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teri_b's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
This book was a joy to read from beginning to end.
It is a perfect mix of police investigation and k-drama and delivered on all levels.
I kept guessing throughout the book as to who the villain was as there were quite a few twists and turns that changed perception, opportunity & outlook.
Loved the enemies to lover trope as well. It was very well done and it is sweet how the two eventually start to fall for each other and what mayhem this again creates.
Cannot wait for book two now, as the story is not yet over.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC I received in return of an honest review.
It is a perfect mix of police investigation and k-drama and delivered on all levels.
I kept guessing throughout the book as to who the villain was as there were quite a few twists and turns that changed perception, opportunity & outlook.
Loved the enemies to lover trope as well. It was very well done and it is sweet how the two eventually start to fall for each other and what mayhem this again creates.
Cannot wait for book two now, as the story is not yet over.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC I received in return of an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
tiffisabooknerd's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Murder
madscientistcat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.5
- Fun k-drama buddy demon-hunters adventure
- Mortal enemies (and not only because she makes him bad coffee on purpose)
- Mutual annoyance/idiots to lovers
- Only one bed
- Grumpy Fallen Trickster God x Sunshine Gumiho Serial Killer
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Gore and Sexual content
ceredonia's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Sexual content
nobosmomma's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Grief, Gaslighting, and War
ceruleanshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
an intriguing blend of korean mythology and kdrama! i wish i was more familiar with the latter bc i've seen other reviews mention a lot of references and nods to popular kdrama series, but unfortunately they'd all go over my head.
i always enjoy reading less-utilized mythology sources; i was constantly looking up different creature references. and the food 🤌🏼 any food descriptions or new foods are a plus for me in books. the early 90's setting was also quite fun and nostalgic - i almost keeled over at "expensive nokia 121" lol.
while the murder mystery could be gruesome at parts, it was nicely juxtaposed with the silliness of the kdrama-esque relationship dynamic between our fallen god seokga and the infamous gumiho hani. i do feel like it wasn't the most complex relationship i've read in a book, but it was fun. they did act a bit teenager-ish for a god and a mythological creature of hundreds/thousands of years of age, but i chalk it up to the modern inspirations.
i probably would've given this 3.5 stars, but i like the creativity of blending contemporary kdrama with ancient mythology.
not one of my fav reads this year, but i'm interested in seeing where book 2 goes with that ending 👀
i always enjoy reading less-utilized mythology sources; i was constantly looking up different creature references. and the food 🤌🏼 any food descriptions or new foods are a plus for me in books. the early 90's setting was also quite fun and nostalgic - i almost keeled over at "expensive nokia 121" lol.
while the murder mystery could be gruesome at parts, it was nicely juxtaposed with the silliness of the kdrama-esque relationship dynamic between our fallen god seokga and the infamous gumiho hani. i do feel like it wasn't the most complex relationship i've read in a book, but it was fun. they did act a bit teenager-ish for a god and a mythological creature of hundreds/thousands of years of age, but i chalk it up to the modern inspirations.
i probably would've given this 3.5 stars, but i like the creativity of blending contemporary kdrama with ancient mythology.
not one of my fav reads this year, but i'm interested in seeing where book 2 goes with that ending 👀
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore
Minor: Vomit, Alcohol, and War
notsobinaryart's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicide, and Sexual harassment
kaneebli's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Sexual violence and Torture
aprilyang1's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Blood
snowwhitehatesapples's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Also on Snow White Hates Apples.
Set during the early 90s in New Sinsi, a fictional city in the mortal realm where gods and mythological creatures roam among regular humans, The God and the Gumiho follows an unlikely duo as they work together to stop a demon of darkness from destroying the city and possibly the world.
One half of the duo is Seokga, a fallen trickster god who, after his failed coup, is now working as a detective as part of his sentence of having to slay 20,000 Unruly demons before he can reinstated as a proper god. He’s grumpy, prideful and certainly not the nicest to be around. But, does Hani care? Nope. As the gumiho known as the Scarlet Fox in her heyday, Hani’s not afraid of an ill-tempered fallen god. In fact, she’d fearlessly dish back what she gets, even when that lands her in hot water — and boy, it definitely does because right after getting on Seokga’s bad side, she has to worm her way into his good one so he won’t bring her and her friend to justice.
While this makes them sound like an ideal grumpy X sunshine / enemies-to-lovers duo, Seokga and Hani are, unfortunately, more annoying than I can withstand. For beings that are more than a thousand years old, they’re as mature as horny teenagers who’ve managed to find a spot and time away from adult supervision. It’s especially ridiculous how unprofessional both are when working. Like, arguing in front of the spirit of a murder victim? Making out and grinding at a stakeout? Peak bombastic side-eye, criminal offensive side-eye territory.
Also, since the main characters were just not it for me, I wasn’t a fan of the romance. The characters were too two-dimensional to bring their romance to life. Instead, they upped the cringe factor of tropes like ‘there’s only one bed’, ‘and they were roommates’ and ‘this is stupid and can come back to bite me in the ass but I’ll do it anyway’.
The aforementioned aside, I completely adore the mystery, the way the plot unfolded and the interwoven East Asian mythology. The detective plotline had me hooked in the beginning while everything that followed post-climax was *chef’s kiss*.
Set during the early 90s in New Sinsi, a fictional city in the mortal realm where gods and mythological creatures roam among regular humans, The God and the Gumiho follows an unlikely duo as they work together to stop a demon of darkness from destroying the city and possibly the world.
One half of the duo is Seokga, a fallen trickster god who, after his failed coup, is now working as a detective as part of his sentence of having to slay 20,000 Unruly demons before he can reinstated as a proper god. He’s grumpy, prideful and certainly not the nicest to be around. But, does Hani care? Nope. As the gumiho known as the Scarlet Fox in her heyday, Hani’s not afraid of an ill-tempered fallen god. In fact, she’d fearlessly dish back what she gets, even when that lands her in hot water — and boy, it definitely does because right after getting on Seokga’s bad side, she has to worm her way into his good one so he won’t bring her and her friend to justice.
While this makes them sound like an ideal grumpy X sunshine / enemies-to-lovers duo, Seokga and Hani are, unfortunately, more annoying than I can withstand. For beings that are more than a thousand years old, they’re as mature as horny teenagers who’ve managed to find a spot and time away from adult supervision. It’s especially ridiculous how unprofessional both are when working. Like, arguing in front of the spirit of a murder victim? Making out and grinding at a stakeout? Peak bombastic side-eye, criminal offensive side-eye territory.
Also, since the main characters were just not it for me, I wasn’t a fan of the romance. The characters were too two-dimensional to bring their romance to life. Instead, they upped the cringe factor of tropes like ‘there’s only one bed’, ‘and they were roommates’ and ‘this is stupid and can come back to bite me in the ass but I’ll do it anyway’.
The aforementioned aside, I completely adore the mystery, the way the plot unfolded and the interwoven East Asian mythology. The detective plotline had me hooked in the beginning while everything that followed post-climax was *chef’s kiss*.
Thank you so much Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this in exchange for an honest review! The God and the Gumiho by Sophie Kim is available at all good bookstores.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
Minor: Sexual content, Murder, and Sexual harassment