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A review by lockvii
The God and the Gwisin by Sophie Kim
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
"The God and the Gumiho" was a 5 star read for me and I'm so sad to rate the sequel at a 2.5
Seogka is missing all the qualities that made him an interesting character in the first book. And sure, I can blame it on "he's tired from following the red thread for 33 years" but com'on. We're told that Seogka has still been up to his trickster ways and causing (minor) mayhem but we are never actually able to experience that in the boom. We are constantly told things but never shown it happening.
Kisa is our new FMC and I'm sad to say that her character simply made me miss Hani. The first book was enjoyable because of Hani's well written character. We got to see and experience layers to her personality and watch as she realized her mistakes unfold. There is banter and tension between Hani and Seogka and their romance felt engaging. Kisa and Seogka on the other hand, have none of this. We are simply told that they are attracted to one another but I never once felt like they were. I can overlook Seogka being in insta-love because Kisa is Hani's reincarnation, but in Kisa's case she falls for Seogka because... convenience and he has a nice ass?
We are also constantly being reminded that Kisa is not Hani and we should love Kisa for Kisa - which is great and I'm all for this message. But thenthe dream sequence occurs and Hani is there literally telling us that Hani is Kisa and Kisa is Hani and they are the same person... So which is it?
The mystery plot was also quite lackluster and it was obvious who the culprit was. It took a long time to get to the finale of that plot thread though.
The only redeeming factor of the book felt like Somi's character, who got a redemption arc. I love that she was also grieving Hani in her own way.
Overall, I did not enjoy this sequel book. I think this is another case of "Let's consider the first book the only book" - which works well because The God and The Gumiho can definitely be read as a standalone.
Seogka is missing all the qualities that made him an interesting character in the first book. And sure, I can blame it on "he's tired from following the red thread for 33 years" but com'on. We're told that Seogka has still been up to his trickster ways and causing (minor) mayhem but we are never actually able to experience that in the boom. We are constantly told things but never shown it happening.
Kisa is our new FMC and I'm sad to say that her character simply made me miss Hani. The first book was enjoyable because of Hani's well written character. We got to see and experience layers to her personality and watch as she realized her mistakes unfold. There is banter and tension between Hani and Seogka and their romance felt engaging. Kisa and Seogka on the other hand, have none of this. We are simply told that they are attracted to one another but I never once felt like they were. I can overlook Seogka being in insta-love because Kisa is Hani's reincarnation, but in Kisa's case she falls for Seogka because... convenience and he has a nice ass?
We are also constantly being reminded that Kisa is not Hani and we should love Kisa for Kisa - which is great and I'm all for this message. But then
The mystery plot was also quite lackluster and it was obvious who the culprit was. It took a long time to get to the finale of that plot thread though.
The only redeeming factor of the book felt like Somi's character, who got a redemption arc. I love that she was also grieving Hani in her own way.
Overall, I did not enjoy this sequel book. I think this is another case of "Let's consider the first book the only book" - which works well because The God and The Gumiho can definitely be read as a standalone.