If Korean inspired fantasy involving fallen gods, some romance, detective kind plot interests you, this one is definitely going to be featured in your list by now. I only got introduced to nine tailed fox with this one but it is probably going to feature more from now. Seokga and Hani have a fun vibe with witty banter between them all the time. They are set out together on an investigation to find out who is killing the mortals but they are also with their own secrets and are working on redeeming. It was a light hearted fantasy with an element of suspense to keep us engaged.

~*ARC Reader*~

I honestly really loved this book! It was a really fun romance and detective story wrapped together. I'm not super familiar with Korean lore, but I think Sophie Kim did a very good job of incorporating descriptions of the terminology that didn't feel like they were only there to be definitions. They were naturally part of the flow of the story, not interrupting it. I also haven't personally seen very many stories focusing on a nine-tailed fox as the creature at the center of the story (outside of Naruto) so I was delighted at the novelty of it.

The only negative for me was in some of the descriptions. I thought some of the terms were confusing (wine-brown for Hani's eyes?) and others overused (the sunlight was described way too often for my liking, and with some kind of odd comparisons to the other yellow things). It did pull me out a little, but honestly it's easy to breeze over in favor of the great characters and story.

Speaking of characters, I though Hani and Seokga were both very well fleshed-out characters with great personal motivations. If you're a sucker for an enemies-to-lovers, you'll gobble this one up! I was gonna fault the book for the BBEG being too predictable but boy was I wrong! I loved the twist on the villian. (No spoilers!) I also really enjoyed Somi's character arc, without diving into deep - her struggle was emotional and really added good complexity to the story.

Overall a delightful story! Highly recommend giving this one a go once it hits shelves!

A Korean lore-inspired urban fantasy with romance, demons, fallen gods, and coffee? Say less.

Hani and Seokga make an unlikely pair - she’s an ancient being who has killed masses masquerading as a barista. He’s a fallen god, working to redeem himself back to paradise. They end up working together to solve the mystery of who is killing mortals and eating their livers… yes, that’s what I meant to say! But will Hani’s huge secret and Seokga’s tendency toward frustration (helloooooo handsome grump) impede their success or draw them closer?

I thought Sophie Kim did an incredible job with this! A believable Korean city in 1992, full of mythical creatures living every day lives alongside mortals, gruesome murders, unlikely friends, and a beautiful potential for another book!! I slogged a bit through the first third, because I could see where it was going and I just wanted it to GET THERE, but once it did, I absolutely enjoyed it. Can’t wait for the second book already!!

4.5 stars

The way I loved this book, dear God (or Seokga, y'kno whatever works).

The God and the Gumiho captures the essence of kdramas so well, I'd convinced myself that I was watching a show and almost told my partner how much I was looking forward to the next episode. Luckily I caught myself before hand, least he be convinced I stay up way too late reading.

Seokga and Hani's relationship is perfect. The banter, the teasing. Its light enemy to lovers at best so don't go in expecting knives at throat. Maybe just some overdosed coffee.

The way the story ends can easily be a standalone or a teaser for more. I would love to read more but also feel perfectly content if this is where Seokga and Hani's journey ends. I DO hope, however, that we'll be able to read more stories from this world that Sophie Kim has created.

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

So different and such a wildly creative read!

This book was such a pleasant surprise for me! I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy it, but wow, was that super enjoyable! The styling of this book wasn't what I usually go for, but I'm super glad I took a leap of faith.

The overall premise of this book was super unique, and I had a lot of fun being introduced to this world and the mythology within. I had never read a Korean-based mythology/fantasy read before so I found that to be something super fun to delve into. The duel POVs worked really well for the story that was being told. Both main characters were enjoyable to read, though I will say I think I enjoyed the MMC a little more than the FMC. This book had just the right amount of cozy too. The slow-burn!!!! Ugh, I was obsessed. The hating into realizing it wasn't hate anymore was so well done and wonderfully executed. I also liked the twists towards the end because they were different than what I typically see in fantasy books.

The only thing I wish this book had was a guide that gave some definitions for some of the lore used. I found myself googling a lot of the different creatures because I was so unfamiliar with the mythology used.

Overall, I really enjoyed this read, and I'm interested to see how this series will proceed. Definitely would recommend to anyone looking for the perfect fantasy book with a intense slow-burn romance and a beautiful and lush world.

Big thank you to NetGalley, Sophie Kim, and Del Rey for the opportunity to read this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 4.5/5

Ok so originally I wasn’t entirely sure if I would like this book. It’s nothing something I would typically pick up but I devoured it! I just loved Hani and Seogka. The banter and the drama was so good!

SOPHIE KIM PLEASE GIVE ME A SEQUEL??? OR EVEN JUST A LITTLE BIT MORE FROM THAT ENDING AHHHHHHHHHHH

This was such an incredible, well fleshed out story. Kim flawlessly blended fantasy and Korean folklore to create a captivating story with compelling characters, I literally could not put this down and stayed up until 3am to finish. I already want to go back and re-read it.
The story follows a fallen god turned detective, Seokga, and the infamous Scarlet Fox, a gumiho Hani who in self-defense kills again after hundreds of years. Hani after killing two humans brings the Scarlet Fox back in everyone's radar again and so in a quest to keep the trail off her goes undercover to work as Seokga's assistant. Seokga, in a quest to regain his god-hood, is banished to the mortal realm and tasked with returning twenty thousand unruly creatures before he can get his powers back but after 600 years is given an ultimatum; if he kills the Scarlet Fox and an eoduksini, a powerful demon who escaped the underworld and is currently killing both immortals and mortals within two weeks he will be reinstated as a god immediately.
Hani and Seokga team up to bring this demon down and along the way fall in love. When they finally kissed and sparks flew I was up kicking my feet and screaming (silently). From the very beginning before we even see Hani and Seokga interact I was already invested. The mystery of the demon's true identity was also engaging to read. I initially guessed correctly but when another character started behaving suspiciously I also fell for it. And along with our two main characters I also found myself caring about the side characters as well.
BUT THE ENDING?????????????? A RED STRING OF FATE??? UMM SOPHIE I STILL HAVE TRAUMA FROM THE DRAMA MOON LOVERS (SCARLET HEART RYEO) WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO MMEEEEEEEE. Starting a petition or something idk but I need to know if they're ok and living happily in the end.

<i>Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the arc. ♡ </i>

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first Sophie Kim book, and first introduction to the world of Korean fantasy/K Drama. I will not hesitate on any of Kim's books!

It took a few chapters to get into; mostly because I spent a large amount of time learning pronunciations and English translations (first real introductionto Korean mythology). After finally getting a comfortable pace going, I absolutely fell in love with Seokga and Hani. I would love to have this turn into a series!

The writing is fast paced and descriptive. After reading heavy horror/thrillers, this was the most perfect amount of romance and suspense to keep me both interested and feeding the thriller junkie in me.

Learning about Korean mythology was an absolute plus. I cannot recommend this book enough!

Sophie Kim skillfully combines fantasy and Korean mythology with a murder mystery in an exciting, well-paced plot. I appreciated the world-building and character development, particularly following the romance between Seokga and Hani. Their dialogues and flirty, sharp-witted banter were fun to read, and I enjoyed getting to know two multifaceted protagonists — strong-willed and fighting together to save a city, yet deeply flawed and with morally ambiguous pasts.

Thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey Books, and Sophie Kim for this e-ARC! I highly recommend you read The God and the Gumiho once it is released on June 4th!

Seogka and Hani are complex characters, and Kim is a master at getting the reader to root for these anti-heroes. Their initial spats and barbs thrown at each other are irresistibly exciting, and the growing sexual tension is both intimate and passionate. Love this book!

My rating for the book is: 3.75 stars

In The God and the Gumiho, Seokga is a god banished from the heavens due to a failed coup. His task is to kill 20,000 "unrulies" (monsters) before he is able to ascend once more. With the sudden re-emergence of the Scarlet Fox (a very powerful gumiho), his bargain is altered to killing the Scarlet Fox and another dangerous force before he can go back home. Unfortunately, Hani (the infamous Scarlet Fox) decides to get involved in the investigation and lead him on a wild goose chase to protect herself. So, the god and the gumiho become unlikely allies (kinda) in this Korean urban fantasy.

I truly enjoyed this book! The world was immersive and I immediately was invested. I liked learning about all the different creatures of folklore and how they adapted to the 20th century. I also really loved the banter between Seokga and Hani --- their conversations were like ping-pong matches and I always wanted to see who got the point this time. Their mutual dislike for one another made me giggle.

One thing I did have a hard time with was the setting of the 1990's. I kept forgetting the time period until there would be a reference to VHS tapes or a specific type of phone, and then I would have to refigure what I was imagining.

Overall, it was a great read! I did not see any of the plot twists coming and I thoroughly enjoyed the character development of the two main characters. Thank you to Del Rey Books and Sophie Kim for this e-arc! Check this book out when it releases on June 4th!

4.5 stars! I love a fantasy that is also a murder mystery, so this was right up my alley. Throw in some mythology as well and I was hooked. I enjoyed that the characters were morally gray and I liked their romance. Sometimes it was hard to distinguish between what was part of the mortal world and what was part of the immortal world because it was all so intertwined. The writing overall was engaging and fast paced. The plot was paced well, though I figured out who the enemy was before it was revealed. The ending was heartbreaking and has me ready to read the next one though!

"In this sly and dazzling contemporary fantasy, the most notorious nine-tailed fox in Korea pairs up with a trickster god-turned-detective to track down a wrathful demon...before it can destroy the mortal world.

Kim Hani has retired from a life of devouring souls. She is, simply put, too full. Once known as the infamous Scarlet Fox, she now spends her days working in a coffee shop and annoying a particularly irritating, if unfairly handsome, trickster god as often as she can.

That god is Seokga the Fallen. Exiled from the heavenly kingdom of Okhwang, he now begrudgingly resides in the mortal realm, working toward his redemption and suffering through his interactions with the particularly infuriating, if sneakily charming, gumiho barista at his favorite café.

But when a powerful demon escapes from the underworld and threatens to end all of humanity, Okhwang's emperor offers Seokga an enticing bargain: Kill this rogue creature, as well as the legendary and elusive Scarlet Fox, and he will be reinstated as a god. Hani, however, has no intention of being caught. Seokga might be a trickster god, but she has a trick of her own that he'll never see coming: teaming up. As Seokga's assistant, Hani will undermine and sabotage his investigation right under his overly pointy nose. Sure, she'll help him kill the demon, but she certainly won't allow him to uncover her secret identity while they're at it.

As the bickering partners track their case down a path of mayhem and violence, the god and the gumiho find themselves inescapably drawn to each other. But will the unlikely couple stand together to prevent the apocalypse, or will they let their secrets tear them - and the world - apart?"

I am here for any gumiho story ever. But a gumibo gumshoe? Oh hell yes!

The God & the Gumiho is a beautiful story about self-growth, sacrifice and love. The story has you on the edge of your seat rooting for the characters the entire time. I cannot wait to read a sequel one day!

3.5 stars. As a girl who loves Korean mythology, this was a fun light read! Even though it's a romance, I was still invested in the mystery plot of it all. I would definitely read the next book if this becomes a series.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Del Rey for approving my request for the e-arc of The God and the Gumiho! It took me a minute to really get into this book but once I was in, I was IN! The main characters are both narcissists who are continually vexed with each other, which doesn’t necessarily make them immediately likeable but does lend itself to really fun banter and hijinks! The romance was slow to build but very believable, Hani and Seokga really do belong together.

The God and the Gumiho is a contemporary fantasy based on Korean folklore. The story follows Seokga, the fallen trickster god working as a detective, and Hani, the gumiho that the world knows only as the infamous Scarlet Fox.

Hani has remained in hiding by avoiding killing for over a century. She threatens her anonymity when she kills two men who assault her, and she joins the police force as Seokga's assistant in order to throw him off of her trail.

The story that follows is part buddy comedy, part hate to love romance. Hani and Seokga are both tricksters by nature, and they constantly banter with each other. Hani is the eternal sunshine that balances Seokga's grumpy hautiness, and romance blooms between them even though Hani is deceiving Seokga and stands directly in the way of his ability to achieve his goals.

As an ADHD reader, I found the first half of the book challenging to stay engaged with. The story develops slowly, and doesn't really pick up pace until the halfway point.

The world building is well done and the writing is strong. I highlyly recommend for fans of contemporary fantasy and Korean inspired fantasy.

Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for providing a digital ARC for me to review.

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

The God and the Gumiho is a quick, fun read wherein Kim Hani is living post-retirement (from eating souls as the infamous Scarlet Fox) life as a disgruntled barista and Seokga the Fallen has been exiled from the heavenly realm of Okhwang for centuries, forced to capture unruly creatures in the name of redemption.

I’m pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this. I started this not knowing what to expect, but I appreciated that it didn’t take itself too seriously while still hitting the expected plot beats. I don’t think this is a particularly complex book, and I generally understood where it was heading early on. Still, it has a sillier quality to it like you might find in a K-drama or fanfiction with the humor tag. There are definitely parts that read like what you’d expect from fanfiction, but I don’t really think this is a negative so much as a contribution to the overall vibe.

Kim does a good job at writing something that is extremely readable and fast paced, though I think it does end up suffering sounding truly “adult” insofar as the level of complexity of the story and the exact balance of silly and serious. I really liked the characters, too, and thought that Kim portrays them very well. They’re fun and endearing and I liked spending time with them. I liked the infusion of Korean mythology. There were times where this was maybe a little clunky or overly predictable, but that didn’t detract from my personal enjoyment. I’m pretty sure this is going to be a series, but this does work as a standalone, especially if you enjoy an open-ended ending.

Overall, I had fun with this and enjoyed the overall level of silliness and the hijinks that Kim puts her characters through, and while the plot is a little simple I was still engrossed. I don’t think this will work if you want a more serious read, but I had a blast.

What to Expect
- South Korean 1990’s atmosphere
- Unique world building
- Both main characters are morally grey. Love a morally grey FMC!
- Murder mystery
- Witty banter
- I really, really don’t like you to lovers

Sophie Kim’s The God and the Gumiho throws you into a world of gumihos, dokkaebi, and all kinds of Korean mythological creatures. Hani is the infamous Scarlet Fox who’s killed 500 bad dudes, including Jack the Ripper. She’s morally grey, sly, a bad-ass, and also in hiding as all her killing put her on the wrong side of the law. Seokga is a fallen trickster god, banished to the mortal realm for attempting a coup against his brother, and is working on redemption by banishing unruly creatures. A murder mystery brings the unlikely two together as they try to track down an unruly demon hell-bent on ending humanity.

I really enjoyed Hani’s character. She’s complex, witty, clever, as well as both fiercely self-preserving and yet can be incredibly self-sacrificing. At the start of the book, Seokga came across as entitled and calloused, however, I enjoyed watching Hani’s influence his character to soften over time. The book started out a bit slow, but it picked up, and I read the last 30ish% in one sitting. I enjoyed the twist at the end, and I will definitely be reading the sequel to see how the story continues. I am also fascinated by gumihos, and I will absolutely be looking for more books or tv shows / movies with more of them!

Thank you to Sophie Kim, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and to NetGalley for providing an ebook in exchange for an honest review.