I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A man searching for the love of his life stumbles upon a dark conspiracy that forces him to go undercover to stop a nefarious plot in author Ki Hyun Park’s “This Isn’t Just a Souvenir”.

The Synopsis

Sam ventures into Southeast Asia to find the love of his life when she vanishes after a tsunami. During his search, he uncovers a dark conspiracy by a group of extremists to assassinate the Dalai Lama. The only way to stop them is to join them.

The Review

This was a powerful and captivating literary fiction meets international thriller read. The author did an incredible job of weaving a story that was both entertaining and emotionally driven. The imagery was felt instantly, as this short read brought to life the international intrigue and suspense that this narrative was capturing. 

Yet to me, the true heart of the novel was the character development and the themes the author wove into the narrative. The protagonist struggles back and forth between his love for this missing woman he hoped to spend his life with and the adrenaline-fueled adventure he finds himself in as he becomes a pawn in the U.S. government’s fight against deadly threats to world leaders and influential figures felt both intimate and worldly at the same time. The themes of love lost, love, letting go of the past, and speaking our truths were felt so strongly in this novel and made the action and adventure of the narrative feel more elevated as a whole.

The Verdict

Thoughtful, fast-paced, and engaging, author Ki Hyun Park’s “This Isn’t Just a Souvenir” is a must-read international thriller meets literary fiction novel. The heart and emotions the author pours into this narrative reflect the protagonist’s emotional rollercoaster of an adventure. The twists and turns in the story will have readers hanging off of the author’s every word. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10