I really liked this book. The cover is just amazing.
The characters, the banter, the development, the grey morality, the Korean mythology.
Outstanding in every way possible.

Thank you thank you thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for an e-arc of The God and The Gwisin!

I’m not being dramatic when I say that this was literally my most anticipated read for 2025 after having my heart completely crushed by book 1.

While this is book 2 to a series, I honestly loved how different it felt to The God and the Gumiho. New characters, new locations, new drama. At first, I was hesitant to form an attachment to Yoo Kisa, but I found her to be just as lovable as Hani. Kisa felt so different from Hani, but Sophie still slipped a few Hani traits in since she still plays a role in this book.

The dynamic and growing love between Kisa and Seokga was everything. I loved seeing them falling in love with each other (again, technically?), and the ending filled me with so much happiness and hope for the two characters.

“I love you because for my soul, loving you is like breathing. It’s all it knows how to do.”

I loved how mental health was such a huge aspect of this novel. A lot of it comes from learning more about Seokga and his traumas that pertain to his parents and brother. There really are reasons why Seokga has such a hard exterior that only Kisa is able to crack, and it’s not just because he’s the Trickster God! Hajun, an idol and Kisa’s best friend, also acts as a mental health rep as a character who dealt with extreme stress and unhealthy coping mechanisms.

“…his story is a fractured mess of broken promises and lonely sufferings.”

Lastly, I loved the new characters we were introduced to, and having some of the old characters make a comeback. I loved Somi’s redemption arc and her and Kisa’s friendship. Hajun might be one of my all time favorite characters, and I would definitely like to see more Somi x Hajun in book three hehe. The brotherly relationship between Seokga and Hwanin was so sweet and pure, so here’s to reconciling differences and learning to love again.

“Her lips are so sweet against his, and when her nose bumps against his Seokga wonders if he has found in Kisa a religion outside of his own to worship.”

There’s nothing better than when a trope is done well, and I think it’s fair to say that Sophie absolute perfected both reincarnation and soulmate tropes. 10/10. No notes.

Thank you to Net Galley and Del Rey for the ARC. I loved book 1, and am going to pretend the series ended there because my heart can't take Hani not remembering Seokga, plus she's a totally different person now.

You know how sometimes your lost love is reincarnated and you spend 30 years searching for her only to find her working on a cruise ship run by the God of the Dead while you’re on vacation with your psychologist and brother (who just so happens to be the Heavenly Emperor, and just so happens to get unalived the very next day?) Oh, and you’re also a trickster god? Well buckle up, because Seogka and the gang are back with another mystery to solve!

Some of you may remember my glowing review of The God and the Gumiho, and I’ll admit to being nervous about the sequel, both because sequels can struggle to live up to the first book and because I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about the switch from Hani to Kisa as our FMC. Readers, I was BLOWN AWAY. This is urban fantasy perfected—each character fits seamlessly into the world, shifting between the fantasy of trickster gods, ghost shamans, and the red thread of fate to the reality of coffee-flavored candies, th3rapy sessions, and struggling K-Pop idols. Kim’s world is not just unique, it’s also incredibly witty, and I loved every second spent exploring it.

Seogka’s grumpy personality had me laughing out loud, and Kisa’s quick mind, thirst for knowledge, and propensity to put her foot in her mouth won me over from the first page. Even side characters carry surprising emotional weight, and Kim’s writing shines precisely because she is not afraid to be irreverent and lighthearted in one sentence and deeply insightful in the next. The central question, whether a reincarnated soul is or is not the same person (a la the ship of Theseus metaphor) is both fascinating and heartbreaking to explore, and is beautifully balanced by the snappy whodunnit that drives Gwisin’s plot.

If it isn’t obvious by now, The God and the Gwisin sits firmly in my list of top reads this year. Though I’m hoping we’ll see more stories from this world, Gwisin wraps with no major cliffhanger, making the series perfect for those seeking a duology steeped in Korean myth, fated love, a hilarious pantheon of squabbling gods, and of course, a coffee or two.

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This follow-up was everything I hoped for and more. While I already enjoyed the first book, this one took the emotional depth, character development, and romance to another level.
The yearning was so well done — tender, believable, and satisfying. Seokga is YEARNING HARD in this book. Like Mr. Darcy hand clench level hard. Oh, my how I love a man who is a fool in love. Give me more!

And Kisa was a perfect FMC. Dare I say I even liked her more than Hani? She was just much more reserved and cautious with her feelings - a trait all too familiar to me. I could genuinely feel how the Kisa's emotions shifted over time, and that made her and Seokga's connection all the more powerful. The romance wasn’t rushed or forced; it grew naturally and beautifully, and I was fully invested.

What really impressed me was how the story even managed to delve into serious, heartfelt topics without ever losing the charm and wit I loved in the first book. It explores family dynamics, the longing for approval, the ache of loving without being loved in return, and the larger, lingering question of what truly defines us.

The side characters were a delight — distinctive and memorable — and the humor was classic Sophie Kim: sharp, unexpected, and perfectly timed.

The mystery plot wasn’t the strongest part for me, but it served its purpose well and didn’t detract from what the book does best: exploring human connection and inner growth.

I truly hope we haven’t seen the last of these characters. I would gladly return to this world again — and again!

I love this series!! This is the sequel to The God and the Gumiho by Sophie Kim (seriously, this series is awesome. Go read this first one if you haven't already). I was SO stoked to get this as an ARC!

This is a murder mystery on a cruise ship in the Underworld, what could be better?! Oh yeah, add your reincarnated fated love being dead and having no memory of you. Hijinks ensue... This was a whole lot of fun based around Korean mythology. I absolutely love broadening my mythology horizons and this did not disappoint!

I highly recommend this series if you haven't read it yet! Seriously, so good! I got the original in my Fairyloot box and I've already preordered this sequel for a physical copy. Oops... 😊

Thanks @netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

#bookstagram #books #reading #arcreview #netgalley #arcreader

I thought reading one title by Sophie Kim was enough emotional damage for the year, but Sophie said, “bet,” and handed me The God and the Gwisin. 😭 This Korean fantasy is the sequel to The God and the Gumiho, which I fell in love with last year. We pick up about 30 years after the events of The God and the Gumiho and follow Seokga, our reinstated trickster god who is no longer fallen (!) and has been desperately searching for his long-love. The red thread of fate leads him on board a cruise ship down the river of the dead to a quiet and smart gwisin named Kisa. When Seokga’s brother Hwanin is murdered, Seokga and Kisa must solve the crime before the cruise ends. As the mystery draws them closer, they will have to decide what they truly mean to each other.

This book was so bittersweet seeing Seokga so desperate to reunite with the love of his life. The passages where he yearns for Hani and reflects on their time together made me so emotional. I love seeing the character development he went through as a broody, grumpy fallen god who couldn’t stand the sight of the bubbly gumiho determined to push his buttons, to an earnest man willing to do anything to get his girl back.

Even with the emotional moments, I can’t even count the number of times I laughed out loud reading this book. All of Seokga and Kisa’s inner monologues about their feelings for each other; all the times Seokga tried to inconspicuously show off in front of Kisa; and all of the shenanigans of our four-person detective team of Seokga, Kisa, Somi, and Hajun got up to had me giggling. And speaking of Somi and Hajun, I love their dynamic as a second couple that you typically see in K-dramas. Their little moments were very fun to read as well.

Overall, this book is a must read for all fans of The God and the Gumiho, and anyone looking for a fun fantasy mystery combined with an emotional slowburn romance. I will miss these characters and world so much but I’m super excited for what’s in store next! 🪽🏆 👀

The god and the gwisin

I was so so excited to be offered this ARC after loving The God and the Gumiho and it did not disappoint!! I loved the first and this one was like a whole new experience to still love all over again. We have our familiar Seokga in all his (almost) full godly powers who needs to take a vacation after trying to find Hani’s reincarnation after so long.

She is, surprisingly, on the cruise in the underworld that he is convinced to go on, having already died. The red thread of fate that connects them finally leads them back together, except Hani’s reincarnation is now Kisa and does not remember her past life.

As someone that has trouble remembering the first book, I definitely appreciated that and felt connected with Kisa 😂 but truly she was a joy to follow and grow to love, different than Hani but someone you can’t help to enjoy! The murder mystery, the ship, the familiar and new faces… it was all done so well and I loved every bit of it.

I think the only thing that I was hoping to be different was to be a bit more surprised. It was SUCH a fun read but overall the mystery part felt a bit lacking but as someone that loves romance, loves fantasy, and loves the mythology inspiration, it wasn’t a big problem for me. I rarely read mysteries at the end.

Thank you so much for the eARC!! I’m so happy to get a chance to have read it just before release and have it fresh in my head as I meet the author soon and also can’t wait for my edition to come in. 💕

Simply delightful book full of twists and turns, eith engaging main characters. It was a mystery from start to finish and left you guessing with what would happen next.

I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Random House and NetGalley!

I am so happy to report that this is ANOTHER banger from Ms Kim omg. Idk what about this series gets me so good but it really does read like a kdrama or an anime. I will continue to eat it up.

Same as last time, I am obsessed with Seokga and Kisa formerly known as Hani. I appreciate that even though Kisa is technically Hani reincarnated, she had her own personality and her own characterizations. The vague similarities are a fun call back but I like that it really did feel like a brand new character falling in love. Seokga is still just as fun as the last time so no notes there.

I enjoyed the mystery on the cruise ship lmao. I don't know. It's just so fun to me. It's dramatic and world ending enough to make you feel like the stakes are high, same as book 1, but also like, you know it'll end well. The mystery was pretty light and I did sort of guess the culprit about halfway in but none of that took away from my enjoyment.

Can't believe I want to use the word "sweet" to describe the romance but it was. It's not too too heavy on the romantic aspects but you can tell that they're in love with the flirting 😩 I ate it up.

Really, I hope this series or story goes on for maybe a book or 2 because I'm obsessed with these characters and want to see them solving more supernatural mysteries lol. This one ends in a good place but it's also so clearly leading to the next chapter which I am excited for. Make the cover green queen! Also can this please be made into a tv show? THANKS.

“Oh, Seokga thinks, he could fall in love with her forever, in all forms. She’s not Hani. She’s Kisa. And he is beginning to adore her. Ardently.”

THE GOD AND THE GWISIN was one of my anticipated 2025 sequel releases and it did not disappoint. I was immediately sucked back into the k-drama world that Sophie Kim built involving the trickster god, Seokga and a cast of new and familiar creatures from Korean mythology.

The way that Kim brings Korean gods and monsters into the modern world is so clever. The parts where other characters make fun of Seokga’s atrocious texting skills and any scenes involving The Godly Gossip celebrity news always made me laugh.

Plus there’s the cozy murder mystery aspect as Seokga and crew investigate a murder while trapped on a pleasure cruise in the Underworld. So many layers of fun!

But what made this book 5 stars for me was the journey of Seokga and Kisa and how they found their way back to each other/fell in love all over again.

**Spoilers below for THE GOD AND THE GUMIHO**






I say again because at the end of THE GOD AND THE GUMIHO, Seokga’s beloved Hani dies to save the world. Hwanin, the celestial emperor, agrees to allow Hani to reincarnate (even though she’s an Unruly and a serial killer… what’s a gumiho to do?!). Seokga then spends 33 years from the end of Book 1, scouring the earth for a reincarnated Hani. And when he finally finds her…. She’s a gwisin and trapped in the Underworld.

I loved the philosophical question of Theus’s ship and how where or not it’s the same ship (or soul in this case). And Seokga’s conclusion by the end of the book was perfection. I won’t give it away but it made my heart swoon.

Thank you @delreybooks for the eARC of THE GOD AND THE GWISIN!

I've never been so excited to read a book, this lived up to my expectations and gave me things I didn't even know I wanted like Seokga and his brother's evolving relationship. I wanted to hug Seokga so many times, this second book really explored more of him and his inner turmoil. I loved that he was ordered to do therapy even if he hated it lol because it was a good way to represent mental health needs and the importance of having hard conversations especially when he's gone through so much. Kisa was too cute, while I missed Hani and her chaos it was easy to love Kisa she was adorable, I loved how smart she was and how protective of her friends she was. Her personal story was also made me want to hug her and hide her from the world. The red string was so cool, I have never seen it be used the way it was in this book and I loved it. This may be my favorite book of the year and I think everyone who liked the first book will love this on too. The mystery was good too! I was trying so hard to figure it out and kept switching who I thought was behind things, I needed Kisa's notebook honestly lol

It has been thirty-three years since Seokga and Hani saved the world from endless darkness. And thirty-three years since they were separated. Since then, Seokga has been searching relentlessly for her reincarnation with no luck. Especially now that the red string of fate that is supposed to bring them together has become a jumbled, useless mess.

Kisa is beyond exhausted. She was exhausted as a doctor when she was living. And now she’s even more exhausted as she repays her karmic debt from her last life while waiting for reincarnation. When they both end up on a cruise ship in another realm, they must team up to solve a new mystery that may be more than it seems while their fates hang in the balance.

This book was fast-paced and engaging from the start. I enjoyed how we explored Seokga’s background and family dynamics a bit more, which allowed us to have a much better understanding of his character. We also were reunited with some old friends and met new ones who helped with the investigation. Seeing how the characters have grown and changed since we last saw them. I had a blast reading this sequel, and certainly would not complain if we get to visit this world again.

Thank you to Netgalley, author Sophie Kim, and Random House Publishing | Del Rey for an advanced copy of this book! All opinions are my own. <3

I actually adore this duology. This book is riddled with great humor and fantastic characters! Another fun fantasy mystery with Seogka! Absolutely recommend this!

Kim does a good job do navigating some challenging elements in this book but ending up with a generally entertaining story.

Absolutely loveeeed Seokga in this. The vibes were everything, loved the pacing, the setting was quite unique to me.

Thank you for the chance of this earc!

Mere words cannot express how much I loved The God and the Gumiho.

I was enthralled with the world and the characters. I loved the grumpy X sunshine tropiness.

Sadly, I was less invested in this one. Was I expecting more of the original? Kind of. It took me a long time to warm to the new characters and I think that ruined things for me. I wanted to love it as much as the first, but I just didn't, which is a shame because I love fantasy murder mysteries.

I loved this story, so much. I was worried about how it would go after the ending of the first one. I was missing Hani, but I grew to really love Kisa too. Sophie Kim did such a great job of introducing a 'new' character in and doing a 33 year time jump.

Seokga's patience with Kisa is so sweet. He's done a lot of growing and self work in the time he's been looking for Hani's reincarnation. It was interesting to learn more of Seokga's life from before his exile and why his relationship is so strained with his brother and the other gods. Baby God is absolutely hilarious and I love seeing Seokga care for him. Somi's reincarnation was a surprise too but a good one.

The twists of who was behind what were really good. I will say I felt for Seokga and the work he had done for him to be betrayed in that way... more than once.

I am so happy that Seokga and Kisa/Hani finally got their happy ending that was denied in the first book but please tell me there's going to be a book 3? like that ending surely leads open the door? Even if there's no book 3 of the Fate's Thread, I would love to read more in the universe and other books by Sophie Kim.

NetGalley and Random House provided me with a free version of this book for my honest review - thank you!

"Somewhere, far away, the God of laws and kept promises smiles. For and oat has finally been fulfilled"

God I'm crying. This duology made me laugh, made me cry, and made me rethink soulmates. Destined soulmates and reincarnation really can be overdone and boring sometimes but this in no way disappointed. The sequel to the God And the Gumiho made me rethink a lot about reincarnated past lovers. It didn't fall into too many tropes and showed me something new. And the ending..stunning. Realistic and happy😭 The characters deserve all the happiness in the world.

Thank you to netgalley and Delray for sending me an e arc for this book!

Remember alchemy of souls when the fmc actress changed for season 2 so she acts differently but it's the same storyline all over again? Well that is what this book felt like. I understand book 1 ended open ended and on a cliffhanger but I felt the first half was basically a rehash of the first book. Like just remember your past life already. But the yearning was good. Overall I thought it was good and we learned more about the other gods.
I received an arc from Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

I was not expecting a sequel when I picked up the first book, I'm go used to k-dramas and manga that have an open ending. When I learned there was a sequel I was so beyond excited. My expectations were high and were met in my opinion. Thier is so much I want to say but would never spoil the story for anyone else excited for this book. But the energy, pacing, tension and delicious storytelling you got in the first book continues strong in this one. If you liked or loved the The God and the Gumiho, I'm so happy you get to keep enjoying Seokga's story.