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orasmis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Cannibalism, Blood, Gore, and Murder
Moderate: Abandonment, Stalking, Racism, Mental illness, Infidelity, and Drug use
Minor: Racial slurs, Alcohol, and Cancer
r_o_s_e's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Misogyny, Body horror, Cannibalism, Gore, Mental illness, Murder, and Racism
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Cultural appropriation, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Drug use, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Medical content, Vomit, and Stalking
cavernism's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Body horror, Mental illness, Stalking, Toxic friendship, and Gaslighting
emeliaisreading_'s review against another edition
- 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
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!🫶
Moderate: Gore, Cannibalism, Mental illness, and Misogyny
Minor: Xenophobia, Sexism, and Stalking
not_another_ana's review against another edition
- 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
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.
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 upmals_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
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!
Graphic: Xenophobia, Body horror, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Mental illness
Minor: Stalking
devynreadsnovels's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
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