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moriahleigh's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Racism, Cannibalism, and Murder
Moderate: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Sexual harassment
clovetra's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
oh jiwon…. i had such high hopes for you. were my expectations unrealistic? yeah probably. did i wish i loved this more? yeah.
did i still have a decent time? yeah!
this book is tagged as adult but reads sooooo much like a YA. which that’s fine! but then tag it that way so my expectations are changed. i was expecting something a bit more insane like maeve fly & instead i got she is a haunting. iykyk
the biggest issue of this book is the first half of this book. it wasn’t great. the first half almost acts like a set-up for all the plot in the second half, but instead it feels repetitive and lacking depth. like ok i get we need some time to give a shit about the characters, but when spending the first half developing characters and they still feel boring…. it’s not good. i only really enjoyed jiwon in the second half of the book. almost everyone else felt like a trope or very formulaic, and had one discernible trait. and the minute almost every character was introduced i could predict where the plot was going to take them.
this book also made several missteps in my opinion. first, giving jiwon a brain tumour was stupid. it felt like a hail mary. sure it made sense seeing as she was hallucinating, but it felt like it was almost completely random with no foreshadowing and rhyme or reason to it other than to get jiwon to still be in the hospital & get off scott free from george’s attempted murder. also, her relationship with alexis not going anywhere annoyed me. like seriously what was the point of having a subplot about their will-they-won’t they? the story doesn’t end in a way that has any pay off for this plot point, and instead it felt like it was wasted time that could’ve gone to fleshing out the horror elements earlier, or to explore more of jiwon’s family.
i will say though, i really liked the horror elements (once the book actually got to them). the descriptions of the eyes was sublime to read, and god at some points i almost felt a tad nauseous. i really think that point was well done.
i had such high hopes for this. i was really looking forward to this, and this was easily one of my most looked forward to reads of 2025. instead, i got served a big slice of disappointment pie :(
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Medical content, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Abandonment
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Stalking, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Pedophilia
selendrea's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-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
4.5
The Eyes Are the Best Part is truly a book like no other. Within its covers, you'll find horrifying, gory imagery, a tender sister relationship, social commentary on misogyny, fetishization, and Korean American experiences, and so much more. Ji-won is an incredibly complex character who represents pure rage in response to oppression, while also representing the softhearted loyalty of the eldest daughter in a Korean family. This dichotomy is best represented in her attitude towards Umma, a character who shattered my heart in pieces. Ji-won simultaneously desires to protect and heal her mother, but also harbors immeasurable frustration for Umma prioritizing men over the safety and happiness of her children, which is sadly a realistic feeling for many children in dysfunctional families.
George and Geoffrey's characterization, unfortunately, are a bit weaker. While they are successful in provoking discomfort and anger in the reader, they came across as quite over-the-top. I do wish that their dialogue and behavior were a bit more nuanced and subtle. I appreciated that Geoffrey acted as George's foil. In psychology, we have a term called ambivalent sexism, which includes hostile sexism (overt, angry, volatile) and benevolent sexism (seemingly kind but patronizing, prescribes weakness to women). These are two sides to the same coin, and are highly correlated. Kim did a fabulous job bringing both hostile and benevolent sexism to life in these characters, although I still found them to be a bit heavy handed.
My favorite aspect of this novel is that the focal point of the horror, the eyes, are not just for shock value. These scenes are disorienting and off-putting, but, in my opinion, are dripping with literary symbolism. Here are a few of my interpretations of the text:
1. Ji-won makes a point to compare brown eyes and blue eyes, suggesting that brown is muddy and dirty, yet blue is crisp and clear. Since brown eyes are most common for Asian people, this could represent the disparagement of features of people of color. Her obsession with consuming blue eyes, especially George's, is her attempt to consume and absorb a key part of her oppressor. The beginning of the book clarifies the belief that eating fish eyes brings good luck. Perhaps by eating George's eyes, Ji-won can absorb his luck, his privilege, his unearned confidence, and therefore take back power.
2. George is often caught leering at women, both strangers and Ji-hyun, who is underaged. By taking out his eyes, Ji-won is stripping him from his ability to make these women feel objectified with his eyes.
3. Eyes are mentioned or referred to in other ways. One that non-Korean speakers may have missed is when Kim describes Ji-hyun's " 눈치 " (nunchi), which refers to her ability to understand and interpret people. It literally translates to "eye-measure", with "눈" meaning "eye".
4. Ji-won describes her Appa early on as being treated like a king, as is common in Korean families due to strong hierarchy systems. When she first meets George waiting in the Chinese restaurant, she describe him like a king alone on a throne. This foreshadows how much her Umma later treats him as a king despite his... undesirable behavior.
5. Ji-won's primary advantage as a serial killer is her tendency to be underestimated. Kim emphasizes the stereotype that Asian women are weak and demure. She also mentions the oleander bush, which is beautiful yet poisonous, much like Ji-won grows to be. Her descent into madness is in direct contrast to what everyone, especially George, expects her to become.
6. For a minute, the reader may expect the removal of the tumor to cease her insatiable hunger for eyes, but we are quickly corrected when Ji-won's behavior doesn't stop. To me, this represents the fact that her 팔자 (palja) is inescapable.
The Eyes Are the Best Part accomplishes so much in a short, fast-paced novel, and I enjoyed every second of it. The end is so satisfying, and I almost had a hard time closing the book for good. If you like strange, gory horror with a feminist twist, please read it as soon as possible!
George and Geoffrey's characterization, unfortunately, are a bit weaker. While they are successful in provoking discomfort and anger in the reader, they came across as quite over-the-top. I do wish that their dialogue and behavior were a bit more nuanced and subtle. I appreciated that Geoffrey acted as George's foil. In psychology, we have a term called ambivalent sexism, which includes hostile sexism (overt, angry, volatile) and benevolent sexism (seemingly kind but patronizing, prescribes weakness to women). These are two sides to the same coin, and are highly correlated. Kim did a fabulous job bringing both hostile and benevolent sexism to life in these characters, although I still found them to be a bit heavy handed.
My favorite aspect of this novel is that the focal point of the horror, the eyes, are not just for shock value. These scenes are disorienting and off-putting, but, in my opinion, are dripping with literary symbolism. Here are a few of my interpretations of the text:
2. George is often caught leering at women, both strangers and Ji-hyun, who is underaged. By taking out his eyes, Ji-won is stripping him from his ability to make these women feel objectified with his eyes.
3. Eyes are mentioned or referred to in other ways. One that non-Korean speakers may have missed is when Kim describes Ji-hyun's " 눈치 " (nunchi), which refers to her ability to understand and interpret people. It literally translates to "eye-measure", with "눈" meaning "eye".
4. Ji-won describes her Appa early on as being treated like a king, as is common in Korean families due to strong hierarchy systems. When she first meets George waiting in the Chinese restaurant, she describe him like a king alone on a throne. This foreshadows how much her Umma later treats him as a king despite his... undesirable behavior.
5. Ji-won's primary advantage as a serial killer is her tendency to be underestimated. Kim emphasizes the stereotype that Asian women are weak and demure. She also mentions the oleander bush, which is beautiful yet poisonous, much like Ji-won grows to be. Her descent into madness is in direct contrast to what everyone, especially George, expects her to become.
6. For a minute, the reader may expect the removal of the tumor to cease her insatiable hunger for eyes, but we are quickly corrected when Ji-won's behavior doesn't stop. To me, this represents the fact that her 팔자 (palja) is inescapable.
The Eyes Are the Best Part accomplishes so much in a short, fast-paced novel, and I enjoyed every second of it. The end is so satisfying, and I almost had a hard time closing the book for good. If you like strange, gory horror with a feminist twist, please read it as soon as possible!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Cannibalism, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Grief
uhleeshuh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I couldn't put this book down! The author did a great job showing the descent into madness, and the social commentary splashed in the story was perfect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Blood, Cannibalism, Murder, and Toxic friendship
bookingwithjanelle's review
dark
emotional
tense
slow-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
3.5
The first half dragged a little bit, but if you can make it to there, it gets better. Enjoyed the ending & it was definitely gross in some instances.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Murder
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Gaslighting
Minor: Racism
irenemarie'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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Cannibalism, Murder, and Abandonment
Moderate: Infidelity, Blood, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug use, Vomit, and Alcohol
economydreams's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol
ekgraham's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Cannibalism, Stalking, Murder, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Pedophilia, Vomit, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
finnyboy's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
i liked this! very viscerally icky body horror as well as the implicit horror of anti-asian racism & misogyny. the climax felt a little too perfectly wrapped up for me, but i enjoyed all the men i hated getting their comeuppance. the brain tumor twist was a little cliche, but i did feel like it worked with the level of psychosis the protagonist was experiencing. overall fun, not for the squeamish definitely!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Cannibalism
Moderate: Racism, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Stalking, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
erica_reads_things's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
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
4.0
A great slow burn. I loved the character development and path that Ji-won and her family took. I really love horror books in particular that take on specific communities and frame the horror around their real life struggles. This one was very well done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Murder, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Infidelity, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Death of parent