This was a very quick and interesting suspense filled read. If I could, I would rank this book a solid 3.5. There were so many twisting plot lines, that I had to take pause at points to try to figure out where they intertwined. When it came together in the end, I was left wishing for more pages to read to continue piecing it all together. I would love to read more of this storyline to get a better handle on how the introduced characters all fit together in this dynamic authors multidimensional world of fiction. Many thanks to the publisher, Akashic Books, and NetGalley for this ARC book.

House of the Rising Sun delivers the gritty street drama and fast-paced storytelling that fans of urban fiction expect from K'wan. The novel paints a vivid picture of power struggles, loyalty, and survival, with intense scenes and a raw tone that keeps the pages turning.

What works:

Strong, atmospheric depiction of the streets and criminal underworld

Fast pacing that makes it an easy, engaging read

High-stakes conflicts and dramatic tension

What holds it back:

Some characters feel underdeveloped or rely on familiar archetypes

Plot twists can be predictable for seasoned readers of the genre

The storytelling occasionally prioritizes action over emotional depth

Bottom line:
An entertaining, hard-edged urban drama that delivers intensity and realism, but doesn’t break much new ground. A solid mid-tier read for fans of street-lit fiction.

This was a good read! This was different than what im used to but i honestly enjoyed the story, and the plot! Im so excited to see how everything plays out in the next book. Great Job Kwan!!

I had to sit with this book before writing this review. I really enjoyed this story and the way it was written. I went into this thinking “oh, small-town mystery, a cozy read” WRONG! This was so much more, it was darker, and had so many more layers. I ate it up. This was my first K’Wan book and I. AM. A. FAN!! The writing was sharp and did a great job drawing parallels of this fictional world and our own without pulling you from the story.

It opens up with our MC, Artie Howell after he and his family moves back to his wife’s home town, Sunny cove. At first glance all seems normal, Artie volunteers at the local juvenile detention center, hosting a creative writing course for the young boys. Artie’s wife is head of cardiac surgery at the local hospital. Their son, normal kid who like to sneak in a curse word here and there. Immediately the mood is set with this town and the tension it holds with the killing of a nun. More killings begin to happen and oddly enough they mirror scenes from Artie’s own novels. The suspense had me on the edge of my seat and then left me there to dangle, because we are left with a cliffhanger but one I’m not mad at because it’s soooo good. I’ll be chomping at the bit for the next one for sure!

This was such a good read. It was full of emotion and great writing! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

The book starts off with the murder of a nun, and then we get a glimpse into Artie’s daily life. We see his relationship with his family, friends, and other members throughout the Sunny Cove community. We also get into his love for writing and his interest in crime. Then another murder happens, this time closer to home. A next door neighbor. We then get deep into Artie’s secret life. A life that has consequences for not only him but also his family. The story takes on another life from there. I enjoyed this book. in the beginning I was a little confused on where the story was going but it quickly started to make sense. I’d be interested in seeing how this all plays out in the next book.

k’wan does what he always does best, he drops you right into the chaos and doesn’t let up. the streets feel alive in this book. every decision carries weight, and you can feel how quickly things can spiral when you’re just trying to make it out or make something of yourself with limited options.

what stood out to me is how the story balances ambition and consequence. there’s this constant tension between wanting more and being pulled back by circumstance, loyalty, and the environment. the characters aren’t perfect, but they’re real. flawed, reactive, sometimes frustrating, but always understandable.

the pacing is relentless. once things start moving, it’s hard to put down because you need to know what happens next, even when you already feel like it won’t end well.