A review by crothe77
Small Gods of Calamity by Sam Kyung Yoo

adventurous fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Small Gods of Calamity by Sam Kyung Yoo is a contemporary fantasy mystery taking place in South Korea and featuring Korean, Japanese, and Chinese spiritualism. Han-gil is a detective and also a spiritualist who can see and communicate with the supernatural. When the same kind of creature that killed his mother is suspected to be responsible for another murder, Han-gil is ready to do what it takes to destroy it.

I really liked Han-gil and his dynamics with his partner on the force, his adopted sister, and the former host of the same creature that killed Han-gil. Each one felt very different and informed by a deep history and previous experiences. Han-gil is a very likable, stand-up guy despite how often he breaks the rules and he displays compassion for others while also having his hardline limits. 

The references to spiritualism were very cool, especially Han-gil’s ability to hear different souls and sometimes taste and smell them. I love when multiple senses are included  in the more fantastical elements and this was very well done.

Content warning for the depiction of transphobia and deadnaming (not by the MCs)

I would recommend this to fans of Korean fantasy, readers looking for a mystery with some supernatural elements, and long-time animanga fans looking to dip their toes back into the world of novels. 

 
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