A review by gperna01
The God and the Gwisin by Sophie Kim

5.0

I cannot tell you how much I love this little duology. Sophie Kim is brilliant, and she never fails to make me laugh and cry and rage all in one book sometimes all in one page. I am unsure how to do this second installment justice and not spoil literally everything in it. But I felt that it all came full circle not just for Seokga but also for the whole pantheon and Kisa/Hani. We meet new characters, and we forgive and spend time with old friends. This ship in the underworld is for many dead the last journey before they are reincarnated and for Seokga, this journey is similar. He had to confront a lot about himself and who he used to be and who he wants to be. Falling in love changed him for the better and finding Kisa gave him back the spark of wanting to continue down the path of change not just for love but for himself. Kim is very clever in her writing, showing the torture of the underworld is that everyone is forced to work in a corporate setting until they get through the never-ending queue to reincarnate. This was an interesting take on the current society we live in, and I found it very funny. I loved baby Hwanin and his new relationship with Seokga. Watching Seokga attempt to care for a baby was amazing and hilarious but watching his love for his brother grow was so sentimental as he was taking care of him because that was what was best not because he could get something out of it. This turn of his character was pivotal. So much happens in the short five days they are on this boat, and it is hard to put into words how amazing this book was, but it was truly like watching a TV show in my head. I would read anything Sophie Kim writes, and I will cherish this duology forever and I still think about The God and the Gumiho on a daily. 

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.