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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
it was so hard to put down! such a good read!!! i haven't read a book this fast in a long time!!!
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual violence, Violence
there wasn't as much suspense as i hoped it would have and the multiple povs within a single one (as everything is narrated from mr ahn's book sometimes made it hard to keep track of things, or keep my interest.
i didn't have as much an emotional attachment between any of the characters so the supposed heartfelt parts felt kinda shallow to me. overall still a good book, but just wasn't my cup of thriller
i didn't have as much an emotional attachment between any of the characters so the supposed heartfelt parts felt kinda shallow to me. overall still a good book, but just wasn't my cup of thriller
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don’t know where to begin. Creepy, sad, terrifying-Seven Years of Darkness kept me on the edge of my seat. I didn’t want to put it down, but I also don’t want to read it at night. The depravity of certain characters, the meticulous planning, the desperation and heartbreak of other characters were all so exquisitely crafted. This is a book that will haunt me for a while.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse
4.5 ⭐
"Seven Years of Darkness" is Jeong You-Jeong's second novel translated into English. Her English debut, "The Good Son", came out in 2018, and quickly became a big hit around the world. The books are quite different in themes and in styles, and I recommend trying "Seven Years of Darkness" without any expectations based on "The Good Son". Personally I enjoyed "Seven Years of Darkness" more, but that seems to be a minority opinion. Either way, if you haven't read either, definitely give Jeong You-Jeong's books a try, and here's hoping to more of her books in translation soon!
The story kicks off with Choi Sowoon, the son of a man accused of mass murder. After his father's arrest, Sowoon is passed around from relative to relative and is unable to escape his father's crimes and lead a normal life for seven years following the incident in question. The only person that stands by his side during these seven years is Mr. Ahn, his father's employee from that time. One day, Mr. Ahn fails to return home but instead a strange manuscript is delivered to Sowoon, that sheds light on the events from seven years ago and forces Sowoon to revisit his past and question what he thought he knew about his father.
This novel sucked me in and didn't let me go until the very last page. Admittedly, the first 30-40 pages were a bit slow as the scene was getting set and the characters were introduced, but once the manuscript started unfolding the story from the past I couldn't get the characters out of my head. Everyone has a backstory and everyone has things to hide, and that made the story all the more compelling. While we find out early on who is guilty of what, finding out the drive behind each character's actions is what kept me emotionally invested until the end. There is a lot of violence in here, on and off the page, and it ranges from child abuse to domestic violence to animal cruelty. There wasn't an instance, though, where I felt that the writer was sensationalizing this violence. It was just written as part of people's lives, which unfortunately that kind of violence often is. Without preaching anything, the book often shed light on how the societal system often overlooks this kind of abuse, and questions notions of morality.
The pacing of the book was done very well, moving swiftly from one character's perspective to another. Often as I was reading I thought that it would probably make good material for a movie adaptation, and fortunately enough, other people thought that too and adapted it into the movie "Seven Years of Night". Now if you will excuse me, I need to go find myself a copy. But before that, I am definitely recommending this to fans of psychological and revenge thrillers.
"Seven Years of Darkness" is Jeong You-Jeong's second novel translated into English. Her English debut, "The Good Son", came out in 2018, and quickly became a big hit around the world. The books are quite different in themes and in styles, and I recommend trying "Seven Years of Darkness" without any expectations based on "The Good Son". Personally I enjoyed "Seven Years of Darkness" more, but that seems to be a minority opinion. Either way, if you haven't read either, definitely give Jeong You-Jeong's books a try, and here's hoping to more of her books in translation soon!
The story kicks off with Choi Sowoon, the son of a man accused of mass murder. After his father's arrest, Sowoon is passed around from relative to relative and is unable to escape his father's crimes and lead a normal life for seven years following the incident in question. The only person that stands by his side during these seven years is Mr. Ahn, his father's employee from that time. One day, Mr. Ahn fails to return home but instead a strange manuscript is delivered to Sowoon, that sheds light on the events from seven years ago and forces Sowoon to revisit his past and question what he thought he knew about his father.
This novel sucked me in and didn't let me go until the very last page. Admittedly, the first 30-40 pages were a bit slow as the scene was getting set and the characters were introduced, but once the manuscript started unfolding the story from the past I couldn't get the characters out of my head. Everyone has a backstory and everyone has things to hide, and that made the story all the more compelling. While we find out early on who is guilty of what, finding out the drive behind each character's actions is what kept me emotionally invested until the end. There is a lot of violence in here, on and off the page, and it ranges from child abuse to domestic violence to animal cruelty. There wasn't an instance, though, where I felt that the writer was sensationalizing this violence. It was just written as part of people's lives, which unfortunately that kind of violence often is. Without preaching anything, the book often shed light on how the societal system often overlooks this kind of abuse, and questions notions of morality.
The pacing of the book was done very well, moving swiftly from one character's perspective to another. Often as I was reading I thought that it would probably make good material for a movie adaptation, and fortunately enough, other people thought that too and adapted it into the movie "Seven Years of Night". Now if you will excuse me, I need to go find myself a copy. But before that, I am definitely recommending this to fans of psychological and revenge thrillers.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think I was too hyped up on The Good Son to appreciate this much. It was an interesting book with some good plot points, but twists were obvious - were they even twists to be honest?! - and it didn’t come close to the amazing experience of The Good Son. It didn’t seem believable at times and some things seemed super duper convenient. Worth a read if you want to crack on with some Korean literature, but pick up The Good Son instead if you have a choice!
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse
Minor: Animal cruelty