DNF @ 70%

The DNF is reflective of me and not this book.

The God and the Gumiho is a fun story set in the magical underbelly of Seoul. It really feels like a k-drama or webtoon, mixing the mythological with modern, everyday drama. I loved the setting, and enjoyed Hani as a protagonist.

My only criticism is I would have liked more description about the creatures of the world. I had to consistently look up Korean folklore, because I kept forgetting what the creatures were. Otherwise, I loved the creative blend of folklore and modernity!

Absolutely loved this! This was such a unique story. I’m not familiar with Korean mythology so any mention of the story or the names of gods is all new to me. But I really loved the way the author mixed in the mythology with an urban fantasy feel. One of my favorite tropes is grumpy/sunshine and this was perfect with grumpy Seokga and snarky Hani! The book was fast paced, I felt like I read it super fast and yet I wished I had more of it to read! I loved the plot, the characters, and the banter! This book was very cute and heartwarming, highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley for my eARC! I really loved this and I have no idea why it took me so long to finally read! I wish I’d read it sooner!

I absolutely loved this!!!

This is true hate to love. I mean they reaalllly do not like each other and are very very reluctant allies. But through banter and sweet moments they start to truly see other and the friendship and romance that follows is so freaking cute 😭. Seokga is the ultimate grump who dislikes everything. Except for his coffee and his gumiho. I’m a sucker for the “soft only for her.” And Hani is one sly, badass gumiho who really doesn’t like coffee but falls for Seokga anyway. And you know it’s good when the story both makes you giddy and breaks your heart.

The world building was steeped in Korean mythology and I wish I could grab a coffee at Creature Cafe. The murder mystery plot was thrilling and at times eerie. It felt exactly like I was transported into an urban fantasy K-drama.

Counting down the days to the sequel!!!

This was a fun and fast read but nothing groundbreaking. I thoroughly enjoyed the mythology of the book a lot.

This was such a fresh, propulsive, page-turning new fantasy. I would die for these characters, and felt like I was totally immersed in their world and lives. Can't wait for more from Sophie Kim!

⭐️: 2
DNF. I tried to get into it, but it didn’t hold my interest Maybe I’ll give it another chance at a later time.

I will make this short. I love the plot devices. I love the characters. I love the easy writing. And it is an easy read for me too.

… but the fun stops at 50% marks.

The rest is a mess. Mostly those bed scenes in between all the “the end of this area is coming closer” narration. It just … my brain cant comprehend.

The pace is brutally fast
The plot is not plotting
The good characters being all dumb
The villain is cringy af
The backstory of the villain is meh

The book is set to be a trilogy, but I need to stop at book 1. It is clear how the two leads will end anyway.

Fully immersive fantasy with some of the coolest mythology I've read. This is honestly one of my favorite fantasies of the year and I can't believe more people aren't completely obsessed with it. It has a lot of the characteristics of a romantic fantasy, but it also is so much more. It was dramatic and had a GORGEOUS romance that was just perfectly paced. All this with the backdrop of gods and ancient lore. I really couldn't ask for more from this book. I loved it so much and am so grateful to have had the opportunity to read it. I will definitely be rereading!

The God and the Gumiho, by Sophie Kim, is a captivating mixture of mythology, romance, and fantasy that throws readers into a modern reimagining of Korean folklore. Beliefs and desires are challenged throughout the story, while keeping the plot progressing in a nice manner. This book was very entertaining and I enjoyed reading it. Thank you for the opportunity!

This is so magical and fun, a cotton candy fluff of a book. The worldbuilding is perfect and immersive, and the romance at the center is so well developed and sweet. The characters are all fully realized and the thriller is a page turner. Amazing blend of fun tropes (one bed!) and elements unique to the main couple.

I really enjoyed this take on Korean folklore! It did take me a little bit to get into it, but once I was hooked, I was hooked.

I'm gonna say it—Korean mythology >> Christian mythology.

I loved this story. We have trickster gods, eternal wagers, an enemies-to-lovers romance, coffee shenanigans, and a detective and sidekick combo. Hani, the legendary nine-tailed gumiho known as the Scarlet Fox, is being hunted down after murdering a man and eating his liver. Seokga, a trickster god fallen from grace, is given a second-chance if he can track her down and kill her. Unfortunately, he doesn't know who or where she is. Using this to her advantage, Hani volunteers to be his sidekick as he investigates the mystery, staying close to him so she can misdirect him along the way.

I would recommend this book to anyone who:
✅Loves K-dramas and needs more of them in books
✅Wants a (true) hate-to-love, slow-burn romance
✅Enjoys books like <i>The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy</i>

Great story with a strong sense of atmosphere, excellent characters and banter and full emotional involvement.

I had a lot of fun with this book, and it was definitely unexpected. The urban fantasy-vibes full of Korean folklore was a good change of pace. There were some aspects of characters that didn't quite sit well with me, but over all, the story was a fun cat and mouse game.

Kim’s vivid prose brings the world of gods, spirits, and ancient lore to life, while the complex characters add depth and heart to the narrative. The romance is intense, the stakes are high, and the twists keep you hooked until the very end. Some readers might wish for a bit more clarity on the mythology, but the blend of myth and modernity makes this a captivating read for fans of richly imagined fantasy with a romantic core.

This book is a captivating and immersive read that hooks you from the first page. The writing is beautifully crafted, with vivid descriptions and strong character development that makes the story come alive. The plot is well-paced, balancing moments of tension with quieter, reflective scenes that allow the characters to grow. The themes explored are deep and thought-provoking, resonating long after the final page. Whether it's the emotional depth, the twists and turns of the plot, or the unforgettable characters, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys rich, engaging stories. Highly recommended for fans of fantasy.

"The God and the Gumiho" tells the story of Seokga, a trickster former god who has been punished for attempting to overthrow his brother, and Hani, a "reformed" gumiho. Fate brings them together in a fantasy world where they must collaborate to save humanity.

I really loved the premise of this book. The idea of a parallel world filled with mystical beings coexisting with humans—who are completely unaware of their presence—is fascinating. The trickster God, Seokga, has been cast out for his desire to rule everything, which reminded me of Loki. Now, he is a grumpy God in disguise living among humans. His punishment is to eliminate unruly creatures, and he is stuck in this role until he captures the designated number to regain his divinity. However, things took a turn when two dangerous creatures disrupted peace in South Korea. Seokga is given an opportunity to redeem himself. The twist comes when the dangerous creature that Seokga must hunt—the Scarlet Fox—becomes his newly assigned assistant.

I was truly consumed by this story, but I do have to admit that it has a very slow pace. It wasn't until about 70% of the way through that the action really picked up. Around the same time, the romance between the unruly Hani and the grumpy Seokga begins to blossom. I have to be honest; I started to lose interest in the book because I wasn't feeling the chemistry between the two characters. There's one scene in particular where they discuss their long lives and shared experiences, and it came off as a little too corny for my taste.
That being said, the ending really redeemed the story for me. I loved that it wasn't a typical perfect ending but rather one that left room for a new beginning. It felt like the perfect conclusion for the story of this unruly gumiho and the not-so-grumpy God.

Overall, The God and the Gumiho is an enjoyable read with an intriguing premise. While it may have some slower moments, especially early on, the unique world-building and the redemption-filled ending made it worth the read. If you enjoy stories with mythology, fantasy, and a touch of romance, this one is definitely worth checking out.

This was just ok for me. Admittedly it's my first sort of introduction to K-pop meets fantasy meets romance. Love the basis of a mystery plot. It took me a good Long while to get into this book.

I absolutely loved this book! The romance was simply sublime—the chemistry between the characters was electric and left me completely hooked from start to finish. I can’t remember the last time a romance felt so real and heartwarming, with just the right amount of tension to keep me eagerly turning the pages.

The writing itself was fantastic! It did take me a moment to adjust to the naming conventions, but once they were introduced, it was smooth sailing. In fact, the story flowed so well after that point, I couldn't put the book down. The pacing was spot on, and I found myself flying through chapters without even realizing it.

The mystery element was another highlight. It kept me on the edge of my seat, never quite knowing what would happen next, and it paired so beautifully with the romance. The balance between the two was perfect—neither overshadowed the other, and they both built toward an incredible payoff.

I’m already desperate for the next book—this series has me completely captivated, and I need to know what happens next immediately! Highly recommend this one to anyone who loves a gripping mystery with a heartfelt romance. You won’t regret it!

Thanks to NetGalley for an Arc of this book. It’s been a minute but I’m kicking myself for not reading this earlier

Thank you, Del Ray and NetGalley, for an eARC of this title.

I really enjoyed this book. I've read other books about gumiho and enjoyed them, so when I saw The God and the Gumiho by Sophie Kim, I was super interested in reading it. It didn't disappoint!

This was a romantasy/who-dun-it, and we're following a fallen god, Seokga, who has teamed up with Hani, the infamous Scarlet Fox to defeat a demon who is threatening to destroy the world.

I liked the characters, the plot, the mythology, and the adventure we go on with the two MCs. I can't wait for the next book. Check this one out!