Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

2.5 stars rounded up because I could tell this would be extremely engaging for me at 15, but not me at 25.

Godly Heathens is the kind of book that I really appreciate from the standpoint of being a former teenager, especially a teenager who was queer and a little bit weird and edgy. Gem is selfish and makes a lot of poor choices, but while it was frustrating for me to read as an adult, I could definitely empathize as someone who has been sixteen before. While there were a lot of reveals I saw a mile away or found just a little too obvious, I think Edgmon captures the teenage psyche really well, and as a young adult novel, I think it will resonate well with its audience. This would be especially compelling for a teen who wants something darker or more horror adjacent from their fiction, or for a queer teen who wants something clearly written with them in mind. I think Edgmon did a good job with writing queer kids with a whole host of problems, from very real ones like unsupportive parents and very fantastical ones like being a reincarnated god.

There’s some plot points here that didn’t work for me, though I suspect that they will be answered in the sequel to this—for example, there is a scene with Gem and another character that is important to them that feels like it gets abandoned with no resolution. By the end of the novel, while it’s not really brought up again at all, the way the book is going it certainly feels like it will be addressed at some point, but while reading I just sort of felt like “why is this happening right now?” There were some other aspects that took me out of the story personally. This is, in part, because the story clearly takes place in the present day. I was not at any point expecting to see an Ouran High School Host Club or Ashnikko reference, and it did take me out of the story, but I feel like this reaction will vary by reader.

Godly Heathens is a fast read, but I did find that the plot meandered a little bit and it almost went too fast for me towards the end. The characters Edgmon has written definitely feel tangible, though they’re all quite dramatic and though they are ancient reincarnated gods, they absolutely read like teenagers. I think it’s impressive just how teenager-y they feel, and I appreciated the strength of Gem’s voice and sense of self. I do think it was sometimes difficult to see Gem’s side of things even though it was in their perspective, because the way the conflict is set up makes all but one of the antagonists very, very sympathetic (and also, Gem is not the most reliable narrator, but I felt this sometimes backfired from its original intent). This is obviously a villain story, but sometimes I felt like this steered out of morally gray and into “do you actually not realize why everyone is mad at you?” in a way that was less fun for me.

Ultimately, there were parts I liked a lot and parts I didn’t like very much at all, and what it boils down to is that this is probably the right book at the wrong time—if I had gotten this into my hands a decade ago (or, I guess, if I was ten years younger) I would’ve eaten this up and it would’ve done something to my brain chemistry and what I expect out of reading. Unfortunately I’ve personally outgrown what this book is doing, but while adult me didn’t love it all that much, I’m still aware that teen me would have. I definitely think that there is a target audience for this, and that target audience will love it.

The premise of this book sounds interesting, but I’m a good chunk of the way in and it’s just not grabbing me. The main character is annoying me so much; in the first couple chapters alone they’ve already called themselves hot so many times it’s making me roll my eyes. I understand being confident but this is just too much. However, there were some really funny quotes that I found myself chuckling at. I may come back to this someday but right now it just isn’t holding my attention. I definitely feel like the writing style is more suited for younger teens.

DNF (for now). Will hopefully come back and try again at another time. I really wanted to enjoy this but I struggled to get into it.

I freaking love this book. I know, I know, I’m supposed to start this review with a couple lines of synopsis of the story to hook you or let you know what I am talking about…but seriously, I freaking love this book. Have I mentioned that yet? (chuckle)

There’s a thin line between dreams and reality for Gem. When their wet dream reaches out and claws them into a nightmarescape, they realize that they may not be what they think they are nor is the world around them.

Once again, I didn’t read the blurb or pay attention to the author when I asked to review the book. We all know that I am a cover ‘ho and this cover sold me. How beautiful is Gem? The pain, isolation, cruelty, and absolute still beauty is all displayed there. I just kept coming back to the book when I usually don’t pick a cover based on my perception of a “male” cover. Fabio never did it for me (chuckle) - no shade on Fabio, just a male cover has never really rung my bell (chuckle). I wish the designer had

It wasn’t until I read the last page that I went to see who the author was because I was simply blown away and voila it’s my crush H.E. Edgmon. Seriously, I can be clueless sometimes (chuckle). Obviously I don’t stalk Edgmon like I do Arizona Tape or Eule Grey or I would have known about this book, just in case a long-time reader is scratching their head and knows that I stalk my crushes (chuckle).

Edgmon creates a dark and twisty world for us to explore in Godly Heathens. There is lots of drama, steam, angst, and sarcastic moments for us to get lost in. The secondary cast is top-notch with diversity, dramatic entrances, great battle scenes, and one-liners you want to remember. Everything about this story is entrancing.

Godly Heathens is an excellent portrayal of ghosting intersectionality. As you can read by the content warning, this story confronts the scars that are left from the violence we live through. Edgmon beautifully interweaves historical scars that are imposed generation after generation in this contemporary fantasy. I kept nodding my head and saying, “yes, yes, truth be told here in the lives on these pages.”

When readers talk about going back and reading a book for the first time all over again, this one is it for me. I have never said this before so this is huge. I’m a fan of Edgmon due to the “Witch King” series, but the “Outboros”...damn they may make the list for must read of all time. You have to read this if you love fantasy. Hands down, best book.

“She loves me, but only if I'll pretend. She loves me, but only if I'll break my bones to twist myself into the version of me she wants?”


TRIGGER WARNINGS: Graphic gore, body horror, abuse, transphobia (Look up a whole list before reading)


I know I start all my reviews with ‘Wow’. But like WOW. This book was amazing and heartbreaking, from the representation to the writing style to the plot that you literally cannot predict.
All the representation was so great to see. Mental health awareness, LGTBQ+ rep, and Indigenous characters. Representation is so important and Edgmon did a wonderful job at blending that with the plot of the book. I love a cozy realistic book where the main character discovers their identity and how they fit into their own life.
This is NOT that type of book.
I loved how the characters gender identity was written into the story, not just a part of it or even the focus of it. I love how the author seamlessly blends fiction and representation. The author makes this diversity feel so natural in this story and IT IS A NATURAL THING IN REAL LIFE. Edgmon did a wonderful job at handling hard topics about what some LGTBQ+ kids/teens go through.
I want to keep talking about this book forever. However, I do want to emphasize CHECKING THE TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE YOU START READING. I did check the trigger warnings and the first chapter still caught me by surprise.
I could write an essay about the amazing writing in this book, but I’m trying to keep it short for you review readers. I’m barely scratching the surface describing this book. It’s a wonderful, heartbreaking blend of fantasy and real life issues. I’m begging for you all to check it out!

Many of my young adult patrons are looking for queer horror, but are interested only in books where that horror is being faced by young adult characters. While perhaps not the best place to start in the genre, Godly Heathens is a great fit for readers who have already explored Rory Powers, Andrew Joseph White, and Anna-Marie McLemore.

DNF

I couldn’t stand the main character or the writing. Actually, I don’t think the main character was that bad, I just think the writing made them extremely irritating to the point where I couldn’t take it anymore.

Withheld my review on goodreads and StoryGraph in compliance with the SMP boycott that began after I received an arc of this book. I purchased a copy and ended up reading it. I enjoyed this book, which is why it’s such a shame that I cannot properly review it. Get it together SMP so readers and authors don’t have to continue the boycott.

Well, I thought this would be my jam, but the stunning cover is the best thing about this book for me. I’m 70% done and I honestly don’t care what else happens. If you like dark romance and want it in your YA, this might be for you. Maybe.

I really wanted to like this book but I just couldn’t connect with the characters. Everything else I loved about it though.

Couldn’t get into this book, I liked the authors pervious book and I will likely give this another try at a later date but for now I’m going to DNF this one.

DNF

A YA contemporary fantasy is not something that I usually pick up, however, this book has so much representation in it that I had to pick it up and give it a try. Unfortunately, the writing wasn't for me and the tone of it was very different from what I was expecting. I'm glad this book exists and I hope other people can enjoy it more than I did.

I absolutely love this book! It was just beautifully written. The characters were compelling. The narrative drew me in. I love the world so much, and I can't wait to get my hands on book two!

I didn't love it. I didn't hate it either. It was just ok. I felt like a lot of information was presented and it moved a little too quickly to fully digest everything that was happening.

I will be withholding my official review until y'all meet the terms and conditions of the SMP boycott.

I will post my full review of Godly Heathens by H.E. Edgmon on my socials once the SMP boycott has been resolved.

2.5 rounded up to 3 stars.

I really liked the concept of Godly Heathens, but unfortunately I feel like the pacing and the execution was a bit clunky. There are a lot of characters (both their present versions and their godly versions) to keep track of which gets overly complicated at times. I'm glad I didn't DNF it, but I'm not sure this is one my teen patrons will stick with.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review.

I just couldn’t get into this one, which is think is more about me as a mood reader than the book itself. I definitely think there’s an audience for it, it just wasn’t me at this particular time

The concept and plot are interesting and not like anything I have read before. Saying that, this is really written for older teens and pretty much just that age group based on the inner thoughts and actions of the MC and the pantheon around them. Representation and discussion of mental struggles and familial chaos are explored carefully and

I can see this appealing to teen readers that enjoy fantasy, that want to see inclusive characters, and interested in the idea of mythologies and what someone would do to remain themselves and keep what they hold dear no matter how vast that definition may be.

I had such a fantastic time reading this book! I really enjoyed his other duology, and this one sounded really fantastic, and oh, it was! I loved this world and these characters, they were so vivid and original, and I had such a great time reading this book!

One thing that I'm pretty sure at this point is a staple of H.E. Edgmon's writing is the representation, both of LGBT+ and of indigenous people, which I'm glad to see, and is just so well done. Plus they have the great writing ability to make you care for these characters!

This world was just so interesting to read! With the gods and the reincarnations, yeah, it was pretty interesting, and added a layer to these characters and their pasts that, like Gem, they might not know it at first, and that means some threats are unknown, which I loved, and that Gem is kinda a villain which was really interesting!

I felt for Gem, between their past love and their current love, and grappling with this world and who they used to be and what they used to do. They weren't perfect and they messed up, but I really enjoyed their story, and I'm so excited to read the sequel!

This was a fantastic read and I can't wait to continue the series!