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sarrie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
TL;DR: Don’t like eyeballs? This one is going to mess with you! A revenge filled story about a girl obsessed and the racist and sexist people she targets.
Source: NetGalley, thank you so much to the publisher!
Plot: Ji-won’s father leaves the family and as her mother unravels then falls in love with an exceptionally disgusting man, she begins to fixate and… crave eyeballs. It gets real gross after that.
Characters: We focus in on Ji-won, and honestly everyone else was pretty unlikable except for a possible romantic interest (which I do wish had a bit more dimension).
Setting: Definitely not the focus of this, but I did enjoy the claustrophobia and dimness of what we got, it added to the overall feeling of it
Thrilling/Horror Aspect: Not nearly as intense as I expected, but if you’re squeamish about eyeballs and… well eating them this is going to gross you out
Thoughts:
The Eyes Are the Best Part is aptly named. This is the story of Ji-won and her slow decent into obsession over eyeballs, and let me go ahead and tell you that it get’s pretty graphic on the eyeball horror and… eating of things. Those bits by far were the best part of the whole novel.
That being said - don’t get into this one if you’re squeamish about people eating other people parts. It’s going to be a bad time. Ji-won falls fast into an obsession with blue eyes after her mother, still trapped in a cycle of grief at the leaving of Ji-won’s father, ends up dating and engaged to a truly repulsive white man with blue eyes named George. George clearly has a fetish and a type and is going after Ji-won’s mother for that reason. He’s that guy, racist but ‘Oh I know the language’ (when he doesn’t), or claims that 'No one appreciates the culture like him'. Ji-won sees through him, as does her sister, but unfortunately her mother is caught.
Blue eyes haunt her and she takes a rather abrupt and unexpected turn into the very gross acquisition of said eyes. There is also the boy in class with her who is not exactly who he seems, and equally as gross as George in his own way. The book targets these very clear and familiar types of people, showing them for how the really are and it can be infuriating at times. The racism, the gaslighting, and abuse is a lot but Ji-won gets her revenge.
The only thing that knocked this one down just a hair for me was that it read as a bit young, and everything in the end was exceptionally neat and tidy. I wanted just a bit more of a struggle or tension to the story, but I still enjoyed seeing her exact revenge and bloody hell on these folks. If you want some fun times like that - this is your pick-up.
4 out of 5 Blue Crunchy Balls You See Out Of
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Racism, Xenophobia, Cannibalism, Gore, Violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Death, Murder, and Toxic friendship
whatsbridiereading's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Both the plot and the horror aspect of this book kept me hooked from the start. This is one of my favourite ‘female rage’ books- the kind where the MC has a reason for her rage, and where even when she’s doing despicable things you feel for her. I can’t wait to see what Monika Kim does next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Racism, Body horror, Xenophobia, Blood, and Gore
emeliaisreading_'s review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Title: The Eyes Are The Best Part by Monika Kim
Genre: Psychological Thriller/Horror
Pub Date: June 25, 2024
⭐ 3.75/5
🥢 Descent Into Insanity
🧿 Korean FMC
🥢 Feminine Rage
We watch as a sleep deprived college student decends into insanity. A Korean college student decends into madness as the men in her life continue to disappear or disappoint. After a fateful meal with her Umma, she's consumed with the thought of eyes between her teeth.
I must admit I was confused for the beginning of the book, but once I realized what was happening it was pretty interesting. I'm not sure if I can say it necessarily fits the horror genre, but I think eyeballs make basically everyone squeamish so if you're not into descriptive horror this might not be for you! I did appreciate the feminine rage wasn't for one political side or the other because honestly, there are disgusting people on both sides 👏
Thank you so much NetGalley and Kensington Books for the review copy!🫶
Genre: Psychological Thriller/Horror
Pub Date: June 25, 2024
⭐ 3.75/5
🥢 Descent Into Insanity
🧿 Korean FMC
🥢 Feminine Rage
We watch as a sleep deprived college student decends into insanity. A Korean college student decends into madness as the men in her life continue to disappear or disappoint. After a fateful meal with her Umma, she's consumed with the thought of eyes between her teeth.
I must admit I was confused for the beginning of the book, but once I realized what was happening it was pretty interesting. I'm not sure if I can say it necessarily fits the horror genre, but I think eyeballs make basically everyone squeamish so if you're not into descriptive horror this might not be for you! I did appreciate the feminine rage wasn't for one political side or the other because honestly, there are disgusting people on both sides 👏
Thank you so much NetGalley and Kensington Books for the review copy!🫶
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Cannibalism, Mental illness, and Misogyny
Minor: Xenophobia, Sexism, and Stalking
not_another_ana's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher
When Ji-won's father leaves and initiates a divorce the nomal stable life she knew implodes. Between starting college, looking out for her little sister and dealing with a severely depressed mother Ji-won is at her limit. When her mom finds herself a boyfriend, a rude white american with a fetish for asian women, she starts to unravel and develop an obsession for eyes. Bright blue eyes specifically. Her hunger grows as her life unravels to the point where she cannot contain the compulsion to possess and devour.
Come for the horror stay for the family drama. A solid debut, the writing shines when focused on the family dynamics. I especially liked the relationship between the two sisters, it rang true and real. The relationship with the mother and the cultural baggage of an immigrant parent came across well, always present without being in your face. The other side characters outside the family needed more fleshing out. Some of the commentary on racism, xenophobia, and fetishization was a bit too on the nose but I understand that some people need to have it spelled out. Plus it is true and happens every day so I don't think there was anything wrong with that.
Now for the horror elements of this story. I didn't like them but I think it's a case of good book wrong reader. Body horror/gore isn't my cup of tea, it doesn't horrify me nor delights me, and that's a huge part of the book. Prepare to read long detailed descriptions of eyes and for cuestionable things to happen to them. This was a quick read that felt rushed at the end. A lot of what happens in the last 20% or so was very clear from the start and the ending itself was wrapped up too neatly and tidy. I thought this book was going for a more open ended finale or more of a downward spiral but it pulled back at the finish line.
I think this is solid, just not for me.
When Ji-won's father leaves and initiates a divorce the nomal stable life she knew implodes. Between starting college, looking out for her little sister and dealing with a severely depressed mother Ji-won is at her limit. When her mom finds herself a boyfriend, a rude white american with a fetish for asian women, she starts to unravel and develop an obsession for eyes. Bright blue eyes specifically. Her hunger grows as her life unravels to the point where she cannot contain the compulsion to possess and devour.
Come for the horror stay for the family drama. A solid debut, the writing shines when focused on the family dynamics. I especially liked the relationship between the two sisters, it rang true and real. The relationship with the mother and the cultural baggage of an immigrant parent came across well, always present without being in your face. The other side characters outside the family needed more fleshing out. Some of the commentary on racism, xenophobia, and fetishization was a bit too on the nose but I understand that some people need to have it spelled out. Plus it is true and happens every day so I don't think there was anything wrong with that.
Now for the horror elements of this story. I didn't like them but I think it's a case of good book wrong reader. Body horror/gore isn't my cup of tea, it doesn't horrify me nor delights me, and that's a huge part of the book. Prepare to read long detailed descriptions of eyes and for cuestionable things to happen to them. This was a quick read that felt rushed at the end. A lot of what happens in the last 20% or so was very clear from the start and the ending itself was wrapped up too neatly and tidy. I thought this book was going for a more open ended finale or more of a downward spiral but it pulled back at the finish line.
I think this is solid, just not for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Gore, Mental illness, Blood, Cannibalism, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Xenophobia
Literally all the eye trauma, if you dislike anything related to eyes do not pick this upfrozenheartv's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
4.25 stars
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘
Thanks NetGalley, Kensington Books publisher, and the authors for a great advance copy of the book in exchange for my honest review!
🧠 My thoughts
Wow, this book hooked me from the start to the end. This was one of the rare books that touched on the racial fetishism topic, especially the fetishization of Asian women. While reading, I couldn't help nodding along because what happened in the book I have seen in real life as well. After finishing reading, it took me a few days to really understand everything, especially the ending. The gore parts played a crucial role in the deep meaning layer of the story and it wasn't excessive.
On the other hand, since this is the author's debut, the writing wasn't that smooth. The writing style was a bit choppy to read at some points
👍 What I like
- Successfully portray the racial fetishization of Asian women
- Powerful story
👎 What I don't like
- Choppy and not smooth writing
- Rather weak storyline
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘
Thanks NetGalley, Kensington Books publisher, and the authors for a great advance copy of the book in exchange for my honest review!
🧠 My thoughts
Wow, this book hooked me from the start to the end. This was one of the rare books that touched on the racial fetishism topic, especially the fetishization of Asian women. While reading, I couldn't help nodding along because what happened in the book I have seen in real life as well. After finishing reading, it took me a few days to really understand everything, especially the ending. The gore parts played a crucial role in the deep meaning layer of the story and it wasn't excessive.
On the other hand, since this is the author's debut, the writing wasn't that smooth. The writing style was a bit choppy to read at some points
👍 What I like
- Successfully portray the racial fetishization of Asian women
- Powerful story
👎 What I don't like
- Choppy and not smooth writing
- Rather weak storyline
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
mals_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
this was a really fantastic debut! THE EYES ARE THE BEST PART follows 18-year-old Ji-won dealing with the need to protect her mother and little sister from being preyed upon all while she gets a sudden insatiable hunger for eyes.
this told the story of a young girl forced into womanhood by her circumstances, and the predatory, scummy men in her life that force her to be hyper-aware of every situation. as a slow-burn, you really learn about Ji-won’s desires and motivations during the first half of the book before it really ups the ante midway through.
i think it’s length can take away from the story a bit since it’s a shorter novel, and the reader is being told certain things or events rather than shown, but that pushes the fast-paced plot along smoothly. but this is a commentary on fetishization, patriarchy, and over-compensation/performative allyship wrapped up into a body horror-heavy (though not disturbingly so!) novel.
but i really, really adore Erewhon & their books and look forward to this release + other future 2024 releases!
this told the story of a young girl forced into womanhood by her circumstances, and the predatory, scummy men in her life that force her to be hyper-aware of every situation. as a slow-burn, you really learn about Ji-won’s desires and motivations during the first half of the book before it really ups the ante midway through.
i think it’s length can take away from the story a bit since it’s a shorter novel, and the reader is being told certain things or events rather than shown, but that pushes the fast-paced plot along smoothly. but this is a commentary on fetishization, patriarchy, and over-compensation/performative allyship wrapped up into a body horror-heavy (though not disturbingly so!) novel.
but i really, really adore Erewhon & their books and look forward to this release + other future 2024 releases!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Body horror, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Mental illness
Minor: Stalking
fraxica's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism and Xenophobia
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