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

You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.

Reviews tagging 'Body horror'

The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim

361 reviews

cindythehotmessmom's review against another edition

3.25

dark medium-paced

Content Warnings

christinelupella2024's review against another edition

4.0

dark mysterious 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

Lots of triggers in this. Definitely disturbing horror, but really well done!

Content Warnings

wyabook234's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional mysterious 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

The most pleasing part of Monkia Kim's Eyes Are The Best is the development of Ji-Won as her mental state descends from a troubled college student to a murderous eyeball-feasting cannibal. While it is easy to blame the hand she was dealt with after her father Appa left, you will also find that earlier in her life, it turns out that she had troubling tenancies. They are especially emphasized by how she continues to play around with the people in her life. Her eventual rage against men such as George and Geoffry for how they choose to see Ji-Won and her eventual hunger is balanced by her amicable relationships with sister Ji-Hyun and her college friend Alexis. They bring normalcy to her life and help reflect that while she needs to be wary around people, she doesn't want to be alone with her rage.

However, some parts aren't a part of the "best' in the novel. While the dream sequences help to remind Ji-Won that she is getting consumed by her obsession with blue eyes, they are devices that are overused within the narrative. There is also a plot hole in how investigators didn't question the cop who stopped her while she had her second victim in the car's backseat. Within the ending, there was the inclusion of a brain tumour that could have been used to foreshadow her unpredictable behaviour. However, the diagnosis's inclusion turns out to be random and useless in contributing to Ji-Won's development.

If there is a moment that is the most disturbing in the novel, it would be Ji-Won's killing of her first victim because the last blue eyes that she had come from a dead man. This scene cemented that her urges would override her morality, and they ultimately do as she licks the man's eyeballs and proceeds to try to gorge them out. When her first attempt fails, she accidentally breaks his neck, and after she gets them out, Ji-Won describes the exhilaration of enjoying the content of the meal that came straight from the man's face.

Content Warnings

jamielee's review against another edition

5.0

dark tense fast-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

Sick and twisted. Kept me on my toes wanting more. Although I guessed a few major plot points the story was entertaining (and equal parts nauseating). Definite recommend for those who enjoy body horror

Content Warnings