I really enjoyed a lot of things about this book! The queer representation is out of this world! I loved that all the characters, whether they were good or bad, were well fleshed out, had their purpose, and complemented each other really well. There is tons of action in this story and it ends in a way that makes you wish the next book was out right now - which is saying something considering this book isn’t even out yet!
The qualms I have with this book come from the structure of the story and the world building. Though it was action packed, I did find the story to be a bit all over the place. It did build to one large climax, but there were a couple times throughout where it seemed like something big was about to happen and then it didn’t. The world building was good for the most part, I just found it a bit lack lustre in the explanation of Gem’s powers. It seemed like they could just kind of do whatever they, but then other times it seemed like they had no control or couldn’t do whatever they wanted. This also verges on new adult sometimes rather than young adult/teen - just my thoughts!
I’m hoping that is fleshed out with the next book - but I’m also at a point where I’m unsure if I will read it. The ending was a tad predictable as well.
Overall it was a decent read and makes me want to read more of Edgmon’s books.

Thank you to St.Martin’s Publishing Group for access to the eARC in exchange for an honest review! All views and opinions are my own!

<i>Received for free as an EARC from the publishers.</i>

Do you like books about queer teens becoming gods and becoming villains? Because I do, and if you do as well, Godly Heathens is definitely the book for you. So Godly Heathens is my first book from HE Edgmon and it is a fucking romp. Like a villain origin story? With <i>gods?</i> And morally grey queers? <i>Yes please</i>. Godly Heathens is a fantastic book that I have no doubt that this is going to be some queer teens favourite book, and it really deserves to be. It's action packed with fantastic worldbuilding, morally grey characters, a queer, trans, and Seminole protagonist, and writing that'll make you laugh, cry, and curse that your heart hurts this goddamn much. But let's get onto the review, shall we?

Edgmon is a fantastic writer and time and time again I was highlighting an endless number of quotes. Edgmon writes like they're trying to describe the juiciest peach they've ever ate, and honestly? He's doing it flawlessly. The scenes hit like a jackhammer to the heart, and betrayals and friends and struggles truly feel like they mean something. They are not scared to embrace the messy and dark and they do it with such pizzaz that it makes you laugh and cry in the same turn.

The characters in this book are also all so incredibly fun, and Edgmon does a fantastic job of really making you care for them. Gem is a great and messy protagonist, and while their faults drive a lot of the book, they never feel so absurd to make it distracting. They're messy and they're trying and you <i>get</i> it.

One part where I felt the book did suffer however, was in it's plot and pacing. Despite having a handle on what he wanted to happen, and being really good at making the plot work, it felt like Edgmon was to increase the length of the book. While the beginning and end move at a breakneck speed, the middle of the book, while incredibly engaging, sagged, and while I didn't mind it at the end, I would've preferred Gem's call to action to have been delayed even a chapter. Something that would've helped the pacing issues.

In conclusion HE Edgmon shows why queer folks write morally grey characters best, and I cannot wait to read the next book in this series. I hope everyone else reads this and loves it as much as I did, because honestly, it's a book to love, and I will not be accepting any criticism.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!*

Godly Heathens is dark, mysterious, intriguing, and delivers everything it promises.

Getting right into it, if you are not squeamish and like villainous main characters, this book is probably for you. In my opinion it toes the line between Young Adult and Adult. Sections, particularly in the beginning, are quite graphic and do not hold back on gore and violence. There is a content warning for this in the beginning which I appreciated because it does allow readers to know what to expect without spoiling anything in the story. H. E. Edgmon does not hold back on how dark it can be and delivers on these characters that are quite questionable in their actions.

This was outside of my preferred genre but I found myself, for the first time in a very long time, not wanting to put this book down. I wanted to know where it was going, and I was so invested in how the dynamics between Gem and Willa Mae, and Gem and Enzo, would play out. In the midst of so much world building and dynamic plot lines there is still room for these characters to shine. So many books are heavy on one aspect or another, and I think this one found a great balance. I was never bored and I'm now incredibly anxious for book 2.

I've never bounced between "I really don't like this character" to "I'm starting to like this character" so much in a novel. My emotions and feelings were being tugged back and forth so rapidly I never knew if I was going to like Gem in the next chapter or not. That really added to the excitement because I was also trying to figure out who Gem was alongside Gem figuring it out too. There is always something happening in terms of action or development or representation or character building that is entertaining and not overwhelming.

There is also a plethora of queer, BIPOC, and mental health representation in this book. There are nonbinary characters, trans characters, pan/sapphic/demiromantic characters, poly dynamics, Black and Indigenous (Alaskan Native and Seminole) characters, and so much more. Given how this story takes place in rural Georgia it never does feel inauthentic and actually brings light to how there are often just as many queer people in these places are there are in more "accepting" places. Gem being openly out knows this more than anyone because people come to them often. The book also delves into Gem's complicated relationship with their parents which is an added layer in Gem's life, world perspective, and identity.

My one issue that I noticed with this book is how women and transfemme characters are talked about. I sometimes felt uncertain and uncomfortable, considering what we're led to believe about the relationship with Gem and Willa Mae. (!Very light sort-of? spoiler here!) At one point Gem calls Willa Mae "bitchy" for not answering a text when she was justifiably upset with Gem. These characters are dark in their depictions, but I noticed more grace and patience offered to Enzo than her. We see how Gem can be considerate of romantic partners/friends and I didn't feel that at all with Willa Mae. It often felt like Gem just wanted Willa Mae to get on the same page without any genuine consideration of their feelings.
It does make me curious to see how this will evolve and develop in the following novel. I can see how this could be something that will be further developed and intentional on the author's part. As of this moment though, I cannot say if that truly was a dynamic of the story because we have yet to see where it will go. (This could also just be me being a bit biased because Willa Mae is by far my favorite character and I want to protect them at all costs.)

Overall, Godly Heathens was everything I had been hoping for and more and I'm curious to see where H. E. Edgmon will take this story. As mentioned before, if you love dark villainous main characters with tons of representation, this is definitely one to pick up!

My review of Godly Heathens can be summarized thus: I support trans rights AND trans wrongs, particularly when said trans wrongs involve dark magic, soulmates, bad decisions, reincarnation, and a polyamorous T4T4T romance. This is a book that is exactly my brand and I am 100% confident it will resonate with other readers too.

H.E. Edgmon has cemented himself as one of my favourite authors with Godly Heathens. My only regret is that I read an ARC and so I played myself into waiting twice as long for the series conclusion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an advance review copy. All opinions are my own.

I screamed when I finished this book. No lie. I SCREAMED because how how HOW can H.E. Edgmon end a book on that cliffhanger and expect us to be okay with it???? If I don't manage to get my hands on MERCILESS SAVIORS as soon as possible, I might actually combust.

Anyway.

What can I say? This is the feral, whip-smart, gloriously queer YA fantasy of my nightmares. I loved it. I loved the chaos, the rage, the scale and the intimacy. Gem is a complex and fascinating character with one of the most engaging voices I've encountered recently; I would read anything from their perspective, no matter how unhinged. The plot spun breathlessly, twist after clever twist, and gah ... it's sexy, diverse, violent, and all of the delicious things promised by the blurb (and more.)

10/10 would read Edgmon's shopping list.

Godly Heathens took a concept that’s been done a million times and makes it unique. I loved the trans, queer, native rep. I loved the idea of gods from another dimension reincarnating in our world. I loved hitting in hard topics. I just thought it was too young and the contemporary world (small town georgia) felt incongruous with the rest of it.

dnf at 14.0%. it took me a while to get to reading this one, and while i was initially very excited about it, i don't think this was for me. a lot of telling rather than showing, and the first person narration is sort of all over the place. strange pacing also? i think these are things i would have overlooked as a teen, and thus i imagine this will be enjoyed by its target audience. wonderful queer and mental health rep, though!

thank you to netgalley and st. martins press for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating:3.5

Godly heathers is a good book. The plot was interesting as well as the characters. Also the indigenous rep and the queer rep was well done.

However I personally just wasn’t all that into it. I feel as though this book should’ve/ could’ve been a Adult novel instead of a Ya novel. In essence Godly Heathens has all the makings of a adult book but it doesn’t go all the way with it and it’s kinda disappointing.

Another than that I really enjoyed the book and it’s most of the characters.

Godly Heathens is one of my new favorites of 2023. I was completely blown away! I have really enjoyed H.E. Edgmon’s previous work, but this felt like it was on a different level. Gem is a nonbinary Seminole teen living in a small town in Georgia. Not much changes here, until the day Willa Mae arrives. High school is hard enough without someone showing up to tell you that you’re actually a god with powerful magic. It soon becomes clear that Willa Mae isn’t lying and Gem will have to try and reconnect with their memories and magic in order to save themself from people who blame them for their actions in previous lives.

Godly Heathens is an action-packed adventure that is impossible to put down! Gem is such a morally gray character who is trying to do their best in an impossible situation. The LGBTQ+ representation is excellent (especially nonbinary rep)! I also really appreciated the mental health rep and the realizations Gem has about their mental health. I loved the slow reveal of the story behind the gods and Gem's past lives. The flashbacks were very well-done. Edgmon's writing is funny, mindful of grief and trauma, and shows a way towards hope. The characters feel so tangible and genuine. I particularly loved Willa Mae and Enzo!! The connections between them all are solidified while battling enemies and trying to use magic that comes with a price. The ending was a brutal cliffhanger, needless to say I can’t wait to read the sequel!!

Readers who enjoy contemporary fantasy, queer found family, morally gray characters, witty banter, and action-packed scenes will love this book.

Thank you so much to H.E. Edgmon, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review

For publisher: My review will be posted on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc

I received this ARC from netgalley, and I really enjoyed the premise. The first chapter really sucks you in, and I loved folllowing Gem. I feel like YA can be cringey when trying to relate to how teenagers live and act, but this was a very accurate and comical look at the mind of a YA. Although I do think the ending added a few details a little late in the story that didn’t wind up being relevant, I’m chalking that up to clear foreshadowing for the series. The ending almost seemed to be wrapped up a little too nicely with a bow, and then the plot twist comes. Definitely worth the read!

I grew up as a queer person on Cheyenne Arapaho land in Oklahoma. To say I loved this book would be a massive understatement. This was such a fun combination of modern slang and pop culture tied into Native culture and queer culture. Gem as a character is so perfectly morally grey, but with so many good reasons. Good on you, Edgmon.

I truly adored this book.

Alternately visceral and lovely, the lush prose rich with meticulously detailed imagery made this story a delight to read. The portrayal of mental illness feels both accurate and compassionate while the depiction of a family member who is "just trying to help" rings frustratingly true. And while the book focuses on Gem's struggles as both a trans and neurodivergent individual, I think it will resonate with anyone who has ever felt different, no matter what that difference is.

Touching on themes of both villainy and redemption, this is a story strongly driven by its characters and I loved how well their complexity and moral ambiguity did the premise justice. Gem struggles throughout the book with both their self-image and "doing the right thing" even as less savory aspects of themself continue to come to light. The antagonists, too, are multidimensional with sympathetic motivations. There is no one right or wrong side, just people trying to do their best through ever changing dynamics and fluid loyalties.

I also loved how this book not only isn't afraid to get dark, it revels in it. Some of the characters' actions are truly disturbing; after all, there is no such line as "too far" for a deity to cross. Be aware though that because of this, the story doesn't pull its punches - the bad is VERY bad, so make sure to check the trigger warnings.

Overall, the combination of unusual premise and unflinching reflection on the nature of good and evil creates a story that lingers past the final page. I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel.

4.5 stars rounded up.

Note: I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. A copy of this review also appears on Goodreads.

As a huge fan of The Witch King duology, I had been anxiously awaiting Edgmon’s latest release. Godly Heathens was everything I was hoping for and more! The diversity of characters? The SICK powers the different gods have? The story? Just everything was 10/10 chefs kiss.

Gem Echols just wants to graduate high school and leave small town Georgia behind. They have plans to get to New York to be themselves and with their best friend, Enzo. But dreams that Gem has never told anyone about of magic and murder keep haunting their dreams. Somehow the new girl in town, Willa Mae, knows all about the dreams and more. Between her and another transfer student claiming to be the god of death that idea of finishing high school and getting out seems to slipping away for the simple goal of not getting killed.

Edgmon presents a mythology and world that is rich and messy. The complications of reincarnation and fate blend perfectly into the messiness of trying to just thrive as a teenager with great added layer of godhood and memories that don't quiet piece together. The book doesn't give a clear path to understanding who is in the right because that is never how the world works and they way that Edgmon approaches that was so well carried off. The layers and motivations for each character twist and turn in very human ways.

Now this is a fun contemporary fantasy wrapped up in our modern time with troublesome reincarnated gods!

At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The cover screamed high fantasy, so I was surprised when Gem finished up their initial dream and we were in the middle of Georgia, USA. The story kept taking interesting turns after that.

I truly did enjoy this concept. Reincarnated gods stuck living as humans for many generations on Earth while they also fight with each other due to the consequences of such magic. The understanding of waking up and realizing they’re a god added with the magic knife—the Ouroboros—was so cool, but it felt so flippant in the story. I wish the story had taken time to develop the Ether and these gods, further cementing them for the reader.

Reading about Gem and their struggles through life, especially when they’re hit with the fact that they’re actually a god, was one of my favorite parts. We see how they deal with this information and how horribly they spiral as they wonder how much of their life was them feeling like there was something wrong with them, or just the underlying fact that they were not entirely human.

The conclusion of this story also felt a little loose. I was expecting something more grounding, not another of the gods coming in to cause trouble out of nowhere. It felt random.

Overall, I just think this story needed to go deeper. It’s a great concept with a cool cast of characters, but the execution didn’t feel 100% to me. However, I do think for readers who like to swing by a story quickly and just enjoy the vibes, this would be a great book for them!

Another stunning book by H.E. Edgmon. It took a little bit for me to get into it (you're kinda just thrown into everything without a lot of explanations and books that start like that are often a bit difficult for me because I get frustrated not knowing what's going on) but once I got a few chapters in, I was completely engrossed.

Gem is a nonbinary teen living in Seminole, GA. They are unabashedly queer and are always charming their peers. Underneath however, they are an anxious mess. Not least of all because they worry they are losing their sanity. They have visions of being a god called the Magician and helping another god, The Shade, murder the other god in the pantheon. Gem's father is mentally ill and they worry that, as much as these seem like visions or memories, they are actually hallucinations. Their only true confidant is a trans boy named Enzo who lives in NY.

A girl named Willa Mae comes to their school and we find out that she is one of the gods, Gem is the Magician, and they actually sent all the still living gods to this realm a long time ago and they keep being reborn and will continue to do so unless Gem is killed with a specific weapon which will allow the gods to return home.

An amazing story with many twists and turns that really drew me in. I was in love with Enzo immediately and love where his story ended up going. And that cliffhanger ending! Can't wait for the second book to see how everything unfolds.

ARC provided by NetGalley

This was INSANE in the best way possible. I'm genuinely a lil lost for words on how to talk about this book because I loved it that much. Gem is such a deeply messed-up character, in so many ways, and I love them immensely for it. Their dynamic with every other character is so fraught even when they don't want it to be or even know why. This book is like everything I've ever wanted in a story before and I can't wait to scream about it to every single customer that comes in my store.

3.5

this was so crazy insane and got BONKERS the more u read. literally hooked me in. gem is a mess of a character and you want them to do the right thing and end up well and every decision they turn around and don't do that. but lucky for me i love and adore self-sabotage! this took me a little bit to get into but man. what a wild ride when i did. there was some really good prose and descriptions and characters were like sooooooo well developed! i was iffy in the beginning but gem grew on me and now im eagerly sat for the next one.

Godly Heathens makes room for trans messiness in a way I’ve been begging for years for. Gem is a complicated character that struggles with their decisions throughout the book. There were moments where you question his decisions because you just want things to work out for them. I loved that consequences of every characters decisions was discussed in such a meaningful way. The queer rep in this book is amazing and I love that almost of all the cast fell somewhere under the queer umbrella. I fell in love with all the characters even through their “wrongs”.

There are so many quotes in Godly Heathens that I will be thinking about for a long time. I particularly felt impacted by Gem’s discussion of being a biracial Native individual dealing with colonizer blood.

Thais book had me kicking and screaming by the end and I can’t wait for the next book in the series. It’s queer chaos that I’ll be thinking about for a long time.

This book was incredible! I’m not sure I’ve read anything quite like it before. I really appreciated the world building and how the author is able to give you so much information in a really natural way. The characters are all really well thought out and that ending? Chefs kiss.