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A review by moonlit_dewdrops
Small Gods of Calamity by Sam Kyung Yoo
3.0
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.
Content warnings:
As a K-drama fan, I thoroughly enjoyed this novella! Lately, I've been delving into mystery-centered books set in Korea, which is why this particular book caught my attention. Reading it was like watching a thriller/mystery K-drama.
The world-building and fantasy elements were well-executed and thoroughly explained. While the plot didn't grip me intensely, it was compelling enough to maintain my interest. I appreciated how Han-Gil's backstory, particularly the childhood memory of his mother's death, was intricately tied into the main narrative. Similarly, Yoonhae, his childhood friend, had a history and encounter with the worm spirit which left him without 4 of his 5 senses. The involvement of side characters like his sister Azuna and Yoonhae felt organic to the plot, rather than being randomly inserted.
Another aspect I found intriguing was Han-Gil's adoption by a Japanese family, which added a layer of complexity to his identity.
One unexpected but appreciated aspect was the book's exploration of transphobia, which, in an East Asian setting, can be particularly harsh. My heart truly went out to Junhee.
Overall, I found this book to be quite engaging! I can easily envision Lee Dong Wook portraying Han-Gil on screen!
Content warnings:
Spoiler
transphobia, suicide, domestic abuse, child endangerment/harmAs a K-drama fan, I thoroughly enjoyed this novella! Lately, I've been delving into mystery-centered books set in Korea, which is why this particular book caught my attention. Reading it was like watching a thriller/mystery K-drama.
The world-building and fantasy elements were well-executed and thoroughly explained. While the plot didn't grip me intensely, it was compelling enough to maintain my interest. I appreciated how Han-Gil's backstory, particularly the childhood memory of his mother's death, was intricately tied into the main narrative. Similarly, Yoonhae, his childhood friend, had a history and encounter with the worm spirit which left him without 4 of his 5 senses. The involvement of side characters like his sister Azuna and Yoonhae felt organic to the plot, rather than being randomly inserted.
Another aspect I found intriguing was Han-Gil's adoption by a Japanese family, which added a layer of complexity to his identity.
One unexpected but appreciated aspect was the book's exploration of transphobia, which, in an East Asian setting, can be particularly harsh. My heart truly went out to Junhee.
Overall, I found this book to be quite engaging! I can easily envision Lee Dong Wook portraying Han-Gil on screen!