Good Creature

by Jihyun Yun

From the USA Today bestselling author of And the River Drags Her Down comes a haunting, eerie gothic tale steeped in Korean folklore. A teen girl who can see the dead accidentally binds herself to a ghost groom and unleashes something far darker onto her college campus.

"Taut and poetic. A terrifying ghost story that will possess you from start to finish. Yun’s sinister prose marries the supernatural terror of Korean folklore with modern gothic dread . . . Utterly haunting."—Keala Kendall, New York Times bestselling author of That Which Feeds Us

    Dragged under by the Pacific Ocean, she should have never surfaced again. But she did—and she returned with a curse. Ever since that fateful day, Lamb has been able to see the dead as they truly some of them whole and peaceful, others vividly gruesome. Haunted, Lamb could no longer be the good, docile daughter her parents expected of her.
    Years later, cut off from her family, Lamb is running a covert posthumous marriage scheme that delivers closure to grieving Korean families and easy money into her pocket to pay for college. But when the family of a ghost bride abruptly backs out of a marriage ceremony, Lamb is left without a bride and does the unthinkable, offering her own image to the altar.
    Not only does Lamb bind herself to Felix Yoo, the ghost groom, but unbeknownst to her, something else slithers through—a faceless, wretched thing desperate to reach Lamb by any means necessary . . .

"Rich with dark horror and achingly beautiful, it will haunt you."—Melinda Salisbury, author of Local Gods

Genres: Horror, Young Adult, YA Horror, Asian Literature, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Fiction

Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 30, 2027

About the author

Jihyun Yun is a Korean American author from the the San Francisco Bay Area. Her Prairie Schooner Prize winning debut collection SOME ARE ALWAYS HUNGRY was published by University of Nebraska Press in September 2020. Her debut young adult novel AND THE RIVER DRAGS HER DOWN was published by Knopf BFYR in 2025 and has translations forthcoming in ten languages. Her sophomore book GOOD CREATURE will be published in 2027.

Her work has been published in Best New Poets, Narrative Magazine, Adroit and elsewhere. She currently lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Reviews

[Mai H.]

East Asian horror > East Asian fantasy

Hell yeah. Girl, scam them.

🩸 👻 💰

Part I: The Wedding

Well, I love this.

Lamb Sun is a Korean American estranged from her parents. Her pastor father named her. God, I love religious trauma. I have a lot of it.

After she died and was resuscitated, Lamb now has the ability to see ghosts. She has to be near water, whether it’s rain or the shower. Through this, and the Korean concept of ghost marriage, she scams dead people’s families out of money by performing these marriages.

All goes mostly well until a dead bride’s family cancels last minute. Lamb uses herself as the effigy. Not a spoiler, but it doesn’t go well.

I’m riveted.

Part II: Graces

This part is a little confusing, but that's okay. Perhaps our narrator is a tad unreliable. Or just young.

Ever since the ghost marriage, Lamb is tethered to Felix, who I imagine as Stray Kids Felix. He's honestly not that bad. She's the questionable one here. When she drinks herself into oblivion at a frat party, he "saves" her. Or tries to.

She herself tries to save an underage girl there, berating her. Later on, we see a flashback of teenage Lamb at a frat party. A guy who is aware she is underage decides to assault her anyway.

Meanwhile, Tae, who we met earlier, is still hanging around. Tae is alive. And for some reason, I'm imagining this one as BTS Taehyung. Everyone is Korean. Go with it. (Not everyone is Korean.)

Tae is nice, too. What is with Lamb collecting all the nice ones? I actually hope this doesn't come back to bite me. I hope Tae stays nice.

Part III: Grace

If we remember correctly, Grace is the name Lamb used to marry Felix. In doing this, she halfway pulled her from the afterlife. Stuck in mirrors, she resorts to possessing the college students of Lamb’s dorm. Eventually, one of them dies. Don’t feel bad for him. He pressured the underage girl to drink. He probably would’ve raped her had he had the chance.

Althea and Tae finally learn what Lamb is up to. At first, she’s relieved, but to save them, she pushes them away. Obviously that goes well.

Meanwhile, Lamb is tutoring Jinnie. Jinnie is obviously depressed that her brother Felix died, but she blames herself. We don’t find out why yet.

In a slightly weird ghost wet dream, Lamb and Felix kiss. I was fully expecting non-corporeal ghost sex, but unfortunately we didn’t get that.

Things are picking up.

Part IV: The Lamb

This part broke me a little. Everything starts to come together.

Turns out Grace isn't haunting Lamb. Lamb is haunting Lamb. Doesn't make sense? Doesn't your younger self haunt you? I often think about split timelines. What if I had made one decision? Then another? Would I be where I am now? Obviously not. But we don't have to get into parallel universes on this Thursday morning.

I wasn't sure if this was going to turn into a Tae/Lamb romance or a weird Tae/Lamb/Felix love triangle, and I'm very glad it didn't. Let horror remain horror. Because the true horror isn't being single. It's feeling unloved and unwanted by the parents that birthed you.

I will admit the little Felix/Lamb moments were cute. I do have a soul somewhere deep in there.

And I'm glad things sort of tidied away for Lamb, Grace, and Jinnie. Because the girls of this world deserve a little happiness. Or if not happiness, less pain. And that's the reality of it.

I'll be thinking about this one for some time.

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf Books for Young Readers

[Jihyun Yun]

Dear readers,

Because I believe that Goodreads is a space for readers and not authors, I am just peeking my head through the door to drop a list of content warnings before getting out of your hair so you can review this book honestly. GOOD CREATURE is an upper YA/ crossover novel that deals with heavy topics such as sexual assault, parental abandonment, sibling death and religious trauma. Please take care of yourself if these do not feel like issues you feel ready to navigate, and perhaps this book will find you another time.

I’m so excited for you all to read Lamb and Felix’s story. Thank you for spending time with me in these pages, and if you’ve come from my debut novel AND THE RIVER DRAGS HER DOWN or my poetry collection SOME ARE ALWAYS HUNGRY– thank you for trusting me again. I do not take your time for granted.

Jihyun

PS. for the first time ever, I’m giving myself 5 stars, because it’s true what they say about sophomore novels being difficult, and writing this gave me my first white hair. (Which I wear proudly!)

[Ally]

There’s something about a story that can be both strange and beautiful at the same time, and Good Creature completely pulled me into that space. From the beginning, I was captivated by the story and the way it slowly reveals itself, creating this unsettling, atmospheric feeling that made me want to keep turning the pages.

Jihyun Yun’s writing is one of the biggest highlights for me. The prose is vivid and immersive without losing the momentum of the story. There’s a darkness woven through the writing, but also something incredibly human and tender underneath it. The descriptions made the world feel tangible, and I found myself lingering over certain passages because of how beautifully they were written.

And the characters really made this book for me. They felt layered and complicated flawed in ways that made them feel like real people rather than simply characters moving a plot forward. I became invested in their choices, their relationships, and the emotional weight they carried throughout the story. Even when I wasn't sure where the story was taking me, I cared enough about the characters to follow them there.

This was such an intriguing and memorable read, and I loved the way it balances its darker elements with its emotional depth. It’s the kind of book that leaves you thinking about its characters and themes even after you’ve finished.

[Louise Karolina]

Good Creature is the first Jihyun Yun novel I've read and I had no real expectations going into it, but it was kind of... brilliant? I absolutely devoured this and couldn't stop reading it, so I read and read for hours and was devastated when I reached the end. I think this might be one of the best books I've read in quite some time.

The story, following Lamb Sun as she juggles studies with fraudulently marrying off ghosts to bring some peace to their relatives and some money into her own pockets, is intriguing and fresh; in a ghost marriage gone wrong, Lamb marries herself to Felix Yoo, a ghost who is unwilling to move on. It's dark, haunting, but also oddly comforting. Their relationship goes from being an inconvenience to a friendship to something more, to real care and affection.

The relationship between Lamb and Felix was the best part of many great parts. I also loved that Lamb felt like a real person—flawed and selfish, lonely but kind—and I loved her growth throughout the novel. The story might seem a bit slow to some, but the pacing and story was right up my alley and I also really appreciated how the reader got to experience Korean culture and folklore.

The writing was very pretty too, flowery and descriptive but not too much, and while this is horror (and extremely haunting at times), it's also something much more; a story about grief and dealing with trauma and about finding a way to cope and to accept, and most importantly, to forgive.

This novel was honestly stunning and it left me kind of... shocked? Perhaps shocked isn't the best word... Blown away? Astonished? This really surprised be in the best way possible. It had everything I look for in a novel, and while I usually don't cry while reading, this one really hit me and the pages got weirdly blurry at the end.

I will read it again. And again. I'll probably also buy a physical copy when it comes out (the cover is stunning) and even though Good Creature doesn't come out for almost another year... trust me, it's worth the wait. 5+++ stars.

I’d like to thank the author, publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this arc.

[Sarah E B ʚ♡ɞ]

4/5 stars
Review of advanced copy received by Netgalley. So thank for this chance
Overall, it was a very nice book. I think the whole "ghost bride" was done very nicely. It did take me a while to click with the main character, and it took a bit for me to get fully involved with the plot.

[Lanie Brown]

Lamb needs money, a girl has to pay for school and some treats for herself every once in awhile, right? Being estranged from her family means that Lamb needs to get that money herself and thanks to a "gift" bestowed upon her after a near death experience she can see dead people. A terrifying prospect as a child, but as an adult (well an eighteen-year-old) and some gullible elders from the Korean church network, Lamb has turned into the perfect part-time job. All she has to do is conjure up the image of a dead person in some water and these elders will pay her five thousand dollars to have her perform a posthumous marriage. The family of her most recent "bride" has backed out though, leaving her with a groom with no one to marry. Desperate to make the additional five thousand Lamb decides to marry herself to the deceased. One Felix Yoo, it's not even real right? Except it is very, very real and now Lamb is tied to one very annoying ghost for at least the next five months. Not only that, but Lamb has also brought something else back with them, something that isn't a smart ass nineteen-year-old pre-med student, but a faceless horror that is stalking the halls of her dorm, searching for Lamb.

Okay first of all, yeah I did just picture Felix throughout this whole book, I'm sorry there is absolutely no way that wasn't happening here. I am not remotely mad about this and would like to take the opportunity to thank Yun for turning Felix into a super-hot ghost.

Moving on.

Please read the trigger warnings at the beginning of this before reading the book. This deals with some pretty heavy topics and I can definitely see this being triggering. However, I'd also urge anyone who may be triggered to discuss with someone and then maybe read at a later date because it was also healing.

Moving on for a second time.

Lamb is an absolutely excellent character that I loved immediately, like immediately. She's oh so very prickly (for valid reasons) but there is something about her that is just likable, lovable really. It's fairly obvious that the prickly is a shield because she's been hurt by life a lot and that kinda just makes you want to hug her. As the story progresses, we find out the reasons why she is estranged from her family, her dad is an absolute dick, and her mom has her own baggage. Which leaves Lamb to deal with religious abuse, sexual assault, and oh actually dying on her own. That will leave anyone a bit prickly. However, I think what I found that I liked the most about Lamb is how much I wanted her to get better. Even if Lamb wouldn't admit it to herself her trauma was eating away at her. It was fairly obvious that had it continued the way it was going Lamb would virtually become her trauma; prickly would turn into bitter and angry and instead of being lovable she'd become well, her mom to be honest.

Felix is great not just as a love interest but simply a friend to be honest. I don't want to say he pushes Lamb to examine her issues but he does in a manner that's healthy and gives her a safe place to do so. The fact that it's the eight minutes before he dies is kinda messed up, but that's explained later so I'm okay with it. Althea and Tae (roomie/bestie and potential boyfriend) are great side characters as well. We don't hear as much from Althea as we do Tae but it's enough to know that even though her and Lamb have known each other for a very short period of time Althea has Lamb's best interests at heart.

What I think is a portion of this that I believe people will miss (unless you read the Dear Reader at the beginning) is from beginning to end there is a message about consent in it. Obviously as touched on at the beginning we've got some sexual assault trauma going on here, this becomes intertwined with the idea of posthumous marriages. It's genuinely a not okay practice one that does get brought up pretty often in not just Korean folklore, but other Asian cultures as well. It's a weird way to disrespect the dead, in an attempt to respect them (this isn't a bash to Asian cultures at all Western practices are riddled with just as many issues) but also as Yun points out it is a clinging to heteronormative practices that reinforces the idea that marriage, even in death and one that you did not and could not consent to is between a man and a woman. I've read several modern horror stories regarding this practice and while in many cases consent is the overriding moral discussion I've rarely read a story where it discusses the heteronormative side of things. In a danmei maybe but that's it. I'm glad Yun brings this up, even if it's not the main idea of the book, because while in danmei it's just hinted at where Yun is very straightforward with. While metaphors are nice and I mean with Danmei the authors are already walking a fine line by writing it to begin with, sometimes blunt speech in terms of hurtful practices is needed.

The other side of the consent thing can really be applied here as well is how Lamb's father treated her. Lamb, was never given a choice as to who Lamb was going to be as a child and into her preteen/teen years. She was forced to act a certain way, to dress a certain way, and with the amount of times she discusses outings with church groups I have a strong feeling the people she hung out with were not a decision she was allowed to make either. No one ever asked Lamb if she wanted to be this person, her parents forced her to. I know a lot of people who were forced into these same molds by parents who decided who their kids were going to be without ever asking their kids who they wanted to be. Parents, unfortunately, have a tendency to tell not ask and while in many cases parents do have their children's best interests at heart, in just as many they don't. I think a prime example of this is brother's daughters. They were never allowed to cut their hair. Trims, but that's it. One weekend they spent the night, lo and behold the youngest had head lice. With three feet of hair. I spent 24 hrs treating this, I called my brother and my sister-in-law and begged to cut it off, my niece did to, even just to her mid back. I was told no, my niece who had to endure this while she was supposed to be having fun with her cousins was told she did not have any say in this decision. They took away her ability to consent to what happened with her own body because of an idea that they had of what a girl should look like, but on my sister in law's side a lingering anger at her own parents for forcing her to cut her hair when she didn't want too. It's a simple example but I think one that best demonstrates this idea of consent in a parent/child relationship. One that I think really doesn't get touched on often enough. We discuss things like "don't force your kid to hug someone they don't want to" often, but not the little ways we remove our children's ability to consent to an action daily.

Now, what everyone is wondering: How does this stack up on the horror scale? Well, I'll be honest, it becomes fairly obvious what's going on with the faceless nightmare Lamb brings back with her, almost immediately really. That being said it doesn't make the damn thing any less creepy. The whole faceless aspect really ups the creep factor, but it's the fact that you don't know what it wants from Lamb that really does the trick. It's basically stalking her and since it can't talk it just shows up being all creepy, but it clearly gets agitated and you don't know if wants to hurt Lamb or help her. There are also some really nasty visual effects with fly larvae too, because as we all know dead things go hand in hand with bugs.

The most important question of all though: Do I recommend this? Oh 100%! I absolutely loved this from beginning to end. While I have a strong feeling people may compare it to Lee Baker's Bat Eater and other Names for Cora Zeng, kind of a feminine rage thing, while it absolutely is to an extent it also is not. Bat Eater was powerful for its anger; Good Creature is powerful for its honest look at healing.

As always thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books for the eArc!

[Jenna O'Malley]

4 stars!

Thank you to Netgalley and Children’s Random house for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review ✨

In “Good Creature” we are introduced to our main character Lamb. She is a promising college student with a secret - she can speak to spirits. Desperate to make ends meet and be able to pay for her education as she is estranged from her family; Lamb is running a “shady” marriage ceremony business for families who are grieving loved ones in order for those who have passed on to find peace in the afterlife. One day her ritual does not go as planned and Lamb accidentally finds herself married to a ghost. Bound to one another, they can communicate and share dreams. However - frightfully enough another entity has made its way to the Lamb’s world, and may not have the best of intentions.

At times reading this book while home alone was horrific because of the body horror. It reminded me of 2000’s horror movies. I was picturing a dark atmosphere with dimmed dorm rooms and old mirrors decorated around her building. I think Lamb’s story is the classic “the road to hell is paved with good intentions” plot. She acts out of necessity and not ill intent. Her motives were never to hurt others, and one thing led to another and created a snowball effect that led her to her current circumstances.

Felix and Lamb’s relationship was nothing short of heartfelt and short lived. I am glad that the author chose to leave him be and not pull the whole “bring him back” move. He was meant to be a lesson and confidant to Lamb and his family.

We had a good character arc while maintaining the eerie undertone - which is more than I could have asked for!

I can’t wait to see what this author does next 💖

[klaudia.]

𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖ 5 stars ★ ˖⌕ ۫ ➺ spoilers free review
→ thank you netgalley and Random House Children's Books for the arc

୨୧ 一

OH I’M SICK. This book was truly amazing, it changed me FOREVER. I love the plot idea, it was so unique and also this gorgeous cover…this book is perfect. I mean who doesn’t want to read a book about a girl, who can see ghosts and by accident get herself into a marriage with a ghost but it brings her trouble, because another ghost started haunting her? And all of this is also horror and Korean folklore (I love any books inspired by folklore, it was quite created for me 😭)

I cried a lot during this book, the ending completely ruined me, all of this and also such flowery and beautiful writing. The pacing of the book is quite slow, but it helps to get to know characters and their struggles better. I liked how the author touched sensitive topics, like grief, dealing with trauma and accepting things that happened.

About characters, I feel so close to Lamb, she is so strong but also not perfect, she had her flaws and doubts, her backstory really touched me. I liked her journal how she overcame her fears and intrusive thoughts. Tae and Althea were such good friends for her, I’m glad she has amazing people who can support her no matter how. Felix was also such good character. His relationship with lamb, starting as marriage of convenience, to friendship and then something more special…it broke me in the most beautiful way, I knew they were doomed, and all but it is one of the most beautiful relationships I have read about. His relationship with his sister was so good, their care of each other no matter what…this one scene in the end made me cry so hard, they have special place in my heart and I appreciate the author how beautiful she has written it.

I definitely will recommend this book a lot, one of the best reads ever!!

──── ୨୧ ────

[Lilah]

Thank you very much to the author and publisher, and to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Good Creature is a YA horror novel centred on Lamb Sun. After a brush with death at 13, Lamb has been able to see ghosts wherever she goes. Now 18, she runs a posthumous marriage scheme to scam the grieving. When she ends up using herself as a bride in a ceremony, she finds that not all ghost stories are simply stories.

I really enjoyed this novel. It’s a very smooth read, the horror elements were done very well, and the resolution was very satisfying. The novel is paced exceptionally well; none of the scenes were overlong or dragged out. I also found Lamb a very compelling protagonist—not perfect by any measure, but undoubtedly intriguing. Her interactions with Felix were undoubtedly a highlight. Readers unfamiliar with Korean ghost stories also stand to learn a lot from this book, as the research and knowledge underlying the supernatural elements is palpable.

My favourite thing about this novel is its messaging. Consent is an overarching and palpable theme throughout the book, and we see it explored in myriad ways. Sexual consent is certainly addressed in a manner I consider excellent for YA readers, but so is every other form of consent. Author Jihyun Yun holds up a jagged mirror to the reader, and in every shard is a reminder of how far their compassion should extend, and how flimsy self-perceived righteousness can be. The horror elements are very vivid, and at times particularly disconcerting (in a good way), but never dependent on cheap scares, unnecessarily lurid descriptions, or melodramatic suffering.

This novel has been characterised as upper-YA, or possibly New Adult, and I agree primarily due to the setting. Nevertheless, I will boldly proclaim that this novel is a rewarding read for YA readers favouring horror, as it gracefully navigates its themes without relying on shock factor or sensationalism.

I will, however, say that I wished to see more of Althea, particularly in the latter portions of the book. Her role seemed to diminish too abruptly for my preference, and I would have liked to see more of an active role for her.

Prospective adult readers should also be mindful that this book does contain many YA elements, such as dates, crushes, and young friendships, all of which contribute to the novel’s shockingly accurate (and harrowing) depiction of the darker side of university life. Lamb, however, is a very mature character for her age and doesn’t make any particularly stupid choices that would frustrate an adult reader.

Overall, this is a phenomenal book. There is skill and power in delivering a finished work wherein the seams of the craft are nearly invisible. This novel is clearly a labour of love, visible in the unquestionably diligent work poured into perfecting its technicalities. Ultimately, Jihyun Yun has produced a masterpiece.

[quietpageturner]

this story served several purposes:
1. Explore Asian mythology and/or folklore
2. Share generational trauma
3. Show religious values and manipulation tactics
4. Demonstrate the complexity of family dynamics

Lamb is a complex young woman who I saw myself in. She’s sheltered but daring, free but caged, fearless but afraid.

Using the “haunt” as a catalyst for several conversations was an interesting and triumphant choice by the author. I’ll continue to dive into Jihyun Yun’s work and I’m definitely picking up a physical copy on release date!

[Mindy]

“She wasn’t alone. She hadn’t been alone for a while. Lamb had thought of herself as an island for so long, she hadn’t realized she’d become part of an archipelago.”

Thank you so much to Random House and NetGalley for this e-ARC!

If I had to choose one story beat that I wanted in everything I ever read, it would be the story of a messy, flawed heroine dealt a difficult hand in life being shown the love she deserves. It gets me every single time and this book… oh my god, this book is no exception, to the point where I’m sobbing just transcribing some of the quotes for this review. It doesn’t matter if it’s romantic or platonic! I will cry every time!!!

Good Creature is a horror novel about grief, for the departed but also for the past, for lives unlived, for what could have been. It’s about a literal haunting, but also the haunting of memories, of how generational trauma creates storms that reverberate down family lines.

Our protagonist, Lamb, is one of the most morally compromised heroines I’ve had the pleasure of reading about in a long time. She is genuinely flawed and does some horrible things, and I found the way she was written to be such a brave choice because I KNOW there will be people complaining about how “unlikable” she is. But the narrative does a wonderful job at examining her decisions and what led her to them without ignoring the very real consequences that the people she harmed suffered from. Lamb is not let off the hook for how she hurts people, but she is also extended the grace and empathy that someone like her needs. She shows very real, hard-won growth, but it’s not without taking many steps backwards and making choices that made me want to scream as a reader. In other words… she’s my favorite type of protagonist.

It’s her interactions with the rest of the cast that drive this story and really make it stand out for me as a reader. Lamb, who is so focused on self-preservation and is so filled with self-loathing, suddenly finds herself with a ghost bound to her who cares for her wellbeing, a roommate who wants to form a true, deep friendship with her, and a sweet boy whose idea of a fun afternoon is going to pet baby cows. Seeing how she reacts to each of them and how each character guided her journey while remaining fully-fleshed out character in their own right was honestly a joy to witness.

The relationship between Lamb and her ghost, Felix, was actually not quite as compelling as her relationships with Tae, Jinnie, and Althea to me, but it still succeeded in making me feel like I was being stabbed in the heart. It was somewhat reminiscent of the relationship between Karys and Ferain in Asunder, which was one of my other favorite reads of the summer with a relationship between a self-loathing heroine and the kind man she accidentally binds herself to, and that is an extremely high compliment. Still, I’m glad that the book took the time to develop so many platonic AND potentially-romantic relationships for Lamb throughout its course, because it makes everything so much more rich than if it were a romance.

If anyone reading this review is a bit scared of the word “horror”, don’t be. This book was creepy, but it wasn’t the actual ghosts or seances that sent shivers down my spine. In this book, it’s the living, breathing people who are the ones you have to look out for… which, okay, is definitely more terrifying.

The ending is satisfying and warming without being trite, bright with the promise–and fear–of tomorrow. I’m getting misty-eyed just thinking about it now. If anyone out there is looking for a palette cleanser between their epic fantasy like I was that still delivers a big emotional punch in the gut, I cannot recommend Good Creature enough. It devastated me while also building me up in the exact way I love a book to do.

Also… “Let’s go pet cows” might be one of the most romantic lines I’ve ever read.

[Chii ✨]

"Let's go pet cows."

Perfect read to start AUG-tober & Spooky season. If you're a semi-casual horror reader like me, this is definitely something for us folks—religious trauma, dysfunctional families, unsettling, chilling, and eerie. Absolutely adored the writing and will pick up her other works.

I found Lamb's character genuinely flawed, doing horrible things throughout the book, and I know people will dislike her. But I loved that Yun can capture the reasoning behind Lamb's decisions and what led her to make them, ontop of never omitting the consequences of those actions.

The interaction with the cast is what sold me. Being stuck with a ghost who genuinely cares for her well-being despite Lamb being a self-serving, self-preserving individual mirrors real-life relationships we may have ourselves. Her relationship with Felix is what BROKE me. I knew they were doomed. All other interactions with the cast, including their platonic relationships, were lovely. Additionally, I liked her character growth at the end of it all.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's Books, and Knopf Books for Young Readers.

[Chloe]

I think getting stabbed would illicit less of a reaction than this book pulled out of me. It is so spectacularly crafted, with an emotional heart so carefully tended to. There is so much CARE in absolutely every aspect of this book, and it shows in the best possible way.

[nika.ex.libris]

Thank you to Random House Children's Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

This is my second book by this author, and once again, I absolutely loved the atmosphere! The premise hooked me right away and definitely delivered.
​A girl who communicates with ghosts and arranges weddings for them, but when everything goes wrong, she offers herself as the bride instead.

​The only thing I didn't care for was the romance. It felt unnecessary and kind of came out of nowhere for me... The friendship felt pretty weak, too.
​I do love the easy writing style, though! It's a short book, a quick read, and just perfect for an evening!

[Lila Riesen]

OH MY GOSH. I loved RIVER and adored this one even more. It felt like Ninth House--but even fresher and full of Korean folklore. The way Jihyun weaves sentences together is nothing short of inspiring. Other authors might identify with this... you know those books that you carry as 'emotional support' as you write your own? You know what I mean--they're on your desk as you write, cheering you on, helping you to be better. This netgalley e-arc was my own emotional support book. Chilling, sexy, haunting, fun, and super duper fresh. WOW. Anyway, I can't wait to see this on published and watch it soar. Jihyun is at the start of a beautiful and long career. Please stick around for a long time, my friend!

[Sara.]

i will read any spooky thing from ms jihyun yun

[motherknows.books]

A huge thank you to Random House Children's Books for the e-ARC via NetGalley! The following is my honest review:

4.5 stars rounded up

Good Creature is quietly brilliant. Every word choice purposeful, Yun delivers creeping dread that steadily ensnares. Yet there's a poignance to the story that I was unprepared for; the character work leaves a haunting tenderness that lingers long after the supernatural terrors have been vanquished.

This is not flashy horror, geared to shock, though it certainly has its visceral moments. Whilst the gothic elements and body horror are stark and sinister they are restrained and never overwrought. The narrative itself is careful and thoughtful. Good Creature is an examination of the lingering effects of trauma, the wretched things we carry, of all that we feel and project and need. It all percolates within the framework of a haunting narrative. As such, the pacing is steady but the conclusion rewards patience.

Yun's writing is poetic, her word choices deftly atmospheric. Even outside the paranormal and horror elements, Yun creates a rich eeriness through language alone. Good Creatures is deeply original...haunting, possession...madness? The pieces are all there but I couldn't put them together, making the conclusion so satisfying.

Not a simple haunting story, this is a book for those that want to feel. I highly recommend to fans of gothic horror, those that enjoy poetic writing, and even as an entry point to horror since, as YA, it is restrained in its horror and body horror elements.

*This book comes with a content warning for sexual assault. Though it's not indicated from the premise this is a central theme of the book, along with the concept of consent. I think it's important to highlight the fact that it's not a passing reference but integral to the plot, with details laced throughout the story. Both in the way SA is directly written about and explored thematically the subject is handled with care and sensitivity and is never graphic or gratuitous. The story examines the emotional aftermath, trauma, and healing in a way that is, ultimately, hopeful and cathartic. Though there is hurt within these pages, there is healing and comfort that outweighs it.

**While Good Creature is officially categorized as YA, with a publisher recommended age of 14+, the author has called it 'an upper YA/ crossover novel' which I agree with, particularly considering the University setting and character ages. Given some of the thematic material, I recommend a minimum reading of 16+

***Content warnings for those that find them helpful:
Death & Grief
Sibling death
Parental abandonment
Sexual assault of a minor- major theme of the book
Separate incident: Date rap3- on page, implied- not graphic
Religious trauma
Body horror- blood/ injury detail
Death of an animal: deer hit by a car/ shot to end suffering
Explicit language- not pervasive at all, but present throughout the book
Kissing- M/F

[Lo]

"I don't discount the possibility that there might be different types of spirits I cannot see. But the ghosts I know have faces. They still seem human, have identities and desires. But mostly, they're in our world. Like they exist on a similar plane as us, if that makes sense. Maybe they can't touch it or interact with it in the same way, but they're here like an afterimage."

Good Creature is a visceral and endlessly intriguing exploration of bodily autonomy, cultural heritages, lore, and humanity. It's profoundly sharpened with teeth that bite to hold on, but also to remind you you're alive...so keep living.

"I hope it can be a mirror you hold yourself up to and find the face looking back at you worthy." - Jihyun Yun

Yun laced so much sensory detail into Good Creature that you couldn't help but immerse yourself straight into Lamb and Felix's plights. The idea that Yun brought forth of Korean culture and posthumous marriage for lost-loved ones was not-so-simply one of the best things I've ever read. I haven't been curious about something unknown to me in so freaking long, so to have that from the start - of what your life is like after you cease to exist corporeally - was captivating!

And the depth in which Yun delivered the story gave me goosebumps and so many thoughts. I was constantly lacing myself into the story, trying to immerse myself into a culture that is not my own. Empathy and insight was absolutely gained from this read, and I cannot say enough how much I'm in awe of it.

And Lamb? She was so fiercely flawed, but that made her all the more tangible. I mean she had a heart built of good intentions, and teeth sharpened for survival, but as a whole she was so emotionally deep and well-crafted it was easy to relate to her and find yourself attached.

── .✦ ARC received from NetGalley for an honest review. Thank you!!!

[Elisabeth]

NetGalley eARC — I couldn’t put Good Creature down: the pacing of events and unveiling of mysteries kept me on the edge of my seat. This Korean mythology-inspired horror was a treat, and I adored our protagonist, Lamb Sun.
Lamb’s name was originally mean to reflect innocence, sacrosanct, and blessedness. But, to the great disappointment of her religiously devout family, she turned out to be anything but. After a touch with death, Lamb developed the eerie ability to see the dead. While attending university in Northern California, Lamb runs a scam that preys on people’s grief. With her gift, she claims to be able to arrange posthumous marriages (an old tradition in Korean culture), supposedly giving peace to the dead and their families.
But during a desperate attempt for a last minute ceremony, Lamb further cons one family as she places herself as the dead bride. Little does she know that this arrangement will lead to her haunting.
She is followed by her “husband” Felix, whose wishes only seem to concern his sister’s happiness. But there is another haunt that is following her and wreaking havoc in her life: watching through mirrors, tormenting her classmates, even leading to a death. Lamb is forced to confront her traumatic past, the wrongs she’s committed, and learn to accept love and help.
There was so much to unravel in this story: the meaning of the red string, the harmful effects of purity culture, the ethics of consent (in modern life as well as posthumous), and learning to live apart from a toxic family. And all the while the writing was completely addicting, while balancing being perfectly creepy yet meaningful.

[Mercury]

Where do I even begin? I think I’ll start by saying that this should be on everyone’s radar and pre-order list, to be honest. The supernatural aspects of the story did their job of being eerie, fascinating, and sickening. The all-too-real aspects of religious trauma and familial dysfunction brought the horror beyond the 10/10 scale.

Lamb Sun is a beautifully written character. She’s the first protagonist I’ve read in a while who felt fully fleshed out to me, and while I (for the most part) liked the MCs in past books I’ve read recently, Sun is the first one in a while who felt like an actual, realized 18-year old girl. Her selfishness, bad decisions, existing in an isolated state, and convincing herself and others she wasn’t a good person is the realest thing ever. She’s good, though. She’s capable of it, and she was! I rooted for her through every bit of difficulty she experienced, no matter how ‘difficult’ she was at moments. Healing isn’t linear and this book encapsulates that saying.

The side characters themselves were great. I just wish we had a couple of chapters from Althea’s perspective, but that’s just me. I’m sure their little trio—Lamb, Althea, and Tae—will have great adventures ahead of them their sophomore year of college. As someone who’s about to start my sophomore year IRL, I’m just hoping it’ll have excitement that doesn’t include any hauntings, but who knows?

I also like books where I leave with a new word (or words) to add to my list of “Favorite Words”. I took libidinous from this one. I also liked the variety of color descriptors. Shades of red were pretty popular throughout. Cerise and pomegranate were delightful to read. More diverse color descriptors in books when 🗣️ Yun’s diction is skillful, balancing prose and purpose.

[LadyoftheBlade (Britt)]

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc of Good Creature. The very, very first thing that got me to pick this novel up was the absolutely gorgeous cover. I am also a huge fan of the red string of fate, so both of those things combined led me to pick this up. I knew it was going to be about a ghost marriage and that it was horror. Besides that, I went in blind. And just, wow. This absolutely delivered in every single way.

We meet Lamb Sun as she is in the process of scamming an elderly couple into convincing them that she will find a ghost husband for their recently deceased grand-daughter. Lamb is one of those characters that, while we are in her head, we do not see all of the complex layers of her person at first. When we meet her, she is incredibly selfish and closed off. She funds her secondary education by acting like a shaman and conducting fake weddings for the deceased so that they may not be alone in the afterlife. As we get to know Lamb, we learn that she really only has one friend, her roommate Althea. Who Lamb interacts with in a distant and closed off manner. I guess in a cliche way of saying...Lamb is alive but she is isn't living. She does not share much of herself with Althea, goes to classes, and kind of just exists. It's not until the wedding goes wrong and she makes the split second decision to sub her photo in for the ghost bride that Lamb truly starts to be forced to live.

This novel is soaked in grief and trauma. Little by little, we are able to see Lamb's grief and trauma. We don't even get the whole picture until the end. Which I thought was incredibly well done. I also adored Felix. Even though he was dead, the author breathed so much life into his character and motivations. Tae and Althea were also just wonderful characters. But, back to Lamb. I think she was my favorite. Not just because we are in her head, but because she is so flawed. She is not necessarily a good person, but she isn't a bad person. The author doesn't give any excuses for what Lamb does, but instead is able to make the reader sympathize with her.

Overall, the atmosphere is very spooky and melancholy. This is a horror novel, and keeping that in mind, the horror elements are definitely a bit disturbing and scary. However, I loved that loss and grief also tied back into the horror theme. This was an incredible read and I can't wait to add a copy to my shelf!

[Rishika]

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

I liked the magic and supernatural aspects of this book. Though I found some of Lambs actions somewhat annoying (I wanted to shake her so she would get a grip), she is definitely a nuanced character. The romance was killing me and by halfway through the book, I was scared on what the end was in store for us. If this was a fantasy romance instead of a horror, we would have had a totally different ending opened for us (a girl can dream about it tho). I agree with others that the supporting cast is not that detailed and their motivations seem oddly convenient to connect with the main character. Therefore, there isn’t much tension from the material side of the plane (other than MCs parents that is, and that’s all in flashbacks and monologues).

[Morgan Mizell]

A college student scamming bereaved family members with post death marriages that leads to her unintentionally marrying a ghost? Say less. I was in.

I really enjoyed this story. I really appreciated the blend of Korean folklore with a girl who is somewhat knowledgeable, but also making it up as she goes along in order to make some money under the table through less savory means. The concept of the story was very refreshing and I actually ended up getting quite emotional towards the end. Tears were shed.

The spookiness level I would consider mild to moderate. You’ll probably be side eyeing mirrors for a few days and if you have an issue with insects beware.

Check the trigger warnings though if you are sensitive to certain heavy topics!

[Keala]

I was lucky enough to read an early copy of Jihyun Yun’s sophomore novel, and I am so excited for everyone else to be swept away by her writing! Here is my official blurb:

Taut and poetic, Good Creatures is a terrifying ghost story that will possess you from start to finish. Yun’s sinister prose marries the supernatural terror of Korean folklore with modern gothic dread to deliver a deeply empathetic look at the ghosts we create. Utterly haunting.

[Naye]

I was fortunate to receive the ARC of Good Creature.
I am completely enticed by lamb and her unhindged logic. Lamb is scamming families to believe she is a shaman who can marry their loved ones who have passed and this allows them to move on. Lamb is able to see ghosts due to a near death experience she had in the water. It is through water she is able to see them. so now she is about to complete this marriage when one family dips. She has the bright idea of using her own image...boom she is now married to felix who is haunting her. Still she has not understood where she has gone wrong
Good creature is making question consent after death and desicions that the living must make for the deceased
I really grew attached to each character and the ending tied together several plot points. I did not expect the ending with grace. I teared up and I would definitely recommend

[Bridget]

This was a beautiful incorporation of Traditional Korean ritual (posthumous wedding) into a modern day coming of age story mixed with a story of self discovery. This author vividly paints the story of Lamb Sun which hooks the reader immediately. It made me not only care deeply about her life but drove me to want to learn more about Korean culture in general. The supernatural aspect of this book felt natural as the story unfolded.

[Lynn page]

This novel devastated me. I don't think I've sobbed so much while reading in a long time, especially the ending? Absolutely devastating. The elegant, almost poetic writing heightened the emotional impact. The author's writing creates a vivid and intimate atmosphere.

The story itself moves at a slower speed, but I didn't think that was inherently a bad thing. It allows the plot to take its time with the characters, providing a better grasp of their grief, concerns, and personal difficulties. I loved the author's exploration of deeper subjects such as sorrow, trauma, healing, and learning to live with things you can't alter. These issues were handled with great care, giving the story a lot of emotional weight.

Lamb was the character with whom I felt the strongest connection. She's strong, but she's not shown as someone who always knows what to do or has it all figured out. She has vulnerabilities, weaknesses, worries, and moments of uncertainty, which make her feel very human. Her background actually hurt my heart, and I enjoyed following her path as she gradually confronted her fears and worked through intrusive thoughts. Her notebook was a really meaningful part of that journey for me.

Then there are Tae and Althea. I cherished their friendship with Lamb. They were the kind of friends she could count on, and I was delighted to see how they helped her through everything. They were the kind of individuals she should have had on her side.

Another character that totally captured my heart was Felix.

One of my favourite aspects of the entire novel was his relationship with Lamb. It begins as something as straightforward as a convenient marriage, but it gradually grows into friendship and ultimately something far more profound. It was lovely to see how their friendship evolved organically over time. To be honest, I realised from away that things would probably end badly, but that didn't make the outcome any less painful. In the most exquisite way imaginable, their bond crushed my heart. It's actually one of the most unforgettable relationships I've read about in a novel.

Felix and his sister had a very special bond, therefore I must also mention them. I was deeply affected by their love and devotion to one another, especially when things were tough. Toward the end, there was a specific moment that really crushed me. I was crying uncontrollably. They both ended up holding a really unique place in my heart, and I appreciated how meticulously the author portrayed their relationship.

All things considered, this book was moving, tragic, beautiful, and unforgettable. I was totally devoted to these characters once I got immersed in them, even though it could take some time to go where it has to go.

This is a book I'll be recommending over and over. One of my favourite books, and one that will undoubtedly stay with me for a very long time. 🤍

[Alexxandra]

Ever grateful for getting approved for this ARC by NetGalley, because this was phenomenal! Exactly what I was looking for and stirring up all the feelings along the way.

At first, I was a bit surprised to see this categorized as YA, but not for any bad reason. Sure Lamb is young, but this unflinchingly handles heavy themes that are not always given due weight due to the target audience. You could argue that it might slide into “New Adult,” but I love both how raw it felt and how well it was handled. Frankly, it’s refreshing to see younger readers challenged, especially when the dangers are dark yet feel tangible on an emotional level. As stubbornly self isolated Lamb insists on being (even as we see why), we get to watch her work through trauma and grow for the better, as well as those around her with their own issues to be recognized. In the end, I think it holds an educational place at home in YA, with enough maturity to appeal to older audiences as well.

I loved how this handled “ghosts” and the afterlife. It felt very thematic and personal to the characters, while making an engaging medium for the stories it means to tell. Although I called Grace’s predicament early on, it still keeps things moving at an appropriately active pace without feeling like the characters and dragging behind the reader in unraveling things. In fact, watching how it juggles Lamb’s past, present, Felix, and Grace before coalescing for the finale was so satisfying. Never once does it feel like anything’s forgotten. There are many ways to be haunted, literally and figuratively in these cases.

This deals with not only death and what’s beyond, but things like familial neglect, the pressures children (particularly Asian) feel are imposed by their guardians, religious trauma, and SA. Nothing is involved without purpose for shock, in fact being in our protagonist’s head allows for reasonably slow reveals without too graphic a detail as so much would be purposefully mentally blocked for survival. Even so, what horrors are described are more of the bodily variety as more metaphorical hinting at our eventual answers, or gore Lamb has desensitized herself from by seeing the dead for so long.

Overall, this struck such a longing cord for me. Rich characters, hauntingly beautiful story yet also terrifying, all coalescing in a way I can see speaking to many. There’s still a sweetness to this all in watching long awaited healing, hearts opening to acceptance one way or another. As I enjoyed this so much, I don’t dare go too much into spoilery detail as I’d readily recommend others see for themselves, and am so looking forward to the release to add this to my collection!

[Kaitlyn Musgrove]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As soon as I read the synopsis of *Good Creature*, I knew I was going to love it. This was the perfect book to kick off fall and spooky season! I especially loved the Korean folklore woven throughout the story. It was beautifully written, and I’m already yearning for more!

[donutdot]

thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc!!

uhmm how do i begin?? i read and the river drags her down just before good creature and i must say i saw growth in the author that i was not expecting in the short time that elapsed between the two books and i was pleasantly surprised. as always, jihyun yun explores grief through horror and i think good creature smashed it out of the park. the writing is pretty and lyrical, and most utterly visceral.

while this is horror, it is more haunting than scary and the faceless entity grace and the whole ghost wedding setting really intrigued me. i love a good exploration into ghost lores of other regions and this was done so excellently.

lamb sun is a very compelling character. while she's detached and honestly pretty spiteful, i can see where she gets it from through the flashbacks of emotional abuse and neglect from her parents which honestly cuts deep. i love her arc of learning to accept people into her life again, through her friends althea and dae, and of course her ghost husband felix. i hope the trio get to pet cows together!!

okay admittedly my favourite part of this is the romance between lamb and felix, unwillingly tied together with the red string of fate through a ghost marriage. i really liked the whole dislike to lovers, the way they argued at the start and how biting felix was, how heated lamb would get. their dynamic can be both fiery and loud but soft and quiet in the moments that mattered.

spoilers from here!! while i would have wished for more of their conversations in felix's car before his demise that made them close, there is some poetic feeling that it belongs to them alone. to see felix care for her and even become corporeal to touch her and comfort her was actually the sweetest?? i have to say though their goodbye wrecked me.

"i'll think of you every time it rains. i might learn to love it, like i learned to love you. [...] and though i wish we could have lived, really been alive together, i'm still so glad i met you. thank you for everything. it was terrifying and and beautiful to briefly be your wife, felix yoo."

"i love you too, lamb sun. go live a life for me."

i loved felix's complicated family dynamics especially between him and his sister jinnie, i cried when she made him the last promise to be okay. truly jinnue and lamb are the two people felix ultimately stayed for before he boarded the boat on the river.

and of course the grief. i mean i kind of expected grace to be lamb somehow (when you read/watch enough of these you kinda know) but the way it came back to that morning when she was 15 and her mother did not turn to look at her, her killing the part of her that wanted love and affection. for lack of a better word, it was affecting.

jihyun yun is now 100% an auto buy author for me. can't wait to see what she does next!!