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metanav's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
3.5
interesting enough book on feminine rage, specifically exacerbated by her experiences as an asian american woman suffering from very real things that i've experienced as a feminine asian american person myself. at times felt a little too on the nose, but that could've been purposeful, with the focus to be more on ji-won's spiral. overall i liked ji-won more than i didn't, but i didn't love her either.
multiple aspects of the story (ex: failed/sabotaged high school friendships) served a specific purpose but it didn't fully carry it out and as a result felt out of place. unless i'm misremembering as i did read this part at like 1am,even the event itself felt almost OOC to me? her hiding her friend's ring to try to sabotage the friendship just over jealousy of not getting into the school? it would've been one thing if their friendship was set up to be tumultuous to begin with, but the fact that it was established to be completely cordial up until that point made everything feel off kilter. even w/ some brushed over history and the events throughout the story, the buildup of everything ji-won was going through felt very sudden and abrupt despite attempts to build it up. the cancer reveal was a definitely an eye roll, and the end of the book overall left me dissatisfied.
wish there was more on ji-won and alexis's relationship though! and umma's character definitely plucked at my heartstrings, even though she is completely different from my own mother, just remembering her own personal struggles as a poor refugee definitely made me emotional over her both her parents' struggles.
multiple aspects of the story (ex: failed/sabotaged high school friendships) served a specific purpose but it didn't fully carry it out and as a result felt out of place. unless i'm misremembering as i did read this part at like 1am,
wish there was more on ji-won and alexis's relationship though! and umma's character definitely plucked at my heartstrings, even though she is completely different from my own mother, just remembering her own personal struggles as a poor refugee definitely made me emotional over her both her parents' struggles.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Cannibalism, Stalking, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Infidelity, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Kidnapping, and Toxic friendship
hanrutmoe's review against another edition
dark
fast-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
5.0
Could not put this down. It was so easy to read, and so difficult not to do “just one more chapter”. An excellent start to my 2025 reads.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Cannibalism
Moderate: Gore, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Blood, Stalking, and Murder
Minor: Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, and Mental illness
tm400's review against another edition
dark
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
4.5
this book follows a young korean american woman who is struggling with her parents splitting apart, starting her first year at college, and her mother beginning to date a creepy racist white man. she begins to struggle with intrusive thoughts about her mom's new boyfriend and soon after heads into a downward spiral.
i was so captivated by this book even though it was so tense and disturbing at times that it was making my stomach churn. this has a lot of graphic depictions of body horror and violent intrusive thoughts, but i enjoyed it nonetheless. i love reading books about people that do bad things for reasons that are justifiable to them but also largely agreed upon by others as being "inappropriate". i didn't think the ending was too outlandish or far-fetched, but it wasn't something i could foresee happening until the second half of the book, and it was gratifying to see her desires fulfilled in the context of her using the "innocent submissive asian woman" trope imposed on her (and all asian women) to her advantage.i also don't know how to feel about the inclusion of the brain tumor. it gave a "reason" for her sleepwalking, killing, desire to eat her victim's eyes, etc but then she still continues to do it after the tumor's removed? does this solidify labeling her as a "bad person"? even if her motives were in the name of retribution? i love stories that leave you with questions like this
NOT EVERY MC NEEDS TO BE A "GOOD" PERSON!!!! and i love having mc's that are just factually bad and just do bad things!!!!!
thoroughly enjoyed this story, but it was so tense, perturbing, and anxiety-inducing at the same time - obviously so, given the nature of the story. i'm giving this one a 4.5/5 stars. REALLY recommend to people who enjoy violent thrillers but if you're sensitive to body horror/gore, you may wanna reconsider!!
i was so captivated by this book even though it was so tense and disturbing at times that it was making my stomach churn. this has a lot of graphic depictions of body horror and violent intrusive thoughts, but i enjoyed it nonetheless. i love reading books about people that do bad things for reasons that are justifiable to them but also largely agreed upon by others as being "inappropriate". i didn't think the ending was too outlandish or far-fetched, but it wasn't something i could foresee happening until the second half of the book, and it was gratifying to see her desires fulfilled in the context of her using the "innocent submissive asian woman" trope imposed on her (and all asian women) to her advantage.
NOT EVERY MC NEEDS TO BE A "GOOD" PERSON!!!! and i love having mc's that are just factually bad and just do bad things!!!!!
thoroughly enjoyed this story, but it was so tense, perturbing, and anxiety-inducing at the same time - obviously so, given the nature of the story. i'm giving this one a 4.5/5 stars. REALLY recommend to people who enjoy violent thrillers but if you're sensitive to body horror/gore, you may wanna reconsider!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Blood, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Racism and Stalking
Minor: Cancer
sol_journal's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.0
Posted to: Goodreads and The Storygraph
Posted on: 25 October 2024
3.5 (rounded up to 4) out of 5 stars.
Full review to come. I literally just finished the last page though and must drop my initial thoughts.
This book was a horror in such a good way. I cringed and I tried to cover up the words while reading the gory bits. I *felt* Ji-won’s rage and kind of hate we were taken along the roller coaster of deaths and devours only because I realized I’m more squeamish than I thought. Still, I absolutely will be here whenever Monika Kim releases another book! There was something just wickedly gruesome and terrible about this that didn’t allow me to put it down. I loved the narrative we got to follow, loved the descent and the twists and the ending. Loved loved *loved* this little terror of a novel.
Posted on: 25 October 2024
3.5 (rounded up to 4) out of 5 stars.
Full review to come. I literally just finished the last page though and must drop my initial thoughts.
This book was a horror in such a good way. I cringed and I tried to cover up the words while reading the gory bits. I *felt* Ji-won’s rage and kind of hate we were taken along the roller coaster of deaths and devours only because I realized I’m more squeamish than I thought. Still, I absolutely will be here whenever Monika Kim releases another book! There was something just wickedly gruesome and terrible about this that didn’t allow me to put it down. I loved the narrative we got to follow, loved the descent and the twists and the ending. Loved loved *loved* this little terror of a novel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Stalking, Murder, and Abandonment
Minor: Cancer, Cursing, Drug use, Mental illness, Pedophilia, and Medical content
dexlud's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Okay so where do I start with The Eyes Are The Best Part. Monika Kim really is an excellent storyteller and her writing style was so intriguing and made me feel so suspenseful it actually felt like there was a pit in the bottom of my stomach. I adored this book more than words can say but it also just made me feel so many things all at once it's honestly wild. Also, DO NOT look at the triggers if you don't want to be spoiled.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Cancer, Medical content, Stalking, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Vomit
lexcellent's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
As an API woman during API heritage month, let me just say I again, support women’s wrongs, specifically Ji-won’s wrongs 💅🏽
This horror/thriller novel revolves around Ji-won who begins to fixate on and dream about blue eyes, as she navigates college, her parents’ separation, her mom dating, sexism, fetishization of API women, racism, and more. I love seeing fictional yt men suffer tbh.
Though it has a slow start, I ended up reading it in one sitting & would absolutely read from Monika Kim again!
As an API woman during API heritage month, let me just say I again, support women’s wrongs, specifically Ji-won’s wrongs 💅🏽
This horror/thriller novel revolves around Ji-won who begins to fixate on and dream about blue eyes, as she navigates college, her parents’ separation, her mom dating, sexism, fetishization of API women, racism, and more. I love seeing fictional yt men suffer tbh.
Though it has a slow start, I ended up reading it in one sitting & would absolutely read from Monika Kim again!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Cancer, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, and Stalking
orasmis's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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
One of the creators I watch on YouTube got this as an arc and they made it some so fascinating I had to go and get a copy of it myself. I was intrigued by the plot and I decided I had to read it. When I got approved for it I was beyond happy and jumped right in.
I loved this book. I loved loved loved this book. Ji-won is a fascinating main character. You really get to know her over the course of the book and get a very intimate look at her life, both inner and outer. I love her relationship with her family. Especially with her sister. I ended up deeply caring for every member of this family by the end of the book. Except George. George is absolutely terrible and I hated him but you’re supposed to.
The atmosphere in here was horrible in a good way. There is such a sense of creeping dread in the entire book and it ramps up so slowly that I was on the edge of my seat for the entire read.
The writing in this was absolutely beautiful. Some of the best lines I’ve ever read were in this book. And while the writing is beautiful some of the scenes were downright disgusting (again in a good way). The way that things were described made me ill at several points but I just couldn’t put this down.
Even though I loved this and I’m giving it 5 stars I 100% don’t recommend this for everyone. It’s chock full of very disturbing and graphic content. Please check trigger warnings before you read to make sure you can handle it. With that said this was amazing and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
I loved this book. I loved loved loved this book. Ji-won is a fascinating main character. You really get to know her over the course of the book and get a very intimate look at her life, both inner and outer. I love her relationship with her family. Especially with her sister. I ended up deeply caring for every member of this family by the end of the book. Except George. George is absolutely terrible and I hated him but you’re supposed to.
The atmosphere in here was horrible in a good way. There is such a sense of creeping dread in the entire book and it ramps up so slowly that I was on the edge of my seat for the entire read.
The writing in this was absolutely beautiful. Some of the best lines I’ve ever read were in this book. And while the writing is beautiful some of the scenes were downright disgusting (again in a good way). The way that things were described made me ill at several points but I just couldn’t put this down.
Even though I loved this and I’m giving it 5 stars I 100% don’t recommend this for everyone. It’s chock full of very disturbing and graphic content. Please check trigger warnings before you read to make sure you can handle it. With that said this was amazing and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Blood, Cannibalism, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Racism, Stalking, and Abandonment
Minor: Cancer, Racial slurs, and Alcohol
8star's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Cannibalism, and Murder
Minor: Cancer
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: Body horror, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Racism, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Stalking, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Misogyny, Self harm, Kidnapping, and Abandonment
Minor: Cancer, Vomit, Car accident, and Toxic friendship