This was a 5 star prediction for me, and I can say hand on heart this did not disappoint. Learning how Seokga dealt and suffered after losing Hani absolutely broke my heart - especially how he was depicted in the fist book. The character growth with him into this book was incredible. He was still the cynical, people hating God he always was, but with a little bit more patience - especially when it came to Kisa (our fmc). I loved the yearning, the interactions between the 2 of them, especially when it came to his brother. I'm also so happy with the side characters in this book as well, they were truly brilliant, and really added to the whole journey. Did i cry? yes. Will i read this again before release? also yes. i cannot get enough of these books and this author in general.

Seokga, the trickster god, is in therapy after losing the love of his life and after the red thread of fate connects him to his soul mate he finds himself on a luxury cruise down the river of the dead. The thread connects him to Kisa, who doesn't remember him or her past life, but they have to work together to solve a murder!
This book is unputdownable.. I still can't believe i got this ARC, and I am forever grateful to Del Rey for not making me wait until June to see what happens next for Seokga! It's an emotional roller coaster that'll have you crying on one page and giggling the next. I loved every second of it!

Sophie Kim has done it again. "The God and the Gwisin" is a masterful blend of romance, mythology, and mystery, set against the hauntingly atmospheric backdrop of an underworld cruise. Picking up after "The God and the Gumiho", this book follows Seokga’s relentless search for his reincarnated love—only to find a woman who doesn’t remember him at all.

Kisa is such a refreshing protagonist. Unlike Hani, she’s more pragmatic, more guarded, and yet deeply compelling in her own right. Her exhaustion with the afterlife feels so real, and her interactions with Seokga are filled with both tension and longing. Their dynamic is an absolute highlight—Seokga, desperate to reconnect, and Kisa, wary of a past she doesn’t remember.

The murder mystery aboard the SRC Flatliner adds an intriguing layer to the story. While it might not be the most complex whodunit, it serves as a strong narrative vehicle for character development. The pacing does slow in places, but Kim’s writing remains so engaging that it hardly matters. And the side characters? Fantastic. Hajun’s arc was unexpectedly poignant, and Baby Hwanin? I would die for him.

Most impressively, Kim manages to balance humor with some incredibly heavy themes, particularly around fate, grief, and identity. The ending left me with so many feelings—equal parts satisfied and desperate for more. If you loved "The God and the Gumiho", this is an absolute must-read.

Few authors can weave together humor, heartbreak, and mythology as seamlessly as Sophie Kim. The God and the Gwisin is a breathtaking sequel that takes everything we loved about The God and the Gumiho and elevates it to new heights. This time, we follow Seokga as he embarks on a journey to find his lost love—only to be met with the unexpected.

Kisa is a fascinating character. She’s not just Hani reborn—she’s her own person, with her own fears, ambitions, and desires. Watching her navigate the afterlife while being tethered to a fate she doesn’t remember is both heartbreaking and compelling. And Seokga? His growth from the trickster god we first met to someone capable of true vulnerability is nothing short of remarkable.

The setting of the underworld cruise ship is a stroke of genius. The claustrophobic yet luxurious environment enhances the tension, and the murder mystery adds a gripping layer to the story. While the mystery itself isn’t overly complex, the emotional stakes are what truly matter. Every revelation, every interaction between the characters, adds depth to the world Kim has built.

This book also delves into deeper themes—what it means to love, to lose, and to hope. And yet, it never loses its charm. There are laugh-out-loud moments, heart-wrenching twists, and an ending that left me in awe. If you’re a fan of beautifully written fantasy with rich characters and a compelling romance, this book is for you.

ABSOLUTELY PERFECT 🥹😭🤩!!

ALL THE STARS...ALL THE FREAKIN STARSSSSSS!!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Just had to write that first and foremost but also the A HUGE thankyou to Sophie Kim, netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this wonderful story, I appreciate it so much!! I did not want to have to wait until June to read what happened next in Seokga and Hani's *coughs*....Kisa's story.

Honestly I knew I was going to love this story because Sophie Kim is a genius BUT after the god and the gumiho being SO perfect and sooooooo heartbreaking I wasn't sure how the sequel was going to live up to my huge expectations. It absolutely did though and in its own completely different and unique way while still completely tying in to the first book and making this continuation of the story make sense and enhance what we already knew from the god and the gumiho!! BOTH of the stories in this series are FANTASTIC and noone could ever convince me otherwise 🙅‍♀️😁

Reading the god and the gwisin was all my favourite things of reading a book; fun, romantic, suspenseful and EASY! But easy because the author is so talented in the way she writes, which makes everything flow! Nothing is confusing even though the story is complex 💕 I was laughing, crying and just wholeheartedly loving it!!

This series is amazing and if you were hesitating in any way then this is me "politely" SCREAMING AT YOU to read this story. It's amazing 👏 I absolutely love it, it's up there with my top 5 series of all time! I've already re-read the god and the gumiho a bunch of times and I will do so with the god and the gwisin aswell!

A plea to Sophie Kim 🥹🙏 pleaseeeeee I beg of you...pleaseeee write more books in this series even if it's one of the other gods point of views I will take literally anything and everything you're willing to write 💫

Also super excited for any books at all coming out from Sophie Kim! She is amazing 👏

This is perfection, I fear. Firstly, thank you to Netgalley & the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this e-book ahead of publication. This book was a stunning, hilarious, heartfelt follow up to Sophie Kim's The God and The Gumiho and I will 100% be needing a physical trophy when it comes out. I have absolutely no familiarity with Korean mythology, but getting a glimpse into it was absolutely fascinating. I loved the setting (a pleasure cruise in the underworld? yes absolutely all the Death on the Nile vibes). Seogka and Kisa's meeting and development was beautiful to watch. Sophie Kim weaves rich storytelling prose with hilarity, grief, mystery, and sweetness. The side characters were fantastic (Hajun and Somi! My heart!). Overall a fantastic read and I'm going to yap about this endlessly. I loved every single minute of this.

Cranky Seokga has been following the red thread searching for Hani for the last 33 years. Through a twisted turn of events, he is reunited with her (now Kisa) on a cruise ship in the underworld. Here we run into both old and new characters while Seokga and Hani/Kisa team up again to solve a murder.

I enjoyed The God and the Gwisin as much as I enjoyed the God and the Gumiho. I guessed the killer early in the book so it was a bit annoying to have to wait until the end to have it confirmed, but following Seokga and Kisa as they are coming to terms with the past and navigating the present made it a fun read. If you enjoyed book 1 then I highly recommend picking up book 2.

First of all, a HUGE thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for the ARC. The God and The Gumiho was my number one read last year and I practically screamed when I saw this was available as an ARC. I fear that this will be my number one book this year as well despite us only being in February.

I tried so hard to savor this. The first one devastated me in the best way possible and I really wanted to make this last. But I kept finding myself unable to stop reading and just ugh. I love these character so much.

I won’t get into the story until after this releases in June, but please know that this was a phenomenal second book and I’m so curious if there will be a third one.

The only thing I will say on the story…I loved getting to explore the tiny bit of the underworld with the SRC Flatliner so much and I loved delving into reincarnation and the interpretation of the red thread. I think that’s enough to avoid spoilers since it’s mostly in the description.

There were a few typos and errors I noticed, but hopefully they’ll all get fixed when the book releases! I know I have my copy preordered. The only big thing I noticed was that on page 246 small error with the names, instead of Hwain it says Hwanung. It took me a couple times reading it to realize the names were swapped.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for providing me with an ARC.
This was a great sequel to a wonderful book. The Ship of Theseus is such a brilliant undercurrent running through the plot (and hilarious too since the story takes place on a cruise). Kisa and Hani are different but at the same time similar too. Seokga describes it perfectly. I also loved how Kisa was firm and yet adapting. And her ending was simply perfect.
Seokga's growth was done in a very subtle way that while he is no longer the same god we met previously but at the same time he is also not a reformed angel. His character arc is chef's kiss.
I am so glad Somi was in this too because she herself is a necessary addition as well as a great way to tie up the plot and the fact that her story needs to be told too.
Hajun while he maybe wary of big shots such as Seokga and Somi but he is never scared to stand his ground and that makes his death even more tragic.
The moment Dr. Jang started going on Mireuk it was kind of obvious what was going on but it didn't seem like our quartet (or quintet if you count baby Hwanin) was foolish to ignore the clues.
The appearances by other deities were pure gold and while I am sorry that we never got to see more of them it's undeniable that it would've unnecessarily lengthened the book.

After Hani sacrifices herself to save the world Seokga spends the next twenty six years desperately waiting for her reincarnation. With no hope on the horizon he is absolutely ecstatic when one evening a Red Thread appears on his pinky, knowing this could only mean one thing he rushes off, following the thread, only for it to become a confusing tangled mess almost immediately. With hope filling him he spends the next seven years chasing the Red Thread to the very ends of the Earth.

Yoo Risa is entirely sure she is hallucinating when a Red Thread appears on her pinky finger in 2018. It wouldn't be a stretch of the imagination if she was as an overworked OB at Seoul's Shamanic Hospital she knows she been pushed to her very limits, why else would she be testing her own mortality by sitting on the edge of the roof? As she contemplates how everything in her life has gone so very wrong up till this point something happens, she slips falling to her death at twenty-two, never knowing what the Red Thread means.

In 2025 Seokga will find himself forced into a vacation on the SRC Flatline by his meddlesome brother Hwanin and his therapist Dr. Jang. Within minutes of stepping on the ship the Red Thread pulls taught, something it's never done before. He follows the line and finds the woman he's been looking for all of these years, Yoo Yisa, Hani's reincarnation stands in front of him. And while he is overjoyed at finding his soul mate his happiness lasts only hours as it becomes clear that Yisa has no memory of her life as Hani and just as Hwanin has convinced him to take is slow with Yisa, the worst possible thing happens; The Heavenly Emperor is murdered and The God of Death has charged Yisa and Seokga with tracking down his killer. With both of them confused about their feelings for each other finding Hwanin's killer is far easier said than done.

This was just as adorable as book one, but I found it more mature (for a lack of a better word) than book one. Which I found was needed as this tackles some pretty heavy topics including suicide, familial issues, and a not so subtle swipe at the Idol industry (which i whole heartedly approve of). It needed a more serious tone than book one, what was amazing though is Kim was still able to keep this lighthearted and fun even while delving down these rabbit holes.

One thing I think allowed this in particular is it is not Hani as the MC this time around. And I feel like readers may get upset about this, but honestly there's just no way Hani would have been able to be the person Seokga needed in this book no matter how much she loved him. What we find out about what Seokga has gone through since book one really solidifies that for me, especially the ending and when we find out who the murderer is. Seokga needed someone who was firmly grounded in logic and reason to get through this and Yisa is definitely that. What I loved though is Kim is able to keep some of the little things about Hani's personality from book one, which honestly couldn't have been an easy balance to strike but she does it absolutely beautifully.

The mystery is predictable but in the best possible way. In all honesty I think it was meant to be. Who the murderer ends up being is such a betrayal for Seokga that it's painful (infuriating really) to read that I can see how it's not so much that they didn't know it's that they didn't want to admit it. This again seems like a difficult plot device to not just write but write it convincingly.

New and old side characters were amazing. Baby Hwanin* has my heart and soul wrapped around his chubby little fingers. My theory is the Red Thread is somehow Hani, I stand by this until a plausible alternative presents itself. And omg that freaking ending WTH!? I just...I mean...a magazine article!? That's it!? That's the opening!?

I highly recommend this series, Kim has once again done an excellent job of breathing new life into Korean mythology, which as she says at the beginning of the book has given me a plethora of creatures and gods to look up! And I am once again imploring someone to give us a KDrama.

As always thanks to NetGalley and Delray for the eArc!

this was a very engaging and satisfying conclusion to the duology. it was great to be back in this captivating world and see how Seokga and Kisa (Hani)'s story was going to play out after the heartbreaking finale of the first book. and the book did not disappoint!

first of all, I'm a sucker for murder mysteries, and stories in general, that take place on cruise ships. there's something very compelling about the close quarters the characters find themselves to be in, "stuck" with each other and a river as far as the eyes can see. because of the more or less limited scope of the setting, there's a much bigger emphasis on the characters, their interactions, their fears, and the danger they are potentially in.

moving on to the characters, I adored Seokga even more in this book than the first one. he is unapologetically in love, and he's determined to make the most of the second chance he's been given at loving Kisa. she was also a breath a fresh air, a character that felt very real, with real struggles but with a bubbly personality and a determination to see the best in people. it was a joy reading about her! (my favourite chapter is the one where the two of them see each other for the first time since the reincarnation, because it was so emotionally charged and the two of them have such opposing reactions to the situation - my heart broke for him!)

another relationship that was the highlight of this book was that between Seokga and Hwanin. I don't want to give too much away, but their dynamic was everything in this book and it's exactly what the story needed!

I also wanted to briefly touch on the subject of the murder mystery itself - for me, that's where the story didn't shine as much as everything else. because of the nature of the setting with the cruise ship, everything happens relatively quickly, over the span of a few days. that's why the pacing and the actual solving of the mystery didn't flow as seamlessly as I expected it too (as opposed to the first book). at times, it felt like nothing was happening and the investigation was completely forgotten. (I managed to predict where the story was going pretty early on, that's why it wasn't as fun or shocking when the reveal took place.)

all in all, the book has a lot of strong points, even managing to blend both funny elements as well as serious and emotionally complex ones at times, and I wholeheartedly recommend it!

Amazing. Spectacular. Could not put it down. I knew it the moment I read the first book that I would devour the next one... And I did. Sophie Kim surely knows how to tell a story, and this time she did it again. In the beginning, I was a bit nervous about this one because I was afraid it wouldn't meet my expectations but it so did. I loved the characters, the writing, the plot--- everything was just perfect. I would read anything by this author at this point.

OMGOMGOMG I LOVE THIS BOOK

No, but seriously, this book made my day. It was the sequel I had no idea I wanted but learned that I needed. Because this was so good. So, so, so good. I don't think I'll ever stop recommending this series. Because in a publishing landscape that is so inundated with romantasy, this feels like a breath of fresh air. Not because it's not romantasy or doing anything radically new, but just because it feels so incredibly different. The God and the Gwisin doesn't take itself seriously, and I loved it so much for that.

Because it was ridiculous! Every bit of this was ridiculous. It was silly and heartbreaking and emotional, and it had me wrapped around its finger. I was obsessed. Between Hwanin as a baby, Seogka being absolutely awful at texting, the banter, Kidnapped by the Time-Traveling Highland Pirate King, and everything else, I spent the whole book giggling. And I needed that. Granted, sometimes I was giggling through tears, but it felt so nice to fall wholly in love with a book again. Sometimes I doubt if I even enjoy reading, and this book reminded me that books make me whole. I'm so thankful for that. And this is a series I don't think I'll ever forget or leave behind; it's just so lighthearted and special. Oh how I love it.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

First of all I absolutely love how she writes this series in a way that plays out in my mind like a K-drama! This time she even includes the popular “Kopico” candy ad 😂. As an actual drama I’m definitely picturing Rowoon as Seokga, Jo Bo-ah as Hani, and Park Gyu-young as Kisa!

I devoured this in one day. I enjoyed the mystery and I love that we got to have more scenes with Seokga and his family. I also love how we get to really know and understand Seokga, he deserves to be chosen and loved!! The red thread/ fated mates was one of my favorite parts of the story but I was a bit disappointed with meeting Kisa because Hani was such a good character!

I wish Kisa and Seokga’s relationship was more developed, especially since she literally never remembers her past life so romantically things felt a bit incomplete for me. I guess that’s hard to do with a cruise setting over 5 days but hopefully we get a third book so that we can get more!

Overall a great time. We get more mythology, a cute baby god, returning characters, a lovely library, and of course that darn gossip magazine 😂

4.5 /5 🌟

I gave The God and the Gumiho three stars and was unsure if I would read the sequel. I decided not to but ended up downloading it after receiving a widget, however, I do not think I would enjoy this book since my preferences have since changed after reading the first.

Book two of the Fate’s Thread series is challenged by the nostalgia readers have of the love between Hani and Seogka, and meets that challenge fully! I was unsure if my heart would warm to Kisa, Hani’s reincarnation, but it did. Just as Seokga cannot expect the two women to be exactly the same, the reader must trust that the story has the same charm, humor, and tenderness of the first story, just with a different lead. It really delivers.

We follow one god, one gumiho, one shaman, and one k-pop idol as they solve a crime aboard a luxury cruise ship for the dead. There may even be a baby in the mix - a hilarious writing decision, in my opinion.

This book has that same k-drama feel as the first, and I found myself completely entertained. Sophie Kim could write anything at this point and I would trust in her enough to read it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the opportunity to read this ARC!

The God and the Gumiho was one of my favorite reads last year and I was overjoyed to be able to get an opportunity to read the sequel. The God and the Gwisin did not disappoint! The sequel picks up shortly after the first book, shifting its tone while retaining the essence of a classic K-drama romance with a thrilling murder mystery in a fresh setting.

Sophie Kim did an amazing job at balancing suspense with the progression of various new and old relationships for this sequel. One of the highlights of the book is, of course, the dynamic between Kisa and Seokga. The author skillfully adds layers to their connection from moments of heartfelt vulnerability to their playful banter, which results in a complex and emotional romance that tugs at the heartstrings. The exploration of Korean mythology and culture were also incorporated into the plot with such care, making the story both compelling, as well as enriching. I felt that it added much depth to the world-building and the development of the characters.

The ending was nothing short of satisfying. The sequel wraps up neatly, and yet with that ending, I am hopeful for a third book. Overall, The God and the Gwisin is a gripping sequel with a perfect mix of mischief, angst, humor, and romance, keeping you hooked from start to finish!

Thank you NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey for the ARC!

After losing his soulmate trickster-god Seokga has spent the last thrity-three years mourning and searching the globe for her reincarnation, following the lead of the red string of fate. The last place he expected to find her was on a cruise ship, sailing through the underworld, as a ghost. When Hwanin, the hevenly emperor and Seokga’s older brother, is murdered, they must work together to find the culprit. Kisa, Hani’s reincarnation, only wants to move on with her new life. Meanwhile, Seokga must deal with his depression over losing Hani and his growing feelings for her reincarnation, Kisa.

I have to say the setting for book two is one I have never thought of before: a cruise ship for the dead! The humor and fun are still all throughout the book and better than ever, especially with the addition of Somi and Hajun. The pacing however, lagged a bit for me in the first half.

I was pleased we got some new gods on the pantheon and even some backstory of Seokga’s and Hwanin’s history and family. Their rivalry seems to have turned into a truce of sorts, that actually shows their love and dependence on each other as Hwanin is returned to his baby form after his murder.

My favorite new character had to be the red string of fate! It was Kisa and Seokga’s greatest supporter while still being a monumental source of the humor in their relationship—I was a bit worried about it to be honest because Kisa is so straight-laced and almost the opposite of fun and sassy Hani. But making the thread sentient was a stroke of genius!

I absolutely adored Seokga’s character arc and his growth, particularly his introspection during his therapy seasions. It showed how much his grief had matured him and even though he remained the quick-tempered and cold-faced god we loved from book one, he wasn’t above letting new people in and realizing that sometimes the things we want aren’t always what we need.

After that ending I am positive there will be a book three, which I will be eagerly awaiting!

I can't stress this enough - someone needs to turn this series into a kdrama.

Now I speak enough Korean to know that gwisin means ghost, and yet I was still surprised by what awaited Seokga at the other end of the red thread of fate early into the book. The story continues three decades after The God and the Gumiho, where we find that Seokga has not only been searching for Hani, or whoever she would reincarnate as, but also working on himself and dealing with his grief.

The God and the Gwisin is a perfect blend of lighthearted humour and heartbreak that truly put me through a rollercoaster of emotions - one moment you'll be giggling at the characters' antics and hilarious banter, and the next you find yourself sobbing as you're pondering over the ship of Theseus. My heart hurt the entire book for Seokga, who'd convinced himself over the years that he would be prepared for any new form Hani would take, and yet meeting Kisa showed him that it's not an encounter you can prepare for.

Needless to say, Kisa is an absolute delight who, faced with the possibility of reincarnation, has kept me on my toes till the very end - will this book conclude her and Seokga's story, or will Sophie Kim have to write The God and the (???)..? I also enjoyed the mix of new and returning characters, a lovable new duo that I cheered for from the moment they've met. The one thing that didn't change, however - Seokga is still a bad detective (and don't we love him for it!).

Thank you Netgalley for blessing me with an ARC! Now up it goes on my favourites shelf.

4.5 stars rounded down.

Like The God and the Gumiho, The God and the Gwisin is an incredibly tender and sweet book—yes, I know how ironic that sounds when we’re talking about violent, murderous mythological creatures, but trust me on this. If the first book belonged to Hani, this one is Seokga’s, and his character arc is beautifully done.

Sophie Kim continues to explore Korea’s mythology and culture with care and depth, and in this installment, she brings in an unexpectedly sharp critique of South Korea’s work culture. Through the perspectives of a doctor and a K-pop star, she highlights the mental and physical toll of such an environment, as well as its isolating effects.

Though I missed Hani terribly (I love her), The God and the Gwisin more than makes up for her absence with nuanced, complex female characters—violent, witty, funny, vulnerable, and entirely themselves.

If I had to sum up this book in one sentence, it would be: The God and the Gwisin is a story about love and its resilience, best captured in this one quote:“Oh, Seokga thinks, he could fall in love with her forever, in all her forms.”