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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The God and the Gwisin felt even more like a K-Drama than its predecessor, so if that was something you enjoyed, this book will definitely be up your alley!
I had fun with this book. Seogka had some interesting character development from the previous book, and Kisa was a fun contrast to Hani.
Seogka did a lot of yearning for something he felt a little entitled to, and Kisa was very consistently pushed to be someone that she wasn’t. I’m glad that she held her ground for the entirety of the book, but if I were her, I would have lost my utter mind with all these people comparing me to someone else.
Overall, this was a good time. This book accomplished its goal, which is always satisfying to read. The bulk of this book is a cozy and campy murder-mystery, but the climax is so much more explosive by comparison.
I had fun with this book. Seogka had some interesting character development from the previous book, and Kisa was a fun contrast to Hani.
Seogka did a lot of yearning for something he felt a little entitled to, and Kisa was very consistently pushed to be someone that she wasn’t. I’m glad that she held her ground for the entirety of the book, but if I were her, I would have lost my utter mind with all these people comparing me to someone else.
Overall, this was a good time. This book accomplished its goal, which is always satisfying to read. The bulk of this book is a cozy and campy murder-mystery, but the climax is so much more explosive by comparison.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Just FYI: if you have not read book 1, I’m not sure how to comment without at least implying some information about what happens. I’ve tried to be suitably vague for people who know the setup for book 2.
“The God and the Gumiho” was one of my favorite books of 2024 and I have recommended it pretty much nonstop. I was thrilled to be offered an ARC of the second book, but I really wrestled with my discomfort around the power dynamics involved in this story. Hani and Seokga were well-matched and felt like equals (if anything, Hani had an edge). This installment, with the sheltered 20-something-year-old Kisa, felt WAY too much like grooming to me. I don’t believe that was the author’s intent, and any romance with a human and an immortal is gonna have those weird vibes. I’m not sure if I would have had such an intense visceral reaction to their budding relationship if Kisa had been a bit less sheltered, but this put me off.
Also, in the year of our lord 2025, can we please drop the storyline of “Your antidepressants are actually DRAINING your magical powers”? Please and thank you.
There were parts of this that I enjoyed, so it wasn’t a total wash for me, but I’m not sure how to feel when the concept itself was my issue.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. I can see that other people didn’t have this hangup, and since I’m someone who gets deeply icked out by power dynamic imbalances in romance in general, take this with a grain of salt.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So good, it’s better than the first one!
A bit of a murder mystery on a luxury cruise liner for the dead and our gods.
There was just so much to love about this one from the why the romance panned out, to the character developments and the wider plot of the gods. I loved it all.
Now someone tell me that it’s not just a duology please?!?! Cause that ending could leave room for more in this world?
Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for an eARC
Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for an eARC
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed The God and the Gumiho, so was looking forward to this sequel. While I didn’t like it quite as much as its predecessor, The God and the Gwisin was still a fun, enjoyable read.
Book 1 ended on a hopeful note, with a red thread of fate appearing on Seokga’s finger - a sign that, as promised by Hwanin, Hani’s soul had reincarnated somewhere in the world, waiting to be found. Book 2 starts with our god of mischief burnt out, exhausted from futilely searching for Hani. Though he’s made some personal strides by going to therapy, rebuilding his relationship with Hwanin, and otherwise enjoying the return of his godly powers (minus his ability to read minds), Seokga can’t stop thinking about Hani.
Intellectually, he knows she’ll be a different person - the only thing he knows is that her eyes will be the same - but that hasn’t stopped him from anticipating their meeting or getting overly emotionally invested in their reunion. Hence the burnout and his lingering frustration and anger with various other deities in the pantheon. When his therapist suggests he take a vacation, Seokga is forcefully whisked away by Hwanin on an underworld cruise ship. It’s just about the worse thing he could imagine.
Until the red thread pulls him towards Yoo Kisa, a gwisin working as a crew member. Who has absolutely no memory of Seokga or her past life’s time with him during the Dark Days. Who has a completely different personality than Hani’s. And, important to note, who is very much dead. Seokga is quietly devastated, reeling from his (admittedly misguided) shattered expectations. Good thing his therapist, Dr. Jang, accompanied him and Hwanin on the trip.
I was kind of curious how the whole reincarnation thing would work. There’s a whole interrogation of the concept, using Theseus’ ship as a metaphor: is the ship the same if it’s built through different materials? Is someone’s soul truly the same if they’re shaped by different experiences, thoughts, and feelings? It’s an interesting idea to unpack, and one that Kisa struggles with throughout the book. Particularly since she has no recollection whatsoever of her past life, it’s a bit of a hard sell when you’re just meeting some guy who thinks he’s your soulmate.
It’s a very different romantic conflict than Book 1, which may be good or bad depending on your preferences. As a fan of enemies-to-lovers, I did miss the snarky banter, the reluctant attraction, and just general mischievousness that characterized Seokga and Hani’s relationship. It’s much more… sincere and sweet, I guess? Kisa’s apparent youth and inexperience are a hard contrast from Hani’s calculated, assertive air. She’s bookish, awkwardly enthusiastic, and genuinely kind - her calling was to heal and care for others, rather than to steal from ATMs.
While Kisa is certainly fine as a character, I did think her inner conflict was compelling: is Seokga drawn to Kisa, or is it his memory of Hani that’s attractive? Will she only be seen in comparison to his first love, and if so, will she fall short of expectations? There are points when she looks on enviously at Hajun and Somi’s budding relationship, as they aren’t weighed down by any past experiences. It’s a logical doubt to have, and one she has to fight against as she slowly comes to terms with her own hopes and desires.
Anyway, overall I enjoyed this duology. I’ll also note humor felt fairly consistent, albeit with a few sillier moments (e.g., smutty romance novels, tabloids digging for dirt on certain deities). I couldn’t imagine this one quite as easily as a K-drama in my head (maybe I need to watch more cruise ship themed shows?), although the Kopiko product placement did make me laugh.
Book 1 ended on a hopeful note, with a red thread of fate appearing on Seokga’s finger - a sign that, as promised by Hwanin, Hani’s soul had reincarnated somewhere in the world, waiting to be found. Book 2 starts with our god of mischief burnt out, exhausted from futilely searching for Hani. Though he’s made some personal strides by going to therapy, rebuilding his relationship with Hwanin, and otherwise enjoying the return of his godly powers (minus his ability to read minds), Seokga can’t stop thinking about Hani.
Intellectually, he knows she’ll be a different person - the only thing he knows is that her eyes will be the same - but that hasn’t stopped him from anticipating their meeting or getting overly emotionally invested in their reunion. Hence the burnout and his lingering frustration and anger with various other deities in the pantheon. When his therapist suggests he take a vacation, Seokga is forcefully whisked away by Hwanin on an underworld cruise ship. It’s just about the worse thing he could imagine.
Until the red thread pulls him towards Yoo Kisa, a gwisin working as a crew member. Who has absolutely no memory of Seokga or her past life’s time with him during the Dark Days. Who has a completely different personality than Hani’s. And, important to note, who is very much dead. Seokga is quietly devastated, reeling from his (admittedly misguided) shattered expectations. Good thing his therapist, Dr. Jang, accompanied him and Hwanin on the trip.
I was kind of curious how the whole reincarnation thing would work. There’s a whole interrogation of the concept, using Theseus’ ship as a metaphor: is the ship the same if it’s built through different materials? Is someone’s soul truly the same if they’re shaped by different experiences, thoughts, and feelings? It’s an interesting idea to unpack, and one that Kisa struggles with throughout the book. Particularly since she has no recollection whatsoever of her past life, it’s a bit of a hard sell when you’re just meeting some guy who thinks he’s your soulmate.
It’s a very different romantic conflict than Book 1, which may be good or bad depending on your preferences. As a fan of enemies-to-lovers, I did miss the snarky banter, the reluctant attraction, and just general mischievousness that characterized Seokga and Hani’s relationship. It’s much more… sincere and sweet, I guess? Kisa’s apparent youth and inexperience are a hard contrast from Hani’s calculated, assertive air. She’s bookish, awkwardly enthusiastic, and genuinely kind - her calling was to heal and care for others, rather than to steal from ATMs.
While Kisa is certainly fine as a character, I did think her inner conflict was compelling: is Seokga drawn to Kisa, or is it his memory of Hani that’s attractive? Will she only be seen in comparison to his first love, and if so, will she fall short of expectations? There are points when she looks on enviously at Hajun and Somi’s budding relationship, as they aren’t weighed down by any past experiences. It’s a logical doubt to have, and one she has to fight against as she slowly comes to terms with her own hopes and desires.
Anyway, overall I enjoyed this duology. I’ll also note humor felt fairly consistent, albeit with a few sillier moments (e.g., smutty romance novels, tabloids digging for dirt on certain deities). I couldn’t imagine this one quite as easily as a K-drama in my head (maybe I need to watch more cruise ship themed shows?), although the Kopiko product placement did make me laugh.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt