Reviews tagging 'Racism'

The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim

110 reviews

arieslofi's review against another edition

dark emotional funny tense medium-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Cannibalism, Murder, and Abandonment

Moderate: Misogyny, Pedophilia, and Sexual harassment

theliteraryhooker's review against another edition

challenging dark medium-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

3.0

I wanted to love this, but it didn't quite work. The horror elements felt almost out of place. The characters and their relationships were interesting, but I felt like Ji-Won didn't quite have enough background to her to feel fully realized. I wanted the horror to either lean fully extreme or fully psychological, but the blend of the two just didn't land. I also found the last minute twist that ends up having no real impact quite frustrating. I'd read from this author again, but this one was only okay for me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror and Cannibalism

Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, and Abandonment

Minor: Vomit

charanasaur's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Oh my God this was gross and disturbing but so addictive! I could not put it down. Monika Kim will be an auto buy author for me. 
Horror girlie's, put this on your October TBR's

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Infidelity, Racism, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Cultural appropriation, and Injury/Injury detail

jaedia's review against another edition

dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Murder, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Moderate: Pedophilia, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, and Stalking

shereadytoread's review against another edition

dark emotional tense slow-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? It's complicated

5.0

This is going to be one of my favorite horrors of the year, and probably my favorite general books of the year. The main character's spiraling obsession is so well done! It has a lot of commentary about fetishization of asian women and how that can show up in romantic relationships. It also looks a lot of the grief associated with family separation/divorce, and the relationships within a fractured family. I cannot wait to see what the author has next. 

It does have a bit of gore as the actual deaths start, but it is not overly gory and would be a great intro to horror or a great pick for those who already love horror. It is a psychological horror that is really well grounded in reality and the character's fracturing mind and increasing erratic decisions are really engaging.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Racism, Toxic relationship, and Injury/Injury detail

subtractthewombat's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, and Murder

literary_faerie's review against another edition

dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Cannibalism, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Racism, Grief, Stalking, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Cursing

jayisreading's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

4.25

The Eyes Are the Best Part was an absolute trip, simmering with tension at first before it slowly but steadily boiled over due to rage and a dire need for revenge. I started the novel, expecting to be in for a gory and horror-filled ride led by the eighteen-year-old Korean American protagonist, Ji-won. Kim certainly delivered on this front, but it came as a pleasant surprise that she revealed horror to mean more than body horror, specifically tackling the horrors of what Asian/Asian American women face—especially around white men—and how they are often wrapped up in skin-crawling fetishization.

What I found particularly interesting about this novel was Kim’s explicit acknowledgment of how fetishization doesn’t necessarily have to be blatant ogling at Asian/Asian American women (which was certainly the case with George, the more-than-questionable boyfriend of Ji-won’s mother). Through the character of Geoffrey, Kim eventually revealed that even the so-called “nice guys” who seem to care about issues around equality can be equally as bad (if not, worse). Fetishization can be packaged in different ways, and while this message was a bit heavy-handed at times, it served to be excellent rage fuel for Ji-won as she fixated on the delicious appeal of piercing blue eyes.

I wouldn’t describe this novel as particularly scary, but it definitely isn’t for those who have a weak stomach, as Kim didn’t skip out on the gory details. I will say that I was a little iffy about the delivery of Ji-won’s descent into madness, in part because it was a little too absurd (though one could argue this was intentional), but also because I wasn’t entirely comfortable with the use of madness as a plot device. I found myself wanting a little more character development as well, which I think would have really made the story richer. Overall, though, this was a pretty thrilling and gross read. It won’t be for everyone, but it’s one worth picking up if you’re able to stomach horror in more ways than one.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Violence, and Cannibalism

Moderate: Infidelity and Grief

Minor: Suicide and Stalking

hanyaya's review against another edition

challenging dark tense

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Medical content, Cannibalism, Stalking, and Murder

theangrystackrat's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Dark, creepy, and tense. This book was a haunting trip through one young girl's anger at those who keep using her family. I enjoyed Kim's writing style, it was well paced and clear cut. The tension and suspense were excellent.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, and Stalking