Gem isn’t really likeable. They act out, push people away, make jokes about themselves, but it’s all in an effort to hide their own self doubt. Being the towns queer awakening comes with its own stereotypes, throw in crazy dreams filled with a world of magic, an attempt on your life, and a reincarnated love interest (or three), and you have one wild ride.
This is a completed duology and I feel reading both books raised my over all rating for the book/series.

Soooo I'm very conflicted on how to rate this one. Because the ending had me INVESTED. But I was pretty bored throughout the first half? And I liked the characters in theory, but the only one I found compelling was Enzo. I was also entirely unaware this was part of a series so the ending had me flabbergasted. I appreciate what this one tried to do, I'm just not sure I connected strongly enough with it.

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

This was an original novel and a unique take on gods as mortals. Something about the description and book cover lead me to think it wouldn't be as contemporary as it is but it was interesting to see gods in high school. It's definitely a novel that makes one question and face the harsher parts of life, which is not a bad thing. I did find the plot interesting and wanted to know how things would resolve. This novel wasn't particularly something I loved but that is purely a matter of personal taste. It was still extremely well-written, well-built, and well-plotted. I can see how this would be an extremely engaging and exciting novel for many readers.

Godly Heathens presents a pretty cool concept: ancient gods reincarnating as teenagers, struggling with their past lives while navigating the chaos of high school. Gem, a non-binary teen, starts experiencing strange dreams and realizes they’re not just dealing with mental health issues; they’re an ancient god. It’s an interesting setup and one that I think would’ve totally captivated me if I read this as a teen. The mix of gods, angst, and modern-day drama has a lot of potential.

That said, I struggled a bit with the execution. While the premise was solid, the characters’ behavior often didn’t match the whole “ancient god” vibe. After they regain their memories, they still act like typical teenagers, wrapped up in petty drama, modern lingo, and fighting for prom queen status. There were definitely moments that made me laugh, especially some snarky exchanges, like the “Poppy vs. Willa Mae” debate. But, honestly, it was hard to stay invested when the characters kept making decisions that didn’t feel grounded in their backstories as powerful beings. The pacing also dragged in places, making it a bit hard to stay focused.

Still, I can’t deny that the book has its moments. The humor and the queer representation were on point, and I definitely enjoyed parts of the story. It didn’t completely pull me in, but I think it’s worth checking out for fans of YA fantasy with some good humor and queer characters.

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

This was a fine YA fantasy featuring LGBTQ representation. I found it to be entertaining enough for my train ride each day.

This book is an electrifying mix of queer coming-of-age, mythic adventure, and high-stakes magic. Gem is a vibrant, complex protagonist whose humor and charm mask deep anxieties, making their journey both relatable and compelling. The reincarnated gods twist adds thrilling layers of mystery, danger, and romance, while the stakes—both mortal and divine—keep the tension sky-high. Rich, imaginative, and brimming with heart, this is a story that’s as bold and unforgettable as its hero.

There's a lot to like here. The legend building was strong. I loved learning about the powers and political intrigue that has played out over millennia. The character work is superb. I appreciate Edgmon for allowing and encouraging readers to see teens - queer, disabled, Indigenous - as complex humans, and not always likeable or making decisions that we would agree with. That's an especially important aspect when you consider that they're sort of teens but also centuries old gods as well.

I was a bit disappointed by the lack of explanation or description of Gem's magic though. There's a point about 3/4 in where Gem gets access to their magic again, but there's really no information shared about what that looks like, and as the kind of omni-god in the pantheon, that felt unshaped and intentionally open in order to let Gem basically do anything.

Beyond that, an enjoyable time that reminded me actually of reading the Arcana chronicles series from Kressley Cole, in a way. (I think it's been over a decade since I read those, so don't quote me on that.) A great start to a duology that will definitely hit for a lot of young fantasy readers, especially if they're queer.

Godly Heathens is a bold, immersive fantasy that blends mythology with a raw, emotional journey of identity and belonging. The sharp humor and complex characters pulled me in, though some plot twists felt rushed. Overall, a powerful and affirming read.

I received a ebook arc, but ended up listening via audiobook. The audio had great narration! The premise is promising, but felt a bit overwhelming with the amount of characters and backstories. That being said, it’s still an enjoyable read! Gem is a flawed character and while I can see how some people wouldn’t like that, I (mostly) adored them and enjoyed their story! I found the back and forth narrative of Gem from past to present lives intriguing, but it did seem to throw the pacing off a bit. Things ramp up and implode around 60% in ways I was and wasn’t expecting, this was both good and bad. Part of me enjoyed it, part of me found it predictable and too drawn out. Overall, a good read and I’m curious how the author is going to wrap up Gem’s story in the conclusion!

Gem is a big fish in the small pond of Gracie, Georgia; a pond he/they can't wait to escape. Add to that the dreams they just can't shake are flashes of a forgotten past, and a revelation just waiting to awaken within them and you have a recipe for adventure.

The world building in this is second to none, honestly. It grabs you from the beginning but unfolds in the perfect timing that so many fantasy novels miss. Often you find yourself overwhelmed with information or left in the dark so long it doesn't matter, but not with Godly Heathens. Gem is flawed and in some ways broken but Much if that is just because they're in survival mode. It's can't be easy being Transmale in Georgia. Much like Tinkerbell, Gem thrives on applause and attention, often to their own detriment. This is a big theme for them throughout the novel when big decisions must be made. The author makes a hero worth rooting for who isn't perfect from the jump or even annoyingly self righteous. The supporting cast is big, but easy enough to follow along and serves a purpose worth a group this large.

Honestly my one negative is the fact of the cliffhanger. We have a sequel, but I'm trying my best to distance myself from Godly Heathens before diving in. Why? The first installment was sheer perfection and I don't see how the second could live up to it's predicessor. I'm hoping some time away from this world will let me reset expectations for the sequel so I can truly enjoy it without book 1 hanging over me. I would love to be proven wrong....I hope book 2 is just as good....but there is alot to tackle in just one book.

If you're looking to escape into a fresh take on Gods and Villains, Godly Heathens is the next read for you! Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A step up from H.E. Edgmon’s previous novels, Godly Heathens lands in the same vein as Gideon the Ninth and The Traitor Baru Cormorant. I fell for this book hard and fast. I rarely give out 5 Stars, but this one was a no brainer.

Edgmon builds a dark, complex world full of gods, magic, and pure emotional turmoil. The characters are flawed and self-destructive - none more so than the main character, Gem. Despite this, you can’t help but root for Gem and hope for a break in the cycle. You’re masterfully drawn in. The ending will break you and leave you screaming for the next one.

This dark fantasy duology's take on reincarnated gods offers a fascinating insight into the life of Gem Echols, our residential queer who is about to learn they are a God. We learn about their home life, their strange dreams, and their on-going mental health crisis (that might partially be explained by the new, fantastical revelation).
The narration by Avi Roque is also top-tier.

It’s a story I had a hard time putting down, the concept is engaging, and I loved how it opens up this entirely new world for Gem to explore and find a home in. It reshapes how they think about their absent father, their Native identity, their disconnect with living, and more. Those elements are interesting, and even fun at times, in it’s darker atmosphere.

As this is Young Adult, much of our cast still in high school. So while Gem – and us readers – are learning about the war the Gods have been fighting and how many of them want to kill Gem, they are also navigating school hours and homework. It’s makes for an awkward reading experience. Those scenes are at odds with the rest of plot, especially the further we get into the story. There is an imbalance in how the story tries to have Gem (and the other reincarnations) be both teenagers and Gods at the same time.

I keep going back and forth between enjoying the plot and feeling dissatisfied by it. A lot of the reveals and important plot points are delivered in dialogue, dropping the relevant parts whenever it’s convenient. But I also loved how the pantheon was set up and the reveals as to which of the cast was which God.
And I adored how it portrayed Gem’s demiromantic pansexual identity but due to how the story is set up, the romance was not the hit I wanted it to be. It’s not bad but I could not get invested into the destined love story.


At its best, the book offers an insight into queerness, Indigeneity, and disability that manifests both in realistic and fantastical ways through the lens of a marginalized teenager. Their identities are explored on-page and in detail, bringing nuance and understanding
At its worst, it’s a book that tries to portray a morally gray character yet still wants it both ways and throws everything at the wall to see what sticks.

One of my favorite themes in Godly Heathens is the ways Edgmon examines immortality and grievances. If we live forever, do the betrayals, the loves we have, fade to nothing? Are we doomed to keep repeating the cycles we find ourselves in? How much can we really change if we have forever? If we keep finding each other again? Godly Heathens explores this juxtaposition between immortality and pettiness. This conflict between revenge for mistakes and betrayals centuries ago with wondering if we can ever truly amend.

I love a good deities book. love it even more when it's queer and H.E. Edgmon was able to deliver on it!

I enjoyed this story with its LGBTQ rep and why choose romance. There were moments where I felt confused, mostly when it leaned more into its fantasy elements. I was excited to see how the duology finished after that conclusion.

Thank you to Wednesday Books for providing me with an arc.

Dnf 15% in.

I really wanted to enjoy this one as I am always looking to diversify my reading and this features a nonbinary main character. But sadly it didn't work for me, it struggled to keep my attention. I will say if you want a very diverse queer ya fantasy pick this one but I am just struggling to stay focused on most YA book currently so it didn't work for me. I still recommend giving it a try if it sounds interesting to you.

Dnfed at 20%. I wanted to like this one since I didn't like the authors other book, however this one did NOT connect with me. I didn't connect with the main character which is why I mainly didn't finish this. I'm not sure this author is for me. Ive given them so many tries but their books just don't click with me.

This was a really interesting story. I definitely forgot what it was about between the time of requesting it and reading it, but I ended up being delighted by the premise and the way the story played out. I really liked the main character. It was very well-written.

Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was one of my favorite books of 2023! This book follows Gem as they find out that they are the reincarnation of a god after two other gods try to kill them. They are saved by another reincarnated Goddess, who they were lovers with in previous lives. But as Gem's life before and the life that they are thrust into are colliding, and they soon realize that everyone has secrets.

I really liked the writing style. I also really liked the concept and execution of the concept. I liked how the characters were morally grey, even the narrator of the story. This book really kept you in suspense as to what happened and what was going to happen. All in all, amazing book.

I think there are a lot of very cool elements here, including the reincarnation, the pantheon, and the willingness that Edgmon has to go there with violence. No one is really all that likable in this book, and you have to be okay with that.