Vaguely Human Figures

by Jina Jeon

1984, Chicago. A music prodigy and a theater performer chase volatile dreams.

Matteo Harvey is a gifted young composer who receives a six-figure grant to write a musical. As he flourishes in the musical world and indulges in the luxuries that come with it, his grasp on reality begins to falter. On the other side of the city, August Cho is an established performer at the Black Swan Theater. For most of his career, he has bargained with a ghost in the Theater’s basement to land his dream roles, unaware of the consequences that now loom over him.

As their ambitions entangle them in overindulgence and supernatural negotiations, Matteo and August spiral into unreliable realms. This genre-blending story of art, identity, and passion paints a haunting portrait of two musicians on the edge who must confront the cost of their desires.

Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller

444 pages, Paperback

Published February 28, 2025

About the author

Jina is a writer, editor, and college student from Los Angeles. She is the author of Vaguely Human Figures. Find her on Instagram (@jinaswriting) or at www.jinajeon.net.

Reviews

[richa ⋆.˚★ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book map and the preview as shared by Jina on Instagram were so interesting, I had to add it here. Cannot wait for it's release.

[j☆ke · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS WAS WRITTEN SO BEAUTIFULLY. it is hard to believe this book is overwhelmingly underrated . the author has a real gift for painting vivid pictures with her words and creating authentic characters. the way matteo and august’s stories played off each other, while still having their own distinct arcs, kept me hooked the entire time. I honestly couldn’t get enough.

[Meursault · Rating 5 out of 5]

„No, don’t do it, you stupid, stupid boy!“ I say with all the love in my heart and turn the page to read about the stupid boy doing the stupid thing – again.

But seriously, this was brilliant! The writing is absolutely stunning, and the characters feel real and relatable with all their profoundly human flaws and endless desires. I found myself caring deeply for them and their self-induced tragedies.

Beyond being an immersive, moving (and at times very wholesome) story, Vaguely Human Figures is also a carefully crafted, complex composition. The scaffold of this tale is very old: Bargaining with ghosts and devils and paying a heavy price for greed. The author manages to paint a new, interesting picture of this classic motif by combining it with other, less supernatural tragedies, such as addiction and poverty. The narrative unfolds in two parallel plots that contrast and mirror both each other and countless other artworks. Because of this, Vaguely Human Figures is as much a work of art as it is about art and the processes of creating, performing, and consuming it.

[Juā]

Desire hearing so little and only seeing a glimpse of what’s available via your Instagram, I am extremely excited for this book!

[Mooo Mooo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t wait for the release! 💙💙

[emma]

going on my 16th birthday wishlist

[Anisa Daniel-Oniko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book and had to sit in stunned silence for a minute. And then I immediately recapped it to my mum and aunt, waxing lyrical in a way I don’t typically. They were equally entranced.
Because this book is, quite simply, that good. It has one of the most unique and ambitious premises I’ve ever read, & it manages to tackle its subject matter with such deft, elastic ease. I can safely say I haven’t read anything exactly like it; no one writes a spiral quite like Jina. It will stay with me forever.
If you haven’t read it yet, fix that IMMEDIATELY. Five stars ✨

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I could talk about this for hours. And I will. Prepare to be sick of me.

One day a while ago I saw a post online about this book and immediately wanted to read it because of the title. Then when I found out it was a story of art, desire, and the supernatural, I knew I had to pick it up. I've finally gotten around to it and have never been more grateful for social media.

There's nothing better than a book that makes you think and/or has an ending that haunts you. This is the perfect book for both those things. One of my favorite aspects of this book is that you don't know if the ghosts you spent the story with actually existed or not. Maybe these characters were communicating with real ghosts. Or maybe they had fully descended into madness. This is a book I'll reread over and over again so I can notice every little detail and come up with endless theories. This is a book no one will ever be able to forget.

And, I have to mention, as someone who can never get enough description in books, this story has the most incredibly rich atmosphere. The way Jina Jeon can create such clear, breathtaking settings is something I'll never get enough of. You feel like you're living in the pages with the characters, experiencing their story right next to them. I could stay in this book forever.

I'm not quite sure if I devoured this book or if it devoured me, but I know it will haunt me forever. If you need an atmospheric, beautifully-written book that dives into the worlds of music and theater while exploring how desire and leads to a descent into madness and one's inevitable downfall, you need this book. Even if you don't know that you want that, I can assure you that you need it. I will never be able to recommend this book enough.

[ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

[MINOR SPOILERS!!]

I’ve been keeping up with the publication process of Vaguely Human Figures for months, and when I say that I couldn’t be more happier with it, I truly mean it.

This book truly took me through all sorts of dips and turns throughout both protagonists’ dilemmas. I’m just in awe at how Jeon effortlessly captures the essence of her characters and their dynamics within two very distinct stories that seamlessly come together in the end! Just wow. As a fellow Chicagoan (and class of ‘29 at Uchicago), I’m just blown away at how immersive the descriptions were. At many points, I really felt like I was driving through downtown, cold breeze hitting my face an all. Heck, I felt like I was vacationing up in France, too! Not only were the settings descriptive, but the experiences of the characters, too. I’m not kidding when I say I had to look away just for a second every time Matteo got a little too anxious (iykyk).

I feel like my review is going all over the place… I just finished reading, so I think I’m still experiencing my reader’s high^^

As an aspiring writer myself, Vaguely Human Figures has inspired me to keep following my dreams, because it, Jeon’s behind the scenes instagram updates, and Matteo Harvey himself are proof that we are in control of making our dreams reality. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, Vaguely Human Figures. 💗🎹🎭

[dreamwithmelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so incredibly and beautifully written story of two people with different lives become interwoven with each other.

Matteo, who is a music prodigy, comes from hard beginnings and by chance gets the opportunity to compose for an upcoming musical with the help of his friend, Lucas, who is a producer. Matteo’s love for music is deep as it helps him live his life. His life continuous to have turmoil as he continues to do drugs and go to clubs.

August wants to make it big in the musical industry and is desperate to make that happen. He doesn’t want to disappoint his parents and he communicates with Ria to make that happen.

August and Matteo go through their struggles and it takes a very dark turn in the end.

[Calliope More · Rating 5 out of 5]

Music is integral to my life. I sang in choirs for a decade. The only thing I love more than listening to music is reading about it, whether that comes in the form of critical reviews, song analysis, or a certain novel called Vaguely Human Figures.

As a musician, I’m impressed by how Jina describes music and the process of creating music—she does an excellent job of balancing the technical and the emotional!

The entire book is well-crafted in terms of symbolism and storytelling. I adore the parallels between Matteo’s character arc and the storyline of his musical. The fantasy elements of the story are both sly and compelling. The Chicago setting suits the storyline perfectly. (Also, the descriptions of driving in Chicago are spot-on. Just don’t drive there.)

VHF is both gritty and glittering—the best way I can describe it is The Great Gatsby crossed with Billy Joel’s “Piano Man”. I don’t usually write reviews this long but I truly loved this book and I’m convinced that it’s going to be a modern classic someday. 5 stars.

[Reagan O’Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jina Jeon has a way of writing the intertwining stories in this novel that is so satisfying. Mysterious yet engaging, daring yet grounded. I’m so glad I found this author through her Instagram (@jinaswriting) and I look to it as proof that I can also publish my writing. The book is a heart-wrenching, real account of creative passion and its treacherous nature.

[Kaeden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is this crazy = genius by Panic at the Disco because I think it is
I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get over the grace with which every sentence was constructed, it warms my elegant prose loving heart. The story too as a whole was so well strung together, I couldn’t help but care deeply for the characters and my eyes wouldn’t look away. Ah and I loved the ending so much!!

[emily lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow wow wow wow wow
this was so refreshingly brilliant
the description was so thought out and genuine i absolutely loved how it flowed and the entwinement of matteo and augusts stories were perfectly balanced
entertaining from start to finish, loved it so much ⭐️

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ☆

Really atmospheric and gripping. Had me hooked from the beginning through the end. Loved seeing the characters slowly descent into artistic insanity. Just wish we had gotten to see a bit more of August's ending.

[grace!! · Rating 4 out of 5]

super super lovely debut!! i loveee jina and she’s so talented, this had me hooked and i literally finished it in an afternoon. at some points the plot felt repetitive or didn’t make sense (to me!) but overall, an AMAZING and super engaging novel!!!

[PinkFloydMuser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read the first ten-page preview! I’m in love with the writing and I cannot wait to read the rest of this book. I know it’s going to be amazing!!

[Yuna · Rating 5 out of 5]

My fav book and author evaaaa

[Rowan Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jina is incredibly talented, one of the best books I’ve read in a long while!

[Caley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spectacular!
The writing was gorgeous
I was so invested in the characters
I wish we got to know August a little bit more though as it felt that Matteo got a lot more development

[Jina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ngl i think i kinda ate (go read it now!!)
General info if you're considering: https://www.jinajeon.net/works/vaguel...

[Vai · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7/5 stars rounded up ★★★★☆

꒰ 2025 book #14/30 ꒱

✮ own physical copy

I was very excited to read this book as I had followed the advertising on Jeon’s social media prior to release. I absolutely fell in love with the concept, and it did not disappoint. The descriptions were incredibly vivid and immersive into the setting itself, almost as if we were watching Matteo succumb into madness in real time. Especially whenever Matteo played music, I could tell that the author did extensive research into how everything worked. In turn, creating a unique and immersive literary experience surrounding music composition.

In terms of characters, I loved Lucas and also thought Sabrina’s character was interesting. More specifically, the dynamic between her and Matteo. I liked how through his relationships with people and drugs, Matteo’s values and true personality was slowly revealed to show his indifference to anything but himself. Sabrina was symbolic of his indulgence into drugs and the hopeless aspects of mindset, using her as an excuse for escaping his struggles.

The reason I took a few points off my rating would be because I believe the stakes could have been higher. The accident was clearly very sobering and intense to Matteo’s livelihood and career, so the impact could have affected him a bit more as it felt slightly underwhelming. The plot also felt a little repetitive at times, and there could have been more of a twist and explanation for all of the deaths. Additionally, August was a character with a lot of potential, so I believe he could have been explored a bit more. Other than that, I adored how Jeon captured the insanity often accompanying artists, how it often fuels both creativity and misery at once. I recommend this book to any artists out there!

”It was at that moment I had the sickening premonition I’d become remotely human, a silhouette that lacked identifiable features and a definite future. I took on the shape of a person, yet I fell short of filling in that outline, fraying at the edges as everything I had known myself for splintered into irrelevance. If I looked at myself through the eyes of a stranger, I wondered if I would feel the same way I did now. If I cut myself open, I wondered if I would bleed a void.”

[Vivianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a musician, this book drew me in rapidly. I enjoyed it deeply, the musical accuracy made it a nice read. The design of the characters was alluring and made the reading easy to follow. The world-building was great and it was easy to imagine the scenes. I simply wonder about the future of August