September 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.