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Bloody Seoul is a young adult novel by Sonia Patel, published July 2, 2019 by Cinco Puntos Press.
 Cover of Bloody Seoul | |
| Author | Sonia Patel |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Young adult literature |
| Publisher | Cinco Puntos Press |
| Media type | Print (hardcover, paperback) |
| ISBN | 978-1-94-762720-8 |
Reception edit
Bloody Seoul was generally well-received by critics.
Booklist called the novel a "powerful story about family, redemption, and finding out who you really are.”[1]
Kirkus Reviews wrote, "Readers who are drawn to the darker side of Korean pop culture will enjoy this archetypal, yet solid, redemption story."[2]
Publishers Weekly provided a mixed review, saying, "Patel ... resents the sights and sounds of Seoul accurately, though Rocky’s inner dialogue is indistinguishable from an American teenager’s, making the Korean setting feel superimposed."[3] They further stated, "Secondary characters exist in broad caricature."[3] However, "Patel’s choppy, terse sentences reflect Rocky’s precarious emotional state and compulsive behavior, which are explored alongside themes of redemption, self-discovery, and generational trauma."[3]
Cleaver Magazine's Kristie Gadson also highlighted how Patel's writing reflects Rocky's experiences and said, "Patel’s writing shines. Her words flow across the page like a poem - descriptive yet succinct, observant of an entire world in so few phrases."[4] Gadson continued, saying the novel "teaches us this lesson through colorful and subtly powerful storytelling, gripping readers from beginning to end."[4]
In 2020, Bloody Seoul was in the top ten for the In the Margins Book Award.[5]
References edit
- ^ "Bloody Seoul". Booklist. May 15, 2019. Archived from the original on 2021-10-26. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
- ^ "Bloody Seoul". Kirkus Reviews. April 7, 2019. Archived from the original on 2021-10-26. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
- ^ a b c "Children's Book Review: Bloody Seoul by Sonia Patel". Publishers Weekly. 2019-05-23. Archived from the original on 2021-10-26. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
- ^ a b "BLOODY SEOUL by Sonia Patel". Cleaver Magazine. Archived from the original on 2021-10-26. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
- ^ "2020 ITM Top Ten". In the Margins Book Awards. 2020-01-30. Retrieved 2021-10-26.
