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In the Midst of Omens
A king determined to be remembered for all time…A jealous goddess who desires his throne.
King Gilgamesh rules the world’s preeminent city, the jewel of creation, Uruk.
But that is not enough. His desire for legacy consumes him and drives his ceaseless ambition—until the gods step in.
Their solution? Enkidu—a man with no past.
Enkidu captivates and frustrates Gilgamesh, drawing the king’s attention from eternity. He’s the perfect solution—for everyone except the goddess Inanna.
She has her own plans in place for Gilgamesh’s future until Enkidu’s arrival sabotages them.
No one spurns a goddess and gets away with it. Not even the king.
Especially not the king.
A reimagining of the world’s oldest written story, this fantasy reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast is filled with romance, twists and turns, and gripping characters.
King Gilgamesh rules the world’s preeminent city, the jewel of creation, Uruk.
But that is not enough. His desire for legacy consumes him and drives his ceaseless ambition—until the gods step in.
Their solution? Enkidu—a man with no past.
Enkidu captivates and frustrates Gilgamesh, drawing the king’s attention from eternity. He’s the perfect solution—for everyone except the goddess Inanna.
She has her own plans in place for Gilgamesh’s future until Enkidu’s arrival sabotages them.
No one spurns a goddess and gets away with it. Not even the king.
Especially not the king.
A reimagining of the world’s oldest written story, this fantasy reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast is filled with romance, twists and turns, and gripping characters.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 4, 2024
8 people are currently reading
315 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
May 22, 2024
I was so excited to get an early copy of In the Midst of Omens. I love Nicole Bailey's books and was so looking forward to reading a reimagining of The Epic of Gilgamesh. I've never read a retelling of Gilgamesh before, and In the Midst of Omens didn't disappoint! The world-building, characters, and relationships are all fantastic, and I adore Bailey's writing style.
I was so intrigued by Gilgamesh - his strong sense of responsibility and duty, his conflicting feelings about love and life, his obsessive need to leave a legacy, and his tumultuous connection to a goddess. It all makes for a thought-provoking read. Gilgamesh is a man of contradictions, and Bailey crafted him in a way that shows all the different layers to his personality. His arc explores his ambition and loyalty, duty to his people, compassionate and passionate nature, and desperation to be remembered after he's gone. It's a fascinating and multi-faceted examination of a complicated character, for sure.
Something I always love in Bailey's books is how the stories highlight so many different types of relationships and love. In this book we see the platonic love between Gilgamesh and his wife, the polyamorous relationship Shamat shares with two others, and the main romance between Gilgamesh and Enkidu. Gilgamesh and Shamat have such a unique relationship, and their platonic love for each other knows no bounds. They are both so committed to each other, and the strength of their bond is at the forefront of the book.
Of course, the romance between Gilgamesh and Enkidu was definitely my favorite. I can't resist a swoon-worthy romance, and this couple has a wonderful opposites-attract love story. I need more of them!! lol The plot and world-building are strong, too. Well-paced and immersive, it's the type of story that pulls you in quickly.
Though this is a reimagining, I don't think you need to know much about the original story to easily follow this one. If you have, you'll be impressed with Bailey's knowledge of the original story and how she puts a fresh spin on it. I'm excited to see what happens in the next book!
I was so intrigued by Gilgamesh - his strong sense of responsibility and duty, his conflicting feelings about love and life, his obsessive need to leave a legacy, and his tumultuous connection to a goddess. It all makes for a thought-provoking read. Gilgamesh is a man of contradictions, and Bailey crafted him in a way that shows all the different layers to his personality. His arc explores his ambition and loyalty, duty to his people, compassionate and passionate nature, and desperation to be remembered after he's gone. It's a fascinating and multi-faceted examination of a complicated character, for sure.
Something I always love in Bailey's books is how the stories highlight so many different types of relationships and love. In this book we see the platonic love between Gilgamesh and his wife, the polyamorous relationship Shamat shares with two others, and the main romance between Gilgamesh and Enkidu. Gilgamesh and Shamat have such a unique relationship, and their platonic love for each other knows no bounds. They are both so committed to each other, and the strength of their bond is at the forefront of the book.
Of course, the romance between Gilgamesh and Enkidu was definitely my favorite. I can't resist a swoon-worthy romance, and this couple has a wonderful opposites-attract love story. I need more of them!! lol The plot and world-building are strong, too. Well-paced and immersive, it's the type of story that pulls you in quickly.
Though this is a reimagining, I don't think you need to know much about the original story to easily follow this one. If you have, you'll be impressed with Bailey's knowledge of the original story and how she puts a fresh spin on it. I'm excited to see what happens in the next book!
June 19, 2024
I didn’t know the history behind Gilgamesh too much, but I saw Beauty and the Beast vibes and greek/historical fiction so I was sold. Quick rundown: Gilgamesh is the King of Uruk. He has overwhelming power and is seen to be oppressing his people so the Gods create a wild man Enkidu to befriend and stop him. This is the premise of the book, but turn it into a mm romance.
I enjoyed the story, and the tension filled moments between Gilgamesh, his queen Shamhat, and Enkidu. There was slow burn build up between Gilgamesh and Enkidu, and you can feel the pining and angst from their characters. As you go through the story you appreciate how Enkidu became aware of his feelings and world, and how Gilgamesh gave him space and friendship. I actually think I loved Shamhat and Gilgamesh relationship more as it was a love of amicable existence. They were each other’s best friend, and endured their relationship for the good of the kingdom.
This is a bit of a slow moving plot, and I wish there had been more build up with the Goddess Inanna. The description of battles, overtaking cities, and interactions with Inanna grab your attention though and keep you hooked. I am looking forward to reading book two to see how they overcome the obstacles thrown at the end of this one!
Read if you enjoy:
⚔️Tragic Origin Myth
⚔️Grumpy/Sunshine
⚔️MM Romance
⚔️Wounded Hero
⚔️Dragons
⚔️Spoiled Royal
⚔️Forced Proximity
⚔️Beauty and the Beast Reminiscent
Thank you to @literarymediatours and @authornicolebailey for the arc.
I enjoyed the story, and the tension filled moments between Gilgamesh, his queen Shamhat, and Enkidu. There was slow burn build up between Gilgamesh and Enkidu, and you can feel the pining and angst from their characters. As you go through the story you appreciate how Enkidu became aware of his feelings and world, and how Gilgamesh gave him space and friendship. I actually think I loved Shamhat and Gilgamesh relationship more as it was a love of amicable existence. They were each other’s best friend, and endured their relationship for the good of the kingdom.
This is a bit of a slow moving plot, and I wish there had been more build up with the Goddess Inanna. The description of battles, overtaking cities, and interactions with Inanna grab your attention though and keep you hooked. I am looking forward to reading book two to see how they overcome the obstacles thrown at the end of this one!
Read if you enjoy:
⚔️Tragic Origin Myth
⚔️Grumpy/Sunshine
⚔️MM Romance
⚔️Wounded Hero
⚔️Dragons
⚔️Spoiled Royal
⚔️Forced Proximity
⚔️Beauty and the Beast Reminiscent
Thank you to @literarymediatours and @authornicolebailey for the arc.
June 4, 2024
5 ⭐ CW: (provided by the author) grief/loss, death, war, gore, cussing, sexual content
In the Midst of Omens by Nicole Bailey is book one in the Legend of Gilgamesh duology. Another mythology retelling banger from Nicole! As usual, her characters are wonderful and compelling, and you can't help but love them and root for them, even when you already know what will happen based on the original story. Nicole weaves a new story from the oldest written story in history and makes it as gay as it was meant to be! It was a trip seeing my name in the acknowledgements of this book. I have been a staunch Nicole Bailey hype person since connecting with her on Instagram. You won't regret reading her books.
We follow Gilgamesh, King of Uruk and blessed with god-blood. He is ruthless, selfish, and arrogant. He is known for taking many wives and pulling other kings off their thrones and shaming them in front of their people. Gilgamesh is constantly looking to the future, trying to craft a legacy that will outlive him, making him unable to live and enjoy the moment. When the gods create gods blessed wild man, Enkidu, Gilgamesh finds himself contending with something new and not so easy to defeat.
I loved Enkidu right away! I loved an unconventional cinnamon roll. Enkidu is so innocent and pure, and exists to humble Gilgamesh and bring him down a peg. He's kind of like a muscular manic pixie dream girl lol. Gilgamesh is a little hard to stomach at first until Enkidu shows up and starts sanding away those edges. I do love the way Nicole has depicted Gilgamesh; he's both generous and selfish, loving and fierce. I also loved Shamhat as Gilgamesh 's Queen. She was so strong, and wasn't afraid to stand up to her husband. She had so much agency.
Though this was based on the Epic of Gilgamesh, this was a love story through and through. It was beautiful seeing two very masculine figures learn to be vulnerable with each other and learn how to love. It was very sweet, and also quite spicy 🥵. Not only is this an MM romance, but we also see polyamory between Gilgamesh, Shamhat and her partners, including a FF relationship. Nicole has also found a way to include nonbinary characters as priests of Inanna. Of course, Nicole can't just let us be happy at the end, so I'm very much looking forward to book two to see how it all ends.
In the Midst of Omens by Nicole Bailey is book one in the Legend of Gilgamesh duology. Another mythology retelling banger from Nicole! As usual, her characters are wonderful and compelling, and you can't help but love them and root for them, even when you already know what will happen based on the original story. Nicole weaves a new story from the oldest written story in history and makes it as gay as it was meant to be! It was a trip seeing my name in the acknowledgements of this book. I have been a staunch Nicole Bailey hype person since connecting with her on Instagram. You won't regret reading her books.
We follow Gilgamesh, King of Uruk and blessed with god-blood. He is ruthless, selfish, and arrogant. He is known for taking many wives and pulling other kings off their thrones and shaming them in front of their people. Gilgamesh is constantly looking to the future, trying to craft a legacy that will outlive him, making him unable to live and enjoy the moment. When the gods create gods blessed wild man, Enkidu, Gilgamesh finds himself contending with something new and not so easy to defeat.
I loved Enkidu right away! I loved an unconventional cinnamon roll. Enkidu is so innocent and pure, and exists to humble Gilgamesh and bring him down a peg. He's kind of like a muscular manic pixie dream girl lol. Gilgamesh is a little hard to stomach at first until Enkidu shows up and starts sanding away those edges. I do love the way Nicole has depicted Gilgamesh; he's both generous and selfish, loving and fierce. I also loved Shamhat as Gilgamesh 's Queen. She was so strong, and wasn't afraid to stand up to her husband. She had so much agency.
Though this was based on the Epic of Gilgamesh, this was a love story through and through. It was beautiful seeing two very masculine figures learn to be vulnerable with each other and learn how to love. It was very sweet, and also quite spicy 🥵. Not only is this an MM romance, but we also see polyamory between Gilgamesh, Shamhat and her partners, including a FF relationship. Nicole has also found a way to include nonbinary characters as priests of Inanna. Of course, Nicole can't just let us be happy at the end, so I'm very much looking forward to book two to see how it all ends.
May 26, 2024
Look. I don’t need to know anything more than Beauty and the Beast reimagining of a Mesopotamian mythic hero. And make it queer on top of that?! I’m so SO here for it.
I love Nicole’s writing. It’s lush and vibrant and perfect for this setting. The characters are complex and well developed. Enkidu is the perfect sweetness and innocence for Gilgamesh, who has been hardened by life, royalty, and the fear of legacy and being remembered. I absolutely loved these two, their soft moments together, Enkidu's unsure feelings, Gilgamesh softening and becoming a better king and man through his presence in his life. Look, I love them yall.
And I always love the strong female characters that Nicole gives us. Shamhat, Gilgamesh’s wife, is bad ass and rules just as much as him. I love her nuanced relationship with her husband and her two partners.
I did some reading on the actual myth of Gilgamesh and I love how the author has taken major plot elements and twisted them around to make him and Enkidu lovers, while maintaining his overall myth in tact. I cannot wait for book 2 - it's not exactly like OMGWTFWHAT type of cliffhanger, but also I NEED the next book now haha
I received a copy for an instagram book tour. My thoughts are my own.
I love Nicole’s writing. It’s lush and vibrant and perfect for this setting. The characters are complex and well developed. Enkidu is the perfect sweetness and innocence for Gilgamesh, who has been hardened by life, royalty, and the fear of legacy and being remembered. I absolutely loved these two, their soft moments together, Enkidu's unsure feelings, Gilgamesh softening and becoming a better king and man through his presence in his life. Look, I love them yall.
And I always love the strong female characters that Nicole gives us. Shamhat, Gilgamesh’s wife, is bad ass and rules just as much as him. I love her nuanced relationship with her husband and her two partners.
I did some reading on the actual myth of Gilgamesh and I love how the author has taken major plot elements and twisted them around to make him and Enkidu lovers, while maintaining his overall myth in tact. I cannot wait for book 2 - it's not exactly like OMGWTFWHAT type of cliffhanger, but also I NEED the next book now haha
I received a copy for an instagram book tour. My thoughts are my own.
June 26, 2024
I was sent a copy of this book for review.
This was an intriguing retelling of the Story of Gilgamesh through a beautiful queer lens.
King Gilgamesh has one focus and that is to ensure he is remembered for all time. For this he is willing to risk everything to guarantee this occurs. However, the Gods have other plans and have sent obstacles to his pursuit of ultimate infamy. Gilgamesh continues his rule of the most preposterous city of Uruk while constantly striving to expand his current impressive domain. He has many wives and children, but he refuses to name his first-born son as heir from his first wife, Queen Shamhat, to protect him from the wrath of a jealous and volatile Goddess called Inanna who is determined to sire his demigod child/heir and taking his throne once she has.
The Gods intervene in Gilgamesh’s plans and send him a man called Enkidu who holds a mirror up to Gilgamesh’s actions to show him there is more to life than his legacy and forces him to reflect on what he is missing out and giving up in the here and now a future notoriety he will never know. Enkidu infuriates and entices Gilgamesh in equal measure. Enkidu refuses to let Gilgamesh’s sexual advances and their mutual attraction sway him away from his mission to distract him from his divine mission and it’s this determination and steadfastness that finally draws Gilgamesh away from his tireless journey for fame, which causes Inanna to react violently. Will the love that develops between Enkidu and Gilgamesh be enough to deter Gilgamesh from his disastrous path and will they both survive the fallout from Inanna’s revenge if it does?
I was thoroughly entertained and intrigued by this story. I love ancient myths being retold and this one fascinated me as I wasn’t aware of the story beforehand. It was a very slow burn romance but considering Enkidu’s denial of Gilgamesh until he became the man, he needed to be it made perfect sense. The attraction and emotional moment were palpable to read, and you can’t help but root for them to come together. I loved Shamhat. She was a loving no nonsense woman that did what she needed to protect Gilgamesh and her family. I also loved her sapphic relationships with some of the other wives and equally her relationship of equality and acceptance with Gilgamesh to follow the life they both wanted. Overall, if you want some historical fiction mixed with a Beauty and the Beast retelling then this is the story for you. It ends on a cliffhanger which has me eager to read Book 2.
This was an intriguing retelling of the Story of Gilgamesh through a beautiful queer lens.
King Gilgamesh has one focus and that is to ensure he is remembered for all time. For this he is willing to risk everything to guarantee this occurs. However, the Gods have other plans and have sent obstacles to his pursuit of ultimate infamy. Gilgamesh continues his rule of the most preposterous city of Uruk while constantly striving to expand his current impressive domain. He has many wives and children, but he refuses to name his first-born son as heir from his first wife, Queen Shamhat, to protect him from the wrath of a jealous and volatile Goddess called Inanna who is determined to sire his demigod child/heir and taking his throne once she has.
The Gods intervene in Gilgamesh’s plans and send him a man called Enkidu who holds a mirror up to Gilgamesh’s actions to show him there is more to life than his legacy and forces him to reflect on what he is missing out and giving up in the here and now a future notoriety he will never know. Enkidu infuriates and entices Gilgamesh in equal measure. Enkidu refuses to let Gilgamesh’s sexual advances and their mutual attraction sway him away from his mission to distract him from his divine mission and it’s this determination and steadfastness that finally draws Gilgamesh away from his tireless journey for fame, which causes Inanna to react violently. Will the love that develops between Enkidu and Gilgamesh be enough to deter Gilgamesh from his disastrous path and will they both survive the fallout from Inanna’s revenge if it does?
I was thoroughly entertained and intrigued by this story. I love ancient myths being retold and this one fascinated me as I wasn’t aware of the story beforehand. It was a very slow burn romance but considering Enkidu’s denial of Gilgamesh until he became the man, he needed to be it made perfect sense. The attraction and emotional moment were palpable to read, and you can’t help but root for them to come together. I loved Shamhat. She was a loving no nonsense woman that did what she needed to protect Gilgamesh and her family. I also loved her sapphic relationships with some of the other wives and equally her relationship of equality and acceptance with Gilgamesh to follow the life they both wanted. Overall, if you want some historical fiction mixed with a Beauty and the Beast retelling then this is the story for you. It ends on a cliffhanger which has me eager to read Book 2.
June 1, 2024
3.75⭐
Epic of Gilgamesh yaoi yessss YESSS. I honestly only requested this because the idea of a Gilgamesh/Enkidu cliche romantasy retelling made me giggle while scrolling through NetGalley, BUT I enjoyed myself!
I struggled through the opening scene/s, and I was worried for a minute that, given the nature of the source material (which I did read for an Ancient Literature class that I Did drop out of in the middle of Tale of Genji 👍), this retelling might have a darker tone, but it didn't, which I was grateful for. I did not want an edgy gay problematic retelling of The Epic of Gilgamesh. If I wanted that I would simply read The Epic of Gilgamesh.
I liked the family themes in this, and I really liked how Gilgamesh thought about his son in his internal narration. His relationship with Shamat was great also, I worried before I started that Shamat would be painted as some sort of jealous skank but No! Feminism wins!
I am actually really intrigued to read the sequel because I want to know if it will get as bleak as it potentially could, and if it does I won't complain. I like tragic doomed yaoi. Because I have TASTE.
Thank you to NetGalley, Nicole Bailey, and Victory Editing for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
Epic of Gilgamesh yaoi yessss YESSS. I honestly only requested this because the idea of a Gilgamesh/Enkidu cliche romantasy retelling made me giggle while scrolling through NetGalley, BUT I enjoyed myself!
I struggled through the opening scene/s, and I was worried for a minute that, given the nature of the source material (which I did read for an Ancient Literature class that I Did drop out of in the middle of Tale of Genji 👍), this retelling might have a darker tone, but it didn't, which I was grateful for. I did not want an edgy gay problematic retelling of The Epic of Gilgamesh. If I wanted that I would simply read The Epic of Gilgamesh.
I liked the family themes in this, and I really liked how Gilgamesh thought about his son in his internal narration. His relationship with Shamat was great also, I worried before I started that Shamat would be painted as some sort of jealous skank but No! Feminism wins!
I am actually really intrigued to read the sequel because I want to know if it will get as bleak as it potentially could, and if it does I won't complain. I like tragic doomed yaoi. Because I have TASTE.
Thank you to NetGalley, Nicole Bailey, and Victory Editing for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
June 22, 2024
King Gilgamesh beats to his own drum, he is a man of power who has begun to have nightmares that have him feeling like things are about to change. He meets Enkidu and finds someone who is completely different than the others. The problem is during a time of war and change life can veer in a different direction in a heart beat.
This was entertaining, the pace was fast and I thought the character of Gilgamesh was intriguing. I felt like we were placed into a story that was already developed so some of the characters, for me, I would have liked to know more about. I would be curious as to what happens next.
This was entertaining, the pace was fast and I thought the character of Gilgamesh was intriguing. I felt like we were placed into a story that was already developed so some of the characters, for me, I would have liked to know more about. I would be curious as to what happens next.
May 27, 2024
What a stunning Gilgamesh retelling! Review to come! 🪓
(FINAL REVIEW:)
I will not lie that when this book first came across my radar, I was incredibly skeptical and wary of how the Epic of Gilgamesh and romance were going to mix. How could such an incredible piece of history and storytelling be mixed with a potentially steamy romance? I shouldn’t have been worried though because Bailey did a PHENOMENAL job of staying true to the epic, historical period, and overall crafting a beautiful love between this infamous king and his “best friend.” I’m still left rather speechless as to how she did this. 🥹
I really loved how Bailey humanized both Gilgamesh and Enkidu. The former is a man who experienced a solitary upbringing with too many responsibilities thrusted on him at such a young age. I loved that the persona we know today from the epic was addressed and even used in his relationships with his city and wives. Speaking of a wife, using Shamhat as his principal wife was a fantastic idea, and I loved their dynamic together. It’s a love that’s built through trust, and I really enjoyed Gilgamesh allowing his wives to live and take lovers of their own. It really showed that he cares for them deeply even though he might not be sexually attracted to them. ❤️
Enkidu was a wonderful foil to Gilgamesh. He grounds him, and really challenges him to rethink his ways and life. Their love is one of a slow burn that really captures the heart. It did it so well in fact that I couldn’t help but think of it as the Mesopotamian version of The Song of Achilles. 🍂
All in all, I’m honestly in awe at how well Bailey mixed romance with historical fiction/fantasy. Her notes on her research really helped sell this for me and I do wish that this was a part of the book in the first place because you can see the love that went into making this book. If you are dying for an achingly beautiful Achillean love that screams Madeline Miller vibes, this needs to be on your radar!! 🗡️
Big thank you goes to BookSirens and the author, Nicole Bailey, for letting me be on the review team. I’m so excited for the sequel to come out, especially after that ending. 😰
Publication date: June 4!!
Overall: 5/5 ⭐️
(FINAL REVIEW:)
I will not lie that when this book first came across my radar, I was incredibly skeptical and wary of how the Epic of Gilgamesh and romance were going to mix. How could such an incredible piece of history and storytelling be mixed with a potentially steamy romance? I shouldn’t have been worried though because Bailey did a PHENOMENAL job of staying true to the epic, historical period, and overall crafting a beautiful love between this infamous king and his “best friend.” I’m still left rather speechless as to how she did this. 🥹
I really loved how Bailey humanized both Gilgamesh and Enkidu. The former is a man who experienced a solitary upbringing with too many responsibilities thrusted on him at such a young age. I loved that the persona we know today from the epic was addressed and even used in his relationships with his city and wives. Speaking of a wife, using Shamhat as his principal wife was a fantastic idea, and I loved their dynamic together. It’s a love that’s built through trust, and I really enjoyed Gilgamesh allowing his wives to live and take lovers of their own. It really showed that he cares for them deeply even though he might not be sexually attracted to them. ❤️
Enkidu was a wonderful foil to Gilgamesh. He grounds him, and really challenges him to rethink his ways and life. Their love is one of a slow burn that really captures the heart. It did it so well in fact that I couldn’t help but think of it as the Mesopotamian version of The Song of Achilles. 🍂
All in all, I’m honestly in awe at how well Bailey mixed romance with historical fiction/fantasy. Her notes on her research really helped sell this for me and I do wish that this was a part of the book in the first place because you can see the love that went into making this book. If you are dying for an achingly beautiful Achillean love that screams Madeline Miller vibes, this needs to be on your radar!! 🗡️
Big thank you goes to BookSirens and the author, Nicole Bailey, for letting me be on the review team. I’m so excited for the sequel to come out, especially after that ending. 😰
Publication date: June 4!!
Overall: 5/5 ⭐️
June 8, 2024
Let me start by saying that I love when authors actually give you glossary for words that they use throughout the book as something that you can reference if you are ever confused. I've read so many where the words are just thrown in there and you never actually know what they mean and you are just forced to use context clues.
Ok now on to the actual review.
This is my first time reading a retelling of The Epic of Gilgamesh, so I had very high hopes that this would want me to do more research and read more about this. And it did not disappoint.
Gilgamesh was a great main character with great progression throughout the story. He starts off as a stoic man who is very focused on his responsibilities, fulfilling his duty, and being remembered/having his name live on. Due to this, he is quite ruthless and has taken many wives, and had many children to secure alliances. Basically, he was pretty unlikeable. However, there is more to him than meets the eye and as you read on, you learn more about his true character.
Enkidu is a man who was blessed by the gods and raised by the wolves. According to the gods, Enkidu must assist Gilgamesh by changing his outlook on life and trying to make him be a better man. Of course, after living in the woods and being raised by wolves, he is quite innocent, so of course he and Gilgamesh tend to butt heads in the beginning.
The romance was definitely a slow burn but the wait was so worth it. The way that Gilgamesh and Enkidu interacted once they got to know each other was so sweet and caring.
Shamhat was also a great character because she was a no nonsense queen. She was not afraid to put Gilgamesh in his place when he needed to be. Her interactions with Gilgamesh were so full of trust and care and they were the perfect (platonic) husband and wife.
And.... dear Author...... I need the sequel now. You can't end it like that. Please don't do this to me :(
Ok now on to the actual review.
This is my first time reading a retelling of The Epic of Gilgamesh, so I had very high hopes that this would want me to do more research and read more about this. And it did not disappoint.
Gilgamesh was a great main character with great progression throughout the story. He starts off as a stoic man who is very focused on his responsibilities, fulfilling his duty, and being remembered/having his name live on. Due to this, he is quite ruthless and has taken many wives, and had many children to secure alliances. Basically, he was pretty unlikeable. However, there is more to him than meets the eye and as you read on, you learn more about his true character.
Enkidu is a man who was blessed by the gods and raised by the wolves. According to the gods, Enkidu must assist Gilgamesh by changing his outlook on life and trying to make him be a better man. Of course, after living in the woods and being raised by wolves, he is quite innocent, so of course he and Gilgamesh tend to butt heads in the beginning.
The romance was definitely a slow burn but the wait was so worth it. The way that Gilgamesh and Enkidu interacted once they got to know each other was so sweet and caring.
Shamhat was also a great character because she was a no nonsense queen. She was not afraid to put Gilgamesh in his place when he needed to be. Her interactions with Gilgamesh were so full of trust and care and they were the perfect (platonic) husband and wife.
And.... dear Author...... I need the sequel now. You can't end it like that. Please don't do this to me :(
June 12, 2024
I have never read the Epic of Gilgamesh nor did I know anything about it before going into this ARC, so I can’t comment anything about accuracy or how good of a retelling this actually is. However, what I can say is that In the Midst of Omens on its own is a sweet, historical fantasy love story that centers around themes of godhood and how love can teeter between the edge of ruin and exhilaration when mixed in a pot of immortality.
Gilgamesh is written as this ruthless, bull of a man who also has an extreme soft spot for those he cares about. But that softness juts up against his actions to push them away, if only to keep them safe from those that want to see him destroyed. Enkidu is meant to be his other half, the lapping waves after the devastation of the storm. I enjoy a couple with such juxtaposing qualities and I had a fun time reading about them getting together.
Even if Gilgamesh and Enkidu were quite literally made for each other, I wasn’t entirely all that obsessed with their romance. They fell for each other fast, and as the story neared the end, I was thinking that the book may have needed more time for them to convince me that these two will ravage the world for each other, give up their legacies, and find a way to fight every single god just to be together. It was a sweet romance, and I know that there’s a book 2 coming where we will get to see more of them together; still, the buildup to their relationship could have been done with a few more pages.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Gilgamesh is written as this ruthless, bull of a man who also has an extreme soft spot for those he cares about. But that softness juts up against his actions to push them away, if only to keep them safe from those that want to see him destroyed. Enkidu is meant to be his other half, the lapping waves after the devastation of the storm. I enjoy a couple with such juxtaposing qualities and I had a fun time reading about them getting together.
Even if Gilgamesh and Enkidu were quite literally made for each other, I wasn’t entirely all that obsessed with their romance. They fell for each other fast, and as the story neared the end, I was thinking that the book may have needed more time for them to convince me that these two will ravage the world for each other, give up their legacies, and find a way to fight every single god just to be together. It was a sweet romance, and I know that there’s a book 2 coming where we will get to see more of them together; still, the buildup to their relationship could have been done with a few more pages.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 9, 2024
I picked In the Midst of Omens up on a whim, and I'm so glad I did! I haven't read a historical fantasy in a while, and it was a nice change of pace from the contemporary streak I've been on. I was really intrigued because I don't remember seeing a Gilgamesh retelling before, and was curious what it would be like, especially since I had really enjoyed the original mythology, even if I don't remember it anymore. Bailey did an excellent job of breathing life into legends, both Gilgamesh and Enkidu felt otherworldly in their power and perspectives while still having the emotions and flaws of a human. Their romance unfolded beautifully, a perfect match for one another.
Keeping in mind that I read an ARC of In the Midst of Omens, I felt like the writing was a bit inconsistent at times. There were instances where things were told when they could've been shown instead, but more noticeably, there was a lot of repetition of certain phrases such as describing things as honey, or using "kissed" as a descriptor for the setting. However, the part that annoyed me the most was the use of swearing. Which feels strange to say, but it's not a pearl clutching thing in this case. The swearing was where Bailey's writing felt too modern, rather than historical, and it jarred me from the story each time it happened.
I'm really hopeful that Bailey's writing will improve with practice, and since these points weren't deal breakers for me, I'm excited to see what happens next in the sequel!
Keeping in mind that I read an ARC of In the Midst of Omens, I felt like the writing was a bit inconsistent at times. There were instances where things were told when they could've been shown instead, but more noticeably, there was a lot of repetition of certain phrases such as describing things as honey, or using "kissed" as a descriptor for the setting. However, the part that annoyed me the most was the use of swearing. Which feels strange to say, but it's not a pearl clutching thing in this case. The swearing was where Bailey's writing felt too modern, rather than historical, and it jarred me from the story each time it happened.
I'm really hopeful that Bailey's writing will improve with practice, and since these points weren't deal breakers for me, I'm excited to see what happens next in the sequel!
May 13, 2024
THIS BOOK IS MADE FOR ME 😭
Okay, maybe not literally… but I distinctly remember the first time I read the Epic of Gilgamesh in high school. I wasn't out as gay or trans, hadn't even figured that out for myself yet… but something about Gilgamesh and Enkidu resonated with me.
I was ecstatic to see this ARC suggested. After all these years, here it is! In the Midst of Omens did not disappoint. Bailey takes time to build a fascinating world and explore each character in a way I didn't even know I needed. This makes the slow-burn romance all the more wonderful.
While I initially went into this book for the gay romance, I am in love with how Bailey writes other kinds of complex relationships. For instance, Gilgamesh and Shamhat are a platonic power couple. Love is not a one-size-fits-all concept in this book. This concept feels so refreshing and makes me even more excited for the next book.
Thank you so so much for the chance to read this ARC for free. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
Okay, maybe not literally… but I distinctly remember the first time I read the Epic of Gilgamesh in high school. I wasn't out as gay or trans, hadn't even figured that out for myself yet… but something about Gilgamesh and Enkidu resonated with me.
I was ecstatic to see this ARC suggested. After all these years, here it is! In the Midst of Omens did not disappoint. Bailey takes time to build a fascinating world and explore each character in a way I didn't even know I needed. This makes the slow-burn romance all the more wonderful.
While I initially went into this book for the gay romance, I am in love with how Bailey writes other kinds of complex relationships. For instance, Gilgamesh and Shamhat are a platonic power couple. Love is not a one-size-fits-all concept in this book. This concept feels so refreshing and makes me even more excited for the next book.
Thank you so so much for the chance to read this ARC for free. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
May 13, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing, who provided access to this title in exchange for an honest review.
As my introduction to the Epic of Gilgamesh, this title has me looking forward to both its planned sequel and the original source material!
In the Midst of Omens feels, in part, like a slightly overlong sequence of exposition for those of us (myself included) who are not familiar with the tale. And there is something about the character of Gilgamesh that feels removed from the reader, even as other characters (like Enkidu and Shamhat) seem to draw us closer. Even so, when the novel came to an end I almost jumped up off the couch in anger until I saw that there is a planned sequel! Which to my mind puts to rest any hesitation in thinking well of this story. Now that the characters and setting are established, I'm hoping that the sequel is akin to the last third of this book, which I found to be the most compelling.
As my introduction to the Epic of Gilgamesh, this title has me looking forward to both its planned sequel and the original source material!
In the Midst of Omens feels, in part, like a slightly overlong sequence of exposition for those of us (myself included) who are not familiar with the tale. And there is something about the character of Gilgamesh that feels removed from the reader, even as other characters (like Enkidu and Shamhat) seem to draw us closer. Even so, when the novel came to an end I almost jumped up off the couch in anger until I saw that there is a planned sequel! Which to my mind puts to rest any hesitation in thinking well of this story. Now that the characters and setting are established, I'm hoping that the sequel is akin to the last third of this book, which I found to be the most compelling.
June 4, 2024
This novel takes the story of Gilgamesh, one of the oldest stories in the world, and tells it again with an added romance between the king and Enkidu. Gligamesh's constant drive to become a legend has led him to distance himself from those who love him, and so his queen and his mother have tried to help him by bringing Enkidu into his life. There is both the immediate attraction and push away between these two because of their disparate lives, so this is a sloooooooooow burn. But, as they decide to leave the city and rush their fortunes and lives by confronting the dragon, they finally begin to understand each other truly. However, there's a goddess standing in their way...
I really enjoyed the world of Uruk and watching Gilgamesh let his ambition go in favor of love. The end of the book... well, I can't wait for book 2 (in what I think is a duology). The writing is excellent and all of the family in Gilgamesh’s home are characters I enjoyed meeting.
I really enjoyed the world of Uruk and watching Gilgamesh let his ambition go in favor of love. The end of the book... well, I can't wait for book 2 (in what I think is a duology). The writing is excellent and all of the family in Gilgamesh’s home are characters I enjoyed meeting.
June 30, 2024
To be honest, I’ve never heard of Gilgamesh until now, I thought this was an interesting read and I enjoyed the characters. I liked that Gilgamesh had all these wives but when in the palace he told them that they didn’t need to consummate their marriage or even have children together. And I liked that though he was physically attracted to men he truly loved Shamhat, their marriage has everything but the sex. Gilgamesh’s characters grows, he stops worrying so much on the future and he tells everyone that it was Enkidu who killed Humbaba because he no longer cares about his legacy. I love when he’s ready to live in the moment. There’s Gods, friendship, action and romance, I recommend to all fantasy readers.
June 10, 2024
3.5 stars
In the Midst of Omens is a loose retelling of Gilgamesh a mythological fantasy reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast with a LGBT twist. It is not only a MM romantasy tale it also has Polyamorous relationships. Nicole blends mythology, fantasy and romance into a vivid world of gods of ancient times. She has pulled mythological legends from dusty old books and given them a new lease on life and voices.
The characters are complex and well written. It is a darker slow burn romantic tale of Gilgamesh and the different dynamics and various relationships. Enkidu is an endearing character with his actions and Shamhat kicks ar$e and takes no prisoners and fights for what she wants.
It is a world of action, battles, mythical creatures, passion and more. I also enjoyed the historical value of the mythological king from ancient Mesopotamian times the man behind the story. It did end on a cliffy, but there is a book two coming.
In the Midst of Omens was an interesting tale and one for those who love mythology, retellings and LGBT romance stories. As this is book one of The Legacy of Gilgamesh I am interested to see where it goes.
In the Midst of Omens is a loose retelling of Gilgamesh a mythological fantasy reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast with a LGBT twist. It is not only a MM romantasy tale it also has Polyamorous relationships. Nicole blends mythology, fantasy and romance into a vivid world of gods of ancient times. She has pulled mythological legends from dusty old books and given them a new lease on life and voices.
The characters are complex and well written. It is a darker slow burn romantic tale of Gilgamesh and the different dynamics and various relationships. Enkidu is an endearing character with his actions and Shamhat kicks ar$e and takes no prisoners and fights for what she wants.
It is a world of action, battles, mythical creatures, passion and more. I also enjoyed the historical value of the mythological king from ancient Mesopotamian times the man behind the story. It did end on a cliffy, but there is a book two coming.
In the Midst of Omens was an interesting tale and one for those who love mythology, retellings and LGBT romance stories. As this is book one of The Legacy of Gilgamesh I am interested to see where it goes.
May 14, 2024
Nicole Bailey knew exactly what she was doing while writing this book. Retellings will always have a special place in my heart and Bailey does it perfectly. She knows how to shape a character and use its dialogue to get you attached to them. I want the second instalment now🥹
August 8, 2024
I was excited to see a retelling of Gilgamesh, but this one didn’t really grab my attention. I got to 25%, and I think that’s good enough.
June 3, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the eARC! Here is my honest review.
In this novel, Nicole Bailey retells the Epic of Gilgamesh and brings mythohistoric Ancient Sumer to life. In the cradle of civilization, gods fight for worship and adoration, monsters lurk in cedar forests, and kings and warriors strive to forge a legacy worth remembering.
In the Midst of Omens was everything I dreamed of while learning Mesopotamian mythology in ancient civilization classes in high school and university. I feel like this mythology has been slept on by authors for so long during an age where mythology retellings are more popular than ever, and Bailey skillfully shines a light on the mythology which is as old as human civilization itself. It’s apparent that Bailey researched culture, clothing, and religion during the writing of this novel, and brought all of that to the table in In the Midst of Omens. It is also apparent that Bailey has closely read the Epic of Gilgamesh (I can only imagine how many times!), and holds the original text in high regard while crafting a unique and original version of it.
There are certainly aspects of the original Epic which Bailey has altered in this retelling, but the alterations are made in such a way that still nods to the original text, rather than ignoring it, which I find deeply endearing, and given that story-telling conventions have somewhat changed in the last thousands of years, I think some changes were necessary in order to make the audience eager to spend time with and route for Gilgamesh as a character. Bailey artfully walks this tightrope, and succeeds in spades, as far as I’m concerned,.
There’s a peculiar kind of dramatic irony that comes inherent with skillfully told myth retellings, where the reader knows the ending, and finds themselves drawn through the narrative regardless, watching the inevitable destiny of the characters unfold and being unable to stop it or to look away. Bailey evokes this feeling beautifully in this novel.
With lovely prose, an evident love for the source text, a charming cast of characters, and the fated chemistry between Gilgamesh and Enkidu, In the Midst of Omens is perfect for fans of Madeline Miller and Sarah Underwood. You don’t need to have familiarity with the Epic of Gilgamesh or Mesopotamian mythology to enjoy In the Midst of Omens, but if you do, you’ll appreciate Bailey’s attention to detail and original flair.
If you’re looking for a sometimes-spicy, entirely heart felt mythological read, with throughlines of impending grief, the endurance of the human spirit and the human heart, and the deeply human need to leave something behind worth remembering, then you won’t in any way be disappointed with this novel. I, for one, eagerly await Bailey’s next novel and the continuation of her retelling of this most ancient of tales.
In this novel, Nicole Bailey retells the Epic of Gilgamesh and brings mythohistoric Ancient Sumer to life. In the cradle of civilization, gods fight for worship and adoration, monsters lurk in cedar forests, and kings and warriors strive to forge a legacy worth remembering.
In the Midst of Omens was everything I dreamed of while learning Mesopotamian mythology in ancient civilization classes in high school and university. I feel like this mythology has been slept on by authors for so long during an age where mythology retellings are more popular than ever, and Bailey skillfully shines a light on the mythology which is as old as human civilization itself. It’s apparent that Bailey researched culture, clothing, and religion during the writing of this novel, and brought all of that to the table in In the Midst of Omens. It is also apparent that Bailey has closely read the Epic of Gilgamesh (I can only imagine how many times!), and holds the original text in high regard while crafting a unique and original version of it.
There are certainly aspects of the original Epic which Bailey has altered in this retelling, but the alterations are made in such a way that still nods to the original text, rather than ignoring it, which I find deeply endearing, and given that story-telling conventions have somewhat changed in the last thousands of years, I think some changes were necessary in order to make the audience eager to spend time with and route for Gilgamesh as a character. Bailey artfully walks this tightrope, and succeeds in spades, as far as I’m concerned,.
There’s a peculiar kind of dramatic irony that comes inherent with skillfully told myth retellings, where the reader knows the ending, and finds themselves drawn through the narrative regardless, watching the inevitable destiny of the characters unfold and being unable to stop it or to look away. Bailey evokes this feeling beautifully in this novel.
With lovely prose, an evident love for the source text, a charming cast of characters, and the fated chemistry between Gilgamesh and Enkidu, In the Midst of Omens is perfect for fans of Madeline Miller and Sarah Underwood. You don’t need to have familiarity with the Epic of Gilgamesh or Mesopotamian mythology to enjoy In the Midst of Omens, but if you do, you’ll appreciate Bailey’s attention to detail and original flair.
If you’re looking for a sometimes-spicy, entirely heart felt mythological read, with throughlines of impending grief, the endurance of the human spirit and the human heart, and the deeply human need to leave something behind worth remembering, then you won’t in any way be disappointed with this novel. I, for one, eagerly await Bailey’s next novel and the continuation of her retelling of this most ancient of tales.
April 30, 2024
📚In the Midst of Omens, The Legacy of Gilgamesh
🖋️Author: @authornicolebailey
📆Publication date: June 04
🗂️Genre: Fantasy
5⭐️
•𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝑅𝐸𝒱𝐼𝐸𝒲•
“Perhaps consider the gods created me specifically for you.”
📌Summary:
"In the Midst of Omens" is a retelling of the Epic of Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh who is a the ruler of Uruk and two thirds a God, is consumed by his need to rule and for his legacy to live forever. But the gods feel the need that he has
to be stopped. So they send him Enkidu, a wild man meant to keep him in check. But the Goddess Inanna has other plans for the king.
📌Review:
If you haven’t heard of the Epic of Gilgamesh before it’s okay because the author has made such an extensive research for her book that the whole story is there. She made such a good work, bringing these characters closer to us.
Now, in our book, Gilgamesh loves his queen Shamhat platonically. He only cares for his kingdom and his legacy until Shamhat brings him Enkidu. A man meant to hinder him. But what happens is that this wild man completes Gilgamesh and falls in love with him. I really loved the dynamic between the three of them .
The author narrated the story in such a magnetizing way. I really loved the changes she made to the story and how she wove the fantasy elements into it. Also the book is so well written, the time flew by while reading it.
📌Thoughts:
I am excited to read the next book when it comes out and see how far Gilgamesh can go for the people he loves.
I would like to thank @authornicolebailey and @literarymediatours for the free copy.
📌A little history
Gilgamesh was a hero in ancient Mesopotamian mythology and the protagonist of the Epic of Gilgamesh, an epic poem written in Akkadian during the late 2nd millennium BC. He was possibly a historical king of the Sumerian city-state of Uruk, who was posthumously deified. His rule probably would have taken place sometime in the beginning of the Early Dynastic Period, c. 2900 – 2350 BC, though he became a major figure in Sumerian legend during the Third Dynasty of Ur (c. 2112 – c. 2004 BC). (Wikipedia)
🖋️Author: @authornicolebailey
📆Publication date: June 04
🗂️Genre: Fantasy
5⭐️
•𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝑅𝐸𝒱𝐼𝐸𝒲•
“Perhaps consider the gods created me specifically for you.”
📌Summary:
"In the Midst of Omens" is a retelling of the Epic of Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh who is a the ruler of Uruk and two thirds a God, is consumed by his need to rule and for his legacy to live forever. But the gods feel the need that he has
to be stopped. So they send him Enkidu, a wild man meant to keep him in check. But the Goddess Inanna has other plans for the king.
📌Review:
If you haven’t heard of the Epic of Gilgamesh before it’s okay because the author has made such an extensive research for her book that the whole story is there. She made such a good work, bringing these characters closer to us.
Now, in our book, Gilgamesh loves his queen Shamhat platonically. He only cares for his kingdom and his legacy until Shamhat brings him Enkidu. A man meant to hinder him. But what happens is that this wild man completes Gilgamesh and falls in love with him. I really loved the dynamic between the three of them .
The author narrated the story in such a magnetizing way. I really loved the changes she made to the story and how she wove the fantasy elements into it. Also the book is so well written, the time flew by while reading it.
📌Thoughts:
I am excited to read the next book when it comes out and see how far Gilgamesh can go for the people he loves.
I would like to thank @authornicolebailey and @literarymediatours for the free copy.
📌A little history
Gilgamesh was a hero in ancient Mesopotamian mythology and the protagonist of the Epic of Gilgamesh, an epic poem written in Akkadian during the late 2nd millennium BC. He was possibly a historical king of the Sumerian city-state of Uruk, who was posthumously deified. His rule probably would have taken place sometime in the beginning of the Early Dynastic Period, c. 2900 – 2350 BC, though he became a major figure in Sumerian legend during the Third Dynasty of Ur (c. 2112 – c. 2004 BC). (Wikipedia)
May 18, 2024
I would like to thank BookSirens for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
I came for Enkidu and I stayed for...everything else! I absolutely loved this story OMG!! First of all, this was my first Nicole Bailey but this for sure won't be my last, because I thought this retelling was all kinds of scrumptious! For me, the writing flowed really well, the narrative was engaging, and the characters were all dynamic, sexy and compelling! Happily, Gilgamesh and Enkidu lived and breathed their characterizations like I'd hoped they would; fully realized on their own, and ofc stunning baes with each other! I cry. So magic.
Ordinarily, I'm supremely laid back when it comes to MM romance. Spicy sweet or fluffy fire, I'm usually just here for the falling in love and or the hot as fk sex...lbr it's best when there's a healthy serving of both lol! but I also get megawatt gleeful when the narrative flows well, and the author pays attention to detail. Doesn't have to be perfect. But it should have "presence". Own that space. Make me feel a little something, yeah.
In this case however, The Epic of Gilgamesh IS one of my favourite epic poems, so I was a tad bit heavy wondering if NB would do it justice. I needn't have worried because not only did I feel very connected to the epic through this luscious retelling, but by the end of this rich take on the ancient Mesopotamian poem, I became a fan of Nicole Bailey for life. Give me more! I want everything she's ever written!
In the Midst of Omens was gorgeous and wonderful, and I cannot wait for the next installment of G&E's heroic adventures, because everything about this book was absolutely PERFECT for me! And ofc I hope that their duology ends differently to the actual epic, because straight up I can read Bailey's version of Gilgamesh and Enkidu, and their god tier epic love story, forever and ever! 100% LOVED this!
I came for Enkidu and I stayed for...everything else! I absolutely loved this story OMG!! First of all, this was my first Nicole Bailey but this for sure won't be my last, because I thought this retelling was all kinds of scrumptious! For me, the writing flowed really well, the narrative was engaging, and the characters were all dynamic, sexy and compelling! Happily, Gilgamesh and Enkidu lived and breathed their characterizations like I'd hoped they would; fully realized on their own, and ofc stunning baes with each other! I cry. So magic.
Ordinarily, I'm supremely laid back when it comes to MM romance. Spicy sweet or fluffy fire, I'm usually just here for the falling in love and or the hot as fk sex...lbr it's best when there's a healthy serving of both lol! but I also get megawatt gleeful when the narrative flows well, and the author pays attention to detail. Doesn't have to be perfect. But it should have "presence". Own that space. Make me feel a little something, yeah.
In this case however, The Epic of Gilgamesh IS one of my favourite epic poems, so I was a tad bit heavy wondering if NB would do it justice. I needn't have worried because not only did I feel very connected to the epic through this luscious retelling, but by the end of this rich take on the ancient Mesopotamian poem, I became a fan of Nicole Bailey for life. Give me more! I want everything she's ever written!
In the Midst of Omens was gorgeous and wonderful, and I cannot wait for the next installment of G&E's heroic adventures, because everything about this book was absolutely PERFECT for me! And ofc I hope that their duology ends differently to the actual epic, because straight up I can read Bailey's version of Gilgamesh and Enkidu, and their god tier epic love story, forever and ever! 100% LOVED this!
May 9, 2024
Wasn’t really my vibe. With that said, the writing was good and for people who enjoy extensive world building in their fantasy, I think this will be up your alley. The characters were fine, I think the first few real chapter set my expectations high because it was thrilling, but things started to slow down and I was kinda not living for it?
I think what was jarring to me was it started off really hot and then cooled down immediately. It took me aback. I think it was necessary to establish what Gilgamesh was like, but honestly that was another issue I had. I don’t really care for his character. But he’s written well so I’m not going to go on about it too much. I did enjoy how this relationship with Enkidu unfolded, and his platonic relationship with Shamhat was certainly a highlight for this book.
I appreciated how the queer relationships were written as well. Went into this thinking it was just gonna be M/M, but was pleasantly surprised by the variety in dynamics and relationships that were written. I think the relationships were the highlight for me in this book.
I don’t think I’ll be picking up the next book, but who knows? I think I’ll revisit this and see if my opinion changes with a reread. It might just be a me thing. The makings were all there for a 5 star, just something fell flat for me.
Overall, I think this book would be amazing for someone else. Wasn’t really my cup of tea, but it was written well and I enjoyed the first quarter of it. The relationships were written well and I enjoyed Shamhat! Definitely my favorite character.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the arc copy on exchange for an honest review.
I think what was jarring to me was it started off really hot and then cooled down immediately. It took me aback. I think it was necessary to establish what Gilgamesh was like, but honestly that was another issue I had. I don’t really care for his character. But he’s written well so I’m not going to go on about it too much. I did enjoy how this relationship with Enkidu unfolded, and his platonic relationship with Shamhat was certainly a highlight for this book.
I appreciated how the queer relationships were written as well. Went into this thinking it was just gonna be M/M, but was pleasantly surprised by the variety in dynamics and relationships that were written. I think the relationships were the highlight for me in this book.
I don’t think I’ll be picking up the next book, but who knows? I think I’ll revisit this and see if my opinion changes with a reread. It might just be a me thing. The makings were all there for a 5 star, just something fell flat for me.
Overall, I think this book would be amazing for someone else. Wasn’t really my cup of tea, but it was written well and I enjoyed the first quarter of it. The relationships were written well and I enjoyed Shamhat! Definitely my favorite character.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the arc copy on exchange for an honest review.
June 7, 2024
𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗦: ᴍʏᴛʜᴏʟᴏɢʏ. ʜɪꜱᴛᴏʀɪᴄᴀʟ. ɢᴀʏ. Qᴜᴇᴇʀ. ꜰᴀɴᴛᴀꜱʏ.
📖ᴀʀᴄ 🏳️🌈
I would probably read anything queer that has a mythology plot to it. Fantasy, mystery, paranormal and horror books, I read despite the sexuality or identity of the MCs. I have not read much of Nicole's work but I did read that first book in "Apollo Ascending" series and I liked this. This one has been a really wonderful development and I definitely going back to binge that Apollo series, continue this one and then I have seen some sapphic work on her GR account and I am most definitely checking those out as well.
Now, this was a fabulous read so I am really excited for book 2. I got so many warm feelings while reading this book. All those lovely 186 highlights brought me such high feelings. The plot is good, I read that it is a retelling but I don't know that OG story. The chemistry between the MCs was so well paced and soft, I immensely adored it. The different relationships and interactions were well-written with a sweet sensitivity, it was really touching. I am wholeheartedly intrigued and interested in book 2 because that cliffhanger was really sad.
PS: Why is it that hetero women are occasionally the main villains in gay relationships? That awful wench ruined a beautiful moment and HEA.. So, I have expectations for book 2, since I hunger for emotions, that stuff better be gut-wrenching but with a sweet therapeutic ending because as much as I love emotions, I hate unnecessary trauma.
𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙫𝙞𝙖 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙨𝙤 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬.
📖ᴀʀᴄ 🏳️🌈
I would probably read anything queer that has a mythology plot to it. Fantasy, mystery, paranormal and horror books, I read despite the sexuality or identity of the MCs. I have not read much of Nicole's work but I did read that first book in "Apollo Ascending" series and I liked this. This one has been a really wonderful development and I definitely going back to binge that Apollo series, continue this one and then I have seen some sapphic work on her GR account and I am most definitely checking those out as well.
Now, this was a fabulous read so I am really excited for book 2. I got so many warm feelings while reading this book. All those lovely 186 highlights brought me such high feelings. The plot is good, I read that it is a retelling but I don't know that OG story. The chemistry between the MCs was so well paced and soft, I immensely adored it. The different relationships and interactions were well-written with a sweet sensitivity, it was really touching. I am wholeheartedly intrigued and interested in book 2 because that cliffhanger was really sad.
PS: Why is it that hetero women are occasionally the main villains in gay relationships? That awful wench ruined a beautiful moment and HEA.. So, I have expectations for book 2, since I hunger for emotions, that stuff better be gut-wrenching but with a sweet therapeutic ending because as much as I love emotions, I hate unnecessary trauma.
𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙫𝙞𝙖 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙨𝙤 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬.
June 10, 2024
This book caught my attention when I saw it was the story of Gilgamesh and I thought hmm, that name is definitely familiar, why don't I remember anything about him at the moment? Well ha ha irony.
I will say this book was incredibly well written. It had incredible prose and told a story well, for the most part. But it didn't all come together well enough because of pacing. I felt like the world building was pretty straightforward in a good way - it wasn't overly complicated. But at the same time, there weren't the political complexities I was expecting.
I think this book suffers from trying to be two things at once and it doesn't meet either audience's expectations. As a fantasy reader, I wanted more court intrigue and politics. As a romance reader, I wanted more intimacy between characters (which we get, but it takes so long to get there).
I ended up putting this book down around 58% because I was getting incredibly bored even though on paper I had no reason to be bored given the good writing and interesting story.
Overall I did like this book. Gilgamesh's complex family, his focus on being remembered were all really interesting. Enkidu learning about the world for the first time added some humor to the mix. Shamhat? Fucking badass, I would read a book about her.
In the end though, the conflicts were too easily resolved (like the seven terrors - I would have read an entire book about those) and the story just not quite compelling enough to get a higher rating. The events at the end make me think maybe it'll be worth picking up book 2 now that we have the baseline information sorted. But, that's to be seen.
I will say this book was incredibly well written. It had incredible prose and told a story well, for the most part. But it didn't all come together well enough because of pacing. I felt like the world building was pretty straightforward in a good way - it wasn't overly complicated. But at the same time, there weren't the political complexities I was expecting.
I think this book suffers from trying to be two things at once and it doesn't meet either audience's expectations. As a fantasy reader, I wanted more court intrigue and politics. As a romance reader, I wanted more intimacy between characters (which we get, but it takes so long to get there).
I ended up putting this book down around 58% because I was getting incredibly bored even though on paper I had no reason to be bored given the good writing and interesting story.
Overall I did like this book. Gilgamesh's complex family, his focus on being remembered were all really interesting. Enkidu learning about the world for the first time added some humor to the mix. Shamhat? Fucking badass, I would read a book about her.
In the end though, the conflicts were too easily resolved (like the seven terrors - I would have read an entire book about those) and the story just not quite compelling enough to get a higher rating. The events at the end make me think maybe it'll be worth picking up book 2 now that we have the baseline information sorted. But, that's to be seen.
June 11, 2024
unfortunately, this book caught me during a pretty bad headspace and i simply wasn't in the mood for what it was trying to sell me. it's not the book's fault, it's just me.
being unfamiliar with the source material of the retelling, i would say that the author did a fair job weaving (reweaving?) the myth into this world in a way that i could understand. the writing does not flow towards flowery, but instead cast a poignant and steady spotlight over the whole drama, which i appreciated in this case; i felt like anymore would distract from the complex webs of dynamics and political intrigue being set up.
Gilgamesh was not an easy narrator to follow, or root for. i recognized that the ignorant and "godly" exterior of him was purposeful, so purposeful, in fact that he just became the character that irked me instead of the character i wanted to know more about. again, personal reference at the time of reading. with my heart not being in on it, i could not focus on the rest of the book which was a shame because there were Enkidu (you adorable puppy), a romance that supposedly should make me feel something (i tried), female characters that stand on their own (rooting for you ladies, get his ass) and the absolutely intrigue that is the battle between god vs. man (or rather, one (1) terribly ambitious man) (wish i could get there).
i know and saw lots of people who loved this and i encourage everyone to give this a try! someday i will revisit and enjoy this book, just not today.
i received an advance review copy for free, and i am leaving this review voluntarily. thanks to BookSirens and the author for my E-ARC copy!
being unfamiliar with the source material of the retelling, i would say that the author did a fair job weaving (reweaving?) the myth into this world in a way that i could understand. the writing does not flow towards flowery, but instead cast a poignant and steady spotlight over the whole drama, which i appreciated in this case; i felt like anymore would distract from the complex webs of dynamics and political intrigue being set up.
Gilgamesh was not an easy narrator to follow, or root for. i recognized that the ignorant and "godly" exterior of him was purposeful, so purposeful, in fact that he just became the character that irked me instead of the character i wanted to know more about. again, personal reference at the time of reading. with my heart not being in on it, i could not focus on the rest of the book which was a shame because there were Enkidu (you adorable puppy), a romance that supposedly should make me feel something (i tried), female characters that stand on their own (rooting for you ladies, get his ass) and the absolutely intrigue that is the battle between god vs. man (or rather, one (1) terribly ambitious man) (wish i could get there).
i know and saw lots of people who loved this and i encourage everyone to give this a try! someday i will revisit and enjoy this book, just not today.
i received an advance review copy for free, and i am leaving this review voluntarily. thanks to BookSirens and the author for my E-ARC copy!
July 4, 2024
** Make sure to read content warnings and Authors notes before reading **
I have never read The Epic of Gilgamesh, so not having read that I did enter this story blind, due to this being a retelling. I am glad the author added a glossary on what some of the words mean, without it, I would have been confused.
This story was very well written, along with the character/world-building.
I wanted to like this story, however I just couldn’t get into it. I have read other fantasies that I loved and was hoping to add this one to that collection. Why couldn’t I get into it? I felt there wasn't enough action.
It started off great and grabbed my attention right away with the war. It gave great insight to how Gilgamesh's character is. How he is power-hungry and wants to make a name for himself. He did care for those in his inner circle and protected his family, but is ruthless.
After the first chapter, the war, it slowed down… A LOT. It became more of a slow burn and focused on character/world-building. While this is great for some, it just wasn't my cup of tea. Even the fight with Enkidu wasn't much to grab my attention back. It was also love at first sight (or touch in their case).
There were other moments where I thought it was going to pick back up again, but it was never enough to grab my attention until about 80% into it.
I just didn’t vibe with it. I am sure someone who has read The Epic of Gilgamesh might be able to enjoy this story to its fullest potential, and of course, if you are more into character/world-building.
This book does end with a cliffhanger, but I don’t think I will be getting the second book in this series.
I have never read The Epic of Gilgamesh, so not having read that I did enter this story blind, due to this being a retelling. I am glad the author added a glossary on what some of the words mean, without it, I would have been confused.
This story was very well written, along with the character/world-building.
I wanted to like this story, however I just couldn’t get into it. I have read other fantasies that I loved and was hoping to add this one to that collection. Why couldn’t I get into it? I felt there wasn't enough action.
It started off great and grabbed my attention right away with the war. It gave great insight to how Gilgamesh's character is. How he is power-hungry and wants to make a name for himself. He did care for those in his inner circle and protected his family, but is ruthless.
After the first chapter, the war, it slowed down… A LOT. It became more of a slow burn and focused on character/world-building. While this is great for some, it just wasn't my cup of tea. Even the fight with Enkidu wasn't much to grab my attention back. It was also love at first sight (or touch in their case).
There were other moments where I thought it was going to pick back up again, but it was never enough to grab my attention until about 80% into it.
I just didn’t vibe with it. I am sure someone who has read The Epic of Gilgamesh might be able to enjoy this story to its fullest potential, and of course, if you are more into character/world-building.
This book does end with a cliffhanger, but I don’t think I will be getting the second book in this series.
July 7, 2024
King Gilgamesh is the leader of the great city of Uruk, he is God touched and almost invincible and has grand dreams for his future, he wants to rule all the lands between the waters and have his name remembered for all time for his deeds, however, this does mean that he has to create a carefully crafted image and maintain it. Enkidu is a man with no past who wakes up in the wilds and learns its lessons and all it has to teach him, until one day when he is given food by a woman and has to leave and fulfil his duty to the Gods.
King Gilgamesh has more than proven his might and ability to build and maintain the jewel of the land and his home city alongside his beautiful and fierce Queen, but she feels that he is not living in the present enough and works with the Gods to bring balance to King Gilgamesh and this is where he meets Enkidu, although their first meeting does not go quite as planned. As the days pass and King Gilgamesh has to deal with disruptive Kings, skirmishes on the borders and the lingering threats from Gods and Goddesses alike, he is also both frustrated and intrigued by the new addition to his household while also striving to preserve that which he has built both physically and metaphorically.
Behind the scenes though, a Goddess feels spurned and that her plans are not coming to fruition, and this will not do, but will it be the Goddess, King Gilgamesh, or another player in the game who will succeed and gain everything their hearts desire? This is a retelling of a famous legend where court intrigue can both help and hinder lives, while also twisting them in this epic with hints of romance within.
King Gilgamesh has more than proven his might and ability to build and maintain the jewel of the land and his home city alongside his beautiful and fierce Queen, but she feels that he is not living in the present enough and works with the Gods to bring balance to King Gilgamesh and this is where he meets Enkidu, although their first meeting does not go quite as planned. As the days pass and King Gilgamesh has to deal with disruptive Kings, skirmishes on the borders and the lingering threats from Gods and Goddesses alike, he is also both frustrated and intrigued by the new addition to his household while also striving to preserve that which he has built both physically and metaphorically.
Behind the scenes though, a Goddess feels spurned and that her plans are not coming to fruition, and this will not do, but will it be the Goddess, King Gilgamesh, or another player in the game who will succeed and gain everything their hearts desire? This is a retelling of a famous legend where court intrigue can both help and hinder lives, while also twisting them in this epic with hints of romance within.
June 21, 2024
In the Midst of Omens (The Legacy of Gilgamesh Series) by Nicole Bailey - Review by Jessica Stone
So this is my first read of this authors, I have done some looking into them and it seems as though recreating stores based on myth and lore in a sort of retelling is their things. That being said I had heard the name Gilgamesh before but didn't know to much about him until I read this book and did some further research.
This turned out to be a really fun read, it's a little slow going at first but I believe many good books start slow to really build the character and the world that everything's taking place in. That's exactly what this author did, built and built and built until you can't put the book down because you're ensnared. The relationships between our main character in this story and everyone he interacts with is so genuine and thought it makes everything feel so genuine not only that but it creates a sense of familiarity for the reader that helps move the story along seamlessly.
I read that that is going to be a duology but I do believe that with everything the authors given us so far it has the potential to be many more books that that, but I am truly excited to see where she takes us in the next book. The angst and slow burn of this book was ADDICTIVE, I couldn't help but keep reading to see if one of the characters would finally give in, and i was not disappointed!
In the Midst of Omens, The Legacy of Gilgamesh Series, Nicole Bailey, Review, Itsy Bitsy Book Bits, Fantasy, MM Romance, Jessica Stone
July 6, 2024
This is the first book in the the Legacy of Gilgamesh series. This was really a great start to the series. It is full of action, adventure, romance, mythology, god and goddesses all woven together to create a very unique and captivating story.
The author has done a great job of mixing historical elements into the fantasy and mythology which for me really brings the characters to life.
The story was captivating from the first page and I couldn't put it down. The ending has definately set you up for the next book which I am egar to read to carry on the adventure.
I was unfamiliar with the stories of Gilgamesh. To be he has a lot of responsibility and huge sense of duty but he is also obsessed with leaving a legacy and wanting the be remembered to the point where he is unable to appreciate what he has achieved and the people around him.
When Enkidu enters his life it becomes role to help him see this and also to bring him down and hble him a little. What will happen as Gilgamesh and Enkidu get closer. Will Gilgamesh find what he was missing in this stranger that became a friend.
This is a romance as well as we see Gilgamesh's feelings change for Enkidu and we leave about his wife's partners. Both Gilgamesh and his wife love each other but you can tell it's mainly in a friendship. They complement each other and they work well as a team and the fact they allow each other to find romance else where makes them stronger in my opinion.
This story was complex but very captivating and I ended up getting hooked into their story and their lives.
The author has done a great job of mixing historical elements into the fantasy and mythology which for me really brings the characters to life.
The story was captivating from the first page and I couldn't put it down. The ending has definately set you up for the next book which I am egar to read to carry on the adventure.
I was unfamiliar with the stories of Gilgamesh. To be he has a lot of responsibility and huge sense of duty but he is also obsessed with leaving a legacy and wanting the be remembered to the point where he is unable to appreciate what he has achieved and the people around him.
When Enkidu enters his life it becomes role to help him see this and also to bring him down and hble him a little. What will happen as Gilgamesh and Enkidu get closer. Will Gilgamesh find what he was missing in this stranger that became a friend.
This is a romance as well as we see Gilgamesh's feelings change for Enkidu and we leave about his wife's partners. Both Gilgamesh and his wife love each other but you can tell it's mainly in a friendship. They complement each other and they work well as a team and the fact they allow each other to find romance else where makes them stronger in my opinion.
This story was complex but very captivating and I ended up getting hooked into their story and their lives.
December 26, 2024
In the Midst of Omens is the first part of a Gilgamesh retelling - and this is definitely what made me pick it up in the first place. Gilgamesh reimagining set in Uruk - fantastic! This particular historical/mythological setting is a breath of fresh air. I really enjoyed all the little details that came with it - the descriptions of the palace, the deities, the beard curls (that was extra fun).
The story itself is interesting and quite well-paced (though I wish the forest part in the second half was a little longer - it was very cool to read).
Gilgamesh himself took some time to warm up to, but I think that might have been intentional. At the beginning, he is arrogant and self-centered (not my cup of tea as a protagonist), but then slowly he shows his other sides - husband, son, father, man with his own doubts and fears - and I ended up liking him quite a bit by the end of the book.
The real stars who kept me reading were Enkidu and Shamhat. I loved both of them. Shamhat was clever, funny and strong. Enkidu - kind, strong and vulnerable at the same time. Both of them outshined Gilgamesh for me, but it helped to carry the story.
Why not 5 stars? Little things that took me out of the story a bit (my personal pet peeves) and Inanna. I really wish there was more to her (especially her motivation) considering who she is in this story.
Overall, an enjoyable read with memorable characters and a novel setting. (And yes, I will read part 2)
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free from Book Sirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story itself is interesting and quite well-paced (though I wish the forest part in the second half was a little longer - it was very cool to read).
Gilgamesh himself took some time to warm up to, but I think that might have been intentional. At the beginning, he is arrogant and self-centered (not my cup of tea as a protagonist), but then slowly he shows his other sides - husband, son, father, man with his own doubts and fears - and I ended up liking him quite a bit by the end of the book.
The real stars who kept me reading were Enkidu and Shamhat. I loved both of them. Shamhat was clever, funny and strong. Enkidu - kind, strong and vulnerable at the same time. Both of them outshined Gilgamesh for me, but it helped to carry the story.
Why not 5 stars? Little things that took me out of the story a bit (my personal pet peeves) and Inanna. I really wish there was more to her (especially her motivation) considering who she is in this story.
Overall, an enjoyable read with memorable characters and a novel setting. (And yes, I will read part 2)
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free from Book Sirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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