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cobwebshelves's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
"He remembers thinking Shin Yoonhae looked like someone who was just quietly waiting to die. He guesses that hasn't really changed, even after all this time."
tw: transphobia, gore, body horror
Since my discovery that I do, in fact, enjoy ghost stories a couple years back, I haven't actually picked up that many. "Small gods of calamity" turned out to be a ghostly delight. Despite its relatively small page count, it's enthralling and had me invested in the story pretty quickly. The slice-of-life view of Kim Han-gil's life as a detective-slash-ghost-hunter had pretty solid worldbuilding, introducing a range of paranormal phenomena and spiritualists. I did not expect the POV to shift halfway through yet I loved the contrast between Han-gil and Yoonhae's voices and experiences.
The thing is, I was left wanting more - the small thing keeping it from being a five-star read for me. Give me two hundred more pages, give me a webtoon, a series (I saw a few reviews mentioning it felt like a k-drama structure but I'm not sure there's enough to fill 20 90-minute episodes), anything – I would love to stay in Han-gil's bubble for longer. The biggest let-down is that in such a fast-paced story, the secondary characters are left unexplored, feeling almost like an afterthought at the very end.
Nevertheless, this made for a wonderful buddy read with my best friend and I plan to keep an eye on what Sam Kyung Yoo has in store next as their debut novella left me impressed.
Thanks to Interstellar Flight Press and NetGalley for the arc.
tw: transphobia, gore, body horror
Since my discovery that I do, in fact, enjoy ghost stories a couple years back, I haven't actually picked up that many. "Small gods of calamity" turned out to be a ghostly delight. Despite its relatively small page count, it's enthralling and had me invested in the story pretty quickly. The slice-of-life view of Kim Han-gil's life as a detective-slash-ghost-hunter had pretty solid worldbuilding, introducing a range of paranormal phenomena and spiritualists. I did not expect the POV to shift halfway through yet I loved the contrast between Han-gil and Yoonhae's voices and experiences.
The thing is, I was left wanting more - the small thing keeping it from being a five-star read for me. Give me two hundred more pages, give me a webtoon, a series (I saw a few reviews mentioning it felt like a k-drama structure but I'm not sure there's enough to fill 20 90-minute episodes), anything – I would love to stay in Han-gil's bubble for longer. The biggest let-down is that in such a fast-paced story, the secondary characters are left unexplored, feeling almost like an afterthought at the very end.
Nevertheless, this made for a wonderful buddy read with my best friend and I plan to keep an eye on what Sam Kyung Yoo has in store next as their debut novella left me impressed.
Thanks to Interstellar Flight Press and NetGalley for the arc.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Transphobia, and Body horror
quakinginmybooks's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Small Gods of Calamity by Sam Kyung Yoo is an upcoming gem that's not talked about enough. This book should be getting more press. It's urban fantasy with the backdrop of Korean folklore and set in modern day Seoul.
The novella opens with a suspicious death, with ghosts who can only speak using smoke, and with the smell of the ocean. Detective Kim Han-gil is haunted by the smell of the ocean and the past. He's doing his best but sinister worm spirits might get the better of him. To make matters worse, his sister, more of an expert in exorcising spirits than he is, is in Japan.
Small Gods of Calamity is a story about personal history and how it influences the present, about resentment and coming to a more nuanced understanding of the past. It's also about forgiveness and letting go, too. Most importantly it's about family and friendship and the family you find. There's great queer and ace rep, great friendships and found family dynamics.
I know this book hasn't even been released yet, but I really want a sequel. I want to spend more time with Han-gil, Azuna, and Yoonhae. I want more stories set in the world that Sam Kyung Yoo has created.
The novella opens with a suspicious death, with ghosts who can only speak using smoke, and with the smell of the ocean. Detective Kim Han-gil is haunted by the smell of the ocean and the past. He's doing his best but sinister worm spirits might get the better of him. To make matters worse, his sister, more of an expert in exorcising spirits than he is, is in Japan.
Small Gods of Calamity is a story about personal history and how it influences the present, about resentment and coming to a more nuanced understanding of the past. It's also about forgiveness and letting go, too. Most importantly it's about family and friendship and the family you find. There's great queer and ace rep, great friendships and found family dynamics.
I know this book hasn't even been released yet, but I really want a sequel. I want to spend more time with Han-gil, Azuna, and Yoonhae. I want more stories set in the world that Sam Kyung Yoo has created.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Gore, Sexism, Suicide, and Murder
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