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Cracks
Not yet published
Expected 27 Apr 27Horror and myth collide when a Korean American teenager's grief summons something a water ghost that has been feeding on her family's sorrow for decades.
Dark strands of hair crack the corners of my sight, suspended as always in the air, spidering and floating as if in liquid. Mul-gwishin. Water ghost.
Gracie Russell feels she belongs nowhere. In suburban 1990s Washington, she is constantly at sea—struggling with her biracial identity, her father's violent alcoholism, and her mother's looming mortality. When Ji-eun dies, Gracie will lose her last chance to mend their relationship. But she can already feel her mother slipping away, pulled by the tides of memory back to authoritarian 1970s South Korea. The secret she buried there has awakened something in the deep. And now it is rising.
As Ji-eun's body weakens and the autumn rains fall in torrents, the sound of dripping water haunts Gracie. Cracks form in the basement wall, exposing a crumbling passageway to a sea of liquid darkness, and Gracie is running out of time. The mul-gwishin is coming for her.
For readers of Catriona Ward and Han Kang, Cracks is a harrowing vision of heritage, violence, and the histories that possess.
Dark strands of hair crack the corners of my sight, suspended as always in the air, spidering and floating as if in liquid. Mul-gwishin. Water ghost.
Gracie Russell feels she belongs nowhere. In suburban 1990s Washington, she is constantly at sea—struggling with her biracial identity, her father's violent alcoholism, and her mother's looming mortality. When Ji-eun dies, Gracie will lose her last chance to mend their relationship. But she can already feel her mother slipping away, pulled by the tides of memory back to authoritarian 1970s South Korea. The secret she buried there has awakened something in the deep. And now it is rising.
As Ji-eun's body weakens and the autumn rains fall in torrents, the sound of dripping water haunts Gracie. Cracks form in the basement wall, exposing a crumbling passageway to a sea of liquid darkness, and Gracie is running out of time. The mul-gwishin is coming for her.
For readers of Catriona Ward and Han Kang, Cracks is a harrowing vision of heritage, violence, and the histories that possess.
- GenresHorror
Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 27, 2027
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 29, 2026
Read for work, a spooky and haunting novel about inheritance, familial trauma, and how to grow up. Loved
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The cracks are thin and ready to break. An ocean sized adventure for anyone who is daring to explore the fracture of their psyche. The mul-gwishin is truly a specter to haunt your soul. I absolutely loved the way she translates folklore from her own culture and makes it something new simultaneously. The shift here is genius and really bridges the story from the average ghost story to something that will make you look over your shoulder while reading. Are the souls of our loved ones really resting or are they just waiting to be heard? A soul inspiring read that makes you think about the way we grieve as a culture and how we think about death and ghouls.
When the water comes rushing in – will you give in or find a way to persevere. I have read myriad books about family trauma and the way trauma is passed down through the family. But Cracks remolds the notion of generational trauma and truly embodies what this means. The mistakes we made will eventually be rectified by her future bloodline. But how does that come to fruition without a little afterlife related guidance? A beautiful yet terrifying way to understand the way we are connected to generations while simultaneously breaking apart from those bad habits that have led our families to harbor certain dark truths.
Kulski tactfully confronts what it means to grow up as multi-racial in America. What part of your identity are you forced to give up just to survive in American society. Social constructs are horrors that keep writing themselves until a new generation learns how to find their way back to their culture. The ghostly bridge here is what creates that step to find yourself and what it means to make amends with a culture that your family was nearly forced to forget. Seeing this narrative from multiple time periods is what makes this all come together and connect.
When the water is rushing in and you are deep beneath the surface it becomes difficult to breathe. You are looking at the ways you could have chosen yourself instead of reactionary values. Now you need to find peace before you become a restless spirit. This is also a story about amplifying women’s voices and the ways we mingle with society to only blend in. There needs to be someone that breaks that mold and learns to grapple with the hauntings of the past. Absolutely spectacular read and possibly my favorite thus far for this year. Thank you Kulski, Boozhoo Books / Bindery, and Netgalley for this advanced digital copy. All opinions are my own.
For tarot readings, recommendations, and reviews, please visit my blog https://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com/
When the water comes rushing in – will you give in or find a way to persevere. I have read myriad books about family trauma and the way trauma is passed down through the family. But Cracks remolds the notion of generational trauma and truly embodies what this means. The mistakes we made will eventually be rectified by her future bloodline. But how does that come to fruition without a little afterlife related guidance? A beautiful yet terrifying way to understand the way we are connected to generations while simultaneously breaking apart from those bad habits that have led our families to harbor certain dark truths.
Kulski tactfully confronts what it means to grow up as multi-racial in America. What part of your identity are you forced to give up just to survive in American society. Social constructs are horrors that keep writing themselves until a new generation learns how to find their way back to their culture. The ghostly bridge here is what creates that step to find yourself and what it means to make amends with a culture that your family was nearly forced to forget. Seeing this narrative from multiple time periods is what makes this all come together and connect.
When the water is rushing in and you are deep beneath the surface it becomes difficult to breathe. You are looking at the ways you could have chosen yourself instead of reactionary values. Now you need to find peace before you become a restless spirit. This is also a story about amplifying women’s voices and the ways we mingle with society to only blend in. There needs to be someone that breaks that mold and learns to grapple with the hauntings of the past. Absolutely spectacular read and possibly my favorite thus far for this year. Thank you Kulski, Boozhoo Books / Bindery, and Netgalley for this advanced digital copy. All opinions are my own.
For tarot readings, recommendations, and reviews, please visit my blog https://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com/
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
** I received this book from NetGalley for free, my review is my own.
This book pulls Korean water-ghost folklore into the present through a Korean American teenager’s grief. Coming from a background more familiar with American folklore, I found that mythic element genuinely interesting and effective—it gives the story a distinct texture and leaves a faint lingering aftertaste once the book is closed, so don't be worried if, like me, you know nothing of Korean folklore. I finished it in a single day, which is always a good sign.
The atmosphere is frequently haunting, especially in the heavier ghost sequences, and the overall premise feels unique; I haven’t read anything that sits in quite the same space. Once the story settles in, the pacing holds steady and the ending lands fine without any major missteps. Those strengths are what kept the pages turning.
Where the book stumbles for me is in its structure and tone. There are simply too many points of view (I am terrible with names and got confused frequently), and two of them feel largely unnecessary , diluting the focus. More disruptive is the tonal lurch: sustained, heavy ghost sequences are repeatedly interrupted by stretches of ordinary teenage drama, and the coach material is abruptly catalyzed near the end. The contrast doesn’t deepen the story so much as undercut its own atmosphere, tipping moments toward the ridiculous and lightly cracking immersion—never fully broken, but the seams are visible.
Still, the folklore and the stronger atmospheric stretches carry enough weight that I landed at a solid 4 stars. It’s imperfect, but the parts that work are memorable, and the cultural specificity makes it stand out. Worth reading if you’re looking for something that doesn’t feel like every other contemporary horror novel.
This book pulls Korean water-ghost folklore into the present through a Korean American teenager’s grief. Coming from a background more familiar with American folklore, I found that mythic element genuinely interesting and effective—it gives the story a distinct texture and leaves a faint lingering aftertaste once the book is closed, so don't be worried if, like me, you know nothing of Korean folklore. I finished it in a single day, which is always a good sign.
The atmosphere is frequently haunting, especially in the heavier ghost sequences, and the overall premise feels unique; I haven’t read anything that sits in quite the same space. Once the story settles in, the pacing holds steady and the ending lands fine without any major missteps. Those strengths are what kept the pages turning.
Where the book stumbles for me is in its structure and tone. There are simply too many points of view (I am terrible with names and got confused frequently), and two of them feel largely unnecessary , diluting the focus. More disruptive is the tonal lurch: sustained, heavy ghost sequences are repeatedly interrupted by stretches of ordinary teenage drama, and the coach material is abruptly catalyzed near the end. The contrast doesn’t deepen the story so much as undercut its own atmosphere, tipping moments toward the ridiculous and lightly cracking immersion—never fully broken, but the seams are visible.
Still, the folklore and the stronger atmospheric stretches carry enough weight that I landed at a solid 4 stars. It’s imperfect, but the parts that work are memorable, and the cultural specificity makes it stand out. Worth reading if you’re looking for something that doesn’t feel like every other contemporary horror novel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲. 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐨𝐰𝐧. [𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫.]
WARNING: This story includes mature themes that may be disturbing. Discretion is advised.
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
DNFed at 15%
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
Cracks by Kristy Park Kulski is a dual POV story set in the 90s about a Korean immigrant woman and her daughter living in America.
𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘥:
- The story make you sympathize with the FMC and her daughter. You feel their pain and their sorry as if you're living with them/
- This story was amore about how your superstitious beliefs worm your way as horrors of your daily life.
- Race and cultural identity is something very nicely explained in this story. Its like a them vs us situation.
- I liked the way how the portrayal of abuse and emotional neglect was portrayed. Gracie loves her mother and she is the only one to care for her but she also has to deal with own demons and since she is in that state for long, it is internalized. Then there is her mother. She was herself abused and instead of breaking the cycle of abuse, it transfers itself to Gracie.
𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦:
- This was my first time reading a literary fiction which portrays the real life situations of female immigrants living in America. I don't usually read such kind of stories. But since this one had horror elements, I thought I should give it a try. But alas, I wasn't happy with the writing style.
WARNING: This story includes mature themes that may be disturbing. Discretion is advised.
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
DNFed at 15%
✦ . ⁺ . ✦ . ⁺ . ✦
Cracks by Kristy Park Kulski is a dual POV story set in the 90s about a Korean immigrant woman and her daughter living in America.
𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦𝘥:
- The story make you sympathize with the FMC and her daughter. You feel their pain and their sorry as if you're living with them/
- This story was amore about how your superstitious beliefs worm your way as horrors of your daily life.
- Race and cultural identity is something very nicely explained in this story. Its like a them vs us situation.
- I liked the way how the portrayal of abuse and emotional neglect was portrayed. Gracie loves her mother and she is the only one to care for her but she also has to deal with own demons and since she is in that state for long, it is internalized. Then there is her mother. She was herself abused and instead of breaking the cycle of abuse, it transfers itself to Gracie.
𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦:
- This was my first time reading a literary fiction which portrays the real life situations of female immigrants living in America. I don't usually read such kind of stories. But since this one had horror elements, I thought I should give it a try. But alas, I wasn't happy with the writing style.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
i received a free arc copy of this novel through netgalley and am posting this review voluntarily
i’m in awe of this novel!! heartbreaking, raw and achingly beautiful. a haunting story about heritage, inheritance and familial trauma. this book was nothing short of perfection for me. i cried (positive) so many times while reading this. kristy has such a way with words, it felt as though i was reading poetry in the form of a story. so many quotes and moments that i will be thinking about forever. and as a horror lover, i’m happy to say that it was also delightfully CREEPY. filled with ghosts personifying trauma and nightmares. i CANNOT wait for this release, you are going to want to be on the lookout for this and pick yourself up a copy! definitely will be going down as a horror staple for me! thank you thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this arc!! i’m so very grateful for this story.
i’m in awe of this novel!! heartbreaking, raw and achingly beautiful. a haunting story about heritage, inheritance and familial trauma. this book was nothing short of perfection for me. i cried (positive) so many times while reading this. kristy has such a way with words, it felt as though i was reading poetry in the form of a story. so many quotes and moments that i will be thinking about forever. and as a horror lover, i’m happy to say that it was also delightfully CREEPY. filled with ghosts personifying trauma and nightmares. i CANNOT wait for this release, you are going to want to be on the lookout for this and pick yourself up a copy! definitely will be going down as a horror staple for me! thank you thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this arc!! i’m so very grateful for this story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Beautifully heartbreaking
Cracks is an incredible story about grief, generational trauma and folklore. It simmers with feminine rage throughout the book also which I personally love.
The author did a beautiful job of portraying the struggles of finding your identity while navigating the grief of losing your mother and the chance to know who she really is. The ghosts of the past might come back to haunt you... literally but is that scarier than the specter of the patriarchy?
I loved this book and could not put it down. Everytime I think about it I find a new aspect to think about so this one will stay with me for a while.
Thank you to Bindery and NetGalley for the chance to read this.
Cracks is an incredible story about grief, generational trauma and folklore. It simmers with feminine rage throughout the book also which I personally love.
The author did a beautiful job of portraying the struggles of finding your identity while navigating the grief of losing your mother and the chance to know who she really is. The ghosts of the past might come back to haunt you... literally but is that scarier than the specter of the patriarchy?
I loved this book and could not put it down. Everytime I think about it I find a new aspect to think about so this one will stay with me for a while.
Thank you to Bindery and NetGalley for the chance to read this.
August 16, 2026
Review of advanced copy received from NetGalley.
This book was such a nice surprise! At first I really thought I was going to read another version of “Crying in H-Mart” (Korean-American losing her mother, wondering if she was a good enough daughter for her, trying to cook her favourite meals during her last weeks…) but then it couldn’t be further from it. And in my opinion way better! I really enjoyed the way the author approached grief and folklore in this, the themes of generational trauma and growing up between two cultures. And the horror side was the cherry on top. I’ll definitely check other books by Kristy!
This book was such a nice surprise! At first I really thought I was going to read another version of “Crying in H-Mart” (Korean-American losing her mother, wondering if she was a good enough daughter for her, trying to cook her favourite meals during her last weeks…) but then it couldn’t be further from it. And in my opinion way better! I really enjoyed the way the author approached grief and folklore in this, the themes of generational trauma and growing up between two cultures. And the horror side was the cherry on top. I’ll definitely check other books by Kristy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was the saddest book I have ever read. Heart break after heart break for this family. This poor women has been through so much, and it just keeps getting worse. Between the racist husband, and the BIG twist at the end.. I was sobbing. This book was very informational on their culture, and also had spooky aspects of spirits. 5🌟
August 24, 2026
Review advanced copy from Netgalley and Bindery Books
It was something i never read in for a while. The family dynamic spookiness in there was so good. And well written. I loved how to story evolved and the character with in. Besides the spookiness i felt coziness in the book as well. I’m so thankful for reviewing this book.
It will just glue you on your book or to your kindle.
It was something i never read in for a while. The family dynamic spookiness in there was so good. And well written. I loved how to story evolved and the character with in. Besides the spookiness i felt coziness in the book as well. I’m so thankful for reviewing this book.
It will just glue you on your book or to your kindle.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Beautiful, sad, fascinating book. I really enjoyed it, and the mix of mythology and grief was an interesting way to write it. I recommend this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC review-
Definitely one of the best piece of literature I have read. This left me with goosebumps, will definitely read again once the final version comes out.
Definitely one of the best piece of literature I have read. This left me with goosebumps, will definitely read again once the final version comes out.
Want to Read
August 21, 2026ok but this cover?? and premise?? sign me up
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews