loved how immersive this book is I like the four main characters and there adventure highly reccomened

Excellent translation job, and what looks to be a truly fantastic fantasy series. Cannot wait to read the rest!

This isn't just a book; it’s an absolute masterpiece, a total sensory experience! What makes The Heart of the Nhaga an absolute five-star triumph isn’t just the "what happens", it’s the incredible, haunting vibe and the deep-dive into a world that feels unlike anything else in fantasy!

Lee Young-do is a master of atmosphere. From the humid, telepathic tension of the Nhaga cities to the philosophical banter between unlikely companions, the book excels at making you feel the weight of its world. It’s less about a simple "quest" and more about the fascinating, often dark interplay between different cultures and the strange ways they view life, death, and divinity.

The prose is electric, sharp, witty, and deeply reflective. I found myself highlighting entire passages of dialogue just because the logic is so beautifully twisted and fresh.

If you want a book that you can sink into and live in, where the concepts are just as exciting as the action, this is the one!

Thank you very much for the ARC!

Scream it for those in the back - this needs to be on your radar. Translated and years too late, it has to be something everybody reads.

Set in a vividly imagined world divided between four races, the reptilian Nhaga, the flame-wielding Tokkebifire people, the giant birdlike Rekon, and humans, the story follows a reluctant quest that could decide the fate of the world. A Nhaga ventures north on a mysterious temple mission for the first time in history, accompanied by representatives from each race to guide his journey. Forced to work together despite centuries of distrust and prejudice, the group must survive long enough to reach their destination and uncover the true nature of their mission…

Reading this felt unlike anything else I can remember, it’s a genuinely unique and intriguing read. I was initially drawn in by the Lord of the Rings comparison, which makes sense in terms of the reluctant quest and the mix of races travelling together, but the overall atmosphere and storytelling style feels very different!

The world-building is really strong throughout and I came away with such a clear understanding of Ryun, the Nhaga, and their social structures - all of which were explored in a way that was rich and detailed without becoming overwhelming. The other races were well depicted and interesting too, even if they weren’t explored with quite the same depth yet. Since this is only the first book, though it feels like there’s still a lot of room for those cultures and characters to develop further.

There’s plenty of action and suspense throughout, balanced nicely with moments of dry humour. I also found the writing style strangely hypnotic. The long chapters and constant POV shifts occasionally made the story feel a little dreamlike but in a way that mostly worked for me!

I’m curious about where the next book could go, there’s still much of the journey and many unanswered questions to be explored so I’m excited to see where it goes next!

With huge thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC.

I gave The Heart of the Naga 4.5 stars on Goodreads, and honestly, I ended up enjoying it far more than I expected. At the beginning, I wasn’t entirely sure if it was going to be for me, but once the story found its rhythm, I was completely drawn in.

What I loved most was the imagination behind the different races. They felt so unique and unlike anything I’ve read before, which made the world incredibly exciting to explore. There’s a real sense of adventure running through the entire book, and at times it genuinely reminded me of The Fellowship of the Ring — that feeling of very different characters coming together for a shared purpose and slowly building those connections along the way.

The worldbuilding was easily the standout for me. It felt fresh, creative, and immersive without simply copying familiar fantasy tropes. I kept wanting to know more about the world and the races inhabiting it, which made the journey itself feel thrilling.

The reason this wasn’t a full five stars was mainly because of the section involving the people afflicted by the King’s Delusion (or the delusion storyline in general). It almost felt like a separate short story inserted into the middle of the novel, and for me it disrupted the pacing a bit. I personally didn’t feel like it added much to the overall story, and that was really the only part where my interest dipped.

Still, that’s a relatively small complaint compared to how much I enjoyed the book as a whole. By the end, I was completely invested, and I’m now really curious to see where the next books go. I’ll definitely be continuing the series.

The Heart of the Nhaga follows a human, a Nhaga, a Tokkebi and a Rekon as they embark on a perilous quest to ensure that the Nhaga makes it to the North intact. The only problem? This Nhaga has a heart meaning he's vulnerable to pretty much everything up North meaning an uneasy alliance has to be formed.

This is book one of The Bird That Drinks Tears series.

The plot for this book unfolded slowly. It's clear from the beginning and the description that the main plot point is the journey, in this particular book, and this is why it unfolded slowly. There was little to no jumping around in the timeline, it just felt like a marching pace (not a bad thing for me!). This allowed the tension to build steadily, and remain throughout the book. There was a couple of gripping moments for me - predominantly involving the inner political workings of a certain Nhaga and then a retelling of a myth within the book but with a twist. These were my two most favourite scenes throughout. There is little action, in my opinion, compared to other epic fantasy's but I enjoyed this because I felt like I got to get a foundational understanding of the inner workings of the group. The main series plot point overall is still elusive to me but I am excited to find out more with the future books.

There are several different characters throughout this book who each hold a spotlight. I really enjoyed all of them and there wasn't any which I disliked, even the ones who are portrayed as villains. They are all working to their own objectives and I am intrigued to find out what, exactly, these are. I really enjoyed the dynamic between the human, Nhaga, Rekon and Tokkebi especially considering that they seem to be races which barely interact with one another but these four have formed an alliance for the "greater good". Despite this, I don't have any strong emotional connection to any of them but I do have my favourites out of them all.

The writing style is very enjoyable. Young-do has been cited as "the J. R. R. Tolkien of South Korea" (Goodreads) and I can see why that is. I really enjoy Tolkien's work but I found Young-do's much much easier to read and as enjoyable as Tolkien. I felt immersed in the world throughout reading and despite taking regular breaks away from the book (not because of it), I was able to slip back in very quickly. This is a very slow paced book so this is something to be mindful of.

The world building is fantastic. I felt like I could really differentiate between all of the different regions in which the characters come from and I am absolutely fascinated with the southern part of the Line of the Limit (where the Nhaga's are). I hope we get to explore more about that area in future books because it's truly interesting. Similarly, the history and lore surrounding the book is really interesting. There's a lot of references to ancient languages, lost races, etc. which I hope to find out more about in the future.

Overall, I really think readers who enjoy slow-paced epic fantasy which is predominantly focused on quests, journeys, and political intrigue will enjoy this book.

I approached this book with a healthy dose of scepticism. The wave of Asia-inspired fantasy written predominantly by US and UK authors has grown enormously in recent years, with highly variable results. Likewise, my experiences with science fiction and fantasy written by authors native to Asia have been mixed, and more often than not challenging. That said, I was hooked when I saw the author described as the “South Korean Tolkien.”

I am glad I took a chance.

The novel is set in a world where multiple races coexist alongside humans. A conflict is brewing within one of them (arguably the most aggressive) and gradually draws all the others into its orbit. The protagonists include a Nhaga (think snake-people) living on the fringes of his society and bound by a promise to a dying friend; a human who oscillates between acts of extreme cruelty and intimate kindness; a Rekon (something akin to a giant humanoid bird) who is both scholar and hothead; and a Tokkebi (somewhere between a human and a goblin) whose powers are tied to fire. Together, they embark on a journey to avert a looming calamity, though neither they nor the reader understand exactly what that calamity is, or what role they are meant to play in preventing it.

Along the way, they encounter numerous challenges, while the reader gradually learns about the world, the relationships between its races, and the personal growth of the protagonists. Much of this is deeply rooted in Korean mythology, culture, and moral frameworks.

The result is an excellent work of fantasy, offering a genuinely distinctive perspective. There is enough familiar structure to make the story accessible to Western readers, but there is also a great deal that feels refreshingly different. Characters often make choices that would seem unusual through a Western lens, and the book is stronger for it.

The worldbuilding is simply wonderful. It may not be quite as vast or intricate as that of Tolkien, Sanderson, Hobb, or Jordan, but it comes remarkably close, and its originality more than compensates for any gaps in scale or complexity. The four protagonists are immediately engaging, and the relationships between them (and between individuals and the wider world) are often simultaneously dark, poignant, and funny. The author's wit and mischievousness shine through in nearly every piece of dialogue.

I also greatly enjoyed the broader meta-plot, with its mix of political manoeuvring and personal drama. The philosophical questions woven throughout are particularly noteworthy: thought experiments involving the inversion of traditional male and female societal roles, discussions about the nature of kingship and what sustains it, reflections on humanity's relationship with nature, and, ultimately, the tension between determinism and free will.

I would recommend this to any fantasy reader. It is not to be missed, and I cannot wait for the next instalment to be translated.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy of this book in return for an honest review.

As a massive fan of high and epic fantasy, ‘The Heart of the Nhaga’ was an easy pick for me—especially with the comparisons to ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and the promise of a must-read for fans of Tolkien and Le Guin. Fortunately, it did not disappoint.

The world-building is impressive. While not quite as intricate as the lore crafted by Tolkien, Rothfuss, Hobb, or Jemisin, it is more than sufficient to establish a vivid setting and provide an immersive reading experience. I actually appreciated the lighter touch; it keeps the pacing swift and prevents the narrative from getting bogged down by excessive description or history.

However, the pace is occasionally a touch *too* fast. Some action sequences are glossed over, cutting straight to the aftermath. I would have preferred to see these moments play out in real-time on the page rather than just witnessing the fallout. This occasionally lowers the stakes, robbing the story of a true sense of peril.

The characters are a bit of a mixed bag. I loved their unlikely friendship and witty banter, but a lack of physical description made it difficult to picture them. I also craved a deeper sense of who they are as individuals—without much exploration of their inner lives, motivations, or backstories, they occasionally feel reduced to a few key traits, leaving a somewhat superficial impression.

What truly differentiates this book from other fantasy novels I've read is its humorous tone. It isn't a comedy by any means, but a playful element runs consistently throughout the story. I really enjoyed this refreshing approach, especially since I wasn't in the mood for anything too grimdark, and it kept me eagerly looking forward to my next reading session.

Overall, this is a solid, engaging read. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for the rest of the series.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Lee Young-do, and HarperVoyager for the ARC. My review will be posted on Instagram, Amazon UK, Waterstones, Goodreads and The StoryGraph near or on the publication date.

Darker than I had expected it to be, and so much more epic. There were some points where I felt detail was lacking which left me feeling adrift, but this was redeemed by the character depth and sweeping plot. Not what I expected, but in a very good way.

I can see why they call Lee Young-do the grandmaster of Korean fantasy. The Heart of the Nhaga is a beautiful start to a fantasy epic deeply rooted in Korean mythology.

We follow several characters in various parts of the crafted world. There are humans, of course; Nhaga — a serpent human type of people who nearm instead of speak; Rekon, which are some kind of terrifyingly fierce bird type people; and Tokkebi, a stone troll like creature who has fire magic. It’s a mix of all these that are trying to make their way to a temple in the north to do some grand things that are mostly unknown to us.

The characters are so alive, and so very well-written, it’s so easy to follow along. Anton Hur does a great job with the translation, and I never stumble in my read following these characters’ journey.

The world building is not quite as intricate and fleshed out as some of the Anglo-Saxon fantasy epics, but I think this may be due to it leaning heavily into Korean mythology. I looked up some of the creatures mentioned during my read and found really interesting vivid descriptions based on folklore. A story set in a mostly known world doesn’t need quite as much explaining as one you make up. This is not a weakness, but a strength, in the case of this book, as it feels completely natural.

It’s such a refreshing read. Today, there’s so much fantasy being published and I love that for me and everyone else, but the quality is varying. Because of the current trends in literature, authors tend to lack the trust that their readers can stay with them for intricate and less action-packed or romance heavy series. This is classical in every sense, and I just feel very grateful to have gotten the opportunity to read this book.

If you’re craving an epic fantasy adventure that feels new and fresh, you should try this book out. I can’t wait to continue on this journey. I have a sense that this series will bring the story home in a most satisfying way and there are still so many loose ends to tie up.

Many thanks to HarperVoyager for allowing me to review this ARC of Anton Hur’s English language translation.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. I had fun with this one! I have read a few translations by Anton Hur and I was eager to try this one too. I did feel at some points that something was lost in translation, but this did not stop me enjoying this epic fantasy which had really interesting lore and very creative and immersive world building. I wished that there was a little bit more exploration about why this journey was taken, but given this is a series I am sure the answers will come in the next books! Recommend for fans of epic fantasy, particularly if you enjoy the quest/journey variety!

Attention to all epic fantasy fanatics! This is a series you’ll want to keep a close eye on. 4.5/5 stars.

In *Heart of the Nhaga*, we’re introduced to a richly developed world and compelling characters. There’s clearly a great deal of history, lore and thoughtful consideration behind what’s on the page. The writing style is very poetic yet humorous at the same time, and here and there, all sorts of things are hinted at between the lines. Characters who initially seem somewhat random are brought together to complete a shared mission, but ultimately they complement each other well – perhaps even somewhat unexpectedly – get to appreciate one another, and discover that they have a lot to learn from one another. It might take a while to get into the world of the story and properly figure out who’s who, but once you’re hooked, it becomes hard to put this book down. As a reader, you’re kept in suspense for a long time – some things remain very mysterious – but gradually, little clues start to emerge and you catch a glimpse of where this story might be heading. It also contains plenty of original elements, which is something I’m really looking for in fantasy these days. The story has therefore pleasantly surprised me and has me eagerly awaiting the translation of the next instalment in this series. There’s a huge amount of potential here – you can just feel it! Romantasy lovers won't find what they're looking for here, but anyone who enjoys reading epic fantasy has come to the right place.

Thank you HarperVoyager for the eARC

After starting my Robin Hobb journey, this book just confirmed how much I enjoy character-driven stories.

What you don't get in action and fast pace is more than made up for with world-building, character depth, and beautifully written, engaging storytelling. And there's a quest! How much do I love a quest? It's one of my favourite things in a fantasy book.

I read a review that said, *"Big fan of whatever the hell this is,"* and I couldn't agree more. You have different species, each with their own unique characteristics, a rich world, and descriptions that make you feel like you can "see" and "sense" everything.

There's still so much we don't know, and I'm hoping we'll find out more in the next books. As much as I loved the world, I also found it difficult to understand at times. Some things are only explained later on, and I still have so many questions! The Nagha was clearly the main focus, but I really want to learn more about the other races.

If you like books with lots of short chapters... be prepared, because this one might not be for you. There are only five long chapters, but I couldn't stop reading.

We're left with a cliffhanger, and I can't wait to pick up the next book!

The Heart of the Nhaga definitely fulfilled my craving for a classic epic fantasy. The world and characters are vivid and unique. I loved the heartless immortals, giant mantas in the sky and birdmen. The classic quest style plot unfolded slowly and meandered through, which was great as I then had time to absorb the world-building. Four races coming together was an interesting concept, it made for some great dialogue and clunking together haphazardly to survive. I absolutely adored the side animal character, which is a bettle. Definitely my favourite bettle in fiction now! The book did feel like there was no real build up or end, which after all of the action points, ebbs and flows I was slightly disappointed with. This book had a dreamlike quality to it though, and saying that sometimes you do just wake up mid flow. Now off to look up some character art for this one as I’m sure it’s stunning. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.