Review by mixeterna - The Eyes Are the Best Part

mixeterna 's review for:

The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim

3.75

challenging dark mysterious medium-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

Not sure if I'd just hyped this up a lot in my head because the premise is everything I love most in horror, but I wasn't sold on this one! Some of the commentary was a little too on-the-nose (I've seen this done well, but this book missed the mark for me, especially in the first third), and there were interesting dynamics introduced that just weren't followed through. For example,

Ji-won's Appa's experiences as a poor Korean immigrant in white America vs his patriarchal role in their family; or comparing Alexis's experience with racism and fetishisation as a Black woman, which I really thought would be explored since she's the main character's ally against Geoffrey in the story (also she was literally introduced as 'the pretty Black girl', so I was really hoping there was narrative reason her race was highlighted like that)

. I did love the middle of the book as

Ji-won descends into her rage and starts eating eyeballs lol - I didn't find the 'switch' jarring as other reviewers had said, and

I thought the writing was beautiful and vivid. But then it felt like it fell off again at the end, and it almost felt like the characters had gone one-dimensional. Also,

why the brain tumour twist?? It just threw me off more than anything else, even if there were bits of foreshadowing earlier in the book. I feel like the story would've been stronger if the author had just leaned into Ji-won's trauma and anger to 'explain' her actions - there's so much that could've been explored and would've made her a far more compelling protagonist

. Regardless, I did really enjoy the premise of the book and would LOVE to see more horror like this in the future. Will be keeping an eye out for more releases by this author!

Content Warnings