Scan barcode
jackiie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Alcohol, Death, Cursing, Blood, Violence, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
queer_bookwyrm's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
4 ⭐ CW: violence, descriptions of blood, death of a parent, death, grief, child abuse (emotional)
Vicious Spirits by Kat Cho is book 2 in the Gumiho duology. Like book 1, this was a light and fun fantasy read (compared to what I've been reading lately) with a happy ending. This duology is great if you are interested in Korean mythology, YA romance, or K-pop/K-dramas.
We still follow Miyoung and Jihoon after the events of last book, but we get more of Jihoon's best friend, Somin this time. We also get a new POV from Junu the dokkaebi. Miyoung struggles with her grief and her lost Gumiho bead. Somin struggles with her feelings for Junu, and Junu struggles with what he actually wants vs. what he thinks he deserves.
The gang has to figure out what is causing a rip between the living world and the realm of ghosts, before the ghosts make everyone make and disrupt the natural order. We also get some interludes that give us more origin of dokkaebi and Junu's backstory. Junu's story is a sad one and helps us and his friends understand why he is the way he is, and why he doesn't think he deserves kindness or happiness.
Junu learns that you don't have to be the same kind of person you always were, people can change, and shutting people out and not letting others care for you, isn't helpful to anyone. Miyoung learns to let go of her dead loved ones so she can properly grieve and move on. Somin learns she must stop putting everyone else's wants and needs ahead of her own, and instead focus on herself and what she wants. I definitely relate to Somin the most. I find myself doing the same thing: stuffing my feelings down so I don't make anyone else uncomfortable and making sure everyone else is okay, even though no one asked me to do that. Something both Somin and I need to work on.
All in all, a fun duology that was a much needed break from all the serious books I've been reading.
Vicious Spirits by Kat Cho is book 2 in the Gumiho duology. Like book 1, this was a light and fun fantasy read (compared to what I've been reading lately) with a happy ending. This duology is great if you are interested in Korean mythology, YA romance, or K-pop/K-dramas.
We still follow Miyoung and Jihoon after the events of last book, but we get more of Jihoon's best friend, Somin this time. We also get a new POV from Junu the dokkaebi. Miyoung struggles with her grief and her lost Gumiho bead. Somin struggles with her feelings for Junu, and Junu struggles with what he actually wants vs. what he thinks he deserves.
The gang has to figure out what is causing a rip between the living world and the realm of ghosts, before the ghosts make everyone make and disrupt the natural order. We also get some interludes that give us more origin of dokkaebi and Junu's backstory. Junu's story is a sad one and helps us and his friends understand why he is the way he is, and why he doesn't think he deserves kindness or happiness.
Junu learns that you don't have to be the same kind of person you always were, people can change, and shutting people out and not letting others care for you, isn't helpful to anyone. Miyoung learns to let go of her dead loved ones so she can properly grieve and move on. Somin learns she must stop putting everyone else's wants and needs ahead of her own, and instead focus on herself and what she wants. I definitely relate to Somin the most. I find myself doing the same thing: stuffing my feelings down so I don't make anyone else uncomfortable and making sure everyone else is okay, even though no one asked me to do that. Something both Somin and I need to work on.
All in all, a fun duology that was a much needed break from all the serious books I've been reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
Moderate: Blood, Violence, and Child abuse
urlocalvocaloidstan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-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? Yes
5.0
This book was just as great as the previous book in the series, with plenty of drama and romance going on. Even though the story is about Miyoung and Jihoon, this book focused a little bit more on Somin and Junu and their relationship. All the characters have really good writing and backstories that explain their motives. There was so much going on and so many plot twists at the end, but the duology still managed to wrap up really nicely with this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Grief, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse
bookishcb_21's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This sequel was REALLY good!! I enjoyed that this book picked up where it left off, focusing on the characters from the first book, but following the blossoming start of something between Junu and Somin. Junu wasn’t on good terms with everyone in book one, but Somin was bound and determined to figure out Junu and why he was still sticking around. I loved the drama and like book one, I couldn’t wait to get to the next chapter…and then the next chapter 😊 It was also cool to see a quick mention of BTS in this book, so I may or may not have squealed 💜🎶 Sad to be done with both of these books, but now I can add another favorite series to my list for 2021!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
Minor: Death of parent
aseel_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.0
this was unfortunately quite disappointing, coming off the first book. while I loved the idea of having the main characters/plot of the first book play a role in this companion novel, I felt like it focuses too much on them, that we didn't really get the actual main characters and then when we went to their pov, it felt silly in comparison to what events we witnessed for the other characters. I also don't like the immoral and young girl romance trope, so there was that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Violence, and Murder
plumpaperbacks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
[second read, December 2022]
I question my past self’s taste on a lot of things, but I can say one thing with absolute certainty: when she said “Vicious Spirits is perfect,” she was ABSOLUTELY GODDAMN RIGHT. THIS BOOK IS A MASTERPIECE.
I love all four characters in this duology’s quartet, but Junu is in an entirely different category. The love I have for him knows no bounds. I went into this reread knowing I loved him but not really remembering why, and came out of it adoring him even more fiercely. HE IS THE SWEETEST CINNAMON ROLL!!! MUST PROTECC!!! 🥹💞🫂💞🥹
Seriously though, words cannot describe how much I adore him. I’ve always sympathized with him, that’s nothing new, but I did notice something this time around that I didn’t before. Maybe the nuance of it all was lost on me because I listened to this on audio, or maybe I just forgot because I’ve read so many books and had so much else on my mind in the two years since reading this initially. I don’t know which it is. But the way he just crumbled inside, bit by bit, every time one of the other characters doubted or berated him, even as he continued to smirk and joke and pretend he was fine… IT KILLED ME. HE NEEDS THE BIGGEST HUG AND EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE NICE TO HIM. JUNU DEFENSE SQUAD 2022. 🥹🥹💗💗
And the romance??? SO HELP ME. KAT CHO HAVE MERCY ON MY SOUL.
“But it’s not Miyoung who made me hope.”
[[MUFFLED SHRIEKING]]
JOMIN IS HATE-TO-LOVE DONE RIGHT AND THAT’S THAT ON THAT.
And… y’know… they‘ve almost made me cry twice now. So there’s that. Fun times. :’)))
In other news!! Read this duology!! It has no fandom and that is a TRAGEDY!! Join in my awe, adoration and intense feelings!! ✨✨✨
[first read, September 2020]
If Wicked Fox was phenomenal, then that must mean that Vicious Spirits is perfect. I put the audiobook on hold via Libby immediately after finishing the first book, and I was so freaking excited the day it was ready. Once again, despite it being nearly twelve hours long, I marathoned it in about a day. I even chose listening to this over playing The Sims, which, for me, means a lot.
I didn’t read the synopsis for this book, so I was not aware that it was a companion, not a direct sequel. I didn’t know that Somin and Junu were the protagonists this time around, with Miyoung and Jihoon still quite prominent but no longer narrating. It was a surprise, but not an unpleasant one.
I don’t think I have the words to describe how much I love this book. I keep a note on my phone while reading, to track reactions and thoughts to put in my reviews. This time around, that note is just a long list of panicking and fangirling and emojis. It’s fitting, to be honest, as this story was even more of a whirlwind than that of the first book.
I adore these characters with my whole heart. I already knew that Miyoung and Jihoon were amazing, but learning more about characters that were on the sidelines in Wicked Fox and falling in love with them was a treat. Somin and Junu are just as amazing, in my opinion, and that’s that on that.
My favorite part of the story was undeniably the relationships between the four leads. Miyoung, Jihoon, and Somin’s friendship. The way the three of them antagonized Junu, even though sometimes they took it too far and I wanted to give Junu a hug. (Who am I kidding, I want to give them all hugs.) Miyoung and Jihoon are properly together now, and adorable. Then there’s the agonizing but adorable, heartbreaking yet heartwarming hate-to-love situation with Somin and Junu. I did wonder if something would happen between them, though it was a passing thought. But wow, I love and support it so much!!!
I will say, on that note, that this book seriously stressed me out. I thought the ending of Wicked Fox was intense, but that honestly feels like child’s play compared to the second half of this. I was, essentially, freaking out for six (seven?) hours of the not-quite-twelve hour experience. One minute I’d be laughing at cute banter, and five minutes later I’d be concerned because there was a fight. Then after another ten minutes or so, I’d be panicking completely. Cho does not go easy on readers’ emotions. The worst of it was about 80% in, and around the 85% mark I was unbelievably close to crying. That just doesn’t happen to me, but I am attached to these characters and I feared the worst.
But thankfully, thankfully, things worked out. I’m so, incredibly happy with how everything wrapped up, and now I’m wondering a) when I can buy my own copies of these books and b) what I’m supposed to do now that the duology is complete. There’s not even any couple fan art I can put as my phone’s lock screen. Or, at least, none that I’m aware of. (If you find some or draw some, help a girl out and let me know please.)
So, yeah, I have a new series to be obsessed with and shout about at every opportunity. Vicious Spirits was even more brilliant than its predecessor, something I hoped for but wasn’t sure was possible. I look forward to Cho’s future work. In the meantime, PLEASE READ WICKED FOX.
Representation:
I question my past self’s taste on a lot of things, but I can say one thing with absolute certainty: when she said “Vicious Spirits is perfect,” she was ABSOLUTELY GODDAMN RIGHT. THIS BOOK IS A MASTERPIECE.
I love all four characters in this duology’s quartet, but Junu is in an entirely different category. The love I have for him knows no bounds. I went into this reread knowing I loved him but not really remembering why, and came out of it adoring him even more fiercely. HE IS THE SWEETEST CINNAMON ROLL!!! MUST PROTECC!!! 🥹💞🫂💞🥹
Seriously though, words cannot describe how much I adore him. I’ve always sympathized with him, that’s nothing new, but I did notice something this time around that I didn’t before. Maybe the nuance of it all was lost on me because I listened to this on audio, or maybe I just forgot because I’ve read so many books and had so much else on my mind in the two years since reading this initially. I don’t know which it is. But the way he just crumbled inside, bit by bit, every time one of the other characters doubted or berated him, even as he continued to smirk and joke and pretend he was fine… IT KILLED ME. HE NEEDS THE BIGGEST HUG AND EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE NICE TO HIM. JUNU DEFENSE SQUAD 2022. 🥹🥹💗💗
And the romance??? SO HELP ME. KAT CHO HAVE MERCY ON MY SOUL.
“But it’s not Miyoung who made me hope.”
[[MUFFLED SHRIEKING]]
JOMIN IS HATE-TO-LOVE DONE RIGHT AND THAT’S THAT ON THAT.
And… y’know… they‘ve almost made me cry twice now. So there’s that. Fun times. :’)))
In other news!! Read this duology!! It has no fandom and that is a TRAGEDY!! Join in my awe, adoration and intense feelings!! ✨✨✨
[first read, September 2020]
If Wicked Fox was phenomenal, then that must mean that Vicious Spirits is perfect. I put the audiobook on hold via Libby immediately after finishing the first book, and I was so freaking excited the day it was ready. Once again, despite it being nearly twelve hours long, I marathoned it in about a day. I even chose listening to this over playing The Sims, which, for me, means a lot.
I didn’t read the synopsis for this book, so I was not aware that it was a companion, not a direct sequel. I didn’t know that Somin and Junu were the protagonists this time around, with Miyoung and Jihoon still quite prominent but no longer narrating. It was a surprise, but not an unpleasant one.
I don’t think I have the words to describe how much I love this book. I keep a note on my phone while reading, to track reactions and thoughts to put in my reviews. This time around, that note is just a long list of panicking and fangirling and emojis. It’s fitting, to be honest, as this story was even more of a whirlwind than that of the first book.
I adore these characters with my whole heart. I already knew that Miyoung and Jihoon were amazing, but learning more about characters that were on the sidelines in Wicked Fox and falling in love with them was a treat. Somin and Junu are just as amazing, in my opinion, and that’s that on that.
My favorite part of the story was undeniably the relationships between the four leads. Miyoung, Jihoon, and Somin’s friendship. The way the three of them antagonized Junu, even though sometimes they took it too far and I wanted to give Junu a hug. (Who am I kidding, I want to give them all hugs.) Miyoung and Jihoon are properly together now, and adorable. Then there’s the agonizing but adorable, heartbreaking yet heartwarming hate-to-love situation with Somin and Junu. I did wonder if something would happen between them, though it was a passing thought. But wow, I love and support it so much!!!
I will say, on that note, that this book seriously stressed me out. I thought the ending of Wicked Fox was intense, but that honestly feels like child’s play compared to the second half of this. I was, essentially, freaking out for six (seven?) hours of the not-quite-twelve hour experience. One minute I’d be laughing at cute banter, and five minutes later I’d be concerned because there was a fight. Then after another ten minutes or so, I’d be panicking completely. Cho does not go easy on readers’ emotions. The worst of it was about 80% in, and around the 85% mark I was unbelievably close to crying. That just doesn’t happen to me, but I am attached to these characters and I feared the worst.
But thankfully, thankfully, things worked out. I’m so, incredibly happy with how everything wrapped up, and now I’m wondering a) when I can buy my own copies of these books and b) what I’m supposed to do now that the duology is complete. There’s not even any couple fan art I can put as my phone’s lock screen. Or, at least, none that I’m aware of. (If you find some or draw some, help a girl out and let me know please.)
So, yeah, I have a new series to be obsessed with and shout about at every opportunity. Vicious Spirits was even more brilliant than its predecessor, something I hoped for but wasn’t sure was possible. I look forward to Cho’s future work. In the meantime, PLEASE READ WICKED FOX.
Representation:
- full cast of Korean characters
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Blood, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Medical content, Death of parent, Cancer, and Fire/Fire injury
Miyoung mourns the recent loss of her mother and Jihoon mourns the recent loss of his grandmother; Somin remembers and mourns her late father, who died of cancer when she was a child. There are a few instances of characters visiting or being admitted to the hospital, though never for long. In the last third of the book, one character dies by strangulation and one by fire, though both scenes are brief/vague and neither character is major.
More...