I didn't realise this was a novella when I started it, but found myself wishing that it was a full length novel by the end! I hope that it becomes a series, would love to explore how Kim Han-gil and Shin Yoonhae's partnership develops over time.

This is a short novella about myths and worm spirits. It had an interesting start but I found the shifting POV jarring especially because the second character was introduced late in the story.
At the heart of the story is reconciliation and forgiveness but for me the compulsion of the characters didn't really come across very strong.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

A really interesting and fast-paced short novel about Han-gil, a detective who has the ability to sense the paranormal. This involves a lot of themes like recovering from trauma, transphobia (NOT by the main character!), loss and dealing with situations in unhealthy ways. It is also a very interesting book set across Korea and a bit of Japan, with the main character (Korean) being adopted by a Japanese family. Paranormal stuff, ghosts, talismans and possessions are all included in this book, and keep the plot running very smoothly. A really satisfying conclusion too!

I genuinely couldn't put this book down and want to read more by the author!

<i>I was provided with a complimentary copy of this novel by Interstellar Flight Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, which I leave voluntarily</i>.

This Novella was such a great read a unique magic system and the Korean Culture. I really enjoyed this book. It was a great read and it captivated me.
I just reviewed Small Gods of Calamity by Sam Kyung Yoo. #smallgods #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

‘Ghosts that speak in smoke. Spirits with teeth like glass. A parasitic, soul-eating spirit worm has gone into a feeding frenzy, but all the Jong-ro Police Department’s violent crimes unit sees is a string of suicides. Except for Kim Han-gil, Seoul’s only spirit detective. He’s seen this before . . . .’

All the feels in Sam Kyung Yoo’s novella SMALL GODS OF CALAMITY—My Heart!

The lead-up to the ending felt a little anticlimactic, however, the journey the reader takes with detective Kim Han-gil is filled with a roller coaster of emotions and in my opinion a must-read!

Thank you, NetGalley and Interstellar Flight Press, for providing me with an eBook of SMALL GODS OF CALAMITY at the request of an honest review.

I teach History, including East Asian History, so I love reading about their beliefs, and I also love K-dramas. The story includes a lot of introduction to Korean beliefs in spirits and the supernatural, and for some that might be a little too much for them. However, I found the story really interesting and enjoyable. My main complaints are:

1. Not enough is told about the background between the main character and his 'sister'. It's hinted at, but could have been fleshed out a bit more.

2. It was too short. While yes, it might make it more palatable for some to read as they don't have to commit a huge amount of time to it, I felt that it could have had more depth if it was just a bit longer.

I read my first Sam Kyung Yoo story this winter, and it was good enough to immediately find and read a second, which was better. With a couple successes like that in the books and a debut novel with an extremely unintimidating page count of just around 150 pages, I decided to give Small Gods of Calamity a try.

Small Gods of Calamity teases a pretty familiar urban fantasy premise, albeit in a much different setting than typical US-based works. A cop with unusual spiritual sensitivity tackles high-stakes supernatural crime, often without the support of a department that’s deeply ignorant of the supernatural world. In this case, it’s a Seoul-based detective trying to hunt down a ravening worm spirit that has taken several lives already—including that of his mother. But Small Gods of Calamity doesn’t read much like a police procedural, with a heavy focus on the lead’s recovery from the traumatic loss of a parent and the little magical details that may allow him to finally put an end to the threat.

While I would normally consider a character-driven story about grief and trauma recovery an improvement over a police procedural, Small Gods of Calamity often feels like two separate stories awkwardly smashed into one pint-sized novel that doesn’t fully commit to either one. While the lead’s uncomfortable relationship with his partner and his department often feels like a sideshow, mentioned periodically as if only to remind the reader that this is indeed his job, there’s still a lot of time spent on the little details of the investigation. That there is a worm spirit on the loose is known from the beginning, but the story goes into depth about the little charms and spells that might either protect against it or allow the lead to track its movement.

At the same time, the story also goes into great detail on the lead wrestling with loss, with guilt over failures to save everyone, and with patient zero being cured and active in the community while so many others are destroyed. There’s a lot of psychological turmoil, and a queer, ace romantic subplot tossed in with all of it.

In a 300-page novel, I don’t think the two stories would have had any trouble coexisting. In a novella, either side could’ve carried the story on its own. But in a short novel like Small Gods of Calamity, there’s not enough time to delve thoroughly into both, and the result is two elements alternately coming into and out of focus, neither being totally ignored but neither really getting the attention they need to feel fully fleshed out.

There are undoubtedly plenty of good pieces here. The prose leans more toward the colloquial than stylized, but Yoo has real storytelling chops, and the story of recovery at the heart of the novel is a compelling one that combines with the worm-fighting plot in a way that made it clear why they chose to put both on display. But the jump from short stories to short novels requires a different sort of pacing that doesn’t quite come together here, with too many magical details for a streamlined novella but a recovery narrative that moves too quickly and a main plot elides too much of the actual police dynamic to feel robust as a novel. I’ll certainly be reading more of Yoo’s work, but they’re still more polished in short fiction than in this debut novel.

Recommended if you like: bi/ace disasters hunting terrifying spirit-worms amidst recovery from personal trauma and possibly a romantic subplot (yes, I understand that is very specific)

Overall rating: 13 of Tar Vol’s 20. Three stars on Goodreads.

Thank You Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book.
This book is an urban fantasy murder mystery with elements of sci-fi and Asian mythology.
Sadly, I had to DNF this book purely because urban murder mysteries aren't a genre that I tend to enjoy, but I can understand why people would enjoy them.
This book feels like a K-drama with an interesting magic system.

As a K-drama fan, I thoroughly enjoyed this novella! Lately, I've been delving into mystery-centered books set in Korea, which is why this particular book caught my attention. Reading it was like watching a thriller/mystery K-drama.

The world-building and fantasy elements were well-executed and thoroughly explained. While the plot didn't grip me intensely, it was compelling enough to maintain my interest. I appreciated how Han-Gil's backstory, particularly the childhood memory of his mother's death, was intricately tied into the main narrative. Similarly, Yoonhae, his childhood friend, had a history and encounter with the worm spirit which left him without 4 of his 5 senses. The involvement of side characters like his sister Azuna and Yoonhae felt organic to the plot, rather than being randomly inserted.

Another aspect I found intriguing was Han-Gil's adoption by a Japanese family, which added a layer of complexity to his identity.

One unexpected but appreciated aspect was the book's exploration of transphobia, which, in an East Asian setting, can be particularly harsh. My heart truly went out to Junhee.

Overall, I found this book to be quite engaging! I can easily envision Lee Dong Wook portraying Han-Gil on screen!

This story has a fun mix of mystery and paranormal legends. I enjoyed getting to read and learn about Korean paranormal myth and how it all tied in to Kim Han-gil’s character. Thanks NetGalley got the arc

Small Gods of Calamity is a prime example of novella done well. Sam Kyung Yoo manages to tell a story which links events which are 16 years apart without ever losing the momentum of the story at hand.

The only complaint I had is that I would have loved to read an entire novel instead of a novella. The world was interesting and connected to Korean and Japanese spiritualism. I felt all characters were fully fleshed out despite the limited length of the story. Especially the dynamics between Azuna and Han-gil on the one hand and Han-gil and Yoonhae were believable and integral to the plot.
I loved the imagery of isolation and anger when worm possession happened, but also really loved the differences in how spirits are perceived by the different characters (smell, sounds, colours, feelings etc.). The calm both Han-gil and Yoonhae get from how they perceive each other's spirits despite the guilt and history between them was such a beautiful detail.

I also appreciated that while the story gets quite dark and gory, it never is done for mere shock value. It always means something.

I wish I could read more set in this world.

3.5 stars.

This is an urban fantasy murder mystery with a touch of sci-fi and Asian mythology.
Set in Seoul, it follows a special detective named Kim Hangil as he tries to solve a series of suicides that have more to them than people believe. In fact, he knows that the culprit is a parasitic soul-eating worm that causes people to commit suicide so that it can spread to the next host.
He knows because he has seen it before: this is how her mother died, and he is tracking down the other worms that came from her to end its life cycle once and for all.

The premise of this novella is very original. The world building is well thought out and clearly explained throughout the book.
I really enjoyed the writing, which was clean yet very vivid, clear and easy to follow. I liked the fact that the presence of the worms could be perceived through different senses, such as smell and hearing. How cool was it when Han-gil was sure that the person was infected by the smell of seawater in her apartment?
The plot was solid and moved at a steady, pleasant pace, leaving enough room for some introspection into Han-gil's past. Han-gil was a very sympathetic main character. I loved the flashback about his mother.
On the other side, I felt the other characters were not enough explored. I didn't relate to them at all.
Also, I kept confusing Shin Yoonhae and Lee Junhee due to their similarity in the name structure. I apologise and I am very sorry about that. I have noticed it happens to me frequently with Asian names, both in books and movies. Additionally, the relationships between the characters could have been explored a bit more to give a well round cast of characters.

Overall, it was a great story with a refreshing premise and the downsides of a novella. I will keep a look to the next release by this author.

Thanks to Netgalley and Interstellar Flight Press for providing me with this eARC.

3.5 star

I fell in love with this book from the moment I picked it. Han-gil was an interesting protagonist who flowed perfectly with the stores quick pace. For a novella of its size I do think that this is a great start to an authors budding career. Though that is where the problem lies. Now for it’s sleek 150(?) pg count, the author used they’re time with the reader in great ways. There are many questions left open, many plot points and characters left behind due to this. Which is very unfortunate. I will be looking forward to this authors career! Especially if anything is added to this world!

Thank you net gallery for the advanced copy of this book. This is a story of a man that sees spirits and deals with toxic ones. He experienced great trauma as a child which influences the way he sees the world. This is also a story of healing and attachment and working through grief. I definitely recommend.

Sam Kyung Yoo’s debut novella Small Gods of Calamity is a an intriguing urban fantasy that shows flashes of creativity, but is held back by its lack of ambition. While it doesn’t fully capitalise on its potential (yet!), there’s enough here to suggest Yoo is a writer to watch.

The story follows Kim Han-gil, a Seoul detective with the rare ability to sense and interact with spirits. When a spate of apparent suicides hits the city, Han-gil realises something more sinister is at play – a parasitic, soul-devouring spirit is on the loose. To stop it, Han-gil must team up with Shin Yoonhae, a man he blames for a traumatic past incident. This central conflict and uneasy partnership drives much of the narrative.

Yoo’s writing is strong, with vivid, unsettling descriptions of the malicious spirits that haunt the city. The way all the characters perceive these entities differently is a clever approach that adds tactile, sensory elements to the fantasy. For example, Han-gil perceives spirit energy as scents, leading to some memorable vivid literary motifs like the smell of the ocean. The use of senses, and occasionally sense-deprivation, is refreshing and elevates the reader’s experience significantly. There are also some genuinely creepy, atmospheric moments that showcase Yoo’s talent for horror, reminiscent of Junji Ito’s goosebump-inducing tales and illustrations.

The characters, Han-gil and Yoonhae in particular, are pleasingly believable. It’s easy to veer into trope territory, but Yoo gives them interesting and realistic idiosyncrasies, and unique flaws, that make them almost a bit too recognisable. Yoo does a good job making them feel human, even if the dialogue between them can occasionally feel slightly stilted.

Unfortunately, the overall story feels a bit watered down. At just 144 pages, Small Gods of Calamity reads almost like an extended short story. The plot moves along at a brisk clip, with the climactic confrontation happening perhaps a bit too easily. I would have liked to see the narrative have more room to breathe and explore the rich mythology and worldbuilding Yoo has constructed.

Overall, Small Gods of Calamity is a promising and enjoyable debut, but doesn’t fully capitalise on its intriguing premise. Yoo’s talent for vivid, atmospheric horror writing is clear, and the main characters are compelling. But the story ultimately feels a bit undercooked, lacking the narrative depth and expansiveness to truly elevate it.

For fans of dark urban fantasy looking for a quick, creepy read, it’s worth checking out. But those seeking a more epic, immersive experience may find it leaves them wanting more. Still, Yoo demonstrates enough potential here to warrant a close eye on future endeavours. I, personally, would love to see a 400 page sequel to Small Gods , complete with other interesting malicious spirits, more complex struggles against them, and a more detailed explanation of where these spirits came from and their purpose.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Ah I really loved the end scence of this story. It was so satisfying while also making me question what's next for the characters. I know this is a novella, but hopefully there are other stories in this universe in the works.

Small Gods of Calamity is a quick read focusing on spiritual elements, death/grief/guilt and new beginnings. I was amazed that Sam Kyung Yoo managed to add in so many details without the story feeling overwhelming or uunderdeveloped. I also appreciated the queer representation in the story. Reading about a queer, non-white and non-US born character will never get boring.

While short, Small God's of Calamity touched on many topics while setting the scene of this paranormal world. I have so many questions about the detective going back to work, if his partner will transfer and if he'll have a new budding romance and how that works with him being ace.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC of this title. I can't wait to read more from this author.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this advanced reader copy (arc) in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️ 3.7 stars
I loved the combination of paranormal mystery with a detective element. I liked how the plot unfolded, focusing on how the main characters solved the mystery that connected with their past. Even though it's short, I thoroughly enjoyed everything especially how this book made me feel like I'm watching my fav kdrama.

This is a highly original book that I really enjoyed. My only complaint is that it is just too short! I would have loved to spend more time with these characters!! And I really hope that this debut will be followed by some sequels, possibly a tad longer than this one! Mind me, the length of it is not really a problem, it’s just me being whiny here.
The thing is that I enjoyed the characters and their relationships, and I wanted more. I wanted more time to get to know them better, I wanted to see them interacting more and all that.

As you can see, this is a short book, and it is also quite fast-paced. It’s not that we have actions and twists at every turn, it is more that, on the whole, all is happening quite quickly and you are carried around by the characters, trying to stop a supernatural killer. The plot is engaging, and it is original. I loved that we get to see more spirits and Korean (or at least Asian inspired) folklore and culture. It was interesting, and it was a nice change of scenery.
And it was also captivating. Basically, the paranormal exists but humans are not aware of it. Or at least, the majority of humans are oblivious, the ones who can see and understand that there is more to this world are few (even if they have a net, and this part was quite interesting. It was not really central to the story, so we caught glimpses of it, but it is intriguing and it could be developed into something really good!) and they have to deal with the magic and the spirits trying to not involve the normal people. And this is not easy. Not easy at all. Especially because our MC has chosen a really hard path: he is a policeman but he can’t talk to his coworker about this other reality, he has to try to do his best to solve the cases without mentioning the supernatural parts of them.
This would have been quite difficult, and it is not conducive to a nice and pleasant place of work, but our MC and his sister are hunting a particular kind of supernatural creature, who nobody else has ever seen, so even the other people who are in the net, as to say, are quite skeptical toward Kim Han-Gil, our detective and MC, and they are not so ready to help him out.
In all this, he and his sister are trying to stop a person who is possessed by this spirit and who is going on a killing spree. There is the mystery part because they don’t know who the person is, there is the hunting and the fight, once they discover who this person is, and there are also some intimate moments in there, too. So, even if the book is quite short, there is a lot packed in here!

And then we have the characters! Kim Han-Gil is on the verge of becoming your typical noir detective. The cynic one who is trying his best to do the right thing (and that may be haunted by an old case that he didn’t solve but that he is constantly on his mind) but who is also cynical, looked on with suspicion by his peers, while he tries his best to keep his distance from anyone. It is not there, but he doesn’t have a lot of miles to do. And, to be honest, I enjoyed him, a lot, but my favorite characters were his sister, who I wanted to get to know better because she seemed amazing, and Shin Yoonhae, an older acquaintance with whom Han-Gil has not the best relationship. But I loved how they managed to work together and to start to build a new beginning for them both. Their relationship was really well developed, and I am not talking about romance here, it’s just that seeing them starting to overcome the past (especially Kim Han-Gil) was heartwarming!
There is only one thing that could have been developed a tad better, but it is pretty minor, and it is the relationship between Kim Han-Gil and his new partner at work. It is almost like, from time to time, the author forgets about him, but it is understandable in a book so short. It could have been done better? Sure! But it is not bad, it is really a minor thing (and maybe it will get more space, if we ever get a second book! In any event, I am keeping my fingers crossed!).

All in all, this was a really pleasant book, original, pretty hard to put down, and quite short. So if you want to take a break, and read something that will keep your attention engaged and with some original points in there, you should try this one out!

Rating: 4.5
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Thank you Interstellar Flight Press for providing an e-copy through NetGalley.

Summary: Kim Han-gil is the only spirit detective in the Jong-ro Police department. When everyone else sees the aftermath violent suicides, Kim sees deadly spirits and supernatural forces at work. He will do whatever it takes to stop another tragedy from happening, even if it means partnering with the one man responsible for his mother’s disastrous exorcism.

What I Liked: Small Gods of Calamity is an intriguing, terrifying, and unique blend of mystery, fantasy, and horror, as well as Korean folklore with crime stories. The spirits and monsters were terrifying yet fascinating to learn about, Han’s complicated backstory and family dynamics will immerse you in his character, and the overall mystery/suspense will keep readers hooked all the way to the end. The dynamic between Kim and Shin Yoohae keeps the tension high as well, as it grows into a more understanding relationship. Overall, this was a great quick read with high stakes, crime solving sleuthing, supernatural action, and overall compelling plot.

What I Didn’t Like: Nothing!

Recommend to: Adults who want fantasy/horror novellas by BIPOC authors and who like Korean folklore.

Review Date: April 2, 2024

This book was good and had an interesting concept, I did enjoy the characters and the found family troupe. The ending felt a little flat to me, It felt very rushed in the sense that all this crazy buildup is happening and you get to the final pages and it’s like oh that’s it?