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jackbifrost's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really enjoyed the characterisation in this story, everybody felt believable and fully fleshed out. Ji-won was a really interesting character and I liked following her story but sometimes I felt like she switched personas too instantaneously which made it hard to suspend my belief during the more violent parts.
Weirdly, I just wish the book was longer to expand upon certain plot points, her father leaving, her relationship with her sister, and her growing compulsion, to allow for a more believable and gradual descent into her obsession. That said, I’d definitely read from this author again and recommend for people looking for a short horror/thriller read, though not to those easily grossed out.
Weirdly, I just wish the book was longer to expand upon certain plot points, her father leaving, her relationship with her sister, and her growing compulsion, to allow for a more believable and gradual descent into her obsession. That said, I’d definitely read from this author again and recommend for people looking for a short horror/thriller read, though not to those easily grossed out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Body horror, Cannibalism, Misogyny, Racism, Blood, Abandonment, Gore, and Death
Moderate: Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Violence, and Stalking
ellulin's review against another edition
4.0
The Eyes are the Best Part is a short and fast paced horror novel about a young korean-american woman trying to navigate college in the midst of her parents separating. Her mom starts dating a new guy who does not seem like a great pick, she is starting to have weird dream about blue blue eyes, and her little sister is starting to notice something is not right with her.
This novel deals with how children deal with their parents separating and how it impacts them even if they are already adults. It also talks a lot about racism and the hypersexualisation of asian women. Queer characters are implied.
At the beginning of this book I was a little confused about why it was classified as horror but it is just due to a slow beggining (in terms of horror). If you are squeamish about eyes, please do not pick up this book, even the descriptions about eating fish eyes were a lot so I am warning you. There is not a lot of body horror besides eye stuff.
I think that the main character, Ji-won, and her mother are well written but most of the other characters are unfortunately very one tone. For the villains I don't really mind honestly as it drives the point home harder, but I was sad not to learn more about her sister or her friend Alexis. The ending was also veryyyy fast paced and there is huge reveal that is kind of brushed under the rug and that felt a bit weird.
Overall I like the gross body horror, the ending even if it was a bit rushed, and having an unhinged female character. It could have benefited from being a little longer but it is a fun short read and I would definitely recommend it.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.
This novel deals with how children deal with their parents separating and how it impacts them even if they are already adults. It also talks a lot about racism and the hypersexualisation of asian women. Queer characters are implied.
At the beginning of this book I was a little confused about why it was classified as horror but it is just due to a slow beggining (in terms of horror). If you are squeamish about eyes, please do not pick up this book, even the descriptions about eating fish eyes were a lot so I am warning you. There is not a lot of body horror besides eye stuff.
I think that the main character, Ji-won, and her mother are well written but most of the other characters are unfortunately very one tone. For the villains I don't really mind honestly as it drives the point home harder, but I was sad not to learn more about her sister or her friend Alexis. The ending was also veryyyy fast paced and there is huge reveal that is kind of brushed under the rug and that felt a bit weird.
Overall I like the gross body horror, the ending even if it was a bit rushed, and having an unhinged female character. It could have benefited from being a little longer but it is a fun short read and I would definitely recommend it.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cannibalism, Murder, and Gore
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Racism, Cultural appropriation, and Misogyny
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
shelbykate's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
fast-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
4.25
Ooooo this is delicious if I do say so myself!! If you are a fan of Bunny by Mona Awad or Maeve Fly by C. J. Leede this is the book for you.
The body horror/gore is so so good. detailed without being overly gratuitous. There’s much to be said about the MC relationships with either parents/friends/sibling and how those shape her. The flashbacks give just enough insight that by the end you are left with a complete understanding of her decisions as horrid as they may be (maybe that’s just me because I too am mad at men).
oh yeah this is very much a man hating book and not for softy ‘well, actually’ types. be warned!
overall a stellar debut and will be checking this author out again!
Thank you to Kensington/Erewhon books and Netgalley for the eArc for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit, Body horror, Racism, Cannibalism, Violence, Toxic friendship, Stalking, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
laurenj1398's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book has left me speechless.
It follows Ji-won and her family’s journey in grief after her father abruptly leaves them for another woman. When Ji-won’s mother finally starts dating a new man, Ji-won slowly spirals and ends up in the darkest parts of her brain.
Monika Kim should run a masterclass on how to paint emotions through physical descriptions. Every emotion was palpable, which made empathizing with Ji-won very easy. I also loved the social commentary on the fetishization of Asian women and the first gen (born in America) eldest child experience.
The horror in this book was exquisite! There was the perfect balance of suspense, gore, and unhinged feminine rage. I will definitely have this book on my mind for a while.
Thank you to NetGalley and Erewhon Books for the eARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Gore, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Abandonment, and Racism
Minor: Racial slurs and Stalking
devynreadsnovels's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Blood, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, Violence, Death, Pedophilia, Racism, Body horror, Cannibalism, Sexism, and Stalking
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Cursing, and Gaslighting
madelinereadsbooks's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
When her father leaves her mother for another woman, Ji-won’s life is left in shambles. Her mother is inconsolable, until she meets the awful George. Ji-won fixates on his blue eyes as her life falls apart around her.
Ji-won was a wonderfully complicated main character, whom I couldn’t help but side with, even as she began spiralling. Kim did an incredible job of ensuring the reader felt for Ji-won throughout the entire novel. Additionally, the way she touches on race issues, particularly demonstrating how damaging the fetishisation of Asian women is, ensured the novel worked below the surface level. I especially loved the ending - it was perfect.
4/5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Cannibalism, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Body horror, Sexual harassment, Murder, Stalking, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping, Misogyny, Abandonment, and Self harm
Minor: Toxic friendship, Car accident, Cancer, and Vomit
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