Publishers Weekly
09/26/2022
The sole survivor of street gang Talon following a mission gone wrong, 18-year-old assassin Shin Lina is interested only in keeping her younger sister, Enubi, safe. Enubi is the sole reason that Lina now willingly works for Konrarnd Kalmin, head of the rival gang responsible for her previous comrades’ deaths. At Kalmin’s behest, she steals an ancient tapestry from the abandoned Temple of Ruins, a former place of worship for the Pied Piper who once ruled over the mortal and immortal, or Dokkaebi, realms. Soon after, the immortal Piper himself abducts Kalmin in retribution and issues Lina a challenge: if she can kill Piper, Kalmin will walk free. Though the task is seemingly impossible task, the gang’s holding Enubi hostage forces Lina to comply. But as she ventures into the Dokkaebi realm, she realizes it will take more than daggers to take out Piper—especially when her budding feelings for him complicate matters. Lackluster characterization and patchy plotting dampen the impact of Kim’s intriguing series-opening debut, but vivid worldbuilding and an action-packed resolution capably set the stage for the sequel of this inviting foray into Korean myth and legend. An author’s note concludes. Ages 14–up. Agent: Emily Forney, BookEnds Literary. (Sept.)
Kirkus Reviews
2022-06-29
In this debut YA fantasy, a teenage assassin braves a ruthless crime lord and powerful immortals to save her sister.
Eighteen-year-old Shin Lina is the Reaper, the Kingdom of Sunpo’s greatest assassin. But a year ago, her gang, the Talons, died at the hands of rivals, and now Lina works for her enemy, Konrarnd Kalmin. She has no choice, as Kalmin incessantly threatens the life of her sister, Eunbi. During Lina’s latest gig, she snatches a jewel-embedded tapestry from a long-abandoned temple in the dilapidated kingdom. That theft sparks unexpected retaliation, and both Lina and Kalmin, against their will, end up in Gyeulcheon, the hidden realm of Dokkaebi, or immortals. It’s Haneul Rui (better known as the Pied Piper) who’s brought them there, and he offers a chance for Lina to escape. All she has to do is kill Gyeulcheon’s emperor—Rui himself. She agrees to this twisted “game,” as Kalmin’s cronies back in the mortal realm still pose a threat to Eunbi. But Rui proves awfully hard to kill, and his handsomeness doesn’t make her lethal objective any easier. Kim’s retelling of Korean mythologies delivers a diverse cast and excels at character development. For example, Lina continually worries about getting back to Eunbi, and periodic flashbacks lead up to the Talons’ final day. At the same time, romantic moments between Lina and her captor are well earned, while a backstory reveals glimpses into Rui’s past. Although the skills of highly trained Lina are without question, the leisurely narrative primarily unfolds in luxurious Gyeulcheon, where her punishments (for failed assassination attempts) are no harsher than palace kitchen duties. Nonetheless, the Dokkaebi who surround Lina raise the stakes, from a brewing rebellion to a few immortals more dangerous than Rui. Kim may have a series in the works, as she closes her book with a subplot or two unresolved.
A stellar, mythical hero whose prowess and tenacity could easily drive her own series.
