“Eye in the Blue Box” by Ann Yihyang Kim

Eye in the Blue Box

Ann Yihyang Kim
Blue Wolf & Eye Publishing (2025)
ISBN: 979-8992555516
Reviewed by Demetria Head for Reader Views (03/2026)

Eye in the Blue Box by Ann Yihyang Kim is the first installment in the Eyes of Awakening series. As the story begins, there’s a young man named James Mun who’s an engineering intern living a routine life. But his ordinary day changes into something strange and dangerous when he falls asleep and ends up in the Flowering. This is a separate dimension that has its own set of rules and consequences. Soon, he sees this world expanding into confusion, danger, and survival.

One of the things I immediately loved about Kim’s work is that it did not rush into explanations. Readers, along with the main characters, got to learn from the experiences instead. There was so much going on and unfolding at the right moments; from the powerful Shamans and dangerous factions to the mystery connecting James’ broken watch and the Red Calf. I also appreciated the strong speculative fantasy elements that balanced well with the psychological mystery at play.

The characters were developed very well. Starting with James, whose character is believable with fears, confusion, and being out of his depth. But he becomes more than capable as this dimension begins to shape him. He’s not your typical overnight hero. The biggest part is his relationship with Crew Blue. This helps to move the story along. There’s Lux, who adds humor to lighten the mood, but we also get to see over time that he is carrying some emotional weight. This really comes out when he talks about his father’s illness and making sacrifices to support his family. Honey initially comes off as tough and hard to win over, but she eventually becomes very raw and honest among the group. This is highlighted when danger comes close to home.

There’s also E, who was the most layered and complex of all the characters in my opinion. She stays in survival mode and comes off as this intense character. But she’s under pressure, which the story reveals, and only then was I able to fully understand why she was that way. We can’t forget Bloom, the blue wolf with his memorable presence. He was more than just a companion. He had everything to do with the group’s safety and how they moved. I also realized that he did not fit into the mold of what a citizen should be. I think this is what made his character stand out for me.

There were quite a few scenes throughout all three parts of the book that stood out for me. For one, when James encountered the blue box early on, this set the tone for how dark and strange the narrative became. I also thought chapter six was one of the most effective parts. The rescue showcased Crew Blue’s mission, but it also revealed that there was more to the Flowering than its dangers. By chapter fifteen, I realized the whole mystery was much bigger, especially when the hunters close in on Bloom and James’s watch changes. Also, one of the things I appreciated was Lux’s backstory. Kim slows the story down a bit so that we can find out more about Lux, and it changed how I initially saw him. It made the events in part three hit much harder. There’s so much emotional investment by the time we get to the scenes in the city, the tower, the market, the third, and the final escape.

I loved how Kim shifted the pacing to fit the scenes. Early on, it’s quick because James is being thrown from one frightening situation after another. By the time the Flowering is explained, the pacing slows down, and I felt that was appropriate to give readers a better understanding. I think readers will appreciate learning about the factions and the rules that govern survival in these slower chapters as well. The worldbuilding was another strength of the book. I felt like I was moving along with James through the white desert, the frozen lake, the tower, the market, and the wasteland with the black orbs. These vivid encounters and descriptions really brought out Kim’s fantasy elements.

The atmosphere and the emotional tension worked well, especially when you see how much the Flowering has changed James. His conversation with Heri provided the perfect example of this. The only thing I thought didn’t work as well were the heavy terms and explanations in the dialogue. It slowed down some of the moments for me so that I could grasp the understanding at times. But it did not keep me from staying invested in the growing mystery of the narrative.

In my opinion, Kim did a great job creating immersive scenes. She especially did well, making scenes feel strange and threatening. Eye in the Blue Box is an enjoyable modern fantasy, with strong mystery elements and hidden worlds. There’s plenty of action and emotional scenes as well. Readers who would enjoy this story the most are those who’ve enjoyed similar works like Erin Morgenstern’s The Starless Sea. Eye in the Blue Box is an ambitious start to Ann Yihyang Kim’s series.