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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well, needless to say I won’t try fish eyes in the future 😅
Enjoyed my time with this one and the MC’s dark descent. I’m interested to see what this author releases next time.
Enjoyed my time with this one and the MC’s dark descent. I’m interested to see what this author releases next time.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
dark
tense
fast-paced
dark
mysterious
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
I read this in under a week—with a mug of green tea in hand like I was about to vibe—not get emotionally possessed by Monika Kim’s The Eyes Are the Best Part. This book? This book slithered into my head and set up camp. It’s eerie, poetic, utterly devastating—and it’s going to haunt me forever.
Monika Kim writes like she’s casting a spell. The prose flows like honey laced with something bitter and ancient. Her words don’t just describe—they pull. They pull you under. And you go willingly, because it’s beautifully horrifying. There’s this rhythm to her writing that’s soft and lyrical, but then she hits you with something sharp and cold that makes your spine jerk like, “Did I just read that right?”
And babe… the fear in this book? It’s not cheap jump-scare horror. It’s that slow, creeping, existential dread that curls up behind your ribs and stays there. It’s the kind that makes you question what’s real, what’s safe, and whether your own reflection’s really looking back.
Monika Kim writes like she’s casting a spell. The prose flows like honey laced with something bitter and ancient. Her words don’t just describe—they pull. They pull you under. And you go willingly, because it’s beautifully horrifying. There’s this rhythm to her writing that’s soft and lyrical, but then she hits you with something sharp and cold that makes your spine jerk like, “Did I just read that right?”
And babe… the fear in this book? It’s not cheap jump-scare horror. It’s that slow, creeping, existential dread that curls up behind your ribs and stays there. It’s the kind that makes you question what’s real, what’s safe, and whether your own reflection’s really looking back.
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
Very much a sharp, unflinching mirror into the machinations of Republican white men. My spine was tingling, and definitely winced from the visual aspects Kim delivers with her writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Xenophobia
Moderate: Sexism, Stalking
dark
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
I don't get grossed out easily, but this book really did it for me. Eye gore is so 🤢. And this is coming from someone who was barely affected by "Tender Is The Flesh."
As much as it disgusted me, I really liked this book. It covered important topics like feminism and the fetishization of Asian people, mostly focusing on Korean women.
I'm on the edge about calling Ji-won a morally grey character. She obviously struggles with her friendships and social relationships, but that could be due to a toxic mentality and a fear of abandonment. When it comes to the ending, obviously the tumor had a big role to play in her behavior, but framing Geffeory was something I wasn't expecting. Honestly either way, I support her. Geoffrey creeped me out, George creeped me out, so many of these men were bleh.
I hope Umma receives the love and care she deserves. :'(