I really enjoyed the second book of the Fate's Thread series. It begins 30 years after the first book and Seokga is looking for his reincarnated love Hani. He tries to find her through their fated red thread, but cannot. His brother and therapist convince him to take a cruise down the river of the dead when he finally finds Hani/Kisa working on the ship. Their first interaction is awkward and then they find Seokga's brother dead. Can they work together to find the killer?

Things I loved:
- I love a good redemption story and while some are worthy of redemption others are not.
- The mystery behind the murder is wonderful, I kept turning the pages to get more clues.
- Seokga and Kisa getting to know each other again. His pining over her.
- Nam Somi and Hajun.
- The mythological creatures and gods.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“Oh, Seokga thinks, he could fall in love with her forever, in all her forms” and you know what so could I!

After reading the God and Gumiho, my heart was left in pieces. I fell head over heels for Hani and Seokga, and the realisation that Hani wasn’t coming back for the sequel made me nervous going into this next instalment.
I can honestly say I loved this book. The way the end of the first book left me only helped to enhance the way this second book made me feel.
It was funny and light while still packing so much emotion in. I really enjoy how Kim balances humour, complicated emotion and a truly gruesome murder mystery so well, and I really like her writing style overall and the way Korean folklore is portrayed.

Seokga finally finds his soulmate again after tirelessly hunting down the other end of the red string tying him to her, only for her to have no clue who he is. As promised, she has Hani’s wine-brown eyes, but at first, it seems that’s all the two women have in common. Don’t get me wrong, Yoo Kisa is intelligent, caring and witty. But she’s not impulsive, she’s methodical and shy with a mess of curls and she doesn’t care about how she dresses.
I loved getting to know her and sympathising with how Seokga fell in love with Kisa as her own person slowly. This book navigated their feelings for one another really well and using their thread as an interesting way to let us in on them. I was kicking my feet reading their relationship grow into something truly special.

While having some familiar characters and getting to dive deeper into them, there were also some new ones too. More involvement from side characters was something I wished for in the first book so it was nice to see it in this one.
The group is forced to solve a devilish murder together, and the situations they repeatedly get themselves into make for a wonderful read. The mystery kept me gripped and although I had my suspicions as to who the murderer was, the journey to finding out for sure was a lot of fun.

I loved watching Seokga open himself up again to being loved and loving not only Kisa, but his brother as well. This book felt like a healing balm or cozying up with a mug of coffee. I cannot wait for the next installment!

Thank you Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for the eARC!

every time i read a Sophie Kim i scream into the abyss about how life's so unfair because Sophie is a gem and she's so infuriatingly underrated. This book all you would've wished for and even more.

full rtc

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange fro an honest review.

This sequel to The God and the Gumiho, The God the Gwisin, picks up where the first book left off. Hani has been sent for reincarnation and Seokga, now a god again, is doing everything in his power to find his soulmate. Eventually reunited, with Hani now Kisa having no memory of Seokga, must work together to solve the murder of his brother aboard the underworld's luxury cruise ship. This sequel includes some new and old characters, where we get to find out what happened to them between the events of the last book and now some 30 years later.

I really enjoyed this sequel and wish there was more as Kisa and Seokga are such an enjoyable pair to follow. The added fun of the red string of fate, with a personaility of its own was a fun addition. Although a big part of the book, finding the murderer had its own twists, but seeing the relationship develop again between Kisa and Seokga was the most enjoyable part for me!

Again this kind of reminds me of the kdrama Alchemy of Souls just with how the characters went through similar situations, just as they were able to get together to lose each other at the end then have a second chance.

“Oh, Seokga thinks, he could fall in love with her forever, in all her forms”.

First of all, I am ever so grateful for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication. I absolutely adored The God and the Gumiho and was so excited to continue on the adventure with the sequel.

Book one set us up to know roughly how this book was going to start, so I knew it was going to have some relatively heart wrenching moments to brace for, but it still definitely got me in the feels pretty regularly. All I wanted was for Seokga to have his happy ending.

From the very beginning I loved Kisa’s character, she was a truly lovely character to read and was so cleverly written. Kisa is both headstrong and intelligent in a way that completely separated her from Hani.

Even during the ongoing mystery solving, we get to learn a little more about Seokga’s backstory and his relationship with his parents, which I loved, as it truly helped to piece him together a little more. I really enjoy reading about all the pranks that he pulls on the other gods, but constantly wish there were some of these in the present story. Though I get the feeling any sequels may be following other characters, maybe we can see this when he’s a little happier in the later book(s) if this series continues.

It was nice to see a return of a certain character and how they evolved from where we last saw them in book one. I was dying to know what had happened to them and wasn’t disappointed.

The wrap up of the whodunnit and overall story was perfect, highlighting tons of little tidbits and hints along the way that tied it all together so nicely.

Kim’s ability to write a naturally funny story is truly brilliant and easily one of my top reasons why I will honestly devour anything she writes in the future. She could even find a way to make a piece of string funny and witty and I loved every word of it.

Thanks to NetGalley & Random House Publishing for the arc!

**3.5 stars!** I enjoyed the first installment and though it was a sad ending, I thought it was a good one. Imagine my surprise when I saw there was a sequel!

WARNING! There will be spoilers in this review for “The God & the Gumiho” so if you haven’t yet, please read the first before this one.

33 years following the events that led to the tragic death of gumiho, Hani, AKA Seokga’s lost love, we follow Seokga’s journey in finding Hani’s reincarnated form. As Seokga follows the twisted red thread of fate to his soulmate, he finds himself on a luxury cruise ship that harbors over the river of the dead. It is on the ship where he stumbles upon the end of the thread to not Hani but Yoo Kisa. A gwisin who has no recollection of who Seokga is. Along with Seokga now having to navigate the rocky waters that is his lovelife, there is now a murder scene that takes place on the cruise ship. Together, they work to find the murderer while fighting their undeniable attraction-disguised-as-intrigue.

Like the first book, this was such a breezy, feel-good read. I love that the author uses the red string theory because I am a hopeless romantic who loves the idea of finding your soulmate. Though there is a murder mystery in the story, it did feel more of an afterthought which made the reveal fairly predictable. But of course, it makes the romance the center of the story and I loved it.

There were times where I thought the story did drag which made the story progression slower than I would have liked. But the writing made up for the pacing because it adds such an easy-going humor that made me smile as I read more. I did miss Hani from the first book but we are introduced to new characters that we wouldn’t have met had it not been for Hani. Not to mention, the new side to Seokga we see because of her absence. But I still miss her!

A solid book and a great sequel to the first.

After the absolute romp that was book 1, this one was a let down. It’s very much a ne thing, I think I just wasn’t very much in the mood after Sunrise on the Reaping, but it didn’t hit as much as the first one. I missed the humor that I loved in it and because of the absence of one of the characters I thought was the most entertaining, it didn’t have that fun chemistry anymore either. I think any book coming after the banger that was the new Hunger Games was bound to be disappointing in my eyes.

I didn't think this book was going to make me so emotional, I adored the first one but I think this one surpassed it. You can feel the longing and yearning Seokga has been through trying to find Hani and after finally finding her he has to come to terms with the fact that even though there are similarities she is no longer the same mischievous gumiho. He is definitely my favorite character, kinda grumpy and rude to others but deep down funny, loyal and sweet to those he cares about. Kisa shares some traits with Hani but at the same time they are opposites, Kisa is more book smart and practical and analytical but I really liked her character. The story is funny and emotional and it also touches on some heavier themes like self doubt, grief, s*icide, depression that might seem heavy but is what helps understand this characters and what drives them. If you like the style of K-Dramas with a touch of murder mystery I highly recommend to pick this series up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group Del Rey for this ARC, all opinions are my own.

I loved this book- the character development in Seokga was just perfect and his relationship with his brother was just the cutest!!

If you liked The God and the Gumiho then you’ll love this!

First and foremost, I’d like to thank the publisher and author for allowing me to read the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely loved both the God and the Guminho and the God and the Gwisin. The god of trickery has earned a special place in my heart along with his love of iced coffee and (surprisingly) trashy romance novels.


“Sexy” Seokga has been restored to his God status after the events of The God and the Guminho. He’s back in the god realm but he’s a shell of the man (God) he used to be. You see, he lost his beloved Hani thanks to the evil eudoksini who is now resting not so comfortably in the seven hells. 33 years have passed and Seokga is searching tirelessly for the reincarnated Hani he has been promised.. So hard in fact that usu bother, emperor of the Gods Hwanin demands he takes a vacation. It’s been 7 years since the red-thread of fate has attached Seokga to his soulmate and he still hasn’t found her. When he arrives on the SRC Flatliner, the god of the underworld’s luxury vacation ship, he discovers Yoo Kisa former shaman now Gwisin. Not only is she his fated soulmate, but she is indeed Hani reincarnated. But when chaos ensues on the vacation cruise they set off on, Seokga and his “threaded” are forced to work together with some unlikely friends to save the realm. Can they save everyone? Will they fall in love?

Sophie Kim has quickly become one of my favorite authors. I will continue to read her books because they are so well-written, well-developed, and have characters that make me laugh, cry, scream, and feel all the emotions. There were several times I was literally laughing out loud while reading this book. This is the second series of Kim’s that I have finished (have you read the Talon’s series? No? Go do that right now). Kim’s romance and spice is done in such a classy, perfect way that I wasn’t immediately cringed out. I cannot reiterate enough how great of a writer she is.

I HIGHLY recommend snagging this book when it’s released, seriously RUN don’t walk. But be sure to read The God and the Guminho first.

What does a fallen mischief god reinstated to godhood, his reincarnated soulmate, his emperor brother turned into a baby, a murderous gumiho, and a deceased K-pop star have in common? A murder none of them ever expected to be involved in solving all while on board a cruise ship in the afterlife. The God and the Gwisin initiates a sequel to The God and the Gumiho, where the murders are unsolved and a grumpy trickster god is once again struck down with unwanted emotions. Second in Fates Thread, this series embeds Korean Mythology with reincarnated lovers, godly threats, and an overly abundant amount of yearning. This sequel reorients our characters in the 21st century with new, modern problems, and some that time cannot constrain—like the inescapable longing for a love lost. Two soulmates battle feelings while on a cruise ship in the underworld, romancing in between a murder investigation and a looming journey's end, where one faces down imminent reincarnation. Sophie Kim certainly understands how to situate a unique set of circumstances, which could just as easily be disharmonious if not for her deft balance of humor, romance, and angst. The God and the Gwisin extends the Fates Thread series in an epic star-crossed love story not to be constrained by reincarnation nor hell itself.

The God and the Gwisin is at its heart a story about belonging and forgiveness. With such humor and skill, Sophie Kim integrates her Fates Thread series into a new decade and a fresh hell— literally, a luxury cruise in the afterlife. Bonds are tested, and Kim shows the true power in choosing our destiny as Seokga and Kisa choose each other despite what fate and the higher powers have determined to be their end. Seokga and Kisa find an unconventional happy ending, which is all I could really hope for when I first began reading this novel, but it nevertheless brought on all the emotions by the end. Fates Thread is contemporary fantasy at its best, with distinct characters that manage to find their footing no matter the setting or the decade, and ones that charm no matter their place within the narrative. The God and the Gwisin tests the transcendent nature of love in an adventurous fantasy sequel all about being seen and loved for who we are. It will be long before I forget this phenomenal sequel from Sophie Kim but I find I am more than content with that.

This was such a treat to read! The God and Gwisin picks up around 26 years after the first book (The God and the Gumiho) ends and we see Seokga searching for his reincarnated love Hani.. who isn't Hani in this life, but Yoo Kisa. 

When they find themselves on a cruise, Kisa has already died, and Seokga is on a much needed vacation. Shortly into the trip while managing all their confusing feelings, Seokga's brother, the heavenly emperor, ends up murdered and it is up to Seokga, Hani and a mixture of old and new friends to solve the mystery before the cruise ends.  

They way this book had me turning pages. It was everything I wanted in a duology. There was pinning, build up, and new memories and feelings created. I loved the exploration of Theseus' ship as a concept that Kisa struggles with. I loved watching Kisa come into her own and Seokga showed up with all his grumpy, trickster god snark. 

This was a blast to read and I absolutely recommend it. It left me feeling so rewarded and I was so excited to root for these characters. It's such a satisfying conclusion! Thank you to the publisher for providing an advanced readers copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.75 rounded up to 5 stars

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Del Ray for this eARC!!

“She’s his love and stranger all at once”

I was so excited to read this after receiving the arc! I couldn’t wait to jump into it after the ending of The God and the Gumiho.
First of all, I was not prepared for Kisa to really be different from Hani, just like Seokga. She loves coffee!! That made me realize that though they share the same soul, they are two different people (with maybe a few of the same quirks) and to be honest that did break my heart.
The red string though! I love how that was brought into the story to help them find each other, especially for Seokga, who was ordering hot chocolate and wondering what Hani would name the penguins 🥹 he waited so long to find her. And the fact that where he found her was on the Flatliner :(. It was a journey of wondering if they would get their happy ending, with all these challenges in the way, and being detectives once again.
As for being detectives once again, I love Hwanin as a baby Seokga was so protective over him! He really does love fully. The fact that one single person was behind Somi’s Kisa’s and Hwanin’s death was crazy! I did suspect her for Hwanin’s death of course, but Somi and Kisa!?! Crazy.
Loved the humor throughout the book, and loved Somi’s return and Hajun. What I would give to read a story like ‘The Idol and the Gumiho’.
I do feel the way Kisa got off the Flatliner was bittersweet more than anything, but happy that she and Seokga can remain together. But the ending! Really want to know what Seokga’s mom is like!!
5/5 stars ! Love this book!!

Have I ever met a Sophie Kim book I didn't love???

I loved God and the Gumiho and I was eagerly waiting for this book and it did not disappoint! I think Sophie took such a smart direction with the character dynamics this book and it really felt like it almost wouldn't work but IT DID. I thought the writing choices were so so smart and really opened up this duology to be loved by so many people!

I was nervous going into this book because sequels sometimes don’t hit as hard as the first book. But I loveddd them both. Once again, a quick and fun read—maybe a little mystery, but enjoyable nonetheless.

Yoo Kisa was so so real. She was intelligent, witty, and (rightfully so) nervous about Seokga. I loved her hyperfixation on acquiring knowledge—it’s almost like we could see the gears turning in her head. Her and Hani are like Yin and Yang—two sides of the same coin. I love seeing how different Kisa was, despite having some integrated similarities. Seokga became so much more dynamic this novel which I loved. Exploring his bond with his brother, father, and therapist was just so (chef’s kiss).
I actually enjoyed the development of Kisa and Seokga. We watched Seokga begin to value Kisa as an individual person instead of Hani. The lack of insta love was also gratifying. We saw Seokga get to *know* Kisa, even though he knew she was his soulmate.

Can we also talk about the other characters! Loved seeing Kisa’s friends in this novel—the first novel didn’t have as many characters. I lowkey loved all of them! I mean Somi and Hajun?? Unexpectedly loved them so so much. Especially Hajun. Everyone needs a Hajun.

My biggest gripe was that this book was much more predictable than the first novel. Maybe it’s the nature of the setting—a boat has only but so many people. Seokga also felt a lot less director-y than the first novel. To me, the antagonist was pretty obvious. However, I wasn’t disappointed. I still loved the novel.
Definitely definitely definitely worth a read.

* I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely amazing and equally as good as book 1. The God and the Gwisin captured the same kdrama-like essence as The God and the Gumiho did. There is so much emotion packed into this beautiful book. There is drama, comedy and suspense. The God and the Gwisin would make a phenomenal anime too, it has such an amazing on screen kinda feel to it.

We meet some familiar characters as well as some new ones too. I felt like this book was a lot about Seogka's backstory and learning why being able to love and trust someone has been so difficult for him. Kisa is very different to Hani, she is shy and reserved and her character development really did shine in this book. I felt so emotional seeing how far they came in the end.

The murder mystery aspect of this book had me hooked! I really wanted to know who it was and follow the clues myself. One thing Sophie Kim does really well is the plot twists. I never expected the ending and the revelations that occurred.

Overall it was an absolutely amazing read!

Hold on because this is a complicated emotional roller coaster. 

This alternative Modern-Day Korea has the flare that only a Korean Drama can possess—with Korean gods, mythical creatures, and legends made real. This second installment launches with us rooting for our duo of fated souls to find each other, only to be pulled along a series of strange events. 

Seokga waits for his red thread to find his reincarnated soul mate. Waiting and miserable, he finds himself sailing on an underworld cruise line manned by the dead (ghosts in limbo to be reincarnated). Against all odds, our duo found each other, but there’s a mix of happiness and mourning (for the loss and memory of their past, yet the joy and potential now). This emotional juxtaposition could be complex for a reader to untangle. 

With some effort, I endured and liked the new reincarnated version of Hani (now Yoo Kisa), but her personality was more of a 4/5 instead of a 5/5. Having both a past and current life is an interesting idea to reflect on and accept, which required me to compromise and switch personalities for the heroine.  

Insert a murder mystery, and the story quickly becomes rich and entertaining. So much happens in the story (which I won’t divulge). It is definitely a solid read, and I highly recommend it to clean fantasy fans.

This is an honest review sponsored through NetGalley.

THANK HWANIN'S TITS, THE SECOND BOOK LIVED UP TO THE STANDARD SET BY THE FIRST!

Sophie Kim can do no wrong—this book was fabulous. Her writing is both beautiful and magical, and this series needs to be on the TBR of every fantasy romance lover.

*The God and the Gumiho spoilers ahead*
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NGL, I was devastated when I realised Hani was dead dead. I didn’t think I could love another relationship as much as theirs. But I was proven wrong.

I enjoyed exploring Seokga's trauma through therapy and the complex emotions that come along with having your Soulmate not know the difference between you and a bag of Kopiko. It gave us the most delicious yearning and slow-burn romance between him and Kisa.

I loved that the side characters weren't thrown in to fill space—they had depth, purpose, and emotional weight and their stories were just as compelling and their personalities full of life.

I cannot wait to add this book to my collection when it’s released.

Thank you to NetGalley and 'Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore' for my eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I LOVE THIS SERIES SO MUCH. The writing style, characters, and worldbuilding are just too fun. I’m mad at myself for waiting so long to finally pick up The God and the Gumiho but I immediately fell in love and this sequel was just as good! I cried multiple times seeing Seokga and Kisa grow closer and grapple with their history and current circumstances. I really loved the use of the Ship of Theseus idea and how it was woven into the story!

These characters are a delight. Both Seokga and Kisa are funny, awkward, and smitten. I especially LOVED seeing Kisa and Somi rebuild their friendship. Plus, loved the addition of new characters like Yeomra and Hajun. The murder mystery plot was entertaining and kept me guessing til the end! I loved how everything came together in the final chapters. Will sincerely be hoping for more in this world and will immediately be diving into Sophie Kim’s YA series that I’ve had on my TBR for ages!

If I was allowed half stars this would be a solid 4.5. It was just as funny and sweet as the first book in the series, and the characters were just as loveable. I love the way Korean mythology is portrayed in these books. The author clearly knows the stories and creatures well enough to take artistic liberties that make it feel modern and interesting. My only complaint is that the ending was a tiny bit anticlimactic for my taste, but I will can’t wait for the next one!