Just a reminder, if you haven’t read Yoon Ha Lee’s epic space opera, Dragon Pearl, yet, you definitely should. (And spoilers below.)
Who says that just because you’re dead you can’t still live a little? In the Thousand Worlds, the universe of Tiger Honor, certain ghosts tend to linger long after their physical bodies draw their final breaths. Take Kim Jun, for example. After losing his life as a Space Forces cadet, Jun is currently haunting his sister Min as she works as a Domestic Security agent on the battle cruisier Haetae.
But after almost betraying Min in Dragon Pearl, are we sure he’s a friendly ghost? Or is Jun not as transparent as he would like us to think?
Promotions Are Hard to Come By . . .
It’s always embarrassing when your younger sibling leapfrogs you in their career. In the years since Dragon Pearl, Min has graduated from cadet to security agent. And Jun couldn’t be prouder. But he died while he was a cadet and can’t exactly change his uniform, so they make an odd pair when Jun decides to show himself. At least he didn’t die in his birthday suit.
How Do You Boo?
Regardless of Jun’s station in life (or un-life), he’s more than happy to assist his sister in her duties. Yes, his physicality is limited. But if you need to scare a perp into submission, or even just lower the temperature by a dozen degrees, Jun is your guy. Just, you know, don’t go spreading word about his presence around the ship. Some people believe that ghosts bring bad luck. As if anything bad could ever happen on a ship with the Kim family aboard.
I Ain’t Afraid of No Ghosts. Shamans, on the Other Hand . . .
If there’s one thing Jun should worry about, it’s the presence of shamans aboard the Haetae. Across the Thousand Worlds, if you ever need a ghost exorcised, a shaman is the person to call. They employ ancient magic to put wayward ghosts into a trance and then boot them out of the mortal realm. They’re also available for birthdays, weddings, or planning revenge on the tiger spirits who stole the Dragon Pearl from you.
Another Juhwang?
Jun has a history with the Juhwang clan of tiger spirits. Or at least one of them. Rogue former Space Forces captain Hwan is the man who sent Jun to his death. So, when Hwan’s relative Juhwang Sebin joins the Haetae as one of its newest cadets, most people might expect Jun to harbor a grudge. Instead, Jun is willing to give Sebin the benefit of the doubt. Even in death, Jun is still an incredibly trusting person.
But isn’t that what got him killed in the first place?
Want to see more of Kim Jun? Be sure to pick up Tiger Honor, on sale January 4!
