“Tree of Eyes” by Ann Yihyang Kim

Tree of Eyes

Ann Yihyang Kim
Blue Wolf & Eye Publishing (2026)
ISBN: 979-8992555547
Reviewed by Demetria Head for Reader Views (04/2026)

Tree of Eyes: Eyes of Awakening by Ann Yihyang Kim is the second installment and picks up with James and Crew Blue in the middle of chaos. They are stuck in No Man’s Land. It’s not enough that James is already overwhelmed in both Reality and in the Flowering. There is tension coming from all sides, not just from the enemies. E has to make some harsh decisions, while Snow is desperately trying to go back for Zilch. The others are stuck between trying to be loyal to each other and surviving. All of this is happening as Kim adds an extra layer of lore about Shamans, citizens, and the Red Calf’s growing threat. As the stakes rise, the group is fighting to stay alive and struggling to remain a united front.

I love Ann Yihyang Kim’s writing style. She does a great job blending fast-paced action and character reflection. The story doesn’t slow down either. The battles make the scenes move along quickly. But she’s also mindful enough to keep the details intact to help readers understand what is happening. The dialogue reveals all the tension. I could see the cracks forming among the group, especially between E and Snow. I love how more of the world’s rules are gradually introduced, such as how the Shamans work and where the citizens come from. It doesn’t feel like random information dumping. Book two feels heavier than book one, but still consistent. The immersive storytelling is still there, but this time, the focus is more on consequences, tougher choices, and strained relationships.

Some of my favorite parts of the story were when Kim began explaining how the Flowering works and the old ways. The past mirrors the present. We get to see how greed led to wars, partnerships with the moulded, and the creation of the Beast. These things also seem to affect how each character processes them. James is proud of what his group is doing or has accomplished, but he’s also frustrated at the same time because of how things fell apart in the past. Deeper into the narrative, James and Snow reveal some things about E’s past, and I felt how heavy this weighed on the group. Phoenix, in particular, really struggles to process it.

Kim really added a sense of urgency, especially by the time we get to chapter thirteen. The danger shifts, and so does the tension. Readers will probably be surprised at the betrayals, especially surrounding Blood Crow. Then the introduction of Copperhead adds another layer of uncertainty. Things begin to spiral so quickly from failed plans, shifting alliances, and major connections. There were so many jaw-dropping moments, including what’s really been going on about the Third.

Overall, Tree of Eyes: Eyes of the Awakening (Book Two) does a great job building on the foundation of the first book. The stakes are higher, the world-building is deeper, and the emotional weight has increased. It feels like a continuation but also a turning point. Kim’s writing leans heavily into layered lore, but it still has those modern fantasy elements. Readers who are familiar with Tracy Deonn’s Legendborn will find that same blend of action and personal conflicts. But Kim’s really stands out because of the unique world structure.