my very first ARC, so thank you immensely to the publisher!

this book treads a fine line between fun body horror and feeling physically sick for me - which I suppose is a good thing if that's what you're into. i found myself having to put the book away at times feeling nauseous, but i'm sensitive about these things (yet still like to challenge myself).

The Eyes are the Best Part follows Ji-won, an 18-year-old unhinged girlie who has fair reason to be unhinged because, besides horror, this is a book about grief, misogyny, cultural differences, relationships with friends and family, and fetishization of asian women. it tackles really interesting subjects while progressively becoming more stranger, more upsetting, and yes, more unhinged. the book is quite fast-paced and keeps you on your toes, but i would've added an extra star had i not been able to guess quite easily where the plot was going, and had the characters been more layered and (particularly in the case of George and Geoffrey) not been so cliché.

I really enjoyed this book. It kept me guessing and wondering what was real and what was all in Ji-won's head.

amazing, showstopping, phenomenal. no notes. such a good book with a good balance of character/relationship development, suspense, and horror. if you love women's wrongs, this is the book for you.

WOW.OMG.OHHHH MYYYY GAWD

I literally just closed this book and there is so much I could go on and on about this one but all I can say ATM is ALL THE FREAKING STARS. HANDS DOWN MY FAVORITE BOOK I HAVE READ ALL YEAR SO FAR.

If you choose to pick this one up please do with much research and consideration. The plot is thick with female rage, disgusting male characters, unsettling descriptive scenes not for the squeamish, lots of eyeballs and some familial traumas that just down right broke me.

Told in a inner thought process type style of writing (much like one of my other favorites Maeve Fly) about a korean girl driven to initially start to loose her shit by the pressures of family members actions, school, and friendships. Watching our main characters morals slip away slowly bringing forth a hard to grasp and mentally unhealthy obsession. It really does hold a deep and dark perspective you just have to be willing to look below the surface to see it.

It's a slow burn for sure but trust me you won't even notice with the way it just sucks you in with the mesmerizing easy to consume writing style. And the short chapters are just an added bonus that make you feel like you are flying right through it. I for one struggled to sit it down.

I just loved it so much and I hope you enjoy it too 🖤

A huge thank you to @monikakimauthor @kensingtonbooks and @netgalley for the advanced copy of this devastatingly beautiful debut

The novel brazenly dives into the grotesque, turning the reader's stomach this way and that. Ji-Won, not JW, will not put up with your male gaze. You wanna reduce Asian women into obedient little dolls who will wash your clothes, cook your meal, and tolerate your infantilizing b.s., do so at your own risk. Don't be surprised if there aren't many Ji-Won's out there ready to savor the briny tang of your eyeballs.
Reader, we are not supposed to cheer for the villain, but in this book, I did. You will too.
There is mastery in the way Monika Kim tackles "yellow fever", fetishism, sexism, poverty, patriarchy, and so much more. No character overtly states these themes are addressed, because Ji-Won, our hero/villain, is too busy killing and describing the taste of eyeballs, the texture, and the pop between the teeth. Yes, reader. You will squirm, and then keep reading.
Body horror is my new favorite genre.

It's been a while since a book got under my skin and made me recoil in disgust (and I mean that in a good way!). The Eyes Are the Best Part was exactly what I needed. The writing was compelling, the descriptions had me gasping, and I wanted MORE. SO glad I picked this one up.

This was a really quick, fast paced read and I had a lot of fun with it. Well fun is the wrong word when I was disgusted and enraged for the majority of this book. This book explores many important topics such as sexism, fetization of asian women, racism, the struggles of an immigrant family and family breakdowns.

This book ignited so much rage within me. I was just as angry but less homicidal than our main character. There were so much important commentary within this book alongside a lot of violence. If you love unhinged women on a mission for revenge this one is for you!!

This is exactly the kind of horror I am most into - a character study with a literary bend that devolves into madness and gore in the last quarter. Absolutely loved and devoured this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

You had me at "feminist psychological horror," and "graphic feminine revenge horror." I am apprehensive w the horror genre that a book may not actually be that scary and not worth my time, etc., but I was actually suffering through some of these pages, like our girl Monika Kim needs HELP. It's also beautifully written and I killed it in one sitting -- but primarily , just a wonderful horror story, so well done.

4 ⭐️

Okayyyy, soooo I could have went the rest of my life without knowing what an eyeball tastes like or how it feels in your mouth. LOL. I was literally gagging.

Ji-won's parents have recently split up and it has been difficult for her mother, "Umma," her younger sister, Ji-hyun, and herself to deal with the absence of a male figure in the home. Umma is a little lost being on her own and she reads an article about dating and what race of men are the best to date (there are racist situations and remarks sprinkled throughout the book - TW). Umma begins to date George, a middle aged white man. Neither Ji-won or Ji-hyun like him. I will end there on the plot.

The story does heavily focus on Ji-won's home life with her family, her family's culture, coping with parental divorce, her experience with her peers at college, her identity as an Asian-American woman, and a queer curiosity.

I would not label this book as horror, as it is more literary horror. It was a little slow. It wasn't as scary or creepy as I had expected, but it was VERY descriptive and GROSS. I do enjoy literary horror so I still liked this book, and I did listen to the audiobook so that might have helped with the pace of the story.

Overall, it was enjoyable. It was nasty. It was interesting. It was a great debut novel. I don't think I will EVER forget the eye eating descriptions.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for access to the arc copy. I greatly appreciate the opportunity!

A very creative but fairly violent and gruesome story...this book is a rollercoaster ride that the reader needs to be prepared for..I don't even want to say much in my review as its just best to go in and hang on. Ji Won is a character on a journey let's just say and we as the reader just are along for the ride. May not be for everyone but what a story.

Wow! This was amazing. It was so infuriating and descriptive. I loved the themes around race and feminism. Absolutely incredible!

"The Eyes Are the Best Part" begins with a slow burn, drawing us into Ji-won's tumultuous world. As she grapples with her father's abandonment, the arrival of new men in her mother's life, and her own tangled relationships amidst the pressures of college, we witness her inner turmoil unravel. Ji-won's nights are plagued by horrifying dreams and dark, unsettling thoughts that gnaw at her psyche.

The intricate web of relationships Ji-won navigates is a testament to her complexity, inviting us deep into her mind. It evokes the chilling essence of "American Psycho," but through the fierce lens of a Korean-American woman. It's a wild ride that kept me enthralled!

The body horror elements are masterfully executed, manifesting Ji-won's simmering rage and resentment towards men as a haunting obsession. I found myself drawn to Ji-won, reveling in her defiance, even knowing I shouldn’t. But honestly? Good for her. She embodies the fury and empowerment that so many of us feel, and it’s utterly exhilarating.

The Eyes Are the Best Part: A Horrifying, Haunting, and Heartfelt Exploration of Trauma

"The Eyes Are the Best Part" isn't your typical horror story. It's a visceral, gut-wrenching descent into the mind of a young woman on the brink, fueled by a potent blend of rage, grief, and a disturbing hunger.

Monika Kim masterfully weaves a narrative that is both terrifying and tender. Ji-won's transformation from a heartbroken daughter to a calculating killer is both horrifying and heartbreakingly understandable. Her gruesome acts are a twisted manifestation of her pain, a desperate attempt to reclaim control in a world that feels increasingly chaotic.

Kim doesn't shy away from exploring the darker side of the human experience. The novel delves into themes of misogyny, fetishization, and the complexities of navigating two cultures. Ji-won's story is a reflection of the societal pressures and traumas that can push someone to the edge.

But amidst the darkness, there are moments of surprising beauty and vulnerability. The bond between Ji-won and her family, though strained, is a powerful reminder of the enduring power of love.

"The Eyes Are the Best Part" is a chilling, thought-provoking read that will stay with you long after you turn the final page. It's a testament to Kim's talent as a writer and her ability to create a story that is both shocking and deeply human.

3.75

Lots of body horror ! Deep descriptions about eyeballs and uh what they might taste like or feel like in your mouth.

Enjoyed t what this book had to say and it definitely made me shiver.

Sometimes when you’re over the misogyny and being fetishized, murder and cannibalism is the only solution. I really liked this psychological/body horror novel and appreciated its humor as well.

So I originally wanted to read this book because of the title, it sounded interesting. I’m so glad I did because this was a good book. It was different but in a good way. It had me guessing the whole time and I was not expecting the way it ended. Definitely would recommend!

This book wasn't what I expected it to be. First, the cover is glorious and so good. Second, I thought the plot of this book was so interesting. There were times where I felt like things were just *happening* to the characters, rather than the sisters being active in discovery--for example, when one sister just says, "Oh I've heard mom having secret conversations," instead of having a scene where they discover it or hear her talking and actively see it playing out. On one hand, this added an eerie quality to the story. On the other hand, I felt like it was, at times, a missed opportunity to show us character development or build the relationships without telling the reader what's happening. That being said, I really enjoyed this novel and didn't want to put it down.

It was a thrilling experience from the first page. The gruesome details were described so delicately and beautifully that you can’t help but love it! The messages explored in this book are amazing and eye-opening.

Wonderful debut psychological horror. I've seen some reviews mentioning it's not scary & I think it's a matter of perspective. While this doesn't have the standard "monster" or "killer", I think it's a great character study.