This was a wonderful followup to Wicked Fox. The story picks up right after the events of the first book but focuses more on the perspectives of Junu and Somin. The stakes are still high and the danger is ever present and mounting as the clock ticks down for our characters. With new spirits, evil exes, and new romances, this book was a full ride and I had so much fun. I loved how both Junu and Somin were complex characters dealing with a ton of their own baggage while seemingly getting under each other's skin and the tension between them is palpable. Junu is being wrecked by guilt from the previous consequences of the first book all the while a new threat from his past comes barreling in and threatens to take away the people he has started to let into his life. Somin is trying to hold the fort down for all her friends yet is not dealing with any of her own actual pain, and yet she finds herself constantly orbiting back to Junu. The action in this book is amazing and I really enjoyed the plot. The characters were great and honestly, if you loved the first book you are definitely going to love this book. I liked seeing how the characters redeemed themselves and fought for each other. The romance is absolutely wonderful, it starts from frenemies and leads into two people who can't help but care and love each other. The story wraps up nicely and I wouldn't mind reading more stories set in this universe.
* Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I loved Wicked Fox and I think I love Vicious Spirits even more. For one, we get more of Junu's background and his story and we get to see more of Somin. While I love Miyoung and Jihoon, it was nice to focus on the other characters stories.

This was such a well thought out book and I'm so glad I read it almost immediately after Wicked Fox. It helped me understand more of the stories and legends, new and old. I could honestly spend the my entire day raving about this book. I know I've already talked some of my friends ears off with how much I like it.

Learning more about Somin was awesome. I love her story and her friendship with Miyoung and Jihoon. In Wicked Fox, she comes across as the over protective friend, ready to bash people's heads together. In Vicious Spirits, we see why she's like that and get to see things from her perspective. She's caring, funny, and puts on a tough appearance to protect herself. I appreciated getting a more fleshed out version of Somin, it helped me understand her character in Wicked Fox even better, and helped me connect with her better in this book.

And then we have Junu's story. I loved, loved, loved his story and the legends behind it. Also, his interactions with Somin and Miyoung are hilarious. I think I like his story more than Miyoung's, even though they're all woven together. The more time I spent with him, the more I liked him, and my gosh - the ending!

I really loved this book and I really want to reread them. Also, is there going to be another book? Please?

Dare I say I liked this one more than the first? I loved the additional perspectives of Junu and Somin, which added to the story. The action was a bit more concrete and the romance between Junu and Somin was just so pure. I'm so glad I decided to continue on with this series!

Vicious Spirits was a decent sequel, with the threads of storyline from the last book weaving strongly into the new refocused narrative. The change in stakes means a change in perspective and priorities, and though it is a major change from the first book, there are plenty of character advancing moments that a reader can enjoy. Plot-wise, though, I felt this book was lacking.

I was eager to jump back into this universe and initially was very excited to revisit these characters and this story. Unfortunately, Vicious Spirits is not as strong as its predecessor. Most notably, I felt disconnected from our main characters with the lack of POV from Jihoon and the new emphasis on Somin and Junu. And though the world building in the first book was spectacular, Vicious Spirits lacked the vivid imagery that made me love the first book. The pacing is similar to the first book, but without giving spoilers, I will say that Vicious Spirits felt like reading the same book again, only with our main characters now playing ensemble roles.

That isn't to say this isn't an enjoyable read. As someone who likes a narrative based on building family, friendship, and love, I was happy to read about developing relationships, but a reader looking for more action and adventure may leave this book wanting more.

ARC received from PenguinTeen through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion!!

Okay I really really loved this sequel. It had more adventure and higher takes than the first. In this book, we follow Miyoung, Jihoon, Somin, and Junu face the aftermath of their actions in the Wicked Fox, with Miyoung getting sicker by the day and spirits from the beyond haunting them at every turn.

One thing I really liked about this book, is that it didn't primarily focus on Miyooung and Jihoon, the focus was on Somin and Junu's relationship in the book. I loved getting to see all of their perspectives and it just made for such a fresh story. I highly recommend this to everyone who enjoyed the first!

Title ⤵️
Vicious Spirits

Author ⤵️
Kat Cho

Rating ⤵️
🌟

Thoughts ⤵️
A slight improvement, but still poorly executed.

I read Wicked Fox earlier this year, and was delighted to find out that I got approved for it's sequel, Vicious Spirits, on NetGalley. While Wicked Fox followed Miyoung and Jihoon through their dual POVs, Vicious Spirits is told through the eyes of Miyoung, Junu and Somin. The latter two were my favorite side characters from book one, and I was so excited to find out that this was their story (and romance!).
Vicious Spirits picks up a few weeks after the end of Wicked Fox, showing how the characters are handling the aftermath of book one. I don't want to get into the details, to avoid spoilers for both books, but I really loved what Cho did with her world. She filled it out some more in this book, and introduced a new character, Hyuk, who I'd LOVE to have a spinoff book about. Junu and Somin didn't disappoint either, now that they took over the spotlight. Both of them had excellent character development as the story continued, and I was happy to find that having them as the protagonists didn't change my love for them, if anything it made me love them more. My only complaint is that I wish Changwan had gotten a larger role in the story, while he filled out the awkward/silly chaebol role that K-Dramas tend to have, I would've liked to see that trope subverted.
Fans of Wicked Fox are going to devour it's sequel, in my opinion, it's even better than the first book. It's got romance and action, friendship and grief, and really good kissing scenes

Vicious Spirits is a fabulous emotion packed sequel to Wicked Fox. While Vicious Spirits is very character driven, especially as we get more of Junu's back story and Somin, it's also introspective. It looks at our morals, what we are willing to do for the ones we love, and who we want to let into our lives. I especially loved having these new perspectives because it not only introduced a fresh angle in the world, but it also looked at immortality and love. About the choices we make and our emotional baggage we carry.

I absolutely loved Vicious Spirits! Following what Miyoung and Jihoon went through in the first novel we see the consequences and the beads disappearance and the lengths they go to try to find it. I absolutely love that we find out more about Junu and Somin who really brought so much to this novel. All around it was a really great read! Kay Chon really outdid herself with this book!