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Anna's Reviews > The Last Rhee Witch
The Last Rhee Witch (The Last Rhee Witch #1)
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by
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.
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