Fully immersive fantasy with some of the coolest mythology I've read. This is honestly one of my favorite fantasies of the year and I can't believe more people aren't completely obsessed with it. It has a lot of the characteristics of a romantic fantasy, but it also is so much more. It was dramatic and had a GORGEOUS romance that was just perfectly paced. All this with the backdrop of gods and ancient lore. I really couldn't ask for more from this book. I loved it so much and am so grateful to have had the opportunity to read it. I will definitely be rereading!

The God and the Gumiho, by Sophie Kim, is a captivating mixture of mythology, romance, and fantasy that throws readers into a modern reimagining of Korean folklore. Beliefs and desires are challenged throughout the story, while keeping the plot progressing in a nice manner. This book was very entertaining and I enjoyed reading it. Thank you for the opportunity!

This is so magical and fun, a cotton candy fluff of a book. The worldbuilding is perfect and immersive, and the romance at the center is so well developed and sweet. The characters are all fully realized and the thriller is a page turner. Amazing blend of fun tropes (one bed!) and elements unique to the main couple.

I really enjoyed this take on Korean folklore! It did take me a little bit to get into it, but once I was hooked, I was hooked.

I'm gonna say it—Korean mythology >> Christian mythology.

I loved this story. We have trickster gods, eternal wagers, an enemies-to-lovers romance, coffee shenanigans, and a detective and sidekick combo. Hani, the legendary nine-tailed gumiho known as the Scarlet Fox, is being hunted down after murdering a man and eating his liver. Seokga, a trickster god fallen from grace, is given a second-chance if he can track her down and kill her. Unfortunately, he doesn't know who or where she is. Using this to her advantage, Hani volunteers to be his sidekick as he investigates the mystery, staying close to him so she can misdirect him along the way.

I would recommend this book to anyone who:
✅Loves K-dramas and needs more of them in books
✅Wants a (true) hate-to-love, slow-burn romance
✅Enjoys books like <i>The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy</i>

Great story with a strong sense of atmosphere, excellent characters and banter and full emotional involvement.

I had a lot of fun with this book, and it was definitely unexpected. The urban fantasy-vibes full of Korean folklore was a good change of pace. There were some aspects of characters that didn't quite sit well with me, but over all, the story was a fun cat and mouse game.

Kim’s vivid prose brings the world of gods, spirits, and ancient lore to life, while the complex characters add depth and heart to the narrative. The romance is intense, the stakes are high, and the twists keep you hooked until the very end. Some readers might wish for a bit more clarity on the mythology, but the blend of myth and modernity makes this a captivating read for fans of richly imagined fantasy with a romantic core.

This book is a captivating and immersive read that hooks you from the first page. The writing is beautifully crafted, with vivid descriptions and strong character development that makes the story come alive. The plot is well-paced, balancing moments of tension with quieter, reflective scenes that allow the characters to grow. The themes explored are deep and thought-provoking, resonating long after the final page. Whether it's the emotional depth, the twists and turns of the plot, or the unforgettable characters, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys rich, engaging stories. Highly recommended for fans of fantasy.

"The God and the Gumiho" tells the story of Seokga, a trickster former god who has been punished for attempting to overthrow his brother, and Hani, a "reformed" gumiho. Fate brings them together in a fantasy world where they must collaborate to save humanity.

I really loved the premise of this book. The idea of a parallel world filled with mystical beings coexisting with humans—who are completely unaware of their presence—is fascinating. The trickster God, Seokga, has been cast out for his desire to rule everything, which reminded me of Loki. Now, he is a grumpy God in disguise living among humans. His punishment is to eliminate unruly creatures, and he is stuck in this role until he captures the designated number to regain his divinity. However, things took a turn when two dangerous creatures disrupted peace in South Korea. Seokga is given an opportunity to redeem himself. The twist comes when the dangerous creature that Seokga must hunt—the Scarlet Fox—becomes his newly assigned assistant.

I was truly consumed by this story, but I do have to admit that it has a very slow pace. It wasn't until about 70% of the way through that the action really picked up. Around the same time, the romance between the unruly Hani and the grumpy Seokga begins to blossom. I have to be honest; I started to lose interest in the book because I wasn't feeling the chemistry between the two characters. There's one scene in particular where they discuss their long lives and shared experiences, and it came off as a little too corny for my taste.
That being said, the ending really redeemed the story for me. I loved that it wasn't a typical perfect ending but rather one that left room for a new beginning. It felt like the perfect conclusion for the story of this unruly gumiho and the not-so-grumpy God.

Overall, The God and the Gumiho is an enjoyable read with an intriguing premise. While it may have some slower moments, especially early on, the unique world-building and the redemption-filled ending made it worth the read. If you enjoy stories with mythology, fantasy, and a touch of romance, this one is definitely worth checking out.

This was just ok for me. Admittedly it's my first sort of introduction to K-pop meets fantasy meets romance. Love the basis of a mystery plot. It took me a good Long while to get into this book.

I absolutely loved this book! The romance was simply sublime—the chemistry between the characters was electric and left me completely hooked from start to finish. I can’t remember the last time a romance felt so real and heartwarming, with just the right amount of tension to keep me eagerly turning the pages.

The writing itself was fantastic! It did take me a moment to adjust to the naming conventions, but once they were introduced, it was smooth sailing. In fact, the story flowed so well after that point, I couldn't put the book down. The pacing was spot on, and I found myself flying through chapters without even realizing it.

The mystery element was another highlight. It kept me on the edge of my seat, never quite knowing what would happen next, and it paired so beautifully with the romance. The balance between the two was perfect—neither overshadowed the other, and they both built toward an incredible payoff.

I’m already desperate for the next book—this series has me completely captivated, and I need to know what happens next immediately! Highly recommend this one to anyone who loves a gripping mystery with a heartfelt romance. You won’t regret it!

Thanks to NetGalley for an Arc of this book. It’s been a minute but I’m kicking myself for not reading this earlier

Thank you, Del Ray and NetGalley, for an eARC of this title.

I really enjoyed this book. I've read other books about gumiho and enjoyed them, so when I saw The God and the Gumiho by Sophie Kim, I was super interested in reading it. It didn't disappoint!

This was a romantasy/who-dun-it, and we're following a fallen god, Seokga, who has teamed up with Hani, the infamous Scarlet Fox to defeat a demon who is threatening to destroy the world.

I liked the characters, the plot, the mythology, and the adventure we go on with the two MCs. I can't wait for the next book. Check this one out!

The God and the Gumiho is well-written and fun - a unique blend of fantasy romance and Korean mythology that led to a satisfying, if not life-changing, read.

The Plot. The God and the Gumiho follows two individuals: Hani and Seokga. Hani, the morally gray Gumiho (nine-tailed fox) has killed thousands of humans throughout her 1,700 years of existence as the infamous Scarlet Fox. About a hundred years ago, she killed a few (about a hundred) too many humans and ended up too stuffed to eat anymore. So now she lives a quiet life working at a cafe for supernatural creatures. Seokga is a trickster god who staged a coup centuries ago that ended up with him being sent to the mortal realm, basically powerless, with the only hope of redemption (and regaining his powers) through killing 20,000 Unrulies (basically evil supernatural creatures). Seokga's brother, the king of all gods currently, strikes a deal with Seokga that if he kills the infamous Scarlet Fox (Hani) and a nightmare-wielding Unruly, he will be allowed to return to the God realm and gain back his powers. Hani hears of this, decides she doesn't want to die, and teams up with Seokga to ensure he never actually finds out who the Scarlet Fox is (her).

I came into The God and the Gumiho expecting one thing, and it wasn't quite that. I was expecting (and hoping for) a fantasy romance with a morally gray female character (which pulled through) and a mischievous, Peter Pan-esque male trickster god. The trickster god is where I was thrown off and, frankly, a bit disappointed. Seokga was actually quite a cold and grumpy character who sometimes liked to play pranks. This makes sense, since he is a fallen god, was thrown out of heaven, and has no powers. I would be grumpy, too. But it definitely wasn't what I expected, so for about the first half of the book, it took me a bit to get into. Seokga felt very similar to other cold/grumpy male characters in fantasy romance novels, which I'm honestly getting a bit tired of.

I enjoyed Hani, although you can't really analyze her character too much or it becomes a bit hard to be on her side (she killed thousands, doesn't regret it, and yet I still think she's cool?)

The plot itself was amusing but nothing too deep. It is a pretty basic who-dun-it plot involving a detective (Seokga) and his assistant (Hani), who are after a murderer.

That being said, I did enjoy The God and the Gumiho, especially towards the end. The ending was satisfying and felt unique compared to the majority of other fantasy romances. I have high hopes for the next novel in the series. I recommend this novel to fantasy romance readers, people interested in Korean mythology, and/or those who like Korean dramas.

Thank you, NetGalley, Sophie Kim, and Del Rey Publishing, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 4/5 stars.

It takes a bit for this story to get going, and the pacing can be uneven in places, but IT IS WORTH IT. I'm still reeling from the ending,and from the sheer emotional resonance of a perfectly crafted story arc coming to an....well, not an end (read and find out why!) but to an inevitable peace.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publishers for providing me with a digital copy of this book to review.

Although it took a few chapters to fully immerse myself, I ended up thoroughly enjoying this book and now find myself invested in the characters. The unexpected plot twist caught me completely off guard, which is always a win in my book! This was my first time reading Sophie Kim, and I was impressed with her descriptive writing style. The story was engaging, easy to read, and fast-paced, making it the perfect choice for a light palate cleanser. Highly recommended for anyone looking for an enjoyable, feel-good read.

The story centers on a modern woman who becomes entangled with a gumiho— a nine-tailed fox with a mysterious and complicated nature. Kim skillfully combines elements of fantasy with emotional depth, exploring themes of identity, love, and the clash between the human and the supernatural. The chemistry between the leads is both intense and tender, and the narrative's pacing keeps readers engaged throughout. With its rich cultural backdrop and enchanting storyline, The God and The Gumiho is a must-read for fans of mythological romance.

Gotta love K-dramas

Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4.5⭐
Diversity: East Asian/Korean

SUMMARY:
She's a nine-tailed fox who daydreams of the good ole days of seducing men and heating their hearts. Now she's stuck working a coffee shop and she hates coffee. He's a fallen trickster god (think Korean Loki) sullen and moody because he lost his powers after attempting his brother's thrown. These two are thrown together trying outsmart each other while capturing a revengeful demon. What could possibly go wrong?

WHAT I LIKED & DISLIKED ABOUT IT:
This book read like a funny rom-com K-drama and I'm surprised I ate it up. The witty banter and playfulness. The gods and goddesses of this storyline are reminiscent of the chaebol families of South Korea (think "China Rich" rich families). Even the paparazzi headlines were comical. I felt the pacing and story build-up were just perfect. The comedy balanced the darker themes in the book.

RECOMMENDATION:
If you love K-dramas, rom-coms, enjoyed Guardians of the Galaxy or Thor (the beautiful blend of humor and dark stories), or looking for a fun escape, this book is for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Tropes:
Hidden identity
K drama vibes
Forced prox
Slow burn
Enemies to lovers
Unruly demon creatures
Gods and fallen gods

This is my first Sophie Kim book and I enjoyed it. A mix of contemporary k drama and Korean ancient mythology. The banter was so fun, a little slow burn. Sometimes I felt like I could picture the scene happening.

I would highly recommend the audio for this. It was a fun listen.

This story I had a hard time getting into. I had a hard time following the plot. Though I really did like the characters the author created!