Member Reviews

In this strange, satirical book, we meet our protagonist Sam just as God arrives back on earth. What follows is an unusual blend of Sam trying to go about his daily life – which can be enough of a struggle – while also dealing with the resulting chaos of the arrival of the Almighty.

This was an intriguing premise and some of the reactions, such as the government’s continual flip-flopping on their policy, rang very true. However, a lot of the book and the actions of those in it did veer a little too far to the absurd for me. I also found it a touch repetitive towards the middle and end, but the storytelling over all was engaging.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

Was this review helpful?

I found this amusing. It wasn't my favourite but I did enjoy it. I liked the writing style it was easy to read.

Was this review helpful?

An interesting premise that creates all kinds of questions. So an Old Testament God comes to earth and suddenly gets vengeful against the human race. However we never find out why. The story raises more questions than it answers by starting the plot, building it up, but then really leaves you wondering what it all was about. Sam is socially awkward, but still a great character with a unique perspective. It's OK, but had potential to be great

Was this review helpful?

I asked for this book as I found the premise very interesting given I am an atheist. I found the book slow to begin with, so much so I nearly gave up a couple of times, but I’m very glad I didn’t! It wasn’t until about 70% of the way through it really sped up for me. I found the writing very clever, and though the premise is so unrealistic, the consequences of it are all too real when you see how people treat other people, this book gives a very accurate depiction of humanity sadly. I really enjoyed the mini interview with the author at the end, he seems like a really funny guy!

Was this review helpful?

I have mixed emotions on this book. I really enjoyed it, it’s a short book that packs a huge punch. I thought it was going to be lighthearted and funny, and a lot of is, but it is also very dark. It really made me think about what actually would happen if god returned and what happened actually happened.

So in short, this is a funny, lighthearted, dark, thought provoking book - I didn’t think I’d ever write that….

Really really enjoyable.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the copy in exchange for an honest review l.

Was this review helpful?

What a strange story. I can agree with the disclaimer that those who believe in god probably won't want to read this book. It was a bit confusing at times. However, it was a very original story. I liked the juxtaposition between the banality of Sam's life and the horrors of "god's" actions Interesting but a bit odd. I'm glad I had the opportunity to read it though.

Was this review helpful?

What a read-unusual premise executed well.

A random read with funny bits and a relevance I enjoyed.

Was this review helpful?

It is Tuesday, the bins have been collected, and god has come back to earth. As in God. Sam Dalton has enough to keep him occupied, he has his routine, and he is finally getting his garden sorted. It took him a long time to work up to getting a gardener. He can’t deal with the arrival of god, so simply hopes he will go away. God appears at first, standing in silence in the desert. All is well and good as Sam can ignore that. However, god soon makes his presence felt, with acts straight out of the Old Testament, smiting entire countries at a whim, sending plague, flooding and pestilence. This sends the world into global upheaval, but most importantly, Sam’s mum into a panic. This has the knock on effect of impacting Sam with the one thing he hates the most - change.

Forced to change his routine, and approach to life, Sam struggles to hold it together. When some of the events send him almost completely over the edge, who can he turn to for support, in his small, carefully managed world?

This was a wonderful read. Not one for those easily offended, or deeply religious who may take offence. But if you have a sense of humour, and can take it for what it is, then you will enjoy it. Our hapless narrator Sam is a neurodivergent man, obsessed with maintaining his routine. He suffers from anxiety, depression, and seriously over-thinks every element of his life. He is deeply conflicted, and struggles to understand right and wrong in social situations. Sam however, realises that god is a problem, and not just for Sam’s own carefully constructed world. Watching Sam try to navigate the upheaval, the impact of the world falling apart, is surprisingly relatable. He is endearing, and makes you want to help him understand what is going on, and are cheering him on for every bit of character growth he experiences. Really enjoyed this one, something a bit different, with a small cast of characters, who really shone, and a unique story. Ending could have been a little stronger, but overall, a break from the norm!

*I received this book from NetGalley for review, but all opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

I was drawn to the description of this book as it seemed like an unusual concept for a novel, and I was interested to find out how it would challenge the word of the Bible.
I started eagerly but the narrative became repetitive too soon and I felt I had to drag myself through the story. There was too much repetition of the events surrounding the return of 'god' and little else to capture my attention.
I enjoyed the detail of how Sam's autism affects his daily life, and I was able to relate to his behaviour as I have a close friend with the condition. The traits of habit, routine and relationships were familiar to me, and well explained.
There were two significant incidents in the book which highlighted Sam's ability to interact successfully with other people, and how he surprises himself with his ability to have compassion and consideration for another individual. He was surprised at how much those two encounters had a lasting effect on his emotions.
I like a book to have a beginning, middle and ending but this one seemed to trundle along on one level.
I would say I was disappointed overall, despite the initial interest I had in the synopsis.

Was this review helpful?

I liked the arch premise of this novel but there were times when it was a little try-hard, which can be off putting. I liked much of the book, but found some parts exhausting and attention seeking.

Was this review helpful?

Although a bit bit of slow burner, it is well worth sticking with this book. Beautifully written and truly a masterpiece.

Was this review helpful?

I have genuinely never read anything like this! As I was reading it, I was telling friends what was happening as though it was real life. Quirky is probably too cliche to describe a very non cliched book, but it’s the best word I can think of at the moment.

What if God was real? And was a giant standing in the desert? And turned out to be Old Testament vengeful God? And you’re just some guy trying to figure out why your ex girlfriend is calling?

Was this review helpful?

Aaron Asadi’s Ohmigod! presents a compelling and unique exploration of a world where God has returned, viewed through the eyes of Sam Dalton, a man obsessed with routine. The book masterfully captures Sam's struggle to maintain normalcy amidst global upheaval, and his journey highlights themes of morality, acceptance, and personal growth. Sam's portrayal of anxiety and depression makes him a deeply relatable character. The narrative’s stream-of-consciousness style enhances the reader's connection to Sam’s internal conflicts and evolving understanding of right and wrong. This thought-provoking and engaging novel will resonate long after reading.

Was this review helpful?

In this story, God returns to earth with aims of revenge. The main character Sam is a neurodivergent character who lives through the events of God smiting those who do not inhabit the ways of the Old Testament.
It's a very original narrative and was definitely a new experience for me. Some good moments of humour scattered throughout and just an unexpected and emotional tale.

Was this review helpful?

Clever, funny, thought-provoking and ultimately a very good read.
Our lead character is beautifully written, as it becomes very clear he has enough with managing his small, carefully constructed life, without an all-powerful being suddenly appearing and causing global hysteria.
From the very first chapter the greatest question has to be - how will this end? Not only the sudden appearance of God, but the novel itself.
The author weaves a careful path between the extremes of human response to the arrival of God, and the small, far more intimate aspects of what is taking place.
This God is very much an Old Testament God, the God pre-forgiveness, pre-Jesus, who seems to demand nothing but punish man's transgressions as he sees them, the evils of society writ large.
Just one question remains - how would you respond?

Was this review helpful?

I was intrigued by the synopsis of this book and wasn't disappointed.

God comes back to earth on the day the bins are emptied. God is not happy and destroys entire countries and cities, killing hundreds of thousands of people as he gets his revenge on groups of people who do not follow his Old Testament teachings. The story is narrated by Sam, a neuro divergent single man, who overthinks just about everything. I did feel uncomfortable reading about some of the acts of God, especially regarding Palestine, however the entire God thing felt like more of a vehicle to enable Sam's story to be written. Lonely and sad, needing to keep to his routines, Sam tries to navigate his way through the turmoil and do the right thing to support his mum and others.

I had so much empathy for Sam and at times my heart broke for him. Continually questioning his everyday exchanges, wondering if there is a point to his being. Sam's story is told with sensitivity and understanding, which despite the enormity of God's return to earth and the impact this has on Sam, is of a neuro divergent trying to cope in a neuro typical world.

I highly recommend this book with the caveat that if you are easily offended it may not be for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little Orchard Publishing for my copy in return for my honest and unbiased review.

Was this review helpful?

A really original premise in this what I think is Aaron’s first novel.
God has returned to Earth and I am guessing he doesn’t like what he sees. The story follows Sam who lives on his own and is finding it hard to navigate modern life, without the added stress of pestilence! I found Sam to be a believable and sympathetic character and I enjoyed reading how the appearance of God affected his way of life.
A good read.

Was this review helpful?

I found this ambitious and skewed book to be entertaining. Our hero Sam's deadpan and distracted response to God's sudden corporeal reappearance in the world was hilarious in its studied understatement, and the author kept that premise and all of its amusing complications going for the better part of the book. That said, the book had to go somewhere eventually, and a maniacally vengeful God obsessed with Old Testament grievances was an unexpected choice. From that point on we wander into the narrative and plotting underbrush from time to time, although we do usually circle back to the main story lines after these various digressions. As a consequence, the book did seem to just peter out by the end, That was fine by me because the daring opening half of the book made the entire enterprise more than worthwhile.

Was this review helpful?

I found this well written book to be original and engaging.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I wasn’t sure why this stood out - but I found it intriguing. The idea that the god of the Old Testament returns to earth - and starts getting a bit vengeance-y. Through the view of Sam, a neurodivergent guy who finds normal life quite enough to deal with. It’s a small life in a big world, and it’s nicely done.

Was this review helpful?