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The Last Rhee Witch #1
The Last Rhee Witch
One of School Library Journal's Best Books of 2024, for fans of The Last Fallen Star, Witchlings, and Ghost Squad, a heartfelt middle-grade debut where Korean folklore is all too real and summer camp includes a gwishin haunting.
You couldn’t hold onto everything and everyone. You had to choose. And Ronnie only had two hands.
Since her mother died when she was five years old, it’s always just been Ronnie Miller and her dad. Two Korean Americans who, thanks to Ronnie’s dad’s adoption by white parents, have never felt all that Korean. But Ronnie is okay with that—as long as she has her dad and her best friend Jack, Ronnie is 99% certain she can get through anything.
But as much as she wants everything to stay the same, the world—and her dad—has other plans. Now, Ronnie and Jack are headed away to sleepaway camp for the first time ever. Camp Foster promises all of the outdoorsy activities that Ronnie has so far managed to avoid: ropes courses, scavenger hunts, kayaking on the lake. Ugh. But she can do this. As long as she has Jack.
As it turns out, an old manor in the woods is the kind of place that’s crawling with secrets. Secrets like a mysterious gwishin haunting the grounds, a blood-red scarf wrapped too tightly around her ghostly neck. And a witch-hunting dokkaebi intent on finding and silencing the last Rhee witch. And the strange habit all the counselors have of rhyming when they speak . . . just like Ronnie has begun to do lately.
For a girl who wants everything to stay the same, nothing is scarier than all the changes Camp Foster brings. New friends. New foes. Souls with unfinished business. And, possibly worst of all, revelations that disprove everything Ronnie knew to be true.
Jenna Lee-Yun combines magic, mystery, suspense, and humor into a ghostly action-packed contemporary fantasy.
You couldn’t hold onto everything and everyone. You had to choose. And Ronnie only had two hands.
Since her mother died when she was five years old, it’s always just been Ronnie Miller and her dad. Two Korean Americans who, thanks to Ronnie’s dad’s adoption by white parents, have never felt all that Korean. But Ronnie is okay with that—as long as she has her dad and her best friend Jack, Ronnie is 99% certain she can get through anything.
But as much as she wants everything to stay the same, the world—and her dad—has other plans. Now, Ronnie and Jack are headed away to sleepaway camp for the first time ever. Camp Foster promises all of the outdoorsy activities that Ronnie has so far managed to avoid: ropes courses, scavenger hunts, kayaking on the lake. Ugh. But she can do this. As long as she has Jack.
As it turns out, an old manor in the woods is the kind of place that’s crawling with secrets. Secrets like a mysterious gwishin haunting the grounds, a blood-red scarf wrapped too tightly around her ghostly neck. And a witch-hunting dokkaebi intent on finding and silencing the last Rhee witch. And the strange habit all the counselors have of rhyming when they speak . . . just like Ronnie has begun to do lately.
For a girl who wants everything to stay the same, nothing is scarier than all the changes Camp Foster brings. New friends. New foes. Souls with unfinished business. And, possibly worst of all, revelations that disprove everything Ronnie knew to be true.
Jenna Lee-Yun combines magic, mystery, suspense, and humor into a ghostly action-packed contemporary fantasy.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published May 14, 2024
21 people are currently reading
8634 people want to read
About the author
Jenna Lee-Yun
2 books79 followersJenna was a voracious reader as a child and adolescent but found there were never enough books to read. Moreover, there were no books featuring protagonists who looked like her.
Now, Jenna continues to read as much as she can and finds there is never enough time to get ahead of her TBR pile. She is overjoyed to see so much more diversity (including Asian-American protagonists) in children's books than she could have imagined as a young reader!
Jenna resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, son, daughter, and mini-goldendoodle. She loves nothing more than writing middle-grade and young adult novels with a large cup of coffee. Jenna is represented by Emily Forney at BookEnds Literary Agency. THE LAST RHEE WITCH is her debut novel.
Now, Jenna continues to read as much as she can and finds there is never enough time to get ahead of her TBR pile. She is overjoyed to see so much more diversity (including Asian-American protagonists) in children's books than she could have imagined as a young reader!
Jenna resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, son, daughter, and mini-goldendoodle. She loves nothing more than writing middle-grade and young adult novels with a large cup of coffee. Jenna is represented by Emily Forney at BookEnds Literary Agency. THE LAST RHEE WITCH is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
January 23, 2024
I wrote this book and like it a lot! You might also if you like middle-grade stories with:
🏕️ summer camp
🧍🏻♀️ frenemies
🔎 mysteries
👻 spooky gwishin (Korean ghosts)
🧙🏻 witch aunties
👹 charming & vindictive dokkaebi (Korean goblins)
🧡 friendship & family
I loved writing this contemporary fantasy set in my home state of Washington, and I hope readers everywhere will love reading it!
🏕️ summer camp
🧍🏻♀️ frenemies
🔎 mysteries
👻 spooky gwishin (Korean ghosts)
🧙🏻 witch aunties
👹 charming & vindictive dokkaebi (Korean goblins)
🧡 friendship & family
I loved writing this contemporary fantasy set in my home state of Washington, and I hope readers everywhere will love reading it!
December 2, 2023
If you read ONE book in 2024, make it THE LAST RHEE WITCH, by talented debut author Jenna Lee-Yun. You'll fall in love with spunky, headstrong Ronnie, who started compulsively rhyming when she turned 12 and has no idea why. Her anxious dad haplessly sends her away to a very strange summer camp, in hopes that it'll help her "condition". He's wrong, of course. The eerie goings-on at Camp Foster don't really help her rhyming...but they do help her discover the root cause of the rhyming... and soon Ronnie is caught up with ghosts, goblins, best friends (or just camp friends?), a few odd witches, and an ADORABLE black cat named Boo. THE LAST RHEE WITCH is steeped in magic, mystery, adventure, best friendships, Korean lore, and is a total must-read for kids and adults alike!!!
May 1, 2024
Author Jenna Lee-Yun weaves together spooky elements from Korean mythology to tell the poignant story of twelve-year-old Ronnie who lost her mom years ago and can’t understand why her dad will never talk about her. And now she fears she’s losing her best and only friend, Jack. On top of that, ever since her birthday, Ronnie can’t stop speaking in rhymes. She heads off to summer camp aiming to solve this mystery and stay close to Jack, but never in her wildest dreams could she predict the mysteries and dangers she would confront. Jenna keeps the tension taut and pages turning while helping Ronnie explore the depths of her grief and fears and find her way to wholeness and love. Readers are sure to enjoy the exciting twists and turns before arriving at a surprising and satisfying ending.
May 27, 2024
4.5 stars
This was amazing! I stayed up until 1:30am reading this on a Monday night. I absolutely loved learning about supernatural Korean beings and I really liked how the supernatural aspects were entwined with Ronnie learning about herself and her family. The plot was somehow both creepy and heartwarming, there were some twists that I didn't see coming and I couldn't stop reading. Ronnie has a fantastic character arc – the more she learns, the more she grows and matures and she becomes very self-aware. The friendships in this story were wonderful and all the side characters were likeable.
Overall, this has an intriguing plot, a compelling protagonist and great relationships, making a very well-rounded story. Highly recommended.
This was amazing! I stayed up until 1:30am reading this on a Monday night. I absolutely loved learning about supernatural Korean beings and I really liked how the supernatural aspects were entwined with Ronnie learning about herself and her family. The plot was somehow both creepy and heartwarming, there were some twists that I didn't see coming and I couldn't stop reading. Ronnie has a fantastic character arc – the more she learns, the more she grows and matures and she becomes very self-aware. The friendships in this story were wonderful and all the side characters were likeable.
Overall, this has an intriguing plot, a compelling protagonist and great relationships, making a very well-rounded story. Highly recommended.
October 20, 2025
4.4 ⭐️ This book was so fun!! About summer camp, but with a twist. loved it 🍂🫶
July 10, 2025
A spooky Korean folklore inspired summer camp adventure! I really liked Ronnie's character and the realistic (and fantastical) challenges she faced. Her friends and witchy aunties were so great! Was not expecting to get teary eyed at the end but all the stuff about Ronnie's parents were written in such a heartfelt way! I'll definitely be picking up the sequel!
May 16, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
The Last Rhee Witch is an amazing middle-grade supernatural debut from Jenna Lee-Yun. It follows the story of Ronnie, a 12-year-old girl who isn’t quite sure where she fits into the world. Then she starts rhyming her words uncontrollably when she is feeling upset. Her dad thinks a change of scenery would do her good. So along with her best friend, Jack, they are sent off to summer camp at Rhee Manor. Here Ronnie starts seeing a ghost called a gwishin and realizes that there may be more to her rhyming than she originally thought!
This book is full of heart and my summary isn’t doing it justice. The characters are all wonderful, Ronnie, her dad, Jack, Olivia, Sam, and all the camp counselors. It is easy to fall into this world and wish you were at summer camp with all of them! I loved how fast-paced the story was. We meet our ghost on the very first page!
I can see my 6th graders really getting into this story. I am so excited to book talk it with them and add this title to my classroom library.
If you like a good summer camp friendship story that also has some ghosts, goblins, and witches, I think you would enjoy this book! Bonus is learning some Korean folklore! From gwishin to dokkaebi, this book is for anyone who enjoys reading about folklore as well!
I highly recommend this book and I can’t wait to see what Jenna Lee-Yun writes next!
The Last Rhee Witch is an amazing middle-grade supernatural debut from Jenna Lee-Yun. It follows the story of Ronnie, a 12-year-old girl who isn’t quite sure where she fits into the world. Then she starts rhyming her words uncontrollably when she is feeling upset. Her dad thinks a change of scenery would do her good. So along with her best friend, Jack, they are sent off to summer camp at Rhee Manor. Here Ronnie starts seeing a ghost called a gwishin and realizes that there may be more to her rhyming than she originally thought!
This book is full of heart and my summary isn’t doing it justice. The characters are all wonderful, Ronnie, her dad, Jack, Olivia, Sam, and all the camp counselors. It is easy to fall into this world and wish you were at summer camp with all of them! I loved how fast-paced the story was. We meet our ghost on the very first page!
I can see my 6th graders really getting into this story. I am so excited to book talk it with them and add this title to my classroom library.
If you like a good summer camp friendship story that also has some ghosts, goblins, and witches, I think you would enjoy this book! Bonus is learning some Korean folklore! From gwishin to dokkaebi, this book is for anyone who enjoys reading about folklore as well!
I highly recommend this book and I can’t wait to see what Jenna Lee-Yun writes next!
November 24, 2023
An amazing book! I loved it! This was a perfect book for me, as I have been in a reading stump. I enjoy learning about Korean Folklore! I’m trying not to say ghost stories because Jack argues in the beginning of the book that they are not ghost stories. Anyways, as soon as my Aunt handed the book to me I didn’t put it down until I finished it. The twists and turns were great. I normal can’t read books with paranormal stuff in them because I’m easily freaked out, but this was perfect for me. I’m in love with the storyline! Absolutely amazing!
December 18, 2024
This was exciting and I found Ronnie sympathetic, but it did seem that she was constantly making the same mistakes over and over. I wish the lesson she was supposed to learn about trusting your friends and opening your heart had varied a bit.
October 23, 2024
In the words of my first grader, “I loved it!”
October 17, 2025
A cute middle-grade with great Korean American representation!
April 19, 2024
For some reason, twelve-year-old Ronnie Miller cannot stop rhyming when she speaks, and it gets worse when she is feeling stressed. Because the rhyming is taking a toll on both Ronnie and her dad, they decide to send her to Camp Foster for two weeks to help shake the rhyming problem. While Ronnie is at camp, however, her rhyming is not the only complication she faces; both a witch and a dokkaebi seem to be after her, and she does not know whom to trust. Each day brings a new discovery, and as Ronnie realizes more about herself, she finds that perhaps what she once saw as a problem may not be so bad, after all.
This novel fits squarely into the middle grade genre as far as characters, setting, and storytelling techniques. Tween readers—especially those who feel they have shortcomings—will empathize with Ronnie as she works to fit in with both old and new friends. Blended into a familiar United States-based sleep-away camp setting are several instances of Korean folklore and language, which add a unique angle to the plot. Though there are occasions where readers will have a good idea where the story will lead, there are a sufficient number of surprises within the narrative, as well.
Middle grade readers will quickly settle into the rhythm of the storytelling found in this book, since the writing is well-suited to its target age group. While there are no illustrations and the narrative is long, the action sequences and dialogue are balanced in a way that keeps the narrative moving forward. Ronnie’s rhyming comes and goes throughout the novel based on her anxiety levels, but this can be something of a distraction for readers due to its inconsistency. However, much like any other trait a typical middle grader would feel self-conscious about, the rhyming is not as alienating as Ronnie considers it to be. Overall, this is a good coming-of-age story that will add some fodder to spooky campfire tales, and it is a decent addition to library collections for middle grade readers.
This novel fits squarely into the middle grade genre as far as characters, setting, and storytelling techniques. Tween readers—especially those who feel they have shortcomings—will empathize with Ronnie as she works to fit in with both old and new friends. Blended into a familiar United States-based sleep-away camp setting are several instances of Korean folklore and language, which add a unique angle to the plot. Though there are occasions where readers will have a good idea where the story will lead, there are a sufficient number of surprises within the narrative, as well.
Middle grade readers will quickly settle into the rhythm of the storytelling found in this book, since the writing is well-suited to its target age group. While there are no illustrations and the narrative is long, the action sequences and dialogue are balanced in a way that keeps the narrative moving forward. Ronnie’s rhyming comes and goes throughout the novel based on her anxiety levels, but this can be something of a distraction for readers due to its inconsistency. However, much like any other trait a typical middle grader would feel self-conscious about, the rhyming is not as alienating as Ronnie considers it to be. Overall, this is a good coming-of-age story that will add some fodder to spooky campfire tales, and it is a decent addition to library collections for middle grade readers.
June 1, 2024
I liked the book but don't feel like I'm the intended audience. That being said I did like learning about some Korean folklore and the familiarity of a summer camp setting. I was expecting this to be a bit more on the horror side but forgot that its Disney-Hyperion published and things would possibly dialed back (some folklore and mythologies are incredibly messed up after all) so that should have been a consideration going in. I did like the characters and we're all able to remember friends drifting a bit and making new friends throughout summer adventures and feel like this was done very well in capturing those feelings. The tale wraps up nicely and things feel a lot more solid for Ronnie and her friends, as well as the relationship with her dad but ultimately think some therapy could help out. This should do well among tweens and those that enjoy middle grade books and I hope it'll get the recognition it deserves.
January 1, 2025
I must admit that I kind of liked the story and some characters. And the book gained extra points for ALMOST making me cry at the end.
That being said, I liked the ending, and I liked that there was a reason for Ronnie to end up at the camp, it was not just a coincidence.
I will also admit that the book tricked me. I had it so settled that Sam was that dokkaebi thing...
I liked Olivia, Sam and Jack a lot, but Ronnie annoyed me. Especially in the beginning.
The whole book felt a little repetitive. Not story wise, but like Ronnie narration wise.
That whole percentages bit annoyed the living shit out of me.
Ronnie kept doing the same things over and over and over again, and having the same exact attitudes. I understand it, but it got boring.
That being said, I liked the ending, and I liked that there was a reason for Ronnie to end up at the camp, it was not just a coincidence.
I will also admit that the book tricked me. I had it so settled that Sam was that dokkaebi thing...
I liked Olivia, Sam and Jack a lot, but Ronnie annoyed me. Especially in the beginning.
The whole book felt a little repetitive. Not story wise, but like Ronnie narration wise.
That whole percentages bit annoyed the living shit out of me.
Ronnie kept doing the same things over and over and over again, and having the same exact attitudes. I understand it, but it got boring.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2023
This book has all the good stuff! Summer camp adventures, ghosts and goblins, friendship, and KOREAN LORE! 💀🤩
February 6, 2025
The vibes were immaculate. This story was really heartfelt and cute. Perfect summer read if you dig summer camps, magic, and found family.
(I received an arc from NetGalley.)
(I received an arc from NetGalley.)
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September 18, 2024
Trigger & Content Warnings
Grief & loss depiction
Death of a mother recounted
Grief & loss depiction
Death of a mother recounted
December 5, 2024
It's always frustrating for me when most of the conflict comes from a lack of communication between characters and this book does exactly that.
June 11, 2024
What worked:
Much of the plot’s conflict happens inside Ronnie’s mind. She’s a Korean American but frets that she’s not Korean enough. She doesn’t make friends easily but she has a best friend, her neighbor named Jack. Luckily, Jack is attending the same overnight camp as her but Ronnie is upset that he’s spending so much time with a boy named Sam. Plus, Sam seems to get along with everyone but Ronnie can’t figure out why he doesn’t want anything to do with her. Ronnie constantly considers the probability of good outcomes when making decisions and the author shares her thought process. 99% is the highest score she can give a situation since she leaves a 1% chance for the impossible. This attitude deters her from taking risks and complicates decisions involving potential friends and other campers. Perhaps Ronnie’s biggest internal problem involves the death of her mother. Her father constantly avoids any talk about his deceased wife and Ronnie is having trouble remembering her too.
Ronnie is 99% sure that the supernatural isn’t real so it’s ironic that she’s the only camper able to see the last Rhee witch, Min-Young. Ronnie does all she can to convince herself the gwishin doesn’t exist until she can’t ignore the evidence. Jack and Sam are engrossed in a Korean comic series and it becomes a reference source for the characters’ questions about ghost stories at the camp. Min-Young reveals some truths to Ronnie about her past which also means Ronnie’s the next target of a dokkaebi. Min-Young’s familiar, a black cat named Boojuk, acts as a messenger, guide, assistant, and defender. The campers are told the woods are off-limits due to dangers lurking within but Ronnie is forced to break the rules to find answers.
Ronnie is immediately befriended by an unusual girl named Olivia and their relationship highlights Ronnie’s struggles with friendship. Olivia is open and honest and always sticks by Ronnie’s side. Ronnie isn’t sure how to handle someone so friendly and she is slow to trust the girl. Olivia easily passes a camp trust activity with Ronnie but Ronnie isn’t able to display the same faith in her partner. Ronnie feels guilt for keeping secrets from her friend especially when she realizes Olivia is the one displaying true qualities of friendship. Ronnie won’t tell Olivia what she’s up to but she still wants Olivia to cover for her. This causes a rift between the characters and adds to Ronnie’s distress.
What didn’t work as well:
Many references to Korean folklore emerge at Ronnie’s camp which is a little confusing. There’s no mention of Camp Foster having a Korean focus so frequent mentions are unexpected. More information is introduced later in the book to bring clarity regarding the camp.
The final verdict:
The first half of the book sets the stage for a dramatic ending. The unknown dokkaebi stalking Ronnie is the main focus of the plot but her struggle to remember her mother is the underlying story. Overall, the book begins a little slowly but the suspense builds to a thrilling climax. I recommend you give this book a shot.
Much of the plot’s conflict happens inside Ronnie’s mind. She’s a Korean American but frets that she’s not Korean enough. She doesn’t make friends easily but she has a best friend, her neighbor named Jack. Luckily, Jack is attending the same overnight camp as her but Ronnie is upset that he’s spending so much time with a boy named Sam. Plus, Sam seems to get along with everyone but Ronnie can’t figure out why he doesn’t want anything to do with her. Ronnie constantly considers the probability of good outcomes when making decisions and the author shares her thought process. 99% is the highest score she can give a situation since she leaves a 1% chance for the impossible. This attitude deters her from taking risks and complicates decisions involving potential friends and other campers. Perhaps Ronnie’s biggest internal problem involves the death of her mother. Her father constantly avoids any talk about his deceased wife and Ronnie is having trouble remembering her too.
Ronnie is 99% sure that the supernatural isn’t real so it’s ironic that she’s the only camper able to see the last Rhee witch, Min-Young. Ronnie does all she can to convince herself the gwishin doesn’t exist until she can’t ignore the evidence. Jack and Sam are engrossed in a Korean comic series and it becomes a reference source for the characters’ questions about ghost stories at the camp. Min-Young reveals some truths to Ronnie about her past which also means Ronnie’s the next target of a dokkaebi. Min-Young’s familiar, a black cat named Boojuk, acts as a messenger, guide, assistant, and defender. The campers are told the woods are off-limits due to dangers lurking within but Ronnie is forced to break the rules to find answers.
Ronnie is immediately befriended by an unusual girl named Olivia and their relationship highlights Ronnie’s struggles with friendship. Olivia is open and honest and always sticks by Ronnie’s side. Ronnie isn’t sure how to handle someone so friendly and she is slow to trust the girl. Olivia easily passes a camp trust activity with Ronnie but Ronnie isn’t able to display the same faith in her partner. Ronnie feels guilt for keeping secrets from her friend especially when she realizes Olivia is the one displaying true qualities of friendship. Ronnie won’t tell Olivia what she’s up to but she still wants Olivia to cover for her. This causes a rift between the characters and adds to Ronnie’s distress.
What didn’t work as well:
Many references to Korean folklore emerge at Ronnie’s camp which is a little confusing. There’s no mention of Camp Foster having a Korean focus so frequent mentions are unexpected. More information is introduced later in the book to bring clarity regarding the camp.
The final verdict:
The first half of the book sets the stage for a dramatic ending. The unknown dokkaebi stalking Ronnie is the main focus of the plot but her struggle to remember her mother is the underlying story. Overall, the book begins a little slowly but the suspense builds to a thrilling climax. I recommend you give this book a shot.
May 11, 2024
Thank you to Disney Publishing Worldwide and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of "The Last Rhee Witch" by Jenna Lee-Yun in exchange for an honest review.
Ronnie Miller has been struggling lately. Although of Korean heritage, she doesn't feel fully, truly Korean, and she deeply feels the passing of her mother, even though it's already been five years. Her overprotective father and her own overly cautious nature keep her world tightly contained. Her friendship with bestie Jack has been shaken up and to make matters worse, since she turned 12, she can't stop rhyming everything she says.
Even though she's nervous and resistant to change, she sees going away to summer camp as a chance to reestablish her friendship with Jack, and maybe get over the rhyming thing. But camp hasn't turned out the way she expected: Jack immediately bonds with another boy who seems to loathe Ronnie and the camp is haunted by a terrifying Korean ghost, rumored to be the last member of the family who once owned the camp groups. Ronnie seems unable to decide which is worse.
Except, it does get worse. Much worse. The ghost seems fixated on her and very soon, she's fending off attacks from an unknown foe. She's so rigid and distrustful that she's pushing away friends and potential friends, all the while finding clues that suggest she is more deeply connected to the ghost and the camp than she ever expected.
The Last Rhee Witch looks unflinchingly at Big Issues. Ronnie is dealing with a loss that continues to profoundly affect her and leads her to make some really bad choices. She's also wrestling with feelings of jealousy as she watches her best friend drift away. Readers will feel every bit of her struggle as she tries to make sense of everything. All this heavy emotion is well-balanced with action and excitement, so it never feels too bogged down. Ronnie's emotional journey is genuine; she's a kid dealing with some heavy stuff and while it can be frustrating to observe, it's rewarding when she finally comes to a place of peace. The story's skillful use of Korean folklore adds another layer of details and interest.
All in all, it's a terrific book. At different times, it's creepy, emotional, and exciting. Recommended for curious readers, but ones who can handle a plot firmly centered around the loss of a parent.
Ronnie Miller has been struggling lately. Although of Korean heritage, she doesn't feel fully, truly Korean, and she deeply feels the passing of her mother, even though it's already been five years. Her overprotective father and her own overly cautious nature keep her world tightly contained. Her friendship with bestie Jack has been shaken up and to make matters worse, since she turned 12, she can't stop rhyming everything she says.
Even though she's nervous and resistant to change, she sees going away to summer camp as a chance to reestablish her friendship with Jack, and maybe get over the rhyming thing. But camp hasn't turned out the way she expected: Jack immediately bonds with another boy who seems to loathe Ronnie and the camp is haunted by a terrifying Korean ghost, rumored to be the last member of the family who once owned the camp groups. Ronnie seems unable to decide which is worse.
Except, it does get worse. Much worse. The ghost seems fixated on her and very soon, she's fending off attacks from an unknown foe. She's so rigid and distrustful that she's pushing away friends and potential friends, all the while finding clues that suggest she is more deeply connected to the ghost and the camp than she ever expected.
The Last Rhee Witch looks unflinchingly at Big Issues. Ronnie is dealing with a loss that continues to profoundly affect her and leads her to make some really bad choices. She's also wrestling with feelings of jealousy as she watches her best friend drift away. Readers will feel every bit of her struggle as she tries to make sense of everything. All this heavy emotion is well-balanced with action and excitement, so it never feels too bogged down. Ronnie's emotional journey is genuine; she's a kid dealing with some heavy stuff and while it can be frustrating to observe, it's rewarding when she finally comes to a place of peace. The story's skillful use of Korean folklore adds another layer of details and interest.
All in all, it's a terrific book. At different times, it's creepy, emotional, and exciting. Recommended for curious readers, but ones who can handle a plot firmly centered around the loss of a parent.
May 12, 2024
I enjoyed this book so much! The vibes it gave off were Halloweentown (coming-of-age magic) meets Camp Rock (the summer camp aspect), but without the singing and dancing.
This book explores the life of Veronica "Ronnie" Miller dealing with the complexities of still coping with the loss of her mother, barely becoming a teen, the feeling of not being "Korean" enough, and juggling new social experiences out of her comfort zone.
After being begrudgingly convinced by her father to attend Camp Foster summer camp, Ronnie realizes there's a lot more to the place than it initially seems. From being told the summer camp is "haunted" by the Rhee family line to certain Korean supernatural beings possibly existing in the same area (gwishin and dokkaebi), she ends up discovering a lot about herself, the camp, and others along the way. Ronnie's initial views are also challenged a few times throughout the book with old and new friendships allowing her to grow as a person socially and broaden her experiences.
There were so many things I truly liked about this book: the diversity of characters, the somewhat mystery aspect, and the relatable experiences of some of the characters. Sure, there's bound to be diversity in a summer camp full of counselors/staff, attendees, and characters in general, but it was nice to see some bits of representation here and there. Also, the ongoing mystery about what had supposedly happened at the Rhees' Family manor (and their lineage) before it became Camp Foster really gave it a spooky atmosphere along with the Korean supernatural (gwishin and dokkaebi). Even though Ronnie is the main character, her experiences are very relatable to me. Just like Ronnie, we may be used to our "comfort zone," but in times of need, we are challenged to step outside it and learn to gauge ourselves where we stand from the new experiences.
Overall, this book was a heartfelt, relatable kind of read especially for middle grade. I'm not sure if it would become series, but it would be great to explore more of Ronnie's life and adventures while she gradually gets more in touch with her Korean culture. Definitely would recommend this for middle grade if they wanted a book dealing with all these things.
Many thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book explores the life of Veronica "Ronnie" Miller dealing with the complexities of still coping with the loss of her mother, barely becoming a teen, the feeling of not being "Korean" enough, and juggling new social experiences out of her comfort zone.
After being begrudgingly convinced by her father to attend Camp Foster summer camp, Ronnie realizes there's a lot more to the place than it initially seems. From being told the summer camp is "haunted" by the Rhee family line to certain Korean supernatural beings possibly existing in the same area (gwishin and dokkaebi), she ends up discovering a lot about herself, the camp, and others along the way. Ronnie's initial views are also challenged a few times throughout the book with old and new friendships allowing her to grow as a person socially and broaden her experiences.
There were so many things I truly liked about this book: the diversity of characters, the somewhat mystery aspect, and the relatable experiences of some of the characters. Sure, there's bound to be diversity in a summer camp full of counselors/staff, attendees, and characters in general, but it was nice to see some bits of representation here and there. Also, the ongoing mystery about what had supposedly happened at the Rhees' Family manor (and their lineage) before it became Camp Foster really gave it a spooky atmosphere along with the Korean supernatural (gwishin and dokkaebi). Even though Ronnie is the main character, her experiences are very relatable to me. Just like Ronnie, we may be used to our "comfort zone," but in times of need, we are challenged to step outside it and learn to gauge ourselves where we stand from the new experiences.
Overall, this book was a heartfelt, relatable kind of read especially for middle grade. I'm not sure if it would become series, but it would be great to explore more of Ronnie's life and adventures while she gradually gets more in touch with her Korean culture. Definitely would recommend this for middle grade if they wanted a book dealing with all these things.
Many thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 18, 2024
Ronnie is a twelve year-old girl who lives with her father; her mother died when she was give. Perhaps because of the loss of her mother, Ronnie and her father are both extremely risk-averse, and both rely heavily on statistics to decide which activities are safe and which aren't - so it comes as quite a surprise when her very protective father who keeps a close eye on her at all times suggests that Ronnie spend two weeks at summer camp. To help ease the separation, Ronnie's best friend and neighbor, Jack, is attending the same camp, and Ronnie tries to stick close to Jack at first; however, her roommate, Olivia, is determined to make a new friend, and latches on to Ronnie as well, making it hard for Ronnie to keep Jack's exclusive attention. In the beginning, this is a fairly typical account of a fairly typical summer camp - but then things get strange.
From the moment Ronnie arrives at camp, odd things happen. In keeping with Ronnie's Korean heritage, she sees a ghostly figure that may be a gwisham, the ghost of the camp that haunts the woods. She meets Boojuk, a cat that inhabits the camp, as she meets the camp counselors - who are themselves all Korean, so a few aspects of the camp have a decidedly Korean influence. During a scavenger hunt, Ronnie and her friends find a plaque with Korean hanja that looks familiar, rather like the family name on her birth ring. Slowly, Ronnie discovers that the rhyming that has plagued her since her twelfth birthday is a sign that she's a witch; more disturbingly, a Rhee witch, being hunted by a dokkaebi, a demon.
This is a fun and fast-paced novel aimed at middle school students, who are the same approximate age as the main characters. It includes a small amount of Korean mythology that helps set it apart from similar novels, as well as characters who explore how to find and make friends in a new environment. Recommended for readers middle school to adult.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
From the moment Ronnie arrives at camp, odd things happen. In keeping with Ronnie's Korean heritage, she sees a ghostly figure that may be a gwisham, the ghost of the camp that haunts the woods. She meets Boojuk, a cat that inhabits the camp, as she meets the camp counselors - who are themselves all Korean, so a few aspects of the camp have a decidedly Korean influence. During a scavenger hunt, Ronnie and her friends find a plaque with Korean hanja that looks familiar, rather like the family name on her birth ring. Slowly, Ronnie discovers that the rhyming that has plagued her since her twelfth birthday is a sign that she's a witch; more disturbingly, a Rhee witch, being hunted by a dokkaebi, a demon.
This is a fun and fast-paced novel aimed at middle school students, who are the same approximate age as the main characters. It includes a small amount of Korean mythology that helps set it apart from similar novels, as well as characters who explore how to find and make friends in a new environment. Recommended for readers middle school to adult.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 27, 2024
Thank you so much to Jenna Lee-Yun and Disney Hyperion for the ARC!
THE LAST RHEE WITCH was a spooky, funny, heartfelt middle grade debut about friendship, loss, and self-acceptance. With a fun summer camp setting and a mystery steeped in Korean folklore, this novel will definitely appeal to middle grade readers!
Ronnie is used to life with just her and her dad after her mom passed away when she was five years old. But suddenly it feels like everything in Ronnie's life is changing: she's heading to sleep-away camp for the first time, she's worried about drifting away from her best friend Jack, and for reasons she can't explain, she's started speaking in rhymes. Things only get stranger when Ronnie arrives at Camp Foster and is greeted by a gwishin: a ghost from Korean folklore that only Ronnie seems to be able to see. Except Ronnie doesn't believe in ghosts, or witches, or anything supernatural — even if Camp Foster seems to be home to many more secrets than Ronnie could have expected...
THE LAST RHEE WITCH was a fun, spooky read with a great cast of characters and an exciting mystery at its heart. Ronnie was such a funny, relatable narrator, and her relationships with her mom, her dad, and some new friends she meets throughout the story were really touching. I also loved learning about gwishin and dokkaebi, and really enjoyed how Lee-Yun incorporated these stories into the camp setting. The ending was really heartfelt, and as someone who also lost their mother at a young age, I found Ronnie's journey throughout this story to be really healing!
This was a fantastic debut, and I can't wait to see what's next from the author!
THE LAST RHEE WITCH was a spooky, funny, heartfelt middle grade debut about friendship, loss, and self-acceptance. With a fun summer camp setting and a mystery steeped in Korean folklore, this novel will definitely appeal to middle grade readers!
Ronnie is used to life with just her and her dad after her mom passed away when she was five years old. But suddenly it feels like everything in Ronnie's life is changing: she's heading to sleep-away camp for the first time, she's worried about drifting away from her best friend Jack, and for reasons she can't explain, she's started speaking in rhymes. Things only get stranger when Ronnie arrives at Camp Foster and is greeted by a gwishin: a ghost from Korean folklore that only Ronnie seems to be able to see. Except Ronnie doesn't believe in ghosts, or witches, or anything supernatural — even if Camp Foster seems to be home to many more secrets than Ronnie could have expected...
THE LAST RHEE WITCH was a fun, spooky read with a great cast of characters and an exciting mystery at its heart. Ronnie was such a funny, relatable narrator, and her relationships with her mom, her dad, and some new friends she meets throughout the story were really touching. I also loved learning about gwishin and dokkaebi, and really enjoyed how Lee-Yun incorporated these stories into the camp setting. The ending was really heartfelt, and as someone who also lost their mother at a young age, I found Ronnie's journey throughout this story to be really healing!
This was a fantastic debut, and I can't wait to see what's next from the author!
January 29, 2024
I just finished reading an eARC of the Last Rhee Witch by Jenna Lee-Yun that was provided by NetGalley.
Veronica "Ronnie" has never been quite... enough. She's never been Korean enough, or adventurous enough, or popular enough. And now, she's been doing this weird thing where she rhymes all the time. Her single dad, concerned about her, ships her off to summer camp where her best friend Jack will be for two full weeks. While Ronnie's there, she gets a glimpse of the terrifying gwishin, a horrifying ghost from Korean folklore. As Ronnie unpacks the mystery of the gwishin, she also unpacks the mystery of her past, and herself. Full of danger, adventure, and excitement, The Last Rhee Witch is a fun middle-grade fantasy about friendship, found family, and connecting to your roots.
This one was so fun! I loved learning about all of the Korean folklore, as well as going on this two week adventure with Ronnie! Ronnie was a relatable protagonist, filled with self-doubt, bravery, and love. I have to say the stakes also felt pretty high for a middle grade novel, which I really appreciated. Interspersed with the real life or death moments, were moments that feel more life or death to a middle grader-- like navigating friendships, growing apart, and climbing the ropes course! Ronnie also had such a great arc throughout the novel, and I hope we get a follow up so I can see what her life is like after camp!
Veronica "Ronnie" has never been quite... enough. She's never been Korean enough, or adventurous enough, or popular enough. And now, she's been doing this weird thing where she rhymes all the time. Her single dad, concerned about her, ships her off to summer camp where her best friend Jack will be for two full weeks. While Ronnie's there, she gets a glimpse of the terrifying gwishin, a horrifying ghost from Korean folklore. As Ronnie unpacks the mystery of the gwishin, she also unpacks the mystery of her past, and herself. Full of danger, adventure, and excitement, The Last Rhee Witch is a fun middle-grade fantasy about friendship, found family, and connecting to your roots.
This one was so fun! I loved learning about all of the Korean folklore, as well as going on this two week adventure with Ronnie! Ronnie was a relatable protagonist, filled with self-doubt, bravery, and love. I have to say the stakes also felt pretty high for a middle grade novel, which I really appreciated. Interspersed with the real life or death moments, were moments that feel more life or death to a middle grader-- like navigating friendships, growing apart, and climbing the ropes course! Ronnie also had such a great arc throughout the novel, and I hope we get a follow up so I can see what her life is like after camp!
May 10, 2024
Middle Grade summer reading lists are in for a treat with THE LAST RHEE WITCH…
Ronnie is headed to sleepover camp with her best friend Jack… her mom passed away when she was younger and for as long as she can remember it’s just been her and her Dad… plus Jack! When they show up you have a perfect backdrop for something more sinister… an old manor in the woods… witches, gwishin (Korean ghosts) and Dokkaebi (Korean goblins) plus rope challenges, kayaking and new friendships!
I absolutely loved this story Jenna has shared… Korean Mythology + a mystery to be solved. This is an action packed adventure perfect for summer reading!!! The icing on the cake… it takes place in Washington! Loved these characters and I’m hoping we may get to revisit them. Whether it’s in the concrete jungle of Seattle or back at Camp Foster for Winter Camp!
Thank you to one of my fav booksellers…Ann…at my Independent Bookstore Beach Books for putting this on my radar
https://beachbooks37.com
Thank you Disney-Hyperion 📖
Releases 5/14
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
Ronnie is headed to sleepover camp with her best friend Jack… her mom passed away when she was younger and for as long as she can remember it’s just been her and her Dad… plus Jack! When they show up you have a perfect backdrop for something more sinister… an old manor in the woods… witches, gwishin (Korean ghosts) and Dokkaebi (Korean goblins) plus rope challenges, kayaking and new friendships!
I absolutely loved this story Jenna has shared… Korean Mythology + a mystery to be solved. This is an action packed adventure perfect for summer reading!!! The icing on the cake… it takes place in Washington! Loved these characters and I’m hoping we may get to revisit them. Whether it’s in the concrete jungle of Seattle or back at Camp Foster for Winter Camp!
Thank you to one of my fav booksellers…Ann…at my Independent Bookstore Beach Books for putting this on my radar
https://beachbooks37.com
Thank you Disney-Hyperion 📖
Releases 5/14
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
May 7, 2024
Ronnie Miller, 12, lives with her father in Seattle. Since she turned 12, she has found it hard not to speak in rhyme and is questioning her Korean heritage as she struggles to learn the language and learn the culture. Her widowed father sends her to a summer camp with her bast friend, Jack Park, where things become even stranger for Ronnie. The forest is forbidden, probably because there is a gwishin (Korean ghost) Ronnie saw in the tree line, a black cat brings her curious items and tries to lure her into the forest, and is not long before Ronnie learns she is witch and being hunted by a dokkaebi (Korean goblin). This book is a supernatural mystery steeped in Korean mythology that unfolds as the thrills and chills keep coming. The cast surrounding Ronnie is diverse, such as her new camp friend Olivia - a black ballerina - that lead Ronnie to learn more about embracing who she is, who her friends are, and who her found family is. A page-turner with wonderful character arcs, lots of mysteries with red herrings, and a conclusion that satisfies.
June 23, 2025
I won this book in a giveaway.
I'm always a little unsure of middle grade books because I haven't been that age in a long time and it can feel like I'm reading something that is beneath me. That was not the case here. The writing is simplistic enough for a preteen but without feeling like you are being spoonfed the plot.
The story grabbed my attention right away and held it even though I have no familiarity with the Korean folklore involved. I loved the way new paranormal creatures were introduced with the Korean characters teaching their non Korean friends how to pronounce the names and providing enough of the lore that I didn't have to Google anything to understand the story. The rhyming spells was a new approach (for me) to a magic system and made the story feel unique.
I enjoyed the story so much I'm taking my copy into my middle grade classroom to loan out to my students, but only the responsible ones because the author sent me an autographed hardcover and the book jacket is beautiful. :)
I'm always a little unsure of middle grade books because I haven't been that age in a long time and it can feel like I'm reading something that is beneath me. That was not the case here. The writing is simplistic enough for a preteen but without feeling like you are being spoonfed the plot.
The story grabbed my attention right away and held it even though I have no familiarity with the Korean folklore involved. I loved the way new paranormal creatures were introduced with the Korean characters teaching their non Korean friends how to pronounce the names and providing enough of the lore that I didn't have to Google anything to understand the story. The rhyming spells was a new approach (for me) to a magic system and made the story feel unique.
I enjoyed the story so much I'm taking my copy into my middle grade classroom to loan out to my students, but only the responsible ones because the author sent me an autographed hardcover and the book jacket is beautiful. :)
January 27, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for this DRC.
Ronnie Miller, a twelve-year-old Korean American girl, suddenly can’t stop rhyming. Her widowed father sends away to camp with her best friend Jack. The camp is one the grounds of an old family manor, a family, as the ghost story around the camp is told, that has all been murdered with a red scarf wrapped around their neck. Ronnie quickly falls into problems with keeping old friends, making new friends, figuring out if she’s seeing thing or is that really a gwishin, and deciding if dokkaibi are real?
I loved this book. It was so much fun to watch Ronnie grapple with all this. Her spacing out, being afraid of lots things yet taking lots of chances were understandable. Her worries over relationships with her father, her dead mother, and Jack and Olivia were relatable. Boo the cat was a great additional. Fun and heartwarming.
#TheLastRheeWitch #NetGalley
Ronnie Miller, a twelve-year-old Korean American girl, suddenly can’t stop rhyming. Her widowed father sends away to camp with her best friend Jack. The camp is one the grounds of an old family manor, a family, as the ghost story around the camp is told, that has all been murdered with a red scarf wrapped around their neck. Ronnie quickly falls into problems with keeping old friends, making new friends, figuring out if she’s seeing thing or is that really a gwishin, and deciding if dokkaibi are real?
I loved this book. It was so much fun to watch Ronnie grapple with all this. Her spacing out, being afraid of lots things yet taking lots of chances were understandable. Her worries over relationships with her father, her dead mother, and Jack and Olivia were relatable. Boo the cat was a great additional. Fun and heartwarming.
#TheLastRheeWitch #NetGalley
April 12, 2024
Thank you to Disney-Hyperion Books and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Ronnie and her dad have been on their own since her mother died when Ronnie was 5. The family is Korean American but since Dad was adopted and raised by a white family, neither has really felt Korean. Shortly after her twelfth birthday, Ronnie has started speaking in rhyme. Her father decided it would be good for her to get out of the city. Ronnie is kind of reluctant (she’s not outdoorsy) and yet excited to attend Korean sleepaway camp with her best friend, Jack. There, Ronnie is befriended by Olivia, a ballerina who doesn’t have many friends; meanwhile, Jack bonds with Sam over their fondness of Korean supernatural comics. When Ronnie notices a gwishin (ghost) on the campgrounds, she thinks her imagination is getting the better of her. Other strange things are happening at camp (a black cat that seems to understand everything that Ronnie says) and Ronnie soon finds out that Jack’s comic books are not entirely made up.
A fantastic, fast-paced middle grade book from a debut author. You will look at summer camp in a whole new way! I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend for grades 4 and up.
#NetGalley #TheLastRheeWitch
Ronnie and her dad have been on their own since her mother died when Ronnie was 5. The family is Korean American but since Dad was adopted and raised by a white family, neither has really felt Korean. Shortly after her twelfth birthday, Ronnie has started speaking in rhyme. Her father decided it would be good for her to get out of the city. Ronnie is kind of reluctant (she’s not outdoorsy) and yet excited to attend Korean sleepaway camp with her best friend, Jack. There, Ronnie is befriended by Olivia, a ballerina who doesn’t have many friends; meanwhile, Jack bonds with Sam over their fondness of Korean supernatural comics. When Ronnie notices a gwishin (ghost) on the campgrounds, she thinks her imagination is getting the better of her. Other strange things are happening at camp (a black cat that seems to understand everything that Ronnie says) and Ronnie soon finds out that Jack’s comic books are not entirely made up.
A fantastic, fast-paced middle grade book from a debut author. You will look at summer camp in a whole new way! I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend for grades 4 and up.
#NetGalley #TheLastRheeWitch
January 1, 2025
Wow, I loved this unique spooky summer camp story with a Korean supernatural twist!
Ronnie is juggling life as a tween and everything else thrown at her. Much of this is relatable to the middle grade reader:
Jealousy of someone else who has gained her best friend's interest
Trust issues with a new camp friend
Grief from losing her mother
Rhyming to cope with anxiety
Not being "Korean" enough
It is well-paced, introducing a ghost from the very beginning. We're brought into the exciting world of Korean witches, a cat familiar, gwishin and dokkaebi. A camp in the forest is the perfect setting for the reader to adventure along with Ronnie as her character evolves to deal with the ghost who haunts her and the goblin who hunts her.
I think I'm going to give my cookbooks a better inspection....
Ronnie is juggling life as a tween and everything else thrown at her. Much of this is relatable to the middle grade reader:
Jealousy of someone else who has gained her best friend's interest
Trust issues with a new camp friend
Grief from losing her mother
Rhyming to cope with anxiety
Not being "Korean" enough
It is well-paced, introducing a ghost from the very beginning. We're brought into the exciting world of Korean witches, a cat familiar, gwishin and dokkaebi. A camp in the forest is the perfect setting for the reader to adventure along with Ronnie as her character evolves to deal with the ghost who haunts her and the goblin who hunts her.
I think I'm going to give my cookbooks a better inspection....
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