I sadly did not enjoy this book very much, but I am glad to have been given the opportunity to review it. It wasn't horrific enough for me, and I thought it tread a lot of territory I've read in other books, and the treatment of some of the content wasn't the best or most cohesive when set against the rest.

Thanks again for letting me read it, greatly appreciate it.

Ji-Won, the protagonist of Monika Kim’s upcoming The Eyes are the Best Part, joins a slew of recent horror protagonists who push the boundaries of the “good for her” trope and rely more on just the absolute unhinged spectacle of a woman come undone, slipping into madness and violence (I’m looking at you, Maeve Fly). And, honestly, I’m here for it.

Ji-Won is a freshman college student living with her mother and her younger sister, just after their father’s sudden abandonment. He has, of course, met another woman, and the family his instantly forgotten.

This inciting event starts Ji-Won’s descent into a murderous rampage that looks less like rage than a terrifying compulsion. She kills a homeless man and, yes, eats his eyeballs. These descriptions are rendered in ways that are simultaneously grotesque and semi-erotic, and maybe it’s that feeling, or maybe it’s Ji-Won’s barely repressed romantic feelings for her female classmate, or maybe it’s George, her mother’s new boyfriend, or maybe it’s the blinding headaches, but now Ji-Won is driven by a near addictive need for eyes.

Almost without noticing, Ji-Won has become L.A.’s latest serial killer, but it’s a testament to the power of the novel’s first person POV that as readers we’re less concerned with Ji-Won’s mounting body count than we are with what’s going on with George. The new man in the family is a ridiculous caricature of the Ugly American with an Asian fetish and a self-professed knowledge of Asian food culture. George is so cartoonishly lecherous and awful, that we’re more than ready for Ji-Won to give him what he deserves, a payoff the book withholds masterfully.

The other key male character, is similarly ludicrous: a loose satire of the proverbial “nice guy,” who proclaims not only his niceness but his feminist bonafides every chance he gets, all the while refusing to take the hint from Ji-Won that she’s just not into him.

What works in The Eyes are the Best Part has everything to do with Ji-Won’s unique perspective, and the scenes with her mother and sister are fun, sad, and harrowing by turn. There’s also a brief fake out near the end that lands remarkably well.

There is a slight confusion of tone here, always edging toward satire, but not quite crossing over, so we’re still left to view the events through something like a realistic lens, and I’d almost prefer to see the book break free of that constraint.

In the end, the plot kind of gets away from itself, with a few too many holes to ignore, but we’re not here for plot. We’re here for a portrait of an unhinged woman who just might get revenge, get the girl, and get away with it all.

Things get gory as Ji-won serves misogynistic and racist men what she thinks they deserve. They think she's obedient and submissive as all Asian women should be. They will not see her coming...

Thank you Netgalley/publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this, it's simultaneously a story of a young woman's undoing and rebirth. I read most of this in one sitting and it flew by, holding my attention the whole time. All I keep thinking is good for her (Ji-won).

4 stars

"How do I explain to her that the home I miss isn't a place? It's a time when my life made sense. When things made sense. I bite my tongue."

What a creepy, grotesque, weird ride of a story! I'm not sure how to even begin to describe my feelings after finishing this book. Following from the POV from the main character Ji-won was so interesting. The way the author carried us through this story was so effective. Just when I thought I understood what was happening, something would change. This story did not end where I expected and the character of Ji-won was so much more than I'd thought she was.

The family dynamics and dysfunction were so relatable. Seeing everyone through Ji-won's eyes (no pun intended), her mother, sister, friends, and enemies, seemed familiar in the beginning. Ji-won's father has left her mother and she's not taking it well. As the sisters try to adapt to the new situation, Ji-won's mother meets someone at work and a relationship develops. Ji-won finally makes two new friends at university, but at least one of them isn't who they appear to be on the surface. Things just get more and more unhinged. And OMG eyeballs!

If you can handle the intense eyeball action, I highly recommend this book. It's original, horrifying, and is sure to make you squirm, at least a little.

I would really love give an actual review of this book, but the formatting on the e-file makes it basically impossible to read.

I absolutely devoured this book in no time at all. “The eyes are the best part” is a uniquely thrilling, slow descent into madness thriller that will have you hooked! Horror fans will LOVE this.

The Eyes Are the Best Part is an excellent commentary on racism and misogyny in the horror sphere. The horror in this novel is not for the faint of heart. Unhinged female characters have a strong presence in horror right now, and this book is the perfect addition.

This kind of book is normally NOT my thing, but so many people said it was good, I had to give it a shot.

Monika Kim writes compelling prose. Even when you're reading about characters you do not like, you want to read on because you're fully immersed in the story. The female rage in this book was fantastic, and if you can get past the gore, it's a very worthwhile read. 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Erewhon Books for this ARC. It was a great delve into some messed up family dynamics, trauma and a great dash of horror. So grateful I got to read an advanced copy of this book!

I will never look at eyeballs the same. I imagine this will be a huge hit in the Horror world when it's released and most deservedly. I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy and proudly display it next to my other awesome eyeball cover- Maeve Fly!

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Ji-Won lives in an apartment with her umma (mother) and her sister, recently having been abandoned by her appa (father). From this point on we see how the home is rocked and Ji-won and her sister must pick up the pieces as her mother’s depression deepens, until she finds herself a new man. The repugnant nature of this man, the weight of being an eldest daughter (I can relate), college student, and drama from her past and present mount to a breaking point, and the way she copes is…interesting to say the least.

I like a story I can learn from, and I like how I learned more about Korean culture and the concept of a palja or our fate in life, and the anatomy of an eyeball. I LOVE when a book has vivid descriptors of the food. I feel like taste is the sense so often neglected in description and I could really feel everything they ate, like how the fish skin crackled beneath her teeth. Though at some points what is being eaten isn’t so appetizing. I couldn’t finish my cheesestick in one section. Don’t eat while reading lol, it can be nauseating at times, makes me wonder if I’m cut out for Tender is the Flesh.

It reminded me a lot of a short story I wrote about a girl with Dissociative Identity Disorder (previously known as Multiple Personality Disorder). I feel like that’s a reasonable armchair diagnosis, due to the major disassociation and losses of time, with some antisocial behaviors. It also reminded me of Margaret Atwood’s “you fit into me” poem. Psychology is wild especially what the mind does in response to trauma and how we process it, or bury it, and how it ends up processing us.

The end was predictable and somewhat anticlimactic, it felt like there was this big build up to the final confrontation of George and the finale and it kind of fell flat for me. Overall this was an interesting read and I was glad to be able to read from a Korean-American perspective and my first ever ARC! Thank you so much @kensingtonbooks and @netgalley for the opportunity! Bon appetit 👁️


(Something I did not include in the review itself was I noticed two instances where Ji-won was spelled Jiwon and I wasn’t sure if that was intentional or not. They are located in chapters 31 & 61. Thank you so much for this advanced reader copy I enjoyed it!)

I devoured this book in two days (probably would’ve read it in one sitting if I didn’t have to do life things like work, eat, and sleep). I love how unhinged this book was. When we meet Ji-Won her father has just left his family to get with another woman, leaving her and her sister to deal with her grieving mother on their own. Ji-Won is also beginning her first year of college and once her mother starts dating a new man George (who she’s certain has an Asian girl fetish) things begin to to truly escalate. First of all, Ji-Won becomes obsessed with George’s eyes and her nightmares explore that obsession. As Ji-Won’s life begins to derail (she’s failing in college – her relationship with her sister and mother is strenuous and trying to fit in at college is difficult) – the book takes a very dark and twisted turn that I highly enjoyed.

I don’t want to say much about the plot because I wish you to experience this book the way I did – totally diving into it blind and staying for the wild ride. This is one excellent horror thriller with one of the best endings I’ve ever read (and I’m very picky when it comes to endings – I’m rarely satisfied by them).

Read this if you’re a fan of unhinged female characters ala Maeve Fly or Bunny.

*Thank you so much to NetGalley and Erewhon Books for the digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

"The Eyes Are the Best Part" by Monika Kim isn't your typical horror novel. Sure, there's a fair amount of blood and body horror that will have you peeking through your fingers, but the true terror lies in the unsettling descent of our protagonist, Ji-won.

Ji-won, a Korean-American college student, is reeling from the double whammy of her father's infidelity and the arrival of her mother's insensitive new boyfriend, George. As her family crumbles around her, Ji-won develops a bizarre and horrifying craving – a hunger for eyes, particularly those of a certain captivating shade of blue.

Kim's prose is sharp and unflinching, masterfully navigating the emotional turmoil within Ji-won. We witness the initial flicker of the taboo desire, the growing desperation, and the blurring line between sanity and monstrous obsession. The horror elements are truly disturbing, but they're never gratuitous. Each gruesome scene serves a purpose, pushing the narrative forward and amplifying the psychological unease.

This isn't just a story about a girl with a taste for eyeballs (though, fair warning, it'll definitely put you off sushi for a while). The horror in "The Eyes Are the Best Part" is layered. It explores the complexities of family, the suffocating expectations placed on first-generation children, and the simmering rage of a woman wronged. It's a feminist horror that flips the script, making the monstrous feminine not a victim, but a terrifying force of nature.

While the fast-paced plot keeps you glued to the page, I did find myself wanting a little more. The ending felt a tad rushed, leaving a few lingering questions about Ji-won's psyche and the long-term repercussions of her actions. Additionally, some of the side characters, particularly Ji-won's friends, could have benefited from further development.

Despite these minor flaws, "The Eyes Are the Best Part" is a remarkable debut novel. It's a disturbing, thought-provoking read that will stay with you long after you finish it. If you're looking for a horror novel that goes beyond cheap scares and offers a fresh perspective on the monstrous feminine, this is a must-read. Just, again, maybe avoid reading it around mealtime.

The Eyes Are the Best Part is a contemporary horror novel about a young Korean-American woman who, after meeting her mother's racist boyfriend, begins craving the taste of blue eyes. I sped through this book, enjoying the gory descriptions and loving to hate the novel's discriminatory antagonist. However, I thought many of the author's choices regarding twists and where the story ended up felt a little bit predictable and unoriginal. Another point of contention for me was the amount of dreams in the book. It seemed as though nearly every chapter had a dream sequence which became quite predictable, quite quickly.

still lowkey in shock. that was a RIDE.

the eyes are the best part follows jiwon, a korean american, as her father leaves her family and her mother meets a new american boyfriend, and her subsequent descent into mental instability. it’s bloody, unafraid to tackle difficult topics, and just a little gory (what with all the eyeballs, though it is a given from the title alone.) i loved it.

every single minute of this was a true experience in the slow erosion of sanity over time due to the shaping of our childhood and our circumstances. i often hear the sentiment of criminals, most commonly killers, are affected severely by their childhood, and while it depends on the severity of their crime, i do agree with it to a limited extent. (i could write a paper on this, but that’s for another day and another brainrot session). jiwon, to me, is the embodiment of this sentiment, and all the moral and ethical dilemmas it presents to us, once we’ve determined whether exactly one who has taken another life for seemingly no provocation deserves our sympathy or not. where does the line begin and end? is it black and white, a line drawn in the sand, or are there truly some crimes so unforgivable that even the most fucked up of childhoods cannot excuse? the questions the eyes are the best part brings to us are as such: what shapes a killer, and what defines a killer.

i loved the characters. there was so many beautiful imagery— just from the prose alone, the image of a ghost-woman more wraith than human, paper flowers littered at her feet— it was captivating. what i find is a problem with a lot of thrillers is that it’s either too purple prose-y or too succinct. after all, there’s not usually much symbolism, if any at all, found in the genre, whereas you could plug as much imagery into things like high fantasy and it would make sense. the eyes are the best part strikes a razor sharp balance between punchy moments and beautifully rendered scenes rich with description. it’s as if i could taste the blood and brine; gritty and metallic, which, while not particularly a taste i’m partial to, it was wholly enthralling.

the exploration into familial trauma, asian fetishisation and general commentary on women in a patriarchal society was also fascinating. in particular, the themes of asian fetishisation struck me the most. as a korean-chinese in an english speaking country, there have been countless times where i’ve been victim to fetishisations and stereotyping- no matter microaggression or blatant racism, i have seen it all. the book is very accurate in the way that some particularly entitled non poc can treat asians, especially in regards to stereotypes. also, the food. my god, the korean food in this book. i’m craving some bulgogi after reading this.

also, controversial alert: i did like geoffrey, not because i like him as a PERSON, but as a character and how he was portrayed. 1) the slow transition from him seemingly being a nice guy at first, but then becoming someone who’s so obviously saying things just for the sake of it, being an ‘ally’ just because it would impress the girl he likes- it’s definitely hit the nail on the head on how some people only care about societal matters when it directly impacts them or when it’s to impress someone they like or have respect for. it’s like when people vaguely agree when you bring up societal issues like sexism but don’t actively care for it outside of the conversation.

my only gripe with this is that the ending felt a little abrupt…? for me, a really good book has to have a last line that sends a visceral reaction through me. a punch that leaves me reeling for days to come. the ending should have me gasping into my hands. the eyes are the best part did most of these things, and i was— and am still— in shock, but mostly due to the book as a whole and not the ending alone. it didn’t have any particular wow factor. when the last line came, i sort of even expected a couple more pages and instead felt, that’s it? when i saw it was the end. it was a reasonable conclusion, it just wish it hadn’t been so sudden. a couple more pages to extend the final ending and give us either a cliffhanger (which it already kind of is, anyway, but a cliffhanger only works if it’s done well) or a sense of finality. either way, the ending was not my favorite part,

other than that, this was phenomenal. thank you so much for the ARC! enjoyed every moment of my journey with jiwon.

4.25 stars

An unhinged woman plot; feminism, fetishisation, and revenge

Ji-won’s life is turned on its head upon discovering that her Appa is leaving their family apartment. In this stream-of-consciousness tale, Ji-won, who is already struggling with friendship, begins to struggle with her grades and grip on reality suffers, as she desperately tries to protect her Umma and younger sister, Ji-hyun, from the perils of the Korean-American experience

Monika Kim is exciting new voice in horror! The body horror was visceral, social commentary was timely, and the gore was disgustingly delightful. The only thing that held this back from receiving a full 5 stars was that it was a little slow in the beginning for me

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for this ARC!

3.5 stars. Holy heck this was disturbing. All the characters, excluding Alexis, are awful. They’re either selfish, weak, or mentally deranged. Ji-won spirals further and further into insanity while giving in to her weird fetish—ironic. Didn’t love all the white man bashing, especially since all the characters are deplorable, white or otherwise. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC

This was a bit too gory for my taste but I'd HIGHLY recommend it if horror is your usual genre!

Just because it wasn't for me, I'd still recommend it to specific friends!

Loved this book. Not much can gross me out but the good descriptions of the eyes really made me nauseous and made me feel like I was experiencing it for myself!

George's character made me so mad but yet I could not wait for their interactions to see where the story will lead.

Can't wait for more from this author!