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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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
4.5/5 rounded up; 2/5 spice. Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was giggling and kicking my feet for this entire book! Sophie Kim writes such endearing and charming characters that feel really genuine. I loved the rag tag group of cruise guests and workers (both dead and alive) that work together to solve a murder. Great character development, lovely friendships, and a sweet slow burn romance, we love to see it! We also get to see Seokga work through a lot of personal stuff (hello daddy issues!) alongside developing a realtionship with Kisa, who most definitely is not Hani (or is she?), and most definitely doesn't remember him. Watching them learn and grow together was so sweet! My only complaint about this book was that it got pretty slow in the middle. The murder mystery seemed to stall for a bit and I figured out the murderer (the who and why) by about 50% so I was chomping at the bit to get to the reveal! It was a really satisfying ending and the final 20% I zoomed through!
PLEASE.READ.THIS.DUOLOGY!
TW: suicide, self harm, murder and violence, cursing, explicit sexual content.
I was giggling and kicking my feet for this entire book! Sophie Kim writes such endearing and charming characters that feel really genuine. I loved the rag tag group of cruise guests and workers (both dead and alive) that work together to solve a murder. Great character development, lovely friendships, and a sweet slow burn romance, we love to see it! We also get to see Seokga work through a lot of personal stuff (hello daddy issues!) alongside developing a realtionship with Kisa, who most definitely is not Hani (or is she?), and most definitely doesn't remember him. Watching them learn and grow together was so sweet! My only complaint about this book was that it got pretty slow in the middle. The murder mystery seemed to stall for a bit and I figured out the murderer (the who and why) by about 50% so I was chomping at the bit to get to the reveal! It was a really satisfying ending and the final 20% I zoomed through!
PLEASE.READ.THIS.DUOLOGY!
TW: suicide, self harm, murder and violence, cursing, explicit sexual content.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Murder
Minor: Self harm
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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:
No
Thank you Netgalley, Del Rey and Sophie Kim for providing me an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion. I also read the first instalment as an eARC so this was particularly exciting for me!
As someone who was blown away by the ending of THE GOD AND THE GUMIHO, I was absolutely ecstatic to hear the author had plans to write a continuation. I spent about a year trying to come up with ways Kim could go about this because it wasn't as clear cut an answer as it typically is with fantasy romances. I am happy to say that the author's creativity far exceeded my expectations!
Just like in the first book, we accompany grumpy trickster god, Seokga, as he descends into the river of the Dead for a cruise after being convinced a vacation is exactly what he needs. He's spent 30 years searching for his soulmate (Hani) after all, so burnout is a completely normal consequence (especially after a frigid trip to Antartica). With only a thread of fate to connect him to her and after years of not getting closer to finding her, it comes as a surprise to Seokga when said thread suddenly connects him to a cruise employee, Kisa, who is very much unlike Hani and has no memories of their time together.
This would be all fine and well, but this is Seokga, who always attracts bad luck, so obviously *someone* ends up murdered on the ship and they have only five days to figure out whom before he is accused of said murder since said person was no other than Seokga's own brother, the Heavenly Emperor of Okhwang with whom he has a sort of difficult relationship. I personally hate detective stories (yes, including Sherlock Holmes, sue me), so when I tell you I still loved this book (and the one before), I mean it in the most surprising way! Even though the mystery was a little predictable, that is never the point.... The point is obviously the K-dramaesque build up to the relationship between Seokga and Kisa, as well as their lovely companions, a K-Pop idol and a gumiho.
No one will ever beat Hani for me, but Kisa came so close! I love how different she is but also how similar in a lot of ways, and how Seokga learns to accept that this reincarnation of Hani is right for him, just as Hani had been at that point in time. They were so cute together, and the writing never wandered far from humourous while still maintaining a grip on the emotional side to the plot, which made this an enjoyable, lighthearted read that had been reacting in embarassing ways in the public transit system. Highly recommend!!!!!!!!!!
As someone who was blown away by the ending of THE GOD AND THE GUMIHO, I was absolutely ecstatic to hear the author had plans to write a continuation. I spent about a year trying to come up with ways Kim could go about this because it wasn't as clear cut an answer as it typically is with fantasy romances. I am happy to say that the author's creativity far exceeded my expectations!
Just like in the first book, we accompany grumpy trickster god, Seokga, as he descends into the river of the Dead for a cruise after being convinced a vacation is exactly what he needs. He's spent 30 years searching for his soulmate (Hani) after all, so burnout is a completely normal consequence (especially after a frigid trip to Antartica). With only a thread of fate to connect him to her and after years of not getting closer to finding her, it comes as a surprise to Seokga when said thread suddenly connects him to a cruise employee, Kisa, who is very much unlike Hani and has no memories of their time together.
This would be all fine and well, but this is Seokga, who always attracts bad luck, so obviously *someone* ends up murdered on the ship and they have only five days to figure out whom before he is accused of said murder since said person was no other than Seokga's own brother, the Heavenly Emperor of Okhwang with whom he has a sort of difficult relationship. I personally hate detective stories (yes, including Sherlock Holmes, sue me), so when I tell you I still loved this book (and the one before), I mean it in the most surprising way! Even though the mystery was a little predictable, that is never the point.... The point is obviously the K-dramaesque build up to the relationship between Seokga and Kisa, as well as their lovely companions, a K-Pop idol and a gumiho.
No one will ever beat Hani for me, but Kisa came so close! I love how different she is but also how similar in a lot of ways, and how Seokga learns to accept that this reincarnation of Hani is right for him, just as Hani had been at that point in time. They were so cute together, and the writing never wandered far from humourous while still maintaining a grip on the emotional side to the plot, which made this an enjoyable, lighthearted read that had been reacting in embarassing ways in the public transit system. Highly recommend!!!!!!!!!!
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Rating: Absolutely Loved It
This is one of the best duologies that I've read recently! I wasn't sure where the story was going to go after the ending of the first one, but this completely surpassed all of my expectations! The banter? The yearning? The humor? The quiet healing? Just all top notch, and then to top it off we get to follow Seokga and Hani/Kisa on another murder mystery. An absolute delight from start to finish.
I LOVED the mystery in this one, and also the healing that happens between Seokga and Hwanin after Hwanin is brutally murdered and returns as a baby. Watching Seokga be reluctantly a caretaker was the sweetest thing. And I LOVED Kisa. She was a pure delight, and I felt very connected to her.
I think that there are some really very dark topics that are covered in this, so double check content warnings, but they felt to be addressed with care. I loved that this took the relationship that was so beautifully established in the first one and deepened it. The dynamic of Hani's reincarnation of Kisa also added some layers of complexity. Also, the number of times I laughed out loud was extremely high! It cracked me up, and the dynamics between Seokga and Kisa are delightful! Also with Somi! I loved it!
Overall, I absolutely flew through this one and can't wait to shove this series on all my friends!
Thank you to Netgalley and to Del Rey for an eARC of this one. All thoughts and opinions are my own. The God and the Gwisin is out now!
This is one of the best duologies that I've read recently! I wasn't sure where the story was going to go after the ending of the first one, but this completely surpassed all of my expectations! The banter? The yearning? The humor? The quiet healing? Just all top notch, and then to top it off we get to follow Seokga and Hani/Kisa on another murder mystery. An absolute delight from start to finish.
I LOVED the mystery in this one, and also the healing that happens between Seokga and Hwanin after Hwanin is brutally murdered and returns as a baby. Watching Seokga be reluctantly a caretaker was the sweetest thing. And I LOVED Kisa. She was a pure delight, and I felt very connected to her.
I think that there are some really very dark topics that are covered in this, so double check content warnings, but they felt to be addressed with care. I loved that this took the relationship that was so beautifully established in the first one and deepened it. The dynamic of Hani's reincarnation of Kisa also added some layers of complexity. Also, the number of times I laughed out loud was extremely high! It cracked me up, and the dynamics between Seokga and Kisa are delightful! Also with Somi! I loved it!
Overall, I absolutely flew through this one and can't wait to shove this series on all my friends!
Thank you to Netgalley and to Del Rey for an eARC of this one. All thoughts and opinions are my own. The God and the Gwisin is out now!
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I am so happy to report that this is ANOTHER banger from Ms Kim omg. Idk what about this series gets me so good but it really does read like a kdrama or an anime. I will continue to eat it up.
Same as last time, I am obsessed with Seokga and Kisa formerly known as Hani. I appreciate that even though Kisa is technically Hani reincarnated, she had her own personality and her own characterizations. The vague similarities are a fun call back but I like that it really did feel like a brand new character falling in love. Seokga is still just as fun as the last time so no notes there.
I enjoyed the mystery on the cruise ship lmao. I don't know. It's just so fun to me. It's dramatic and world ending enough to make you feel like the stakes are high, same as book 1, but also like, you know it'll end well. The mystery was pretty light and I did sort of guess the culprit about halfway in but none of that took away from my enjoyment.
Can't believe I want to use the word "sweet" to describe the romance but it was. It's not too too heavy on the romantic aspects but you can tell that they're in love with the flirting 😩 I ate it up.
Really, I hope this series or story goes on for maybe a book or 2 because I'm obsessed with these characters and want to see them solving more supernatural mysteries lol. This one ends in a good place but it's also so clearly leading to the next chapter which I am excited for. Make the cover green queen! Also can this please be made into a tv show? THANKS.
Same as last time, I am obsessed with Seokga and Kisa formerly known as Hani. I appreciate that even though Kisa is technically Hani reincarnated, she had her own personality and her own characterizations. The vague similarities are a fun call back but I like that it really did feel like a brand new character falling in love. Seokga is still just as fun as the last time so no notes there.
I enjoyed the mystery on the cruise ship lmao. I don't know. It's just so fun to me. It's dramatic and world ending enough to make you feel like the stakes are high, same as book 1, but also like, you know it'll end well. The mystery was pretty light and I did sort of guess the culprit about halfway in but none of that took away from my enjoyment.
Can't believe I want to use the word "sweet" to describe the romance but it was. It's not too too heavy on the romantic aspects but you can tell that they're in love with the flirting 😩 I ate it up.
Really, I hope this series or story goes on for maybe a book or 2 because I'm obsessed with these characters and want to see them solving more supernatural mysteries lol. This one ends in a good place but it's also so clearly leading to the next chapter which I am excited for. Make the cover green queen! Also can this please be made into a tv show? THANKS.
5 ⭐ 1.5 🌶️ 5 🎧
Ugh, this series had me in such a choke hold. I love the way Sophie wove this Korean folklore into this beautiful romance. I absolutely loved book one and wondered how book two was going to follow it up, but it was so much fun and just perfect. I mean, finding yourself on a cruise ship with your fated mate who remembers nothing about you, oh and also she's no longer living? Such a phenomenal premise.
Watching Kisa and Seokga find their way back to each other was nothing less than wonderful. Seokga's initial hesitation because she wasn't Hani was somewhat heartbreaking... But I really enjoyed the way he slowly realized that while she's different, he is perfect for him and there was a reason Fate brought them together this way.
The audio was perfect once again. With all of the Korean names it was harder for me to read this one with my eyes... I was happy I switched to listening, I was able to just enjoy the story without worrying about getting the pronunciation correct. And Rebecca Yao and Intae Kim were fantastic once again with telling this story. I loved this listen.
Thank you Del Rey for the advanced copy!
Ugh, this series had me in such a choke hold. I love the way Sophie wove this Korean folklore into this beautiful romance. I absolutely loved book one and wondered how book two was going to follow it up, but it was so much fun and just perfect. I mean, finding yourself on a cruise ship with your fated mate who remembers nothing about you, oh and also she's no longer living? Such a phenomenal premise.
Watching Kisa and Seokga find their way back to each other was nothing less than wonderful. Seokga's initial hesitation because she wasn't Hani was somewhat heartbreaking... But I really enjoyed the way he slowly realized that while she's different, he is perfect for him and there was a reason Fate brought them together this way.
The audio was perfect once again. With all of the Korean names it was harder for me to read this one with my eyes... I was happy I switched to listening, I was able to just enjoy the story without worrying about getting the pronunciation correct. And Rebecca Yao and Intae Kim were fantastic once again with telling this story. I loved this listen.
Thank you Del Rey for the advanced copy!
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Rating: 5⭐️/5
I’m obsessed with this series! The second novel in the Fate’s Thread series and I don’t know how this series doesn’t have more hype because it deserves it. Sekoga is the perfect MMC, emotionally complex and sweet yet tough and witty. Kisa is a great FMC as well, totally different from Hani in the first novel yet similar in a way that goes deeper than her wine brown eyes.
Even the side characters are unique and have their own character arcs. I loved the humor in this, so feel-good yet with the romance I needed and the k-drama, murder mystery vibe was soooo refreshing and perfectly done!
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I’m obsessed with this series! The second novel in the Fate’s Thread series and I don’t know how this series doesn’t have more hype because it deserves it. Sekoga is the perfect MMC, emotionally complex and sweet yet tough and witty. Kisa is a great FMC as well, totally different from Hani in the first novel yet similar in a way that goes deeper than her wine brown eyes.
Even the side characters are unique and have their own character arcs. I loved the humor in this, so feel-good yet with the romance I needed and the k-drama, murder mystery vibe was soooo refreshing and perfectly done!
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and DelRey for this ARC.
I unfortunately decided to DNF this book at 65%. It's not that I think it's a bad book, but it just didn't work for me.
SPOILERS FOR BOTH BOOKS IN THIS SERIES AHEAD!!
So in the first book, Seokga falls in love with Hani, who dies at the end. I really enjoyed the first book, and the dynamic between Seokga and Hani was so good. She was a fun, almost morally grey character, and their banter was top tier.
Now the thing is, because she dies, she's not in this book (obviously), and so instead Seokga is trying to find her reincarnation, who is Kisa, the polar opposite of Hani. She is law-abiding, a healer, and Seokga is constantly comparing her to Hani, which sparks a lot of jealousy between them, and that's just a trope I can't really get behind. Something about it made me really uncomfortable.
I think the idea of the story, them being tied together by fate and how they need to solve a murder together that will ultimately end with them splitting so Kisa can be reincarnated AGAIN (because yeah, she's dead) is really interesting and cute, but with Seokga constantly looking for Hani while finding a girl who isn't her, not even close, and trying to literally bring his dissapointment down makes it a hard read. Like nothing she ever does is good enough, because she isn't Hani. And I expect that by the end of this book he will be head over heels for Kisa instad, but that just undermines the whole first book and will make "the love of his life" so trivial.
So to sum it up. The premise is intreserting, but would've liked it better if we just had a different MMC who doesn't carry a bagage of a dead girlfriend and instead of comparing them can just appriciate the new girl for who she is.
I unfortunately decided to DNF this book at 65%. It's not that I think it's a bad book, but it just didn't work for me.
SPOILERS FOR BOTH BOOKS IN THIS SERIES AHEAD!!
So in the first book, Seokga falls in love with Hani, who dies at the end. I really enjoyed the first book, and the dynamic between Seokga and Hani was so good. She was a fun, almost morally grey character, and their banter was top tier.
Now the thing is, because she dies, she's not in this book (obviously), and so instead Seokga is trying to find her reincarnation, who is Kisa, the polar opposite of Hani. She is law-abiding, a healer, and Seokga is constantly comparing her to Hani, which sparks a lot of jealousy between them, and that's just a trope I can't really get behind. Something about it made me really uncomfortable.
I think the idea of the story, them being tied together by fate and how they need to solve a murder together that will ultimately end with them splitting so Kisa can be reincarnated AGAIN (because yeah, she's dead) is really interesting and cute, but with Seokga constantly looking for Hani while finding a girl who isn't her, not even close, and trying to literally bring his dissapointment down makes it a hard read. Like nothing she ever does is good enough, because she isn't Hani. And I expect that by the end of this book he will be head over heels for Kisa instad, but that just undermines the whole first book and will make "the love of his life" so trivial.
So to sum it up. The premise is intreserting, but would've liked it better if we just had a different MMC who doesn't carry a bagage of a dead girlfriend and instead of comparing them can just appriciate the new girl for who she is.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
This was so fun, humorous at times, but also sentimental. It had so many elements I like!
I really enjoyed the story and how it all came together. The fun tidbit at the end was the cherry on top.
I really enjoyed the story and how it all came together. The fun tidbit at the end was the cherry on top.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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