Dark and fascinating, The Eyes Are the Best Part take you through the devolving mental state of a character experiencing both trauma and the weight of societal pressures. Ji-won is struggling after her father leaves the home and is replaced by a gruff, unintelligent white man named George. While her mother is happy to feel a connection again, Jo-won and her sister see right through him. Ji-Won develops a fascination with blue eyes and wanting to carve them from a man’s head which leads her down a trail of vengeance. This story was layered and insightful on what it is like to be a young woman caring for her family while also understanding her role in the world.

This horror/thriller revolves around a Korean-American family, focusing on young Ji-won as she grapples with her parents' recent separation. As her mother struggles to cope with being a single parent and brings a home a new ‘friend’, Ji-won begins to spiral, having nightmares and experiencing unsettling waking urges. The story delves into many dark themes such as misogyny, racism, stalking, bullying, body horror and much more! It's well-written, fast-paced, and emotionally gripping. It’s also incredibly hard to put down.

This was such a quick read and so good. I consumed this in such a short span of time and wanted more.

It’s not your typical horror story, there’s not much dread going on, but more of “what the hell” feeling, wondering is she dreaming, is she insane (would have to be) is this real life? I could feel our main character’s emotional and mental downward spiral in my bones and even though she was unhinged, I really felt for her. I really liked the end twists, and I was quite surprised that this is a debut, it was so good to me. Many thanks to Erewhon Books for my eARC. The Eyes Are the Best Part will be published tomorrow, 6/25. If you like unhinged women, feminist horror, and psychological horror, you definitely need to read this one.

This one would probably be more enjoyable to own voices readers, it follows the Korean American experience and a serial killer, it’s quite a wild read !

As soon as I read the premise of this book, I knew I needed to read it ASAP: A female serial killer psychological horror....with eye imagery??

I have always loved anything to do with eyes and eye imagery, and this book really delivered with that. I actually hated the way eating an eye was described (hated...in a positive way). And all the other weird eye imagery was great for me. One of my complaints with this book is how surface level/spelled out for the reader some of the commentary feels, but I will say the male gaze/perception of woman and in particular, Asian women, by white men, was very well done through the abstract eye imagery. I just wish a more sparing approach was used throughout the book in that regard.

I think I am landing somewhere between a 3.5 and 3.75 on this one, but I will round up to a 4, since a 3 just feels too low. This is one that reads incredibly quickly, has plenty of horror (both real and psychological), and feels like a fresh take on serial killer horror. I would recommend this one!

3.5 stars. Love a good female serial killer. And Ji-Won is smart and deadly. I'm giving 3.5 stars because I feel that it started a little too slow for me and Ji-Won's mother was on my last nerve. But once it gets going, hang on.
This is the story of an unraveling. A family unraveling and a young intelligent mind. Ji-won will protect her family at all costs. To her that includes her mother, Umma and her sister, Ji-han. Her Appa (father) left them to fend for themselves and Ji-won's mother has come undone. That is, until she meets George, a white obnoxious fetishist.. Ji=won's rage knows no bounds and it will not be sated until George pays.
A cool subversive novel that ends in the best possible way for Ji-won.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for this e=arc.*

Monika Kim comes out swinging in her debut novel The Eyes Are the Best Part. An engaging novel following the unraveling of a young Korean-American woman in the wake of her father’s affair and subsequent departure. You know it’s wrong, but you’ll be cheering for Ji-Won at every bloody twist and turn as she descends further into her cannibalistic serial killer ways. This one tackles multiple heavy topics that may be triggering for some people, these include racism, misogyny, and fetishization. I really enjoyed this one and can’t wait to see where Monika Kim takes us in her next novel.

When a young woman’s life starts to unravel, her stress begins manifesting in strange and violent ways that I promise you won’t see coming. No spoilers but if you ever wondered what it was like to eat a human eyeball, look no further! This is good for her/unhinged woman horror at its finest. It was also really funny and full of important commentary on racism and misogyny. Loved!!

I haven't been actually afraid or disturbed by a book for a while--this one filled me with dread, rage, and disgust in all the best ways. It was expertly paced and plotted, didn't skimp on character development in favor of suspense, and used the unreliable narrator trope very well (complete with reality-blurring dreams and hallucinations). A delicious addition to the "good for her" horror canon.

Thanks to netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! I saw horror, revenge, and female serial killer so naturally I wanted to read this immediately. We dive right into the mess of the main character’s life and it gets messier but still somehow stays relatable. Her fixation on eyes was gross but the description of eating! them! made my stomach turn…
It took me a while to get into 50% of the book but then the other 50% I read in one day lol
So if you’d like a character based, unhinged, delicious?, violent, and fast paced novel then this is the one!
It comes out 25th June so it’d be a great read to get into spooky season 👻

This was a very intriguing premise, but I thought that the book did not execute it well. But I am very excited for Monika Kim, have been watching her since she commented on PubTips! Thank you NetGalley / Erewhon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a weird and gruesome book! The main character’s descent into madness was a fun read and often left me questioning what was real right along with her. Definitely don’t eat while reading this but I will absolutely reread and recommend this to those who like a weird girlhood book.

› Ji-won's Umma (mother) explains to her daughters that eating the eyes of a fish will bring good luck. The trio have an awkward relationship, strained after Ji-won's father abandoned them. The first part of The Eyes Are the Best Part felt like a domestic drama about her mother's depression, Ji-won's struggle during her first year of college, and her changing relationship with her fifteen-year-old sister. After a falling out with her high school friends, Ji-won is happy to meet Geoffrey and Alexis at college. One day, Ji-won's mother brings home her new boyfriend George. He's an obnoxious white man who is racist, sexist, and has a fetish for Asian women. Ji-won starts having terrifying nightmares about eyeballs and can't stop thinking about George's beautiful blue eyes...and how much she wants to eat them. 👀 Ji-won slowly loses her mind while navigating new friendships, trying to keep her family together, and fighting violent urges.
› It was interesting to learn more about another culture and I could relate to the fish-eyeball eating, as I saw many people do that while growing up in Newfoundland & Labrador. The story mentions "the four pillars of destiny" which is a Chinese astrological practice. Googling it sent me down a rabbit hole.

› Ji-won is a well-developed character. Some of the other characters felt a little cookie-cutter, but I didn't care - I felt invested in all of their relationships. The tension builds steadily and we get excellent descriptions of setting and mood. I love a horror novel that has high-quality writing and authentic dialogue. The pace was perfect for me. I didn't want to put it down. There are gross scenes, but they don't go on forever. The ending felt a little rushed, however, overall I had a great time reading The Eyes Are the Best Part.

› The Eyes Are the Best Part tackles Asian hate crime, racism, and stereotypes. It talks about dysfunctional families, infidelity, and abandonment. It talks about toxic relationships and gaslighting. It talks about stress and mental illness.
APPEAL FACTORS
Storyline: character-driven, intricately plotted, issue-oriented, own voices, unconventional
Pace: engrossing
Tone: angsty, high-drama, suspenseful, thought-provoking, dark, mysterious, gruesome, violent
Writing Style: well-crafted dialogue, candid, compelling, engaging, gritty
Character: authentic, awkward, brooding, complex, flawed, unlikeable, well-developed, diverse

Read Alikes:
Maeve Fly by C.J. Leede
Earthlings by Sayaka Murata
My sister, the serial killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huang
› Final Thoughts
• The Eyes Are the Best Part is an unhinged and disturbing literary horror novel about racism, an unhappy family, and revenge that left me wanting seconds. It's one of the best fiction books I've read this year and one of my favourite horror novels. It reminded me of the TV show Dexter. I recommend this to fans of horror who don't mind some gore. Kim has said she's working on another feminist horror novel with the working title Molka (a Korean term for illegal spy cameras that video women). One of her all-time favourite books is Hunger by Lan Samantha Chang. She also enjoys horror authors Shirley Jackson, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Tananarive Due, Christopher Golden, Sayaka Murata, and Bora Chung.


Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Eyes Are the Best Part is challenging and gruesome, but also empowering and energizing. Following Ji-won on her journey to legitimate freedom was a treat. We meet Ji-won during a downturn in her life. Struggling in her freshman year of college, struggling to be the strength her family needs after being randomly left one day by her father, struggling with her mother's constant need to be taken care of. When her mother brings home white man George one day, things start getting worse. His treatment of Ji-won, her sister, and her mother is acceptable on the surface, but if you look too long, all the problems become obvious. He stares too long at her underage sister. He insists he knows everything about a culture he isn't a part of. His yellow fever becomes apparent and his misogyny even more so. As George hangs around more, Ji-won notices some changes of her own. She gets a hunger that only human eyes will satiate. Thus begins Ji-won's journey of freeing herself and her family from George and the other men in her life who have tried to control her and let her down.

First of all, I have never routed for anyone like I routed for Ji-won, even while she was scarfing down those eyes of those random people. She was so clever, and every time she thought one step ahead of those dudes and out smarted them, I cheered.

Warning though, this book is full of graphic, beautifully written body horror. I cringed multiple times. Those scenes were visceral and well described, but I think that's what made the book so good.

My only complaint is that I thought the brain tumor at the end was a cop out. Then, when it wasn't, I thought it was clever. Then, I was annoyed because why write it in at all? It actually just confused me at that point, like, was I supposed to be reading more into the hospital scenes then I was? I wish it would have just been left out and been made clear that this is just who Ji-won was. No fake out needed.

Overall, this was a really clever, well-written, entertaining body horro feminist read and I look forward to reading more from this author!

Ji-won's life is ripping apart at the seams one blue-eyed eyeball at a time.
The title could not be more fitting for Monika Kim's debut novel "The Eyes Are the Best Part."
It is a character-driven horror novel about a young college woman's intense fixation on the consumption of blue eyes. For anyone who is squeamish, beware; there are vivid depictions of human eyeballs.

Although the pacing of the novel is slow, Kim does a wonderful job at building tension and grabbing the reader's attention. I personally could not stop reading once I got started.

Apart from the main plot, Kim explores themes of racism, misogyny and the fetishization of Asian women. She depicts these themes through the actions of some of the characters in the novel. These scenes will make you angry and at times make your skin crawl until Ji-won takes her revenge. Please note although there are some graphic scenes I did not find any of them to be gratuitous.

I really enjoyed The Eyes Are the Best Part and I can't wait to see what Monika Kim does next.

Content Warnings: Consumption of human eyeballs, fetishization of Asian women

Publication date June 25th

Thank you to Kensington books and Netgalley for an advanced reader's copy of this book.

what starts out as a contemporary drama about a korean-american family quickly spirals into one of the more unhinged thrillers i've read. college student ji-won is repulsed by her mom's racist new boyfriend, but he also ignites within her an intense craving to eat his beautiful blue eyeballs. she's just completely unraveling and the descriptions are disgusting and the whole storyline is weird, but i ate it up (ironically). i loved how layered it was, with a lot of social commentary on the racism experienced by asian women, as well as the heaviness of loneliness that was weighing down on all the characters. quick-paced, with the help of short chapters, and a main character to really root for in spite of it all.

This was a letdown.

I was entirely underwhelmed by the first 70ish % of this book. It did ramp up in the last 30%, but that still didn't save it for me overall.

I found this book pretty repetitive and only mildly entertaining. I understand what the author was trying to say and convey, however I just think it fell flat. I did not hate the book at all, I just wish it had been more horrific and overtly disgusting rather than a racial and social commentary. NOT SAYING THOSE ARE UNIMPORTANT ISSUES TO WRITE ABOUT, I am only saying that in accordance with the way this book is being pitched.

This was an incredible read made to be devoured in one sitting. There were multiple times I gagged at the descriptive imagery of body horror. Amongst the gore, there are multiple levels of horror-entwined social commentary. Kim builds a sense of dread with each progressing chapter, toeing the line between unlikeable female character and “Good for her”. This will be a hit for fans of unhinged femme rage, as well as “descent into madness” lovers.

I will add my Instagram review when i post it on release day

When her father abandons her family and her mother brings home a new man... one girl will begin to spiral and her appetite grows... and her need so does her body count. Ji-Won's entire life implodes when her father leaves their family because he has met a new woman. Her mother is fragile and begins to spiral and Ji-Won must look after her younger sister as well. Ji-won is dealing with failing college grades as well.... and something awakens in her after her mother has her eat a fish eye... as it is said to bring luck... yet Ji-Won has begun to develop a darker craving... human eye balls. Ji-Won soon begins to be plagued by darker urges and dreams, and her spiral isn't helped by the fact that her mother has latched onto a new boyfriend, a boyfriend that has suddenly moved in, has eyes on both Ji-Won and her sister, and is disgusting. Ji-Won knows that she'll have to protect her family while also dealing with her growing hunger for eyes... and when opportunities present themselves and her urges take control... soon the body count around her campus begins to grow. Ji-Won knows she'll have to find a way to cover her tracks but a certain classsmate is fixated on her... and now she has two men she'll have to deal with that put her life at risk. Can she figure out a way to reclaim control while also satiating her new hunger? Oh I love a coming of age girl spiral, I loved the horror and descent into the darker craves that was told in this. I had a fantastic time reading this and it definitely gave me RAW (french horror film) vibes and I had such a fun time reading it. Ji-Won was such an interesting character to read and the horror in this was fantastic! I would absolutely recommend this for anyone who enjoys a coming of age horror story.

Release Date: June 25,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Kensington Books | Erewhon Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Weird fiction with unhinged, feminine rage will ALWAYS be my jam.

The Eyes Are the Best Part follows Ji-won, a college aged Korean American girl who has experienced significant life changes, including her parents separating, a new (gross) man in her mom's life and a falling out with her close friends.
When she begins to obsess and thirst over eyes, the same eyes as her mom's new boyfriend, we see her grip on reality weaken, we get glimpses of her past, and her increasingly fragile psyche.

I thought this was such a wonderfully written and thrilling novel. I was hooked and finished it in 2 sittings. Jaw was on the floor for pretty much the last 20% of the book. Monika Kim does an amazing job writing a female character that many can relate to. (burnt out gifted kids who are also eldest daughters, who think the weight of their family's future is on their shoulders say "heyyyy")

An amazing commentary on the Asian American women and how society, specifically men view and place stereotypes on them.

With amazing descriptive detail and a female character you maybe shouldn't be rooting for, (but you are), The Eyes Are the Best Part is a fantastic novel that will stick with you long past its shocking finale.

Thank you to NetGalley, and the publisher for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.