Book Review: Eun Na and the Phantom by Erica Laurie

Genre : Fantasy, Romance
Format : eBook
Rating : 3.5 / 5 stars

I would like to sincerely thank author Erica Laurie for this copy of eBook in exchange for an honest review.

I jumped at the chance of taking my first read on an English written book about Korean culture because of the unique topic. Reading this book didn’t let me down, I felt like I was watching a Korean historical drama unfolding.

A logger is in debt to his landlord, and he must pay up or hand over his daughter, Eun Na as payment.

Hardworking and kind, Eun Na attracts the attention of a mysterious man from the mountains. When an accident renders her father unable to work, the handsome young man steps in and offers his assistance. Yet he is not what he seems.

What I love best about this book was how it made me feel. Reading the story transported me back to my childhood, as if I was reading it with a fascinating young mind.

Another aspect that I appreciated much was the ability of the author to infuse traditional Asian culture into the story as a whole. Upholding family values, respecting the elders and the reserved love for each other to mention a few.

There was one part in the story that puzzled me. In one of the scenes, the male character performed an extraordinary other-worldly stunt, however Eun Na and her friend seemed nonchalant about it. In this case I presumed a normal person would’ve jumped out of their skin, not to carry on as if everything is normal, so perhaps that’s a gap to be closed.

Another special mention is Mao the dragon, he is such an adorable guardian and the author carved the character very well.

It’s a book that you got to pick up if you want a feel of Korean culture, which I do and for that you would not be disappointed.