Bawal Book Club March 2026 Pick: Maloles: The Reckoning Vol. 1 – Keeper of the Underworld by Ebony Soy

Hot Tropiks is proud to feature Maloles: The Reckoning Vol. 1 – Keeper of the Underworld by Filipina American artist and Air Force veteran Ebony Soy as our next Bawal Book Club pick.

Originally launched at the Las Vegas Book Festival and now published under Hot Tropiks, Maloles marks the arrival of a powerful Filipino dark fantasy story that sold out in its original independent run.

Maloles is a dark Filipino fantasy art narrative that blends pre-colonial mythology with psychological horror. It follows Maloles, a divine weapon created to serve the Underworld. Built for obedience, she chooses defiance instead and wages war against the gods who forged her.

This is not mythology meant to comfort. This is mythology sharpened by rage, rebellion, and purpose. It is a story about reclaiming power and destroying the systems built to control you.

“Maloles was born from my Lola’s last words: ‘Follow your passion. Don’t worry about what others think.’ She walks her path with raw conviction—even when it’s brutal or isolating,” says creator Ebony Soy.

Ebony Soy is a self-taught writer and artist whose work explores identity, ancestry, and resistance through bold visual storytelling. Her artwork has been exhibited across California and Hawai‘i, including Gallery Nucleus, Hive Gallery, and TAG Gallery. She currently serves as the Justice + Equity Chair at 11:11 A Creative Collective. Her comics work includes Jemini #2, Lumpia With a Vengeance, and collaborations with Kwento Comics. Maloles: The Reckoning is her first published book.

“We’re excited to publish Maloles because Hot Tropiks is all about culture and connection. When Ebony told me she was working on a book inspired by pre-colonial headhunter tribes from the Philippines, and how that pushed her to dig deeper into our myths, I was sold. Her art makes it even more powerful,” says Angelo Mendez, Publisher of Hot Tropiks.

This edition is published under Hot Tropiks, which focuses on bringing fresh, original stories from the Philippine tropiks and its diaspora to readers around the world. Maloles continues that mission: a story that confronts grief, ancestry, and liberation with brutal honesty.

How the Bawal Book Club Works

1. Get the Book

Choose your format:
Physical: https://hottropiks.com/products/maloles-vol-1
Digital: https://ebytsoy.gumroad.com/l/KeeperoftheUnderworld
(Priced at $4.44 for Women’s History Month)

Download the free preview chapter and experience the world of Maloles.

2. Follow the discussion at your own pace

All discussion prompts, guided posts, updates, and livestream details will be shared on the Hot Tropiks Instagram to spark conversation and go deeper into the themes of the book.

Discussion Schedule

• Wednesday, March 4, 2026 — Announcement post
• Sunday, March 8, 2026 — Engagement Post #1
• Thursday, March 12, 2026 — Engagement Post #2

3. Join the livestream

Be part of the conversation and discuss the book and its themes live with Ebony Soy.

Wednesday, March 18, 2026 — 7:00 PM Pacific Time livestream on the Hot Tropiks Instagram

About The Bawal Book Club

A monthly reading community by Hot Tropiks, welcoming all fans of Filipino and Southeast Asian storytelling.

You can join for one book or every book. There’s no subscription, no membership fee, and no pressure to keep up.