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dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Murder, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol
Moderate: Pedophilia, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Stalking
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this was amazing. a must read for anyone who likes body horror, sister relationships, and feminine rage.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Cannibalism, Stalking, Murder, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Racism, Stalking
Minor: Pedophilia, Vomit
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Killer good time!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Misogyny, Blood, Cannibalism, Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Pedophilia, Sexism, Vomit
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hmm so I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I expected, but it was still a good read!
the tumor part was a bit… contrived, very much giving plot armor, or plot lawyer might be more accurate. the ending in general felt a bit cobbled together, almost like a sequel is coming? it just felt a bit unfinished, or like it was meant to be a season finale cliffhanger. Big Dramatic Conclusion with a Big Dramatic Statement foreshadowing more events. Didn’t love it
it was interesting to see Jiwon lean into her delusions; even after her brain tumor was removed, she was like fuck it, let’s kill more men! i kinda fuck with that energy. don’t love that she practiced on the homeless and random drunks; the homeless guy in particular clashed heavily with the ideas of power and privilege Jiwon was forming. Guess she hadn’t gotten to intersectionality in her classes? it seemed at odds with her brewing rage with being at the mercy of those with more privilege, but maybe the point was she was willing to stomp all over someone lower on the totem pole than she, if it meant she could indulge in her cravings and feel a sense of satisfaction? not sure what im meant to take from that tbh.
Alexis… confused me. It felt like she was there mostly to be Jiwon’s Red Flag Interpreter, tutor, social grease, possibly first sapphic crush… I won’t go as far as saying token black friend, because Jiwon clearly had unaddressed feelings for her, and there was much potential for a very nice relationship to be portrayed, but the lack of focus on that budding relationship beyond how Alexis could support Jiwon left a weird taste in my mouth. more time spent on Jiwon and Alexis just hanging together might have helped, but ultimately Alexis has very little chardev. Her mom was “sick” in the beginning of the book, but we never even learn what happened. It felt like her life only existed in the context of Jiwons suffering. not ideal but also sort of faded to the background given the murder and hallucinations.
I could say the same about Jihyun; at times, her lack of personality was due to Jiwons perspective (I am older and thus more complex, I am protector and my problems are more important, etc.) but other times it just felt like she was there to cry and disagree. none of her own activities, no actions beyond random outbursts that were immediately smoothed over- she seemed pretty headstrong, if a bit shy to act before Jiwon; how is it that she made no moves against George on her own? No conflicting plans that could have bungled Jiwons larger plot? I think the book was so internally focused that it lost sight of there being other characters that could be repressing the same sort of rage, pain, upset. Jiwon being too preoccupied to notice makes sense, but even still, sometimes it felt more like the other characters were powered down until Jiwon walked into the room. I don’t think there was good use of the very compelling set of characters Kim introduced us to.
Ultimately, I liked this: it has the same sort of brutal car crash descent into madness yet freedom as Chlorine, but went even farther off the deep end. If you liked that, I imagine you’ll like this! I think Kim made a great debut, and despite my complaints above, I’d like to read more by this author
the tumor part was a bit… contrived, very much giving plot armor, or plot lawyer might be more accurate. the ending in general felt a bit cobbled together, almost like a sequel is coming? it just felt a bit unfinished, or like it was meant to be a season finale cliffhanger. Big Dramatic Conclusion with a Big Dramatic Statement foreshadowing more events. Didn’t love it
it was interesting to see Jiwon lean into her delusions; even after her brain tumor was removed, she was like fuck it, let’s kill more men! i kinda fuck with that energy. don’t love that she practiced on the homeless and random drunks; the homeless guy in particular clashed heavily with the ideas of power and privilege Jiwon was forming. Guess she hadn’t gotten to intersectionality in her classes? it seemed at odds with her brewing rage with being at the mercy of those with more privilege, but maybe the point was she was willing to stomp all over someone lower on the totem pole than she, if it meant she could indulge in her cravings and feel a sense of satisfaction? not sure what im meant to take from that tbh.
Alexis… confused me. It felt like she was there mostly to be Jiwon’s Red Flag Interpreter, tutor, social grease, possibly first sapphic crush… I won’t go as far as saying token black friend, because Jiwon clearly had unaddressed feelings for her, and there was much potential for a very nice relationship to be portrayed, but the lack of focus on that budding relationship beyond how Alexis could support Jiwon left a weird taste in my mouth. more time spent on Jiwon and Alexis just hanging together might have helped, but ultimately Alexis has very little chardev. Her mom was “sick” in the beginning of the book, but we never even learn what happened. It felt like her life only existed in the context of Jiwons suffering. not ideal but also sort of faded to the background given the murder and hallucinations.
I could say the same about Jihyun; at times, her lack of personality was due to Jiwons perspective (I am older and thus more complex, I am protector and my problems are more important, etc.) but other times it just felt like she was there to cry and disagree. none of her own activities, no actions beyond random outbursts that were immediately smoothed over- she seemed pretty headstrong, if a bit shy to act before Jiwon; how is it that she made no moves against George on her own? No conflicting plans that could have bungled Jiwons larger plot? I think the book was so internally focused that it lost sight of there being other characters that could be repressing the same sort of rage, pain, upset. Jiwon being too preoccupied to notice makes sense, but even still, sometimes it felt more like the other characters were powered down until Jiwon walked into the room. I don’t think there was good use of the very compelling set of characters Kim introduced us to.
Ultimately, I liked this: it has the same sort of brutal car crash descent into madness yet freedom as Chlorine, but went even farther off the deep end. If you liked that, I imagine you’ll like this! I think Kim made a great debut, and despite my complaints above, I’d like to read more by this author
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Vomit, Cannibalism
Moderate: Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Never thought I’d be rooting so hard for someone to get eyeballs. This temporarily ruined tomatoes for me.
Energy: Resilient. Direct. Urgent.
Scene: 🇺🇸 Set in and around Koreatown, Los Angeles
Perspective: We follow an 18-year-old college student living at home when their father suddenly divorces their mother, leaveing them and their sibling behind. They navigate their mother’s heartbreak and a toxic stepparent while trying to build a foundation for their future.
🐕 Howls: Dialogue was a little stilted sometimes in a way that knocked me out of story.
🐩 Tail Wags: Short chapters. Plot snapshots that get to the point immediately. Mix of direct commentary with symbolism and subtly underneath. Family dynamics. Relatable homicidal thoughts. The ending.
🤔 Random Thoughts:
I thought this would be bizarro weird, like how could it not be? But it’s surprisingly realistic feeling.
The commentary is heavy and direct in some places, but not over the top. Just obvious monologues and red flags that characters ignore because Trauma. But there's subtle symbolism and commentary in the background events too. I think this could be a good book club book...if you don’t mind eye stuff.
That ending was so satisfying. I predicted it after reveals in the last 75% but was hooked rooting for Ji-won. There are unresolved plot lines, but not in a bad way, just not everything is tied up tidily. It ends naturally without ‘solving’ everything.
The writing style felt YA to me. Not in a bad way – we’re following the life of a young adult! But if you aren’t used to that or don’t like it, then it could feel simplistic. Also, for 14+ readers I think this could be a fun to cathartic read (but check those content warnings too).
Can we get a streaming adaptation please?
🤓 Reader Role: Riding the emotional roller coaster. Ji-won candidly telling us her story, what is happening, and her motivations and feels.
🗺️ World-Building: Foreboding. Easy to imagine. Not overly detailed.
🔥 Fuel: Emotional investment atmospheric tension + cathartic energy. Will Ji-won survive the toxic men in her life? Can she protect herself and her sister? Is she starting to catch feelings for her new friend? What will she do about her new cravings?
📖 Cred: Plausible realism (if forensics/police are incompetent, which happens!)
Mood Reading Match-Up:
Peppermint. Fish eyes. Blue eyes. Kimchi jjiage. Slamming doors. Chinese American takeout. Lecture halls. Pocket knife. Salty brine. Metal. Footsteps. Emojis. Tequila. Oleander.
· Generational trauma
· Surreal dreams and nightmares
· Symbolic cannibalistic cravings
· Hint of crushing on a Bestie sapphic romance
· Shitty stepparent horrors
· Toxic men behaving badly
· Vengeance gore and fantasizing
· Paranoia, real life, or unhinged?
· Direct but deep commentary on misogyny and racism
· Psychological horror with elements of body horror
· Claustrophobic family life
· Destiny, fortune, fate
· Sisterhood
· Feminine Dexter-style rage
Content Heads-Up: Parental abandonment. Infidelity, spousal abandonment, heartbreak/grief. Extreme poverty, starvation (very brief recall, off page). Generational trauma. Unhealthy parent (triangulation, passive aggressive, guilting). Racism (fetishization, virtue signalling, objectification, targeting/taking advantage of language barriers, prejudice, bias, projecting). Toxic wokeness. Toxic masculinity/misogyny (sexual comments, leering). Step-incest/abuse (leering, sexually charged comments, controlling). Toxic friendship (controlling, monitoring, guilting, stalking, obsession). Homicidal/intrusive thoughts. Blood. Cannibalism. Medical (brief; tumours, hospital). Vomit. Parental neglect (toxic romantic partner).
Rep: Korean, Black, and White Americans. Koreans. Second generation culture. Cisgender. Heterosexual. Pale, brown-freckled, and ambiguous skin tones.
📚 Format: Library Digital
My musings 💖 powered by puppy snuggles 🐶
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Toxic relationship, Cannibalism, Toxic friendship, Abandonment
Moderate: Infidelity, Stalking, Sexual harassment
Minor: Vomit, Grief, Classism
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is so freaking weird and not at all what I expected going in but that ended up being... better?
Other readers may disagree but I think the ending and overall pacing worked very well for the story. The first half is noticeably slower than the second, as we get to know Ji-Won, her family, and the harsh misogyny/racism she faces as an Asian woman, but once the 50% hits the story takes off at a break-neck pace that's about asunhinged as Ji-Won herself.
A lot of questions were left unanswered so if you're looking for a neat, closed ending this may not be the book for you (worked for me).
Thank you NetGalley/Octopus Publishing for the ARC.
Other readers may disagree but I think the ending and overall pacing worked very well for the story. The first half is noticeably slower than the second, as we get to know Ji-Won, her family, and the harsh misogyny/racism she faces as an Asian woman, but once the 50% hits the story takes off at a break-neck pace that's about as
A lot of questions were left unanswered so if you're looking for a neat, closed ending this may not be the book for you (worked for me).
Thank you NetGalley/Octopus Publishing for the ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Cannibalism
Moderate: Gore
Minor: Vomit
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Blood, Cannibalism, Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship
Minor: Drug use, Infidelity, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Stalking
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ooooo this is delicious if I do say so myself!! If you are a fan of Bunny by Mona Awad or Maeve Fly by C. J. Leede this is the book for you.
The body horror/gore is so so good. detailed without being overly gratuitous. There’s much to be said about the MC relationships with either parents/friends/sibling and how those shape her. The flashbacks give just enough insight that by the end you are left with a complete understanding of her decisions as horrid as they may be (maybe that’s just me because I too am mad at men).
oh yeah this is very much a man hating book and not for softy ‘well, actually’ types. be warned!
overall a stellar debut and will be checking this author out again!
Thank you to Kensington/Erewhon books and Netgalley for the eArc for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Racism, Violence, Vomit, Cannibalism, Stalking, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Misogyny, Self harm, Kidnapping, Abandonment
Minor: Cancer, Vomit, Car accident, Toxic friendship