Wow! This is hard boiled detective crossed with Asian drama with a dash of X-files on top. I'm loving this urban fantasy focused around Asian supernatural traditions, which are so rich and yet so rarely tapped in the literary world. If you like urban fantasy such as Ilona Andrews Kate Daniels series or Jim Butcher's Dresden series, you need to check this out!

Kim Han-gil arrives at the scene of an apparent suicide but, as a man with more connections to the spiritual world, he knows that all is not what it seems: it's worse. From here he continues the hunt of a malevolent worm-spirit that's been leaving a trail of deaths in its wake... starting with his mother, years ago.

Here's a quick rep and interest list for those who like bullets: bi/ace MC, Korean/Japanese (and some Chinese) magic and spirituality systems, set in Seoul, trauma/grief healing, a mystery/thriller supernatural plot that starts fast and keeps zooming along.

This little novella was honestly the perfect length despite everything that was going on. I know that part of that is that I'm already familiar with most of the East Asian magic systems that were named/used/mentioned, so I'm not sure if someone more new would need more explanation, but I also felt that the explanations given in context seemed pretty sense-making without going into a long description? I also appreciated that the names were kept in the "Asian order" aka family name first the whole way through, and the habit of saying one's full name at times plus honorifics when applicable to show the mood of the speech.

It was cool and I quite enjoyed it, and it was right up my alley!

Thank you so much to Interstellar Flight Press for reaching out and NetGalley for hosting. When I accepted the invite I was like, "Yeah, sounds pretty cool, I'll happily read it," but I didn't know at the time how much would be geared toward my particular interests.

A very nice start for a debut author, SMALL GODS OF CALAMITY is a supernatural crime/thriller set in Seoul. One can say Sam Kyung Yoo could have played their debut safe, but SMALL GODS is very much an inclusive Korean/LGBTQ2S story of a detective on the hunt for an invasive and destructive worm spirit. I really enjoyed the story and it is an easy page turner as you learn of the culture and the relationships between the characters, who are all likeable, incredibly. You will start reading for Han-gil but you will finish and be rooting for Yoonhae when all is said and done.

SKY kept the story very solid and compact. There is little wiggle room for prose and supporting characters (you cannot help but feel bad for Wonshik), but that is not a bad thing. SMALL GODS unravels smoothly and deserves two thumbs up! Highly recommended as a fun, inclusive experience.

ok this was freaking fun! soul eating worms, all the different ways to sense and read a soul. the small moment watching a nature documentary, the sea descriptors, and the spirit magic!
i'm not even crazy big on crime procedurals so this was out of my comfort zone but i thought this was paced well. it was surprisingly deep too. world-building and characters were fleshed out well for being so short. it was satisfying even if the mystery element was a tad lackluster for me. i would read more in this world so i really hope to see more from this author in the future. this was a very fun and engaging debut!

Small Gods of Calamity by Sam Kyung Yoo, 144 pages. Interstellar Flight Press, 2024. $15. Lgbt
Language: R (8 swears, 6 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG13
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
On the surface of everyday life, Han-gil is investing suicides, but his assigned partners keep abandoning him because of his odd behavior—the things Han-gil does to investigate the paranormal murders that appear to be suicides. With his newest partner starting to ask questions and his sister out of town, Han-gil is stuck working with Yoonhae (27yo), an acquaintance from his past.
An outcast of both the normal and paranormal communities, Han-gil is just trying to do the best he can, which is relatable and pulls at the reader’s heartstrings from the very beginning. The magic was interesting, though the final battle felt anticlimactic. Despite that and the questions left unanswered, I still liked the conclusion that ended on a hopeful note.
Han-gil is Korean and bisexual, Azuna is Japanese, and the majority of other characters are Korean. The mature content rating is for transphobia content. The violence rating is for blood and gore, description of corpses, mentions of murder, suicide, and fantasy violence.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Now, I won't lie, this is not the usual type of book I pick up but that was one of my reading goals for the year - to read different genres and get out of my comfort zone. So here we are. And I LOVED it!

This book had everything. From the fantasy side of it, to the mistery, to the inclusion.

This book takes place in Seoul and is immersed in Asian culture, which I don't know much about, but I find it very interesting to find out and left me very curious. I loved that our main character was bi and asexual and the fact that he struggled with anxiety and depression - because I always love to see more representation of these topics in books, I find it super important.

Han-Gil's relationship with his sister was super cute and heartwarming to see, especially when you remember he's adopted, so they're connection is even more beautiful. He's a detective who can also see spirits which makes him a tad out of place in the police station because he usually has to do something spirit related and his coworkers don't understand anything about that so they spread rumors and ignore him mostly.

The spirit hunting was really cool to see and the fact that Han-Gil had to work with someone from his past he didn't particularly like was something that turned up the whole wow factor. I got so immersed into this story I read it rather quickly.

It was amazing to see the ghost hunting happening and being resolved, but most of all I liked all the flashbacks to Han-Gil and Shin Yoonhae's past and find out what happened. And also how they, now adults, work through their issues, grew together and found a way to patch things up.

Point is: this novella was incredible. I loved the friendship, the inclusion, and the ghost hunting part. It had everything to keep me immersed in it from the start to finish. And I honestly just want more.

Small Gods of Calamity is an urban fantasy/paranormal mystery set in modern Seoul, South Korea. Kim Han-gil is a homicide detective with a special ability to see spirits, both of the living and the dead. His reputation among his colleagues is bad because of it, and his partners never last. The latest has been with him for two weeks and is already showing signs of leaving, when they get a case that appears to be a suicide. Han-gil knows differently.

For years, he’s been hunting an evil spirit that caused his mother’s death. It moves from person to person, causing them to either kill people or themselves. From the police’s point of view, the crimes are separate, and it doesn’t help that other spiritualists can’t see the spirit either, so they’re not willing to help him. Only his adoptive sister, a powerful practitioner, is there for him.

This time, she arranges a partner for him—against his will. Shin Yoonhae, the only person who has survived the spirit. For Han-gil, he is someone to blame for his mother’s death. Yoonhae is a timid person greatly affected by his past and harsh words Han-gil has said to him when they were children. But when a sacrifice is needed, he’s willing to step in.

This was a great story; for a debut, it’s excellent. It’s not terribly long—I read it in one (looong) evening—and the mystery isn’t very complicated. But the world is interesting—I especially liked how Han-gil detected the spirits of living as sounds and smells—the characters with their complicated backstories are very likeable, and the narrative flows in an easy pace that keeps the reader’s attention. It’s mostly told from Han-gil’s point of view, but Yoonhae gets a few chapters too, broadening the backstory.

For a Korean society, it’s very inclusive, with bi and trans characters, and attention is paid to pronouns in a very natural way. More could’ve been done with Han-gil’s anxiety, but it’s the first book so maybe later. Korean society and culture weren’t very prominent either, it’s mostly about forms of address, but the author is American, which probably explains it.

The new partner, and the entire police force, was left out of the story rather easily. With him there, the tension between practitioners and people who know nothing about the spirits could’ve been stronger, but that had already happened in the backstory. But since things with him and Han-gil’s work were left open, it’s maybe something that’ll be explored in subsequent books. This was a good start for a mystery series, and I definitely hope there will be more.

I enjoyed this book. I really liked that it was set in Seoul and that the main character was bi, asexual and adopted.

The whole fantasy aspect was set within asian folklore which wasn't something that I've ever read before, but found very insightful.

The topics/themes of forgiveness and family were really strong and I loved how they were explored differently for each character.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, however, I found it to be slower paced and a little information heavy when explaining the lore.

An interesting urban fantasy, paranormal novella that blends Chinese, Japanese and Korean spiritualism as we follow police officer, Han-gil, as they navigate between two worlds: the world of the living and the one behind the veil.

Sam Kyung Yoo amazed me with the amount of depth, emotion and adventure in their debut novella (the kind you'd expect from a novel, it was amazing). The plot had the perfect pace and enough in it to keep me hooked from page to page and not too much that it cluttered every scene. Han-gil was an amazing character that honestly reminded me of John Constantine (and I think that made me enjoy it more).

Overall, Small Gods of Calamity is an amazing urban fantasy novella with a brilliant plot and diverse characters. This is definitely a must-read for any urban fantasy fans or even those who want to dive into the genre but want something short to begin with.

Thank you, NetGalley and Interstellar Flight Press for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A cool urban paranormal novella set in Seoul which is as much about dealing with trauma as it is about tracking down resentful spirits.

It always amazes me when writers manage to do so much in novella-length books: to me the characters (especially Han-gil) felt fully fleshed out, the world-building was done so well without being too dense or confusing, the main plot moved along quickly but not overwhelmingly so, and it even made me tear up in a couple of places. All this in under 200 pages - very, very impressive.

I am definitely looking forward to more stories from Sam Kyung Yoo in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing the eARC in exchange for an honest review (my thoughts and impressions are my own).

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Small Gods of Calamity by Sam Kyung Yoo is a contemporary fantasy mystery taking place in South Korea and featuring Korean, Japanese, and Chinese spiritualism. Han-gil is a detective and also a spiritualist who can see and communicate with the supernatural. When the same kind of creature that killed his mother is suspected to be responsible for another murder, Han-gil is ready to do what it takes to destroy it.

I really liked Han-gil and his dynamics with his partner on the force, his adopted sister, and the former host of the same creature that killed Han-gil. Each one felt very different and informed by a deep history and previous experiences. Han-gil is a very likable, stand-up guy despite how often he breaks the rules and he displays compassion for others while also having his hardline limits.

The references to spiritualism were very cool, especially Han-gil’s ability to hear different souls and sometimes taste and smell them. I love when multiple senses are included in the more fantastical elements and this was very well done.

Content warning for the depiction of transphobia and deadnaming (not by the MCs)

I would recommend this to fans of Korean fantasy, readers looking for a mystery with some supernatural elements, and long-time animanga fans looking to dip their toes back into the world of novels.

Enjoyed this a lot! From the first page, the reader is thrust into an alternate South Korea full of magic and monsters - most specifically in this case, a magical parasite running rampant in the city. The quick pace and the straight-to-the-point world building meant that in only a few pages I was completely invested and I felt this could definitely have been longer than it was. Since it's on the shorter side, it felt almost like a dramatic episode of some kind of crime detective drama which again, helped maintain the rapid pulse of the plot. I particularly enjoyed the friendship arc of our two male MCs, especially in the way they had to take care of each other. I also found the idea of a parasite removing all of the senses are really interesting one - not something I've read or come across before.

I won't lie, I was initially interested in this one because it was centered in Korea and then was even more drawn in when I read the synopsis and learned that it followed a detective who also deals in the supernatural and is on the hunt for a specific type of spirit that they have been following for years. There is a lot of talk about Spiritualism in both Kora and Japan, especially when Han-Gil internally reflects on his memories of his mother and goes searching for those who might have information regarding the person he suspects is the current victim of the spirit.

I was immediately sucked in and found a lot of the descriptions very well fleshed out. There were some passages, especially when Han-Gil or other characters were being introspective. I did not expect the emotional depth and introspection that happens later in the book and found it really wonderful as Han-Gil especially finally processed some of the events of his past. All in all, I really enjoyed the adventure of this read and would definitely pick up any future books by this author.

A gripping and immersive read that combines elements of crime, fantasy, and thriller, with a focus on the ties of a found family and the struggles of BIPOC individuals in a mystical, urban setting.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Sam Kyung Yoo for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Small Gods of Calamity coming out March 4, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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. He’ll do anything to stop another tragedy from happening, even if that means teaming up with Shin Yoonhae, the man Han-gil believes is responsible for the horrifying aftermath of his mother’s last exorcism.

In their debut novella, Sam Kyung Yoo weaves a tale of mystical proportions that’s part crime-thriller, part urban fantasy.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I love Korean novels and this one sounded really interesting. I loved the ghosts aspect of the book. I think some things could’ve been explored and explained a little more. It was a novella, so I get some of that. But I think there could’ve been a little more to the story. I would be interested in checking out more books by this author.

I'd rate " Small Gods of Calamity" 5 Stars. It's a fairly quick read in comparison to my recent reads and a very compelling and interesting story. I loved the representation and the development of the characters. Sam Kyung Yoo uses excellent imagery and descriptions that set a good scene. It never got boring since it was so compact. It's a read I definitely recommend!

This was a really deeply fascinating book that I honestly wish was longer. I found myself sucked into the story from the very beginning and the world the author brought us into was well thought out and interesting. I do wish that this was more fleshed out, but I hope to see a longer story from this author soon as I would love to see these characters and plot continue. 3.75/5

This book was an unexpected delight!
It follows ‘Spirit Detective’ Kim Han-gil as he tries to take down a vicious spirit that he has been pursuing for years - a unique premise, and one that catches the reader from the start.

The world building and magic system is complex, especially for a shorter novella, but I think it works really well. We’re thrown right into Han-gil’s life, and it’s like we’re being put into an already established world that the audience just has to roll with. I legitimately love when books don’t over explain things!

I also loved how the author created multifaceted LGBT+ characters; In my reading experience, there is a tendency to shy away from flaws when including LGBT+ characters - but Sam Kyung Yoo crafts layered, believable people with both flaws and redeeming qualities. Their characters are realistic, and relatable as a result.

Throughout, there are great descriptions of action, which borders on horror at times, and I found myself swept away and on the edge of my seat at the story’s climax.

I would like to have known Azuna better, however. For being a pretty crucial character to the plot, we don’t know a lot about her, and she tends to leave scenes conveniently as the plot requires. Perhaps this is my subconscious begging for a sequel, who knows?

Although this is not a comment on the writing itself, I think that the book needs some trigger warnings at the beginning - particularly for transphobia, gore, and suicide. This may upset some readers if they come across it unexpectedly.

Overall, this is a spectacular read and I look forward to reading more of their work in the future.

4.5/5 Stars

This is a very different book from my usual, but I found myself really enjoying it. Since it’s not my usual, it’s hard to say if the symbolism is based on actual cultural reference and how much is from the author’s imagination, I suspect it’s cultural reference though. I enjoyed how fast-paced of a read this was, and how easily it pulled me in. There’s a fair amount of action and a lot of paranormal activity.

**I was provided an electronic ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.**

Sam Kyung Yoo presents their debut novella, Small Gods of Calamity. Readers follow police detective Kim Han-gil who also happens to be Seoul's only spirit detective. Han-gil has been investigating a series of apparent suicides that the police department has been content to consider as open-and-shut cases. Han-gil has encountered this type of incident before and will team up with Shin Yoonjae, the man at the center of the previous occurrences, to avoid future tragedy.

Yoo includes casual queerness at all phases of this novella from Han-gil's bold proclamation of his bisexuality in conversation with his new police partner to the trans woman Han-gil is desperate to help and the doctor who uses they/them pronouns. Yoo never shies away from the realities regarding mixed reception for queerness, but that only made the representation more welcome and intentional.

I can be a bit of a hard sell on detective stories, but I do love the spirit detective plotline and our story focuses almost exclusively on this compared to the actual policework. I think this was a smart choice and contributed toward making a more enjoyable story for me. Yoo also managed to include a decent bit of character backstory while moving the plot forward steadily.

While this novella does have a satisfying conclusion, one could argue that the ending is actually a beginning. I would love to see Yoo continue to write more stories about Han-gil and Yoonjae as there is plenty of room for more in this world. Overall, I found this novella to be a fun introduction to both Yoo's writing and to Han-gil as a character. I look forward to exploring whatever Yoo chooses to write in the future.