Omg

- Korean mythology inspired
- romance
- murder
- mythical creatures
- comedy
- M/F romance
- Dual POV

This book was so good, I loved the banter between the main characters.

The romance was so cute and natural in this I loved it. And the secret identity was a fun play.

The magic and lore of this is clearly inspired by Korean folklore while adding changes that create a whole new world, with a wonderful magic and structure to the world.

Honestly go read this book it's so good I can't wait for the next one!

Thanks Hodder & Stoughton for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Sophie Kim's "The God and the Gumiho" was so amazing that I had to have the FairyLoot special edition right away for my book collection! 🌟 I was blown away by this book—Seokga and Hani are so amazing! *Chef's kiss* is the hyper gumiho dynamic and cranky god, and the romance? Perfect without a doubt. This is *the* book you need in your life if you enjoy fantasy with a twist, Korean mythology, and clichés of hatred to love. Without a doubt, one of my best readings of the year!

Five stars and some extra! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you’ve watched Tale of the Nine-Tailed then this is the book for you, like the k-drama vibes are immaculate with this one and honestly? It lowkey kind of reminded me of Cafe Minamdang a little bit as well!

The writing style for this one makes it so easy to sit and binge read and I LOVED the 90’s setting, like the nostalgia was real and I think it really worked with the mystery! I also adored all of the supernatural creatures and the Korean mythology, it was honestly my favourite part alongside the mystery! Like there were so many great twists to it, and while I knew the ending was coming…it still had me screaming! I’m so curious to see how book two will play out!

I did, however, kind of wish for a little more depth with this one, specifically with the world building, and I’m kind of hoping we might get more of that next book. My only other gripe was Hani, to be honest! She’s supposed to be a fearsome gumiho, feared for centuries after her reign of terror and yet she came across more as spiteful and petty, than anything else. Childish too, which kind of made it hard to buy the fact that she’s been around for such a long time.

Seokga, however? He and his coffee addiction get me, and I really liked his character! Granted, I kind of forgot a few times that he’s also supposed to be a God and he too was prone to immaturity, but he seemed a little more akin to what I was expecting of a God! Despite my love-hate relationship with Hani, I did actually enjoy the romance even if it did feel a little rushed in places!

I’ll be honest, it isn’t the strongest enemies to lovers given that the reason for the enmity is kind of weak (like I get being irked your coffee was made wrong but…really?) BUT the banter and tension were on point and both of them grew a little towards the end! Which was suitably angsty, and I’m still holding out hope for a HEA in book 2!

Honestly, this one was kind of hard for me to rate because I loved the Korean mythology, the vibes and the mystery, but there were a few cheesy cliches here and there which isn’t always a bad thing!! But combined with my niggles, specifically Hani’s childishness, it kind of lent a juvenile air to the book that lessened my enjoyment of this just a smidge.

That being said, I’m not actually sure if this is a YA book. I didn’t think it was and it doesn’t bother me if it is, but either way it certainly reads like one!

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.

A pleasant surprise, I've had a bit of a disaster in reading asian fantasy of late, with either cliché after cliché or overly complex world building and was worried this book too might have these foibles. Thankfully not the case and I greatly enjoyed the book and dynamic between the two main characters the grumpy fallen god and more than slightly sarcastic fox demon forced together to solve mysteries and subsequently falling in love with each other despite the fact that the dynamic duo clearly find the other annoying at the start of the novel. Can't wait for Book 2....


Thank you for the ARC Netgalley & Hodderscape, it brightened up my spring reads.

This was a dnf from me. I tried to read it but everytime I did I was literally struggling to stay awake and focused. Had to ditch for my sanity

A dazzling contemporary fantasy filled with Korean mythology, this book is such a fun time.
When a fallen God and a Gumiho team up to track down and exterminate a demon hell bent on destruction there was always going to be drama, especially when Kim Hani is the notorious Scarlet Fox known for being a killer and eating men's livers.
Hani may have retired from her soul snatching ways, but that doesn't stop her from irritating the annoyingly handsome fallen God. She works as a barista in a cute little coffee shop and takes great pleasure in tormenting him.

Seokga the fallen has been exiled from his heavenly kingdom and has found himself on the mortal realm working towards his redemption and the return to his status as a God in his rightful place back on Okhwang.
After making a deal with his brother to kill both the demon that is wreaking havoc and the infamous Scarlet Fox, he has his work cut out, least of all because Hani has no intention of being caught.

With hilarious banter, enemies to lovers, and a high stake plot, I really enjoyed The God And The Gumiho. It did take me a little while to get into it, but after about 25% of the way through the e-book, I became fully invested. Hani is hilarious! Her quick one-liners and the way she continually winds Seokga up made me laugh out loud on numerous occasions. The writing style is easy to read, and whilst the first half of the book is slower, this didn't ruin anything for me.
I believe this is only the first book in the series, so I can't wait to see what happens next. Korean mythology has always been fascinating to me, so I loved the opportunity to learn more.
If you love fantasy and you love romance, I would definitely recommend this one. It's original and quirky, and like I said, just a really fun time.

The book was quite engaging and enjoyable. I particularly appreciated the portrayal of Korean culture and the rich cultural beliefs and myths from Asian countries. It's truly fascinating to delve into the vivid and colorful myths of different cultures.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of "The God and the Gumiho".
It's a story set in Korea in 1992. Hani is a shapeshifting, coffee-making, soul-devouring and grumpy gumiho. Seogka is a once-fallen, banished, coffee-loving and grumpy god who's now working as a detective. They start to work together in order to save the world from its downfall. And they definitely can't stand each other. Because they have completely different goals. Seogka wants to regain his status as a god and Hani definitely wants to keep her past secret. But this might be a little bit more difficult than she imagined.
The story is well-crafted and a pure delight. You can't put the book down.

I loved this book! I initially requested it since a few friends had recommended it and I wasn’t disappointed!
It has everything a good fantasy needs; a compelling worldbuilding and interesting, multifaceted characters. I’m very excited to read more from this author soon!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a free earc, all opinions are my own!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book.

I'm not overly familiar with the mythology used within this world, but it was so great to delve into it for this tale. Learning more about the Gumiho and seeing how it's woven through the story, it just gave the whole thing a fresh and interesting twist for myself. I also loved Hani as a character and hers were my favourite chapters, and when I'm reading an enemies to lovers, I much prefer it from the female point of view (and this book proved to be no exception).

A fun read for lovers of romantasy.

You know when you start a book and right away you get the feeling that you're not going to like it? That's what happened with this one and it was a bummer because I loved the cover and I loved the description.

Sadly, I disliked the writing style and tone immediately, but I kept going. Then, when we're introduced to characters who are immortal and hundreds of years old, but they act like teenagers, I knew this book just wasn't for me.

They're given these rich stories as backgrounds; one is the god of trickery and the other is a being that eats men's livers, but the way they speak and act doesn't match that at all because the author, for some reason, made them sound like modern-day teenagers. The "banter" was weak as well and, overall, I just didn't care for this at all.

It felt like the author had good ideas but kinda ruined them in trying to get the story to fit popular tropes. In my opinion, of course. I see a lot of people loving this and that's great, I wanted to be in that group.

This urban fantasy novel is a mix of Korean mythology, romance and mystery.
This book is pitched as Adul but very much reads YA, our main character; these supernatural beings, supposedly hundreds of years old, act like moody teenagers. Despite my issues with the character, I did enjoy the setting and atmosphere of the story. It evoked strong vibes of popular K-dramas.

Neutral Rating.

Unfortunately this book did not work for me, but I know it will work for others. So many of my friends enjoyed this ARC and I am honestly jealous I wasn't able to click with it in the same way.

I love the premise. The setting is original and fresh and the fantasy-murder mystery space needs more love. The humour was cute and playful and something I enjoy seeking out in my adult fantasy as I gravitate further from the YA demographic. I also really appreciated the use of mythology and folkloric elements here, and the way they were woven in to every day life in the city.

I think the characterisation and the tone of the writing just didn't hit the note I was personally looking for. Both Hani and Seokga feel like teenagers, and not just in their mannerisms but in their critical thinking skills and their emotional maturity. I love a bit of petty playfulness, the jaded immortal god who has lived so long he's reverted back to a state of adolescence, etc etc. But these two just feel like they don't have any of the personal history we are told they have accumulated in their many centuries of living. They feel inexperienced at life. And it threw me off over and over in a way that prevented me from becoming engaged and seeing them as real people rather than conceptual ones.

The tone of the writing also didn't land for me. I love playful humour but this book swings wildly between moments of light hearted fun and serious topics such as SA and physical violence, misogyny and female oppression. One moment Hani is bantering with her friend, the next she is trying to make a serious comment on the safety of women walking home alone at night. These ARE important topics, but they felt shoehorned in, wedged into gaps that didn't suit them, approached without nuance and care. The writing also felt very YA in this regard. I would personally place this title closer to a YA target audience than an adult one, not just for lack of mature content but for the maturity of the language and the tone of the writing. Both of these issues, though, are ones that probably shouldn't be taken too seriously with an adult debut, and I am hopeful Kim will grow into her adult writing with future instalments.

Having said all that, this world has a lot to offer. And I have seen so many people enjoying their time in it, if you think you could overlook these issues with the execution I would highly recommend giving this series a try.

This was the perfect slow burn K-drama esque novel.

Hani is a Gumiho who has been hiding since killing and eating livers has been made illegal, esepcially after her last killing spree which shored up her stores to sustain her for over a century. Seokga is a grumpy trickster God who has been cast out of heaven due to his attempt to overthrow his brother's rule. He loves coffee and Hani loves to annoy him when he comes in to get his caffeine fix.

Their banter is hilarious especially as Hani tries to protect her friend Somi from being arrested. I loved seeing Seokga and Hani falling for each other, but I especially enjoyed Seokga softening as he spends more time with Hani and he wonders if he wants to leave her to go back to heaven. The way that they put each others needs first is beautiful and tear-jerking.

Pick this up for a slow burn Korean novel with vividly painted imagery.

Thank the gods there will be another book about these characters. I didn’t really expect to love this book as much as I did, but it blew my mind away. If you’re a fan of fantasy K-dramas, this is the book for you. Looking back on it, it gave me the same feelings that Alchemy of Souls did, and considering that’s my favorite K-drama ever, that’s saying something.
The mythology was fascinating and I really appreciated the way the author incorporated both mythological creatures and their descriptions in English for those of us who don’t know all of them. The plot was amazing, the characters funny, endearing and still managed to come off as murderous, which I adored. The romance was the kind of slow-burn that didn’t drag too long and was satisfyingly because of the way that they don’t fight their feelings.
The writing is so visual I could just see the scenes playing out in my head as if I was watching this book rather than reading it. It gave me all the feels and I was thoroughly engrossed in my reading.
Although I guess it could be read as a standalone, you'll be wanting to read the sequel for sure, and I, for one, am dying to read the next book!

I love k-dramas and, therefore, I love this book. It has sass, bit of a slow burn and all the k-drama tropes I love!

Kim Hani, a gumiho who is overfull from devouring souls as the Scarlet Fox she once was, now works at the Creature Cafe and loves to annoy a certain irritating trickster god. That god is Seogka who has fallen. He now works as a detective who goes after unruly creatures. A dangerous demon, a threat to the city and probably the whole of the mortal plane, escapes the underworld and Seofka is given the chance to be reinstated as a god. All he has to do is catch the demon and the elusive Scarlet Fox. Then unbeknownst to him, the fox is right under his nose as Hani becomes his assistant...

Taking Korean mythology and giving it a delightful spin, the author weaves her own fantastical tapestry and draws you in, from the captivating first pages, and doesn't let go. The worldbuilding is exceptional, evocative almost sensual, the plethora of details so beautifully intrinsic to letting you touch this world. Info is conveyed in a conversational, friendly manner and I never tire of learning about these creatures, gods, the different realms.

Wit and a sarcastic flair walk hand in hand in the narrative while you enjoy the excellent humor threading through. Seogka is grumpy, so handsome and he knows it, oozing arrogance, while the sly, very clever Hani is more sunshine and sass. And she doesn't take shit from anyone. You will adore the inevitable butting of heads. Despite their distaste for each other they begrudgingly work well together. And it sure is entertaining. The internal battle of growing feelings for each other and the positive development of their personalities are depicted wonderfully. You will chuckle and outright laugh. A lot.

This is not just a fun premise (even though enemies to lovers is one of my faves) there is meat to the story. The POVs are all-encompassing, guiding you so well in knowing everything that is happening around them, that you often forget whose POV it is supposed to be. But you recognize each protagonist's individuality and acknowledge their journey. Intelligent storytelling gifts us with vibrant, exciting scenes, breath-stealing anticipation and delicious unpredictability.

This is a story about redemption. About acceptance and opening yourself to caring for others. It's a mystery, a hunt, a race against time, a heart-seizing romance brimming with captivating fantasy. You will absolutely fall in love with this book as I did.

THIS WAS SO MUCH FUN. I'm fully admitting that I'm reviewing this right now based on my level of enjoyment because while there may be some flaws that I can recognize or remember, I also did have a really great time reading this. The God and the Gumiho reads like a fantasy k-drama for me and although I haven't really watched any in that category, it was easy to imagine it up in my head. I loved the setting and loved seeing how these myths are blended into the mortal world. Most importantly, I loved Hani, Seokga and their banters. Without the banters, I don't think I would've enjoyed this that much. The romance was just okay to me (again it was the banter that I truly enjoyed, and while I think the romance was cute, I think it could've been better developed). There were also some parts where I felt like it was clunky and I also thought some of the dialogs are a bit over the top, but again I did imagine this as an actual K-drama and I felt like they weren't really out of place for that.

Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for approving me of an arc!

(this is directed to the author but miss Sophie Kim, are you an ARMY because that Jungkook mention in the ending....)

First of all, a huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ebook in exchange for an honest review.

The God and the Gumiho is the first instalment in the Fate's Thread series in which we follow Hani, the famous Scarlet Fox, and Seokga, a fallen God, as they work together in order to solve an investigation and stop a demon that could endanger the world, if not captured.

Can we just take two seconds to admire the cover of this book? Kuri Huang did an amazing job. I am in love, and this is one of the reasons why I decided to request this book on NetGalley, along with the synopsis and the fact that this book is a Korean fantasy.
And it did not disappoint. I used to be a huge fan of k-dramas, and this contains all the things I loved about them: a grumpy fallen God, a sunshine gumiho (nine-tailed fox), adorable sidekicks, and a plot to die for. It is really interesting with a good amount of suspense, and a little bit of spice.
Imagine if Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, Suspicious Partner and My Roommate is a Gumiho had a baby? It would be this book.
Do you need more elements for me to convince you to read this book? There is magic. A brilliant worldbuilding which is not too complex. The one-bed trope. Forced proximity. Enemies to lovers. Romance. Mystery. Korean mythology.

I cannot recommend this book enough, and I can't wait to read the sequel!