Molka by Monika Kim
on April 28, 2026
Genres: Fiction / Feminist, Fiction / Horror / Psychological, Fiction / World Literature / Korea
Pages: 304
Format: Hardcover
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I don’t typically reach for horror novels, but Molka felt like a different kind of horror to me. The true horror comes from how real the premise is. Knowing that the molka epidemic is based on something that actually happens made this story incredibly unsettling, and that feeling stayed with me long after I finished.
This was also a surprisingly fast read. Once I started, I had a hard time putting it down because I needed to know how everything was going to play out.
If you enjoy a good revenge story every once in a while, and it’s done well, Molka definitely delivers. Monika Kim takes the female revenge trope and gives it a fresh, compelling twist. For much of the novel, Dahye is left in the dark while her life unravels around her, and it’s impossible not to feel her fear, frustration, and vulnerability. Watching her transform as she uncovers the truth was one of the strongest parts of the book. She’s a wonderfully layered character—flawed, relatable, vulnerable, but also incredibly strong when it matters most.
The men in this story are absolutely despicable, but what makes the novel even more powerful is that it doesn’t stop there. It also shines a light on the systems and institutions that allow this kind of abuse to continue. The result is a story that’s disturbing not just because of the individual villains, but because of the culture that enables them.
The supernatural element wasn’t my favorite part and felt a little unexpected compared to the rest of the story, but it wasn’t enough to take away from my overall enjoyment.
Overall, Molka is a dark, unsettling, and satisfying thriller with horror elements that explores voyeurism, power, and revenge. It made me uncomfortable in all the ways it was supposed to, and I found it to be a compelling and entertaining read.
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