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A review by sarahesmaewolfe
Godly Heathens by H.E. Edgmon
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
"Life is full of little surprises. Some days, you find out you're a reincarnated god embroiled in an ancient war that's maybe your fault. Others, you walk into homeroom at seven thirty in the morning and find the girl who tried to kill you flirting with your favorite football player."
Like Percy Jackson for the new generation! This book singlehandedly restored my faith in Young Adult fiction. Reading it gave me that same feeling as the YA books I read that got me back into reading in my early 20s. I think this book can appeal to both teens and adults since the characters are technically ageless gods trapped in the bodies of teenagers. It's an action packed adventure for all ages, loveable and flawed characters, and parts that had me laughing and crying. Highly entertaining with some shocking twists! We follow Gem, a non-binary teen just trying to figure out life when they're sudden thrust into a world where gods exist -- and they are one reincarnated. And many lives ago, they made many enemies who are out for vengeance, and Gem must stop them if they ever want to get out the small town of Gracie, Georgia alive.
My only criticism is that, based on the title, I assumed they reincarnated as Norse gods but they are not, the pantheon is completely made up. So as long as you are not going into it expecting to learn about mythology like in the Percy Jackson books, it's quite enjoyable. There could've been an interesting discussion about race, with our main character being indigenous American and being reincarnated from a colonizing race. It is touched on a little bit without a lot of background so that was missed potential. The focus is more on gender and sexuality, which is an important topic for young people today. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and will recommend it to the teens (and some of the adults) in my life. Also, the dog survives. Thank you to Wednesday Books for sending me and Advance Readers Edition in exchange for my honest review. I look forward to book two after that cliffhanger ending!
Like Percy Jackson for the new generation! This book singlehandedly restored my faith in Young Adult fiction. Reading it gave me that same feeling as the YA books I read that got me back into reading in my early 20s. I think this book can appeal to both teens and adults since the characters are technically ageless gods trapped in the bodies of teenagers. It's an action packed adventure for all ages, loveable and flawed characters, and parts that had me laughing and crying. Highly entertaining with some shocking twists! We follow Gem, a non-binary teen just trying to figure out life when they're sudden thrust into a world where gods exist -- and they are one reincarnated. And many lives ago, they made many enemies who are out for vengeance, and Gem must stop them if they ever want to get out the small town of Gracie, Georgia alive.
My only criticism is that, based on the title, I assumed they reincarnated as Norse gods but they are not, the pantheon is completely made up. So as long as you are not going into it expecting to learn about mythology like in the Percy Jackson books, it's quite enjoyable. There could've been an interesting discussion about race, with our main character being indigenous American and being reincarnated from a colonizing race. It is touched on a little bit without a lot of background so that was missed potential. The focus is more on gender and sexuality, which is an important topic for young people today. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and will recommend it to the teens (and some of the adults) in my life. Also, the dog survives. Thank you to Wednesday Books for sending me and Advance Readers Edition in exchange for my honest review. I look forward to book two after that cliffhanger ending!