So happy I got to read then end of this duology!
While I missed Hani, I grew to love Kisa just as much the more I kept reading. The return of some characters while introducing new characters blended perfectly that it wasn’t hard to follow. The whodunit mystery all around the ship was funny and rightfully frustrating at times because I just wanted to figure out who it was. Overall a nice page turner that I read as fast as I did with The God and Gumiho. I’ll miss this universe/characters but I was happy with how everything wrapped up! Maybe there can be a spin off with S and H?! 🤭 Thank you Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for the eARC!

What a great sequel! This book was an extremely satisfying read. Kim does an amazing job adding in bits of stream of consciousness into the 3rd person perspective. Both main characters were so well rounded. I loved watching Seokga open himself up again to being gentle and loving not only to Kisa, but to his brother as well. This book in its entirety felt so healing. I cannot wait for the next installment!

I loved The God and the Gumiho so very much that when I saw The God and the Gwisin available on NetGalley, I didn't even read the synopsis, I just requested it because I KNEW I would love it. Guess what? I adored it even more than the first book. A newly reinstated god searching for his lost soulmate aboard a ship filled with the dead. Yes, please.

We still got a murder mystery but this book contained equal doses of hope and heartbreak, a touch of spice, and the return of some familiar characters. I can't write more or I'll accidentally include spoilers. Overall, I don't think this book could've been any more perfect that it already was.

Thank you a million times to Sophie Kim, Del Rey, and NetGalley for sharing an ARC of this book with me.

The God and the Gwisin is the follow up to the God and the Gumiho and is the second installment in the Fate's Thread Series. I adored the first installment, so I was thrilled when the publisher and Netgalley sent me an ARC of the second installment. (Thank you so so much!) The God and the Gwisin picks up where we left off, almost, at the end of the previous book. We learn that Seokga has been unsuccessful in finding Hani's reincarnation via the red thread and (against his wishes) is thrust upon the SRC Flatliner for a vacation.

As luck (or fate) would have it, the person who is on the other end of the red thread is also on the SRC Flatliner. But, she is already dead. Yoo Kisa is definitely not Hani. Of course Seokga is disappointed but he decides to get to know her. After all...Kisa is still Hani, right? That is the biggest question that is posed by the God and the Gwisin: what makes you...you. Both Kisa and Seokga struggle with this question.

Instead of a detective story, this time we have a locked room (ship) whodunnit mystery when Seokga's brother is killed. Kisa, Seokga, along with new and familiar faces attempt to solve the mystery before time runs out.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Kisa both is and isn't Hani. Sophie Kim does a fantastic job of making the reader ache along with Seokga. Kisa is a wonderful character, but she is not Hani. Kisa is book smart and delightfully academic. Some readers may find it difficult to connect with her because they are expecting Hani. But that is the entire point of the novel. It's a brilliant execution to have Seokga threaded to someone who has Hani's soul but isn't her. Not physically anyway.

The conclusion of the mystery is satisfying (but predictable if you consume a massive amount of locked room mysteries and k-dramas). Overall, I loved Seokga and Kisa's dynamic. I found myself missing Hani less and less as the novel went on because she is there...

Please, Sophie Kim, I am begging you to write a third book.

The God and the Gwisin by Sophie Kim has finally delved me back into my favorite fantasy world at the moment. The level of whimsy, love, drama, and happiness experienced in this series is really unparalleled, but I do think that Kim has outdone herself with the second book in this duology in particular. I noticed a few pacing issues in the first that made that book a 3.5 for me, but those are nowhere to be found here. All I could focus on was the joy I experienced and the amazing prose. I think you can really see that k-drama inspo that she mentioned with the first book with the almost cinematic writing and visuals.

AGH! Everyone read this violently underrated series, please, and then text me all about it.

I have been waiting on pins and needles for the sequel to The God and the Gumiho by Sophie Kim, after finishing the first book and absolutely bawling at the ending, so when the publisher reached out to gift me a copy of this ARC, I just had to drop everything to read this.

And let me say, the wait was worth it, and this continuation was just as sweet, just as adventurous, just as funny as the first in the series. In The God and the Gwisin, we reunite with the infamous god Seokga as he tries to find his way back to his reincarnated soulmate. But when he does, she remembers nothing about her previous life, or their epic and tragic love story. Cue heart break (for me, and for Seokga).

In this riveting sequel, Sophie Kim brings us aboard the SRC Flatliner, where a murder mystery ensues that the star-crossed duo must race against time to solve. Lives (and deaths) are on the line, and Seokga and Yoo Kisa (previously Kim Hani) must rely on their closest allies while remaining suspicious of everyone on board if they want even a chance at solving the murder of the century.

If you read The God and the Gumiho, you really have no choice but to read this one. If you haven't read it, then what are you waiting for? A hilariously romantic and action-packed K-drama mythology-based book is waiting for you!!

Thank you SO so much to the author and the publisher for gifting me a copy of this ARC. I was obsessed with the first book, I'm obsessed with this one, and I will never stop talking about it.

I was so worried how things would go in this book after the ending of the last book, but I am happy to report that this story was so much fun and worth the build up.
I fell in love with the God and the Gumiho because it not only had the beautiful aspects of Korean folklore, but the characters were sooo good. Well, they started off bad, but their character development was nothing short of amazing.
In this story, we get to see more of our favorite characters explore an even deeper character development while also retaining the humor and murder/mystery aspect of the first story.
This book started off sooo differently from the first one that I had my reservations at first, but I promise it builds up perfectly and ends beautifully as well.


Ps. Sexy Seokga deserves the world!

sophie kim is a genius. this is the perfect sequel— the epitome of a kdrama while also being a unique fantasy. seokga is one of the greatest male leads of all time. while i didn’t fall for him and kisa as much as i had him and hani, this book had enough laugh out loud moments and EXCELLENT side characters to make up for it. i was kicking my feet and giggling from the beginning, which is wild when the book takes place in the underworld and half the cast is dead. and yet!

I was so pleasantly surprised by this book. I feel like I WAS Seokga here, because going in, I knew that the FMC wasn't going to be Hani. But I wanted it to be anyway. And then I gradually fell in love with Kisa and realized that actually I can love two people (that are one person).

It felt really daring to write a duology (maybe more?? with that ending?? eyes emoji) romantasy series where the MMC kind-of-sort-of gets with another girl in the second book, but it worked so well. I've never read anything like this and I really enjoyed it.

That said, Kisa being like "JUST FRIENDS!!!!" when she's absolutely smart enough to know what that red thread means and the weird mind reading stuff was a bit eyebrow raising any time it came up. It just wasn't nearly enough for it to affect my enjoyment overall.

this book picks up a few years after the events of the god and gumiho. once again seokga acting as detective to solve a mystery. while this book definitely focuses on the plot, i felt like it was such a character driven story, for more than just seokga and kisa. and i absolutely loved that.

in the beginning, i think i was as disappointed as seokga because i was expecting kisa to be like hani. but that quickly changed. i loved her as a character. i love a a passionate rambly fmc and an mmc who hangs onto her every word. but kisa and seokga complimented each other so well. it was so sweet watching them fall in love again. seokga had some character growth but he is still most definitely the trickster god, and i enjoyed that he didn’t have a complete personality change. i loved the pining so much and how he’s still only soft for kisa!!

i was not expecting to see somi in this book but i’m so glad she was here. her story didn’t seem quite concluded at the end of the first book and since she was a prominent character in there, i’m glad she we were able to see what become of her and that she and kisa were able to get some closure.

also i loved hajun! his story was a bit sad and tragic but i glad he was able to find happiness.

i really enjoyed this sequel, i couldn’t put it down! it was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it did not disappoint! it had everything i loved from the first book and more. i would find myself smiling and laughing one moment and tearing up the next. i enjoyed our murder mystery solving crew and i loved the relationship development between the different characters, especially seokga and his brother. i want to read more about that development. also i feel like i could read more of seokga’s inner thoughts because he’s just so funny

thank you netgalley and delrey for the e-arc!

Sometimes it is frightening to have such high expectations for a sequel book because the first one meant so much to you...GOOD THING SOPHIE KIM PULLED THROUGH. THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING. This book is as spoiler free as I can make it, but the premise already does heavily spoil the ending of book 1 so you are warned!!!

It's amazing how Sophie Kim manages to make you really care about each and every character in this book. Not only does she show the continuation of Seokga's character growth and journey to self-love and healing, she fleshes out our new protagonist Kisa and also returning side characters just as well. Threads that are left hanging in book 1(pun intended) are pleasantly resolved/revisited.

I don't think I can aptly describe how much yearning and hope and joy and excitement these books convey. Love is about endurance and seeing the best qualities and valuing your partner for who they are inside. It is much more than the superficial appearances or small likes and dislikes. It's loving them for how they make you a better person, for accepting the parts of you that you don't like about yourself. Seokga is one of the best protagonists because as much as he is a deity, he is so achingly human. I am so excited to read the next installment, especially after that insane cliffhanger!

Thank you to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for offering me the chance to review The God and the Gwisin!

if this book were a beverage, it would be a chocolate mocha latte. now...stay with me, this book tends to use coffee as analogies so i shall do the same. i am allergic to coffee and do not like the after taste of it in general, however, if i ever do make an exception then it is the chocolate mocha latte. the god and the gwisin is my book exception.

as someone who is hard to please especially with romance, i was (once again) invested. because despite ya level writing, world building and mixed pacing, sophie kim knows how to create a good plot and immaculate character relationships. i am in deep awe at how she hooks the reader and creates plot twist after twist. i was going to complain it was too long however im setting aside my critical thinking skills and am giving this 4 stars for the amount of fun i had while reading this.

the story did not lead in a direction that i was expecting and when i first read the sypnosis i was HIGHLY skeptical if this would work out. i'm not patient enough for an amnesia trope in any form so trust me when i say this one is worth the shot.

it amazes me how the author creates relationships in characters. kim hani was the type of character i almost always never like, however she was so unique and brilliant it was in the inevitable to fall in love with her and seokga. finding out that she was replaced by kisa was an even bigger shocker. but like i said kisa and seokga fit so perfect. while seokga and hani where grumpy x sunshine, seokga and kisa were like impulsive x patient or some other varient of that.

seokga had one of the best character developments i have read. and i really appreciate how the author took her time and pacing to do so and explored areas of grief and longing and incorporated them into a rather lightheared fantasy.

however, this book in reality fits into ya fantasy. the writing had improved since the last book however setting, time and place was all messed up. this book was set in 2018 so dialogue was fitting this time but the blend of korean mythology in the contemporary world seemed...out of place? it took me a while to recall what an eoduksini was and a lot of times terminoligies were being used without context. another thing i tried overlooking but it got to me: character age gap and immaturity. when (minor spoiler) seokga said he has had 'many' children over the course of his immortal lifespan i very literally fell from my chair...because...eh (?)
+ quite a lot of repetition. hanis atm stealing, wine brown eyes, romance novels...all was repeated again and again to the extent that it got irritating. i just hope in her next works the author and editor try to clear these out.

reasons why i rate this book higher than i naturally would:
• it was fun! like super fun like binge worthy fun.
• A SHIP. i love a fantasy setting set on the water and this was near perfect.
• seokga and kisa LORD I LOVED THEM WDYM
• somi [yes i have forgiven her] and hajun of my sweet sweet boy

otherwise, although the writing WAS wattpad-y i dont mind. for i was satisfied with that ending and would definitely like a continuation on where this goes. thank you sophie kim for not leaving ur readers in shambles, u icon!

thank you netgalley and del rey for the arc!!

IT IS SO, SO GOOD!!!
The God and the Gumiho shattered my heart into a million pieces so The God and the Gwisin could put it back together again.
Yoo Kisa and Seokga are a beautiful pairing, and although Kisa is different to the Gumiho we all fell in love with, her story with Seokga will keep you hooked for the whole book. Sophie really outdid herself with this sequel, and the Fates Thread duology has easily put itself in my top 5 series of all time!
Very thankful to NetGalley and Del Rey for approving my ARC request.

I actually thought the god and the gumiho worked well as a standalone and was pretty content with where it ended so I was very intrigued to see what the author is going to put into a sequel.

This book has been described as a kdrama in book form which I definitely agree with, it’s both heartbreaking and funny in equal measure and I’ve grown very attached to Seokga over the course of both books. Though I have to say I’m so glad this man is getting some therapy!! Yay for healthier coping mechanisms.

I love the who-dun-it aspect to these books as well, the mystery adds a nice subplot to focus on while the romance is breaking your heart. I was however able to predict the plot twist which I’m unsure if that’s good or bad.

I ended up really enjoying this book, albeit slightly less than the first one. I think I had a hard time adjusting to new characters and missing ones from the first book, which in a sense made me relate to Seokga a lot.

I do believe if you enjoyed the first book and the style of kdrama-esque plot lines, or have an interest in Korean mythology then definitely continue on with this series.

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this eARC!!

I adore this series. The dynamic between the two main characters is everything I love in a romantasy, from the witty banter to the protectiveness of the MMC. It’s such a unique story, and one I think would appeal to a wide range of people. I love the new trend of eastern mythology in fantasy as opposed to the sometimes overdone Greek mythology retelling.

This story! My goodness it was magnificent!!!

Both this book and it's prequel are so unique, so funny, so heartbreakingly beautiful, and in both books, it felt like everything was doomed from the start. Having that feeling as the undercurrent of the entire duet was really uncomfortable but so very necessary to the story. And it heightened every emotion I experienced as I read. It made each interaction that much more special and important. The stakes were so very high and often seemed so unattainable and yet, the perseverance and humanity in this God was so relatable and so normal that it made his experience really relatable. In the end, everyone wants to love and be loved.

This book really tugged on my heartstrings. I've honestly not ever read books like this one and it's prequel. Truly magnificent.

*very gratefully received as an arc.

***shared on goodreads

thank you to the punisher for giving me access to an arc in exchange for my honest review!

the god and the gumiho was one of my top reads of 2024, so as soon as i recieved the email informing me of this book coming out I was immediately sat. this book was such a good continuation of the story from the first book, that i literally finished the book in under 24 hours after starting it. and i fear i am already going through withdrawals.

i love kisa to death (hani i love you too trust) and just being able to see the side of seokga that i never thought we’d get to see again kept me so intrigued and i quite literally could not put my kindle down.

if you enjoy fiction based on mythology this is seriously going to be your jam. i will shout from the rooftops how much i enjoy and recommend this series.

I’ve found another author whom I missed all these years!! Because one; She’s a Korean and two; she has written these books as kdramas I mean, I can picture the whole book as a kdrama so why not!!

So I envisioned our dear ol’ Seokga, as my favourite Korean actor and all the supporting characters as them as well. He is a fallen god who has been given a chance at redemption. Kim Hani, a Gumiho who was once known as the Scarlet Fox and went on a killing rampage. I’m gonna talk about only these two because I LOVE THEM!

What I loved the most about this series was, actually the first book was the relationship between Hani and Seokga. They had banter and it was entertaining. While Seokga is a God, Hani is a powerful Gumiho that has been alive for thousands of years. I imagined Goblin (specifically)) and The tale of the nine tailed kdramas while reading these as I mentioned before. While I loved a first book like.. a lot, I wasn’t really into the second one because probably there wasn’t Hani and there wasn’t banter between the main mc’s. But nonetheless, I really enjoyed this series.

Also, the author has written the Korean mythology amazingly. The gumihos’, bulagasari & grim reapers wasn’t new to me but the godly pantheon was really interesting to read about.

4.5⭐

I absolutely loved The God and The Gumiho and the relationship between Hani and Seogka and was utterly devastated at the ending so I couldn't wait to read the sequel and it didn't disappoint.

From the very first page of The God and The Gwisin it instantly captivated and I couldn't put it down, in this sequel we are following Seogka as he tries to find the reincarnation of Hani and what you have is an emotional and heartbreaking story straight from the start, the emotional aspect of this book is so well written that you can't help but tear up throughout so many moments as this story develops.

The setting of a cruise ship was so unique and I loved the visualisation and vivid descriptions we were given it helps to bring this book to life so much more and it's on this ship that Seogka finds Kisa, a kind intelligent person who is so different to Hani and yet he sees so much of her in Kisa and what entails is them slowly learning to trust and care for each other while also teaming up to solve another murder investigation.

This sequel was phenomenal and I loved it so much, it is so heartbreaking, joyful and exciting with the added fun moments. You experience every emotion possible reading this book but that's what makes it such an amazing sequel, the writing is so beautiful and I love the world and characters that Sophie Kim has created and can't wait to read more from this author. Highly recommend!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this book before publication, these are my honest thoughts and opinions.

**spoilers for book 1, not this one**

a himbo god of mischief has been searching for his reincarnated lover for 33 years. he takes a vacation with his emperor god brother, and he finds her dead (spirit) aboard the underworld’s ship, serving penance for her past life as the scarlet fox. she doesn’t remember him or being her former self, and he has a difficult separating her current person vs. her old person.
however, she has been stuck for 7 years, and she wants to reincarnate again; he doesn’t want to lose her after finally finding her again. on the first night of the gods’ cruise vacation, the emperor god is murdered (don’t worry, he just respawns as a baby). they have a week to figure who dunnit, so 1) seokga doesn’t get framed, and 2) she can reincarnate early.

this was so good. this is just korean myth mixed with scooby doo and YEARNINGGG. the pacing was a lot better in this book than book 1, imo. i also like the contrast between the dynamics of hani/seokga and kisa/seokga. the character development was SO good, even for the secondary characters.

i knew this was a 5 star very early on, and i can’t wait to share some quotes when it releases. thank you net galley for the ARC. sophie kim is now one of my fave authors 🫶🏻