-developed cast and memorable interactions. She is a master of foreshadowing, a skill difficult to cultivate in the genre of interactive fiction and rarely even used at all.

The setting and worldbuilding of ATOC is some of the best that I have ever seen in an IF. Cherry even provides a map to the audience, showing a real commitment to reader immersion. She establishes the lore of the Arsurian Empire with a deft hand, making it clear to the Crown, ATOC's main character, that their role in the story is much bigger than they may have expected at first. I could go on and on about how much I adore the magic system in ATOC, but then this review would never end.. Let's just say that I adore how Cherry took inspiration from the real world and turned the classic elemental magic on its head. 

Speaking of our MC, I am duly impressed by the extraordinary amount of variation available for the Crown. You can experiment with a multitude of traits based on choices made within the game, and experience different scenarios with the chosen RO/LI. The customization for appearance has a great deal of variety as well, and I especially enjoy the galaxy-brained way that Cherry handles the matter of gender and sexuality in the context of ATOC. Over the course of these seven chapters, I have replayed the game with different combinations and different LIs to experience this game over and over. There is a huge replay value to ATOC, due in no small part to the incredible range of variations written into the story itself.

Now, as for the main cast of ATOC... can I just say that Bisexuals (fondly) have immaculate taste. Cherry has somehow pulled off making four different ROs who are all equally compelling and magnetic in their various charms. While I have certain biases, I enjoy learning more about each RO and witnessing their interactions with each other. The ROs have richly defined backstories and lives outside of their potential romance with the MC. They demonstrate values and motivations that establish the individual strengths of their character arcs. I also love that there is no real difference between the male and female ROs. They are the same height, essentially look like fraternal twins, and possess the same personalities. As a silly lesbian, I so dearly indulged in being surrounded by capable women.

What I appreciate most of all about ATOC is that Cherry wrote this with purpose and intention. Every word is carefully picked, every thread of the plot is carefully drawn, every choice carefully considered for its future consequences. A Tale of Crowns is a creator of color's love letter to her Kurdish culture, the strong and resilient people that have been unfairly subjected to oppression in the real world. How lucky and fortunate we are that Cherry has given us this work from her heart of hearts. 

All said, A Tale of Crowns has firmly carved a place out in the upper echelons of interactive fiction with its mesmerizing storytelling.