Reviews with content warning for Body horror - The Eyes Are the Best Part

Reviews tagging 'Body horror'

The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim

361 reviews

yaqub_reads's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

the story follows 18 year old ji-won when her father leaves their family for another woman and her mother has a new, white boyfriend.

this was fun as hell to read. the chapters are short and perfect for me. ji-won’s descent into madness starts off slow then boils into a rageful vengeance.

this was not marketed as a queer story but i know what you are ji-won.

one thing i loved about the ending was how it leads you to believe for one second that she’s “cured” after they remove her brain tumor, that she no longer feels murderous tendencies. i was so relieved to be wrong.

i loved this book, i’d love to read more books about asian rage.

Content Warnings

megwithlegs's review against another edition

4.0

dark tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Content Warnings

brennagobragh's review against another edition

4.0

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Content Warnings

genevieve_langley's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional reflective tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

yurihorror's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional funny tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

hauntedantiqueshop's review against another edition

4.0

dark mysterious 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: Complicated

As I finished the book, I really wanted Ji-won to stop while she was ahead— that way she could successfully get away with her crimes. But the more I thought about it, it seems Ji-won’s palja plays much more of a role than I originally considered. Her life is obviously not perfect by any means; her family is coming undone, she struggles with making and keeping friends, and is surrounded by racist misogynistic men. But she KEEPS getting away with unimaginable stuff, even with the literal stalker on her trail not figuring ANYTHING out. She lies nonstop without getting caught, somehow turned her grades around and got off of academic probation, was nonstop gaslighting George and managed to get him fired, killed and ate the eyes of multiple men, broke her mom and George up, and seemingly was able to get away with framing Geoffrey for it WHILE HAVING A BRAIN TUMOR and NOT ONE PERSON knew the full truth?? And yes, Ji-hyun knew something was up but clearly not to the full extent. I can only think it’s her palja helping her every step of the way. After all, it was so important to her dad. And now, she’ll be coming after him. I love it!

Content Warnings

kyleeb4by's review against another edition

5.0

dark sad tense fast-paced

Content Warnings

atreegrowsinbooks's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Was truly obsessed with this audiobook. Need to sit with it before I make a better review. But yes, give me more.

Edit: After I've sat with this for a bit, I am still such in awe of this book. Body horror isn't something I particularly enjoy reading about, but it worked here. At times the description of eyes and the cannibalism parts were gross, but not enough to stop me from reading.

I loved experiencing this book through Ji-won's eyes. Seeing the things and people that were truly messed up resolve in the best way was satisfying. Kim is an incredible writer because I don't think I would have stayed for the entire book if the writing was lacking. Also, the audiobook narration was so so good.

I can't wait to read more from Kim!

Content Warnings

novelteapixels's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

"And when you take everything from him, you can say what these men say about us: He was asking for it. He was begging for it. He must have wanted it, since he didn’t fight back.”

Alexa play cell block tango on LOUDEST Volume
I support women's rights but most importantly women's WRONGS.
-
The layers to this horror were written so well and it was highly satisfying to watch them all unfold together. The built up frustration I had towards towards these men towards Ji-won and Ji-hyuns lives, i felt her anger through these pages. If you love women rage described perfectly in books and racists getting what they deserve (in the worst-best way) definitely recommend giving this book a try!

Content Warnings

madharpist's review against another edition

4.75

dark reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I was cheering at the end of the book! What a ride! Very satisfying!

Content Warnings

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