What do you think?
Rate this book
Fate's Thread #2
Le Dieu et la Gwisin
" Certaines histoires méritent un happy end. "
Depuis qu'Hani s'est sacrifiée pour le sauver, Seokga la cherche désespérément. Cette dernière s'est réincarnée, mais qui peut-elle être à présent ?
Lorsque le destin entraîne le dieu de la ruse à bord d'une croisière de luxe, il retrouve enfin son âme sœur après des années de recherche. Malheureusement, celle qui s'appelle désormais Yoo Kisa ne se souvient absolument pas de lui. Pire encore, elle n'est pas très intéressée par une histoire d'amour bonne pour un numéro de Potins divins.
Et comme si cette situation n'était pas assez gênante, les voilà obligés d'enquêter ensemble sur un assassinat... Alors que les ennuis semblent suivre à la trace nos deux héros, le Fil du Destin qui les unit mettra tout en œuvre pour les faire (re)tomber amoureux.
Depuis qu'Hani s'est sacrifiée pour le sauver, Seokga la cherche désespérément. Cette dernière s'est réincarnée, mais qui peut-elle être à présent ?
Lorsque le destin entraîne le dieu de la ruse à bord d'une croisière de luxe, il retrouve enfin son âme sœur après des années de recherche. Malheureusement, celle qui s'appelle désormais Yoo Kisa ne se souvient absolument pas de lui. Pire encore, elle n'est pas très intéressée par une histoire d'amour bonne pour un numéro de Potins divins.
Et comme si cette situation n'était pas assez gênante, les voilà obligés d'enquêter ensemble sur un assassinat... Alors que les ennuis semblent suivre à la trace nos deux héros, le Fil du Destin qui les unit mettra tout en œuvre pour les faire (re)tomber amoureux.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published June 3, 2025
About the author
Sophie Kim
7 books1,212 followersSophie Kim is the #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of stories that feature mythology, monsters, mystery, and magic. Her critically acclaimed work includes young adult novels such as the Talons series, as well as books on the adult spectrum such as The God and the Gumiho.
Profile illustration by @warickaart.
Profile illustration by @warickaart.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,209 reviews
September 17, 2025
ive never seen a kdrama but, based on what ive heard about them, this is basically a kdrama in book form.
this story can be characterized by its blend of traditional cultural elements and mythology, as well its use of contemporary tropes like fateful encounters, investigations, and key supporting characters. all of which make kdramas super popular and this series a fun read.
but i will say that this sequel is not as emotionally impactful as the first book. i was totally on board for the red string of fate and really looking forward to seeing soulmates reunite after reincarnation, but it fell a little flat for me as the romance tends to take a back set in this.
so not exactly what i was hoping for, but still an entertaining enough story!
↠ 3 stars
this story can be characterized by its blend of traditional cultural elements and mythology, as well its use of contemporary tropes like fateful encounters, investigations, and key supporting characters. all of which make kdramas super popular and this series a fun read.
but i will say that this sequel is not as emotionally impactful as the first book. i was totally on board for the red string of fate and really looking forward to seeing soulmates reunite after reincarnation, but it fell a little flat for me as the romance tends to take a back set in this.
so not exactly what i was hoping for, but still an entertaining enough story!
↠ 3 stars
April 19, 2025
reuniting with your soulmate on a cruise ship in the underworld except she’s reincarnated and does not remember you? good thing you’re vacationing with your brother and your psychologist!
Read my full review
this series is such a delight. sophie kim has her characters down to a T and this sequel just further proves her talent for humor, romance, and high stakes intertwined together in one novel.
i would KILL for a tv series of this it’s that good.
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing this arc to review.
Bookstagram | Blog
Read my full review
this series is such a delight. sophie kim has her characters down to a T and this sequel just further proves her talent for humor, romance, and high stakes intertwined together in one novel.
i would KILL for a tv series of this it’s that good.
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing this arc to review.
Bookstagram | Blog
May 23, 2026
this book is perfect, perfect, perfect
ATE this up in 24 hours, and i enjoyed it even more than the first installment! sophie kim understood the assignment, yes ma'aaaam
ATE this up in 24 hours, and i enjoyed it even more than the first installment! sophie kim understood the assignment, yes ma'aaaam
May 29, 2025
“I.. I was wrong before. I love you because for my soul, loving you is like breathing.”
considering i gave the first book 3 stars, no one is more surprised than me by this rating. the characters had so much more depth and the romance was honestly just beautiful. there was a twist on the red string of fate that made this more unique as well. Seokga is known as the trickster god, but here we see him as just a man who’s broken and depressed, trying to pick up those broken pieces. Kisa is Hani’s reincarnation and while she does still have a connection to Seokga, she’s also completely her own person. this means that they have to build their relationship from the ground up organically, things aren’t rushed and it was so entertaining seeing both of them try to hide their thoughts from one another.
“Her lips are so sweet against his, and when her nose bumps against his Seokga wonders if he has found in Kisa a new religion outside his own to worship.”
there’s another mystery aspect to the plot— this time, it has to do with Seokga’s brother Hwanin. he gets murdered and they have to figure out who’s responsible. one thing i will say that i actually guessed who the culprit was early on, but that didn’t bother me. i also wasn’t expecting the mental health rep, all the characters: Seokga, Kisa, Somi and Hajun have had a rough time in their lives for different reasons and i loved seeing their friendships grow as they work through what’s been weighing them down. i even loved Somi’s side romance with Hajun, he was the sweetest. i really don’t have any complaints about this book, it completely took me by surprise and i am so happy that i continued the series. Kisa and Seokga are two characters that will 100% be sticking with me for sure.
➛ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Random House— Del Rey for the arc, all opinions are my own.
considering i gave the first book 3 stars, no one is more surprised than me by this rating. the characters had so much more depth and the romance was honestly just beautiful. there was a twist on the red string of fate that made this more unique as well. Seokga is known as the trickster god, but here we see him as just a man who’s broken and depressed, trying to pick up those broken pieces. Kisa is Hani’s reincarnation and while she does still have a connection to Seokga, she’s also completely her own person. this means that they have to build their relationship from the ground up organically, things aren’t rushed and it was so entertaining seeing both of them try to hide their thoughts from one another.
“Her lips are so sweet against his, and when her nose bumps against his Seokga wonders if he has found in Kisa a new religion outside his own to worship.”
there’s another mystery aspect to the plot— this time, it has to do with Seokga’s brother Hwanin. he gets murdered and they have to figure out who’s responsible. one thing i will say that i actually guessed who the culprit was early on, but that didn’t bother me. i also wasn’t expecting the mental health rep, all the characters: Seokga, Kisa, Somi and Hajun have had a rough time in their lives for different reasons and i loved seeing their friendships grow as they work through what’s been weighing them down. i even loved Somi’s side romance with Hajun, he was the sweetest. i really don’t have any complaints about this book, it completely took me by surprise and i am so happy that i continued the series. Kisa and Seokga are two characters that will 100% be sticking with me for sure.
➛ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Random House— Del Rey for the arc, all opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2025
! Spoilers ahead for The God and the Gumiho. !
I was very pleasantly surprised by The God and the Gumiho when I read it last month, so I was thrilled to get an arc of book 2 and read it relatively quickly after book 1. I basically had no other choice after that mean of an ending. But The God and the Gwisin throws much of the first book's formula overboard and introduces a new (old) main character, new character dynamics, and a new setting. It's a bold move by the author, but don't worry, it works.
After the end of book 1, Kim Hani not only reincarnated into a completely new life as Yoo Kisa, but also already died again and is now a gwisin, a ghost, working in the underworld. In the meantime, the no-longer-fallen trickster god Seokga was looking everywhere for his soulmate but couldn't find her, even though they are connected through the Red Thread of Fate. After a 33-year search (I still don't understand how the first book took place in the 90s), his therapist sends him on a ship that's navigating the waters of the underworld – for a vacation. There he finally meets his soulmate, but it's not the Hani he's been looking for, but Kisa. The question if these two are the same person plays a big part in the book, and it made the relationship with Seokga very interesting. Kisa doesn't possess any memories of her previous lives and has a totally different personality. When alive, she worked as a doctor in magical medicine and led a very academic-focused life to get there. She's intelligent and approaches everything in an analytical way, but she's also a caring friend. I liked her a lot and she fit well into the little group that consisted of: a shaman (dead), a fox (dead), a K-pop idol (dead), a trickster god (immortal), a baby (immortal). They are a merry band of characters and often unserious – I cackled over their smut book club –, but the book also doesn't fail to handle heavier themes well when necessary. I would definitely put trigger warnings for suicide and death, so be aware. Seokga's character exploration was hard to read as well, because it unpacked his traumatic past with his father. His character got a lot of depth in this book, and other gods got a bigger role as well. I'm not well versed in Korean mythology, so reading about the gods, creatures and realms was super interesting, just like in book 1.
The one thing I didn't like about this book was the whole mystery / investigation part. The reveal was so painfully obvious to me, because But no character thought the same way. The investigating lacked too, especially after Seokga was an actual detective in book 1. But I think you won't mind too much if you're mostly in for the characters and the romance. Seokga and Kisa's relationship was very nice, and I especially like that their bond wasn't a secret but clear from their first meeting. I could have done without the whole hearing-each-other-thoughts-part, because I didn't really see a reason for that.
The story wrapped up nicely this time and provided way more closure than the mean ending of book 1. The very last chapter did make room for a sequel though, so maybe Sophie Kim plans to write some more in the future. I would literally read anything set in this world.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
I was very pleasantly surprised by The God and the Gumiho when I read it last month, so I was thrilled to get an arc of book 2 and read it relatively quickly after book 1. I basically had no other choice after that mean of an ending. But The God and the Gwisin throws much of the first book's formula overboard and introduces a new (old) main character, new character dynamics, and a new setting. It's a bold move by the author, but don't worry, it works.
After the end of book 1, Kim Hani not only reincarnated into a completely new life as Yoo Kisa, but also already died again and is now a gwisin, a ghost, working in the underworld. In the meantime, the no-longer-fallen trickster god Seokga was looking everywhere for his soulmate but couldn't find her, even though they are connected through the Red Thread of Fate. After a 33-year search (I still don't understand how the first book took place in the 90s), his therapist sends him on a ship that's navigating the waters of the underworld – for a vacation. There he finally meets his soulmate, but it's not the Hani he's been looking for, but Kisa. The question if these two are the same person plays a big part in the book, and it made the relationship with Seokga very interesting. Kisa doesn't possess any memories of her previous lives and has a totally different personality. When alive, she worked as a doctor in magical medicine and led a very academic-focused life to get there. She's intelligent and approaches everything in an analytical way, but she's also a caring friend. I liked her a lot and she fit well into the little group that consisted of: a shaman (dead), a fox (dead), a K-pop idol (dead), a trickster god (immortal), a baby (immortal). They are a merry band of characters and often unserious – I cackled over their smut book club –, but the book also doesn't fail to handle heavier themes well when necessary. I would definitely put trigger warnings for suicide and death, so be aware. Seokga's character exploration was hard to read as well, because it unpacked his traumatic past with his father. His character got a lot of depth in this book, and other gods got a bigger role as well. I'm not well versed in Korean mythology, so reading about the gods, creatures and realms was super interesting, just like in book 1.
The one thing I didn't like about this book was the whole mystery / investigation part. The reveal was so painfully obvious to me, because But no character thought the same way. The investigating lacked too, especially after Seokga was an actual detective in book 1. But I think you won't mind too much if you're mostly in for the characters and the romance. Seokga and Kisa's relationship was very nice, and I especially like that their bond wasn't a secret but clear from their first meeting. I could have done without the whole hearing-each-other-thoughts-part, because I didn't really see a reason for that.
The story wrapped up nicely this time and provided way more closure than the mean ending of book 1. The very last chapter did make room for a sequel though, so maybe Sophie Kim plans to write some more in the future. I would literally read anything set in this world.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
![Profile Image for Aisvarya [back ig].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1699441912i/100684893._UX200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
August 11, 2026
"I love you because for my soul, loving you is like breathing. It’s all it knows how to do. It’s all it wants to do, and it’s dangerous, almost...I would plunge into hell’s river for you…I would face the Mad God for you. Because I love you, Seokga. In this life and the last."
This was everything I wanted the first book to be - the yearning, the tension, and them finding their way back to each other were all so worth it. 😭🤌🏻✨
What to expect -
🚢 Adult fantasy rooted in Korean mythology
🚢 Fated soulmates
🚢 Telepathic communication
🚢 Murder mystery set on an underworld cruise ship
🚢 Falling back in love
🚢 Forced proximity
🚢 Dual POV
🚢 Complicated brotherhood
🚢 Found family
🚢 HEA
The second installment takes place on the SRC Flatliner, the underworld cruise ship where our MMC, Seokga, and our FMC, Kisa, have to work together to solve a supernatural murder that happens at the start of the journey.
Since it's the second book in the duology, I can't talk much about what happened before this, but this book is exactly what I wanted after the way things ended in book one. We got more yearning, more tension, more time with our characters' inner conflicts and their thoughts being laid bare, more mystery and crimes with solid motives, and the HEA that our characters and us readers deserved.
Even though Seokga did win my heart in the second half of the first book, he held it from the very beginning in this one. The way he missed our FMC and how much being away from her affected and hurt him was so sad to read about. And you wouldn't believe it's the same Seokga you met in the first book, judging by the way he acts in this one. He cares about his brother and our FMC, and his first instinct when seeing people suffer is to be emotional these days and then offer a snide remark and that is so unlike his title as the trickster god. I was completely moved by his transformation and the way he became so much more considerate of the people around him.
That doesn't mean he's suddenly all too good-natured, cuz you just cannot change your innate nature at times. 🤣🤭 He still acts on his impulses, throws mean comments around, and invents creative ways to swear at others.
Kisa was such an interesting character to follow too. She's extremely intelligent, hardworking, nerdy (she loves all kinds of books and wishes she could be a ghost stuck in a library lol), and passionate about everything scientific. She's been overworked all her life and has never really been seen for who she truly is or shown much love, and I think it's that loneliness and lack of love that connected her to Seokga. They're both lost souls who've never been anyone's first choice, so it was such a wonderful feeling to witness them find in each other what they had always craved and needed.
And I think I absolutely loved the time they took to go from friends to something more. Their relationship didn't just happen overnight, and watching that bond slowly deepen made it all the more satisfying. And I also think I'm a sucker for the soulmates trope, so if you have any recommendations, please do let me know!!! 👀
It was also such a surprise to see Somi in this one. I already liked her in book one and grew to love her even more in this, so it was really good to see her and Kisa become friends again, clear the air between them, and just be the best buddies who would support and root for each other no matter what.
While I read most of this one, I also did an immersive reading of a few chapters, and I can assure you that the audiobook narration is perfect. I'd absolutely recommend it if you enjoy listening to fantasy audiobooks or prefer immersive reading like me.
Overall, this was the most satisfying conclusion I could've asked for from this series. The humor hit perfectly, the setting and mystery were intriguing, the characters were flawed yet perfect for one another, and they both went through such great development from beginning to end. And, of course, we got the HEA everyone deserved🥺💗 So if you want a quick and fun fantasy duology rooted in Korean mythology, you absolutely have to check this one out.
Thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey, and Random House Publishing for the ebook in exchange for my honest review.
✨Pre-read:
How can I not start this after that ending?!!! I need my HEA😭
This was everything I wanted the first book to be - the yearning, the tension, and them finding their way back to each other were all so worth it. 😭🤌🏻✨
What to expect -
🚢 Adult fantasy rooted in Korean mythology
🚢 Fated soulmates
🚢 Telepathic communication
🚢 Murder mystery set on an underworld cruise ship
🚢 Falling back in love
🚢 Forced proximity
🚢 Dual POV
🚢 Complicated brotherhood
🚢 Found family
🚢 HEA
The second installment takes place on the SRC Flatliner, the underworld cruise ship where our MMC, Seokga, and our FMC, Kisa, have to work together to solve a supernatural murder that happens at the start of the journey.
Since it's the second book in the duology, I can't talk much about what happened before this, but this book is exactly what I wanted after the way things ended in book one. We got more yearning, more tension, more time with our characters' inner conflicts and their thoughts being laid bare, more mystery and crimes with solid motives, and the HEA that our characters and us readers deserved.
Even though Seokga did win my heart in the second half of the first book, he held it from the very beginning in this one. The way he missed our FMC and how much being away from her affected and hurt him was so sad to read about. And you wouldn't believe it's the same Seokga you met in the first book, judging by the way he acts in this one. He cares about his brother and our FMC, and his first instinct when seeing people suffer is to be emotional these days and then offer a snide remark and that is so unlike his title as the trickster god. I was completely moved by his transformation and the way he became so much more considerate of the people around him.
That doesn't mean he's suddenly all too good-natured, cuz you just cannot change your innate nature at times. 🤣🤭 He still acts on his impulses, throws mean comments around, and invents creative ways to swear at others.
"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."But I found all of that endearing because, if it isn't obvious already, I was down bad for him just as much as he was for our FMC. What can I say? I love a smitten MMC!!! 😌🤌🏻✨
Kisa was such an interesting character to follow too. She's extremely intelligent, hardworking, nerdy (she loves all kinds of books and wishes she could be a ghost stuck in a library lol), and passionate about everything scientific. She's been overworked all her life and has never really been seen for who she truly is or shown much love, and I think it's that loneliness and lack of love that connected her to Seokga. They're both lost souls who've never been anyone's first choice, so it was such a wonderful feeling to witness them find in each other what they had always craved and needed.
And I think I absolutely loved the time they took to go from friends to something more. Their relationship didn't just happen overnight, and watching that bond slowly deepen made it all the more satisfying. And I also think I'm a sucker for the soulmates trope, so if you have any recommendations, please do let me know!!! 👀
It was also such a surprise to see Somi in this one. I already liked her in book one and grew to love her even more in this, so it was really good to see her and Kisa become friends again, clear the air between them, and just be the best buddies who would support and root for each other no matter what.
While I read most of this one, I also did an immersive reading of a few chapters, and I can assure you that the audiobook narration is perfect. I'd absolutely recommend it if you enjoy listening to fantasy audiobooks or prefer immersive reading like me.
Overall, this was the most satisfying conclusion I could've asked for from this series. The humor hit perfectly, the setting and mystery were intriguing, the characters were flawed yet perfect for one another, and they both went through such great development from beginning to end. And, of course, we got the HEA everyone deserved🥺💗 So if you want a quick and fun fantasy duology rooted in Korean mythology, you absolutely have to check this one out.
Thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey, and Random House Publishing for the ebook in exchange for my honest review.
✨Pre-read:
How can I not start this after that ending?!!! I need my HEA😭
April 26, 2026
Un livre que j’ai beaucoup apprécié. On retrouve tous les ingrédients du premier une enquête de la romance et de l’humour. J’adorerais voir l’adaptation en kdrama. J’adore le personnage du Dieu des farces il me faisait rire et ce côté romantique qu’il pouvait avoir… bref une romantasy sans prétention qui se lit très bien.
February 28, 2025
incoherent review:
HEARTBREAK AND HUMOR IN ONE BOOK!!! this is geniuninely a kdrama in book form from the most hilarious easter eggs to the classic heart wrenching cliffhangers. i ardently wish someone adapts this onto the screen, but even if they don't you all should read this book!! you might want to scream into an abyss every thirty pages but it's all worth it. TRUST ME!! this is worth every teardrop and laugh line and insane stress level. lemme go scream into the hills cause yess my babies are happy finally!!! full rtc
꩜ .ᐟ 18/02/2025: I HAVE THE ARC Y’ALL!! AKSDFJHBJJKHJHGF ⁽⁽`o(≧ᗜ≦)o´⁾⁾
꩜ .ᐟ 08/07/2024: YESSSS I KNEW IT!!! MISS SOPHIE WOULDNT LET ME DIE OF HEARTBREAK LIKE THAT. SHE MIGHT PUT US THROUGH ALL THE EMOTIONAL TRAUMA, BUT SHE WILL MAKE US HAPPY (won’t you? 🥺🫶) can’t wait to have seokga and hani(?) back in 2025!! only 259 days to go 😭🤞
꩜ .ᐟ 18/02/2025: I HAVE THE ARC Y’ALL!! AKSDFJHBJJKHJHGF ⁽⁽`o(≧ᗜ≦)o´⁾⁾
꩜ .ᐟ 08/07/2024: YESSSS I KNEW IT!!! MISS SOPHIE WOULDNT LET ME DIE OF HEARTBREAK LIKE THAT. SHE MIGHT PUT US THROUGH ALL THE EMOTIONAL TRAUMA, BUT SHE WILL MAKE US HAPPY (won’t you? 🥺🫶) can’t wait to have seokga and hani(?) back in 2025!! only 259 days to go 😭🤞
May 29, 2025
4.5 stars! Sophie Kim has to be one of the cleverest authors i’ve ever read stories from - this book had me kicking and giggling and laughing out loud and then also tearing up on the train in public??? Sophie’s voice is so clear in this book and Seokga’s grumpiness was easily my favorite part of this book. this was an excellent sequel to an amazing duology and i will part ways as one of my favorites - just pure fun!
December 9, 2025
4.5 ★— Another delight! This book takes place 33 years after the first one, and just like its predecessor, it shines with its humor, characters, and the way it (re-)builds the relationship between the MMC and FMC.
I think this might be one of the best reincarnation stories I’ve read, with how uniquely the world-building tackles the issue. I really liked how this book handled the forever conundrum of reincarnation: being someone in a past life but having no memory of it, and then having to deal with the consequences of what that past version of you did.
Seokga was his trickster-loving but also (now) very miserable self, and seeing him so devoted to Hani, seeing him so in love, was really heartening for the part of me that loves men who yearn(!)
Hani, who is now Kisa, was completely different, which I liked! She is highly intelligent, perceptive, and in many ways the opposite of her former Gumiho life. Seeing her entangle herself with Seokga, who she was wary and unsure of at first, was beautifully done.
I also just loved the setting! A cruise ship for the Dead is ingenious, and the author made use of it in all the ways she could, giving me all the fluffy, fun stuff while also writing a surprisingly arresting and well-developed emotional bond not only between Kisa and Seokga, but also with Seokga and his familial relationships.
We also get some detective work and a mystery plot that takes a while to be introduced and was maybe just a tad less as fun as in the first book.
I really, really enjoyed this, but I do think I ultimately loved Hani/Seokga more than Kisa/Seokga. The cat-and-mouse aspect in the previous story, along with me simply preferring them as chaos goblins together rather than the calmer connection we get here, makes me ultimately rate this one slightly lower than the first book.
Anyway, I am breathlessly waiting for the next book in the series!
I think this might be one of the best reincarnation stories I’ve read, with how uniquely the world-building tackles the issue. I really liked how this book handled the forever conundrum of reincarnation: being someone in a past life but having no memory of it, and then having to deal with the consequences of what that past version of you did.
Seokga was his trickster-loving but also (now) very miserable self, and seeing him so devoted to Hani, seeing him so in love, was really heartening for the part of me that loves men who yearn(!)
Hani, who is now Kisa, was completely different, which I liked! She is highly intelligent, perceptive, and in many ways the opposite of her former Gumiho life. Seeing her entangle herself with Seokga, who she was wary and unsure of at first, was beautifully done.
I also just loved the setting! A cruise ship for the Dead is ingenious, and the author made use of it in all the ways she could, giving me all the fluffy, fun stuff while also writing a surprisingly arresting and well-developed emotional bond not only between Kisa and Seokga, but also with Seokga and his familial relationships.
We also get some detective work and a mystery plot that takes a while to be introduced and was maybe just a tad less as fun as in the first book.
I really, really enjoyed this, but I do think I ultimately loved Hani/Seokga more than Kisa/Seokga. The cat-and-mouse aspect in the previous story, along with me simply preferring them as chaos goblins together rather than the calmer connection we get here, makes me ultimately rate this one slightly lower than the first book.
Anyway, I am breathlessly waiting for the next book in the series!
Did Not Finish
June 28, 2025DNF @ 20%
Unfortunately, I've just lost interest in this world and its characters. A lot of factors had a hand in this, but mostly ever since my reread of The God and the Gumiho that I gave 3 stars (which on my first read, I'd given 5), I just don't care anymore??? I've lost interest in this series (yes, I'm sad too considering my love for TGATG last year🥲). I gave this a shot at least up until 20% but I don't care for Kisa nor do I care about any of the characters or the plot.
I may still pick this up when I'm in a better reading mood but I don't think it will be any time soon.
(Del Rey please don't hate me😭)
Many thanks to Del Rey for the early copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
___________
SCREAMING THAT SYNOPSIS??? i can already feel the angst that's coming😩 seokga and hani lomls im ready for march 24, 2025 xoxo
Unfortunately, I've just lost interest in this world and its characters. A lot of factors had a hand in this, but mostly ever since my reread of The God and the Gumiho that I gave 3 stars (which on my first read, I'd given 5), I just don't care anymore??? I've lost interest in this series (yes, I'm sad too considering my love for TGATG last year🥲). I gave this a shot at least up until 20% but I don't care for Kisa nor do I care about any of the characters or the plot.
I may still pick this up when I'm in a better reading mood but I don't think it will be any time soon.
(Del Rey please don't hate me😭)
Many thanks to Del Rey for the early copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
___________
SCREAMING THAT SYNOPSIS??? i can already feel the angst that's coming😩 seokga and hani lomls im ready for march 24, 2025 xoxo
August 2, 2025
I hate to rate this book so low cause I really loved the first one but I think I had a hard time with the reincarnation storyline. In this story we have Seokga desperately trying to find Hani's soul after the series of events that occurred at the end of book 1. Seokga has been searching for decades and his brother decided they need to take a vacation on a death boat and he ends up finding Hani's soul only it's a different person and the rest of the story is him struggling to learn how to deal with that (he legit has a therapist) as well as dealing with a nefarious plot.
I went into this with an open mind and admittedly high expectations but by halfway through I wanted the book to end. I understand the mythology and lore but I just couldn't get with Kisa. I really liked Hani but these two ppl were night and day despite sharing a soul and I definitely found myself irked at how Seokga essentially ends up falling in love again. Seokga and Hani were such an epic couple in book 1 and Kisa just had a lot of negativity and naivety. The addition of Somi also threw me off but I did enjoy her character growth in the story. The actual mystery plot took a back seat often and there was a random tangent that really didn't need to be added to the story. I was also able to guess how the story was going to end.
I would still recommend the first book for all the points I said in that review but I would pass on this one. It doesn't have the same momentum.
I went into this with an open mind and admittedly high expectations but by halfway through I wanted the book to end. I understand the mythology and lore but I just couldn't get with Kisa. I really liked Hani but these two ppl were night and day despite sharing a soul and I definitely found myself irked at how Seokga essentially ends up falling in love again. Seokga and Hani were such an epic couple in book 1 and Kisa just had a lot of negativity and naivety. The addition of Somi also threw me off but I did enjoy her character growth in the story. The actual mystery plot took a back seat often and there was a random tangent that really didn't need to be added to the story. I was also able to guess how the story was going to end.
I would still recommend the first book for all the points I said in that review but I would pass on this one. It doesn't have the same momentum.
June 25, 2026
je suis trop déçue de l’avoir lu pendant la canicule j’avais trop du mal à me concentrer😭
La duologie se complète tellement bien. J’ai adoré les personnages, l’univers et la plume de l’autrice.
J’ai quand même une préférence pour le tome 1 mais j’ai adoré cette histoire.🩵
La duologie se complète tellement bien. J’ai adoré les personnages, l’univers et la plume de l’autrice.
J’ai quand même une préférence pour le tome 1 mais j’ai adoré cette histoire.🩵
July 15, 2025
Daddy issues, brought to you by a sentient thread of fate
This was surprisingly tender, and both books in the series were such a fun adventure. What stopped this from being a 5-star read for me was just an issue of pacing. It feels as though the "mystery" portion of the book really drags for about 75%, while more of the character arcs are set up, and then most happens at the end of the book. That being said, I think there are many readers who won't be bothered by this, and overall I've really enjoyed both books in this series.
This series is for those who want mythology and folklore but in a modern setting, with a heavy romantic subplot.
Thanks to Netgalley and Del Rey for an early copy in exchange for an honest review!
This was surprisingly tender, and both books in the series were such a fun adventure. What stopped this from being a 5-star read for me was just an issue of pacing. It feels as though the "mystery" portion of the book really drags for about 75%, while more of the character arcs are set up, and then most happens at the end of the book. That being said, I think there are many readers who won't be bothered by this, and overall I've really enjoyed both books in this series.
This series is for those who want mythology and folklore but in a modern setting, with a heavy romantic subplot.
Thanks to Netgalley and Del Rey for an early copy in exchange for an honest review!
January 26, 2026
Another 4.25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 & deeply enjoyable, fun read!
PLOT
After the events of book 1, Seogka feels the snap of the thread & it takes him, his brother/emperor, & his therapist on an afterlife cruise ship.
- another buddy cop element
- second chance sort of romance?
- fate
- fun vibes & based on Korean folklore
- lower spice
PROS
- It’s just fun. This series is just so fun I enjoy myself left & right.
- The purgatory cruise ship was a very fun setting for this I thoroughly enjoyed.
- I love the crime solving/buddy cop aspect again.
- Kisa was easy to root for & I quite enjoyed her character.
- Fun twists & turns & a satisfying ending that seemingly has this acting as a duet with more potential stories to explore!
CONS
- I missed the romance & banter & character from book 1. I understand why we went this direction but I did just miss it because I looooved her.
Super fun read!
PLOT
After the events of book 1, Seogka feels the snap of the thread & it takes him, his brother/emperor, & his therapist on an afterlife cruise ship.
- another buddy cop element
- second chance sort of romance?
- fate
- fun vibes & based on Korean folklore
- lower spice
PROS
- It’s just fun. This series is just so fun I enjoy myself left & right.
- The purgatory cruise ship was a very fun setting for this I thoroughly enjoyed.
- I love the crime solving/buddy cop aspect again.
- Kisa was easy to root for & I quite enjoyed her character.
- Fun twists & turns & a satisfying ending that seemingly has this acting as a duet with more potential stories to explore!
CONS
- I missed the romance & banter & character from book 1. I understand why we went this direction but I did just miss it because I looooved her.
Super fun read!
July 9, 2025
Okay, this book was basically a fantasy K-drama and I was OBSESSED. It’s a slow burn story filled with Korean folklore, murder mystery, and a swoony, emotional romance, all set on a underworld cruise ship.
Seokga finally finds the love of his life… but there’s one tiny problem: she’s dead. And just when things start to get good, his brother gets murdered. Now they have to solve the mystery, and try not to fall apart in the process.
I loved how magical, charming, and whimsical this book felt. The reincarnation storyline had me hooked, and Seokga being a total grump but constantly soft for Kisa over and over again made me melt. The mythology was rich, the mystery kept me guessing and the romance was so intense it made me want to scream into a pillow. It was sweet, funny, heartbreaking, and such a fun read from start to finish.
I also loved seeing some familiar faces from the first book, plus the new characters were great too! Basically, this book wrecked me, but in the best way possible. If you’re into fantasy with depth, high stakes, a dash of mystery, and characters you’ll fall in love with, this book needs to be on your TBR!
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:
❤️🔥 Korean Mythology
❤️🔥 Murder Mystery
❤️🔥 Reincarnation/Second Chance
❤️🔥 Underworld Setting
🚨🚨 TW: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Murder, Violence
Seokga finally finds the love of his life… but there’s one tiny problem: she’s dead. And just when things start to get good, his brother gets murdered. Now they have to solve the mystery, and try not to fall apart in the process.
I loved how magical, charming, and whimsical this book felt. The reincarnation storyline had me hooked, and Seokga being a total grump but constantly soft for Kisa over and over again made me melt. The mythology was rich, the mystery kept me guessing and the romance was so intense it made me want to scream into a pillow. It was sweet, funny, heartbreaking, and such a fun read from start to finish.
I also loved seeing some familiar faces from the first book, plus the new characters were great too! Basically, this book wrecked me, but in the best way possible. If you’re into fantasy with depth, high stakes, a dash of mystery, and characters you’ll fall in love with, this book needs to be on your TBR!
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:
❤️🔥 Korean Mythology
❤️🔥 Murder Mystery
❤️🔥 Reincarnation/Second Chance
❤️🔥 Underworld Setting
🚨🚨 TW: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Murder, Violence
March 2, 2026
❛❛ғᴏʀ ʜɪᴍ, ɪᴛ ɪs ʜɪs ʙᴇsᴛ ғʀɪᴇɴᴅ, ʜɪs ʟᴏᴠᴇʀ, ʀᴇɪɴᴄᴀʀɴᴀᴛᴇᴅ. ғᴏʀ ʜᴇʀ, ɪᴛ ɪs ᴀɴ ᴇxᴘᴇʀɪᴍᴇɴᴛ. ʀᴇsᴇᴀʀᴄʜ. ғᴏʀ ʜɪᴍ, ɪᴛ’s ʟᴏᴠᴇ.❜❜
˚⊱🫧⊰˚ 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒐𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏 ˚⊱✨⊰˚
🫧 Characters
⤷ Yoo Kisa. A super smart, slightly dead academic and love interest. She is the reincarnation of Hani, but has no memory of Seokga or desire to do anything with him.
⤷ Seokga. A lovesick, distraught god. All that he wants is Hani back, but instead has to figure out a relationship with Yoo Kisa.
✨ ᴏᴠᴇʀᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛs:
This was a little bit of a disappointing sequel. I mentioned in my previous review that the entire story felt a little bit flat and this one does little to improve it. However, when taken at surface level - this is an enjoyable read. Also, the cover is beautiful!
The twists and turns of this book were unexpected. The world building was intricate and intriguing, I really liked how the setting differed from the previous. I enjoyed the return of some previous characters (and seeing how they were coping with grief!) This sequel was a little bit unnecessary, I think that I would have been content with not knowing how the series progressed.
🫧 ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ:
⤷ 3.5 stars (rounded up)
✨ sᴇʀɪᴇs:
⤷ The God and the Gumiho
⤷ The God and the Gwisin
🫧 sɪᴍɪʟᴀʀ ʙᴏᴏᴋs:
⤷ Darker by Four (Tan)
⤷ A Forgery of Fate (Lim)
˚⊱🫧⊰˚ 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒐𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒏 ˚⊱✨⊰˚
🫧 Characters
⤷ Yoo Kisa. A super smart, slightly dead academic and love interest. She is the reincarnation of Hani, but has no memory of Seokga or desire to do anything with him.
⤷ Seokga. A lovesick, distraught god. All that he wants is Hani back, but instead has to figure out a relationship with Yoo Kisa.
✨ ᴏᴠᴇʀᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛs:
This was a little bit of a disappointing sequel. I mentioned in my previous review that the entire story felt a little bit flat and this one does little to improve it. However, when taken at surface level - this is an enjoyable read. Also, the cover is beautiful!
The twists and turns of this book were unexpected. The world building was intricate and intriguing, I really liked how the setting differed from the previous. I enjoyed the return of some previous characters (and seeing how they were coping with grief!) This sequel was a little bit unnecessary, I think that I would have been content with not knowing how the series progressed.
🫧 ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ:
⤷ 3.5 stars (rounded up)
✨ sᴇʀɪᴇs:
⤷ The God and the Gumiho
⤷ The God and the Gwisin
🫧 sɪᴍɪʟᴀʀ ʙᴏᴏᴋs:
⤷ Darker by Four (Tan)
⤷ A Forgery of Fate (Lim)
August 18, 2025
firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!!
i’ve noticed that a lot of books pubbed back in 2023 and 2024 that could have been left as standalones have been receiving a second book, and i personally felt a lot of those books could have been left alone.
however, the god and the gwisin was an excellent addition to the world that sophie kim created in the god and the gumiho. it was so lovely to return to the world and the characters, and most importantly added another man who yearns to my shelf!!
i also listened to the audio, which had my favorite: dual narrators! they did a great job!
i’ve noticed that a lot of books pubbed back in 2023 and 2024 that could have been left as standalones have been receiving a second book, and i personally felt a lot of those books could have been left alone.
however, the god and the gwisin was an excellent addition to the world that sophie kim created in the god and the gumiho. it was so lovely to return to the world and the characters, and most importantly added another man who yearns to my shelf!!
i also listened to the audio, which had my favorite: dual narrators! they did a great job!
August 7, 2026
Love this series!! Hopefully we'll get more books set in this world. In the meantime, looking forward to checking out Sophie Kim's other books!
February 5, 2025
BIG SHOUT OUT TO THE PUBLISHER AND NETGALLEY FOR LETTING ME IN FOR ROUND 2!
So. The last book was heartbreaking. Sophie Kim was like, 'okay, lets NOT and give this book a happier tone'. A who-dun-it type mystery set aboard a river cruise for the dead. Let's also make a little Scooby-Doo team out of some new faces, old faces, and a Gwisin who is the reincarnation of God's first love.
Sophie Kim gives us a K-Drama that gives us vibes of Tale of the Nine-Tailed Fox. Our God is mourning over his lost love. Going to therapy, doing things that remind him of her, and ... still looking for her. Her reincarnation is somewhere, but where? Suddenly a red thread appears, luring him to London but Hani is no where to be found. If he was there just minutes before hand, he would have see his love as a medical assistant plummeting to her death by falling off the roof of a hospital. Which leads us into how SHE ends up on a cruise meant for those who died.
I liked Sophie's new characters - some of them silly, some of them not so silly. I liked that we got a little more insight on the Gods (our lead God's parents), family issues, and so on. The dilemma that our God and our once-gumiho are in has to do with a baby, and it was funny to see them act like parents to this infant who has godly powers.
But Hani - is she okay? Does she have memories of her past life? How does he feel about finding her but realizing that she remembers nothing and is a completely different person? That's what this story is about. Identity and does love still remain even though the form has changed? In this book, our God must recognize that Hani is not coming back, but is Kisa a valid and worthy replacement for his love?
The characters have to go through trust and finding love again. The end, while true to the characters, was a little weak for me, but the cliffhanger has me excited for book three and the family drama (I imply this heavily) in-store.
If you liked book one, you'll enjoy book two just as much. The only reason I marked it down is that I'm not a fan on books that take place on boats because I feel the action is hindered.
I need book three, Sophie! Library adventures in the future?
So. The last book was heartbreaking. Sophie Kim was like, 'okay, lets NOT and give this book a happier tone'. A who-dun-it type mystery set aboard a river cruise for the dead. Let's also make a little Scooby-Doo team out of some new faces, old faces, and a Gwisin who is the reincarnation of God's first love.
Sophie Kim gives us a K-Drama that gives us vibes of Tale of the Nine-Tailed Fox. Our God is mourning over his lost love. Going to therapy, doing things that remind him of her, and ... still looking for her. Her reincarnation is somewhere, but where? Suddenly a red thread appears, luring him to London but Hani is no where to be found. If he was there just minutes before hand, he would have see his love as a medical assistant plummeting to her death by falling off the roof of a hospital. Which leads us into how SHE ends up on a cruise meant for those who died.
I liked Sophie's new characters - some of them silly, some of them not so silly. I liked that we got a little more insight on the Gods (our lead God's parents), family issues, and so on. The dilemma that our God and our once-gumiho are in has to do with a baby, and it was funny to see them act like parents to this infant who has godly powers.
But Hani - is she okay? Does she have memories of her past life? How does he feel about finding her but realizing that she remembers nothing and is a completely different person? That's what this story is about. Identity and does love still remain even though the form has changed? In this book, our God must recognize that Hani is not coming back, but is Kisa a valid and worthy replacement for his love?
The characters have to go through trust and finding love again. The end, while true to the characters, was a little weak for me, but the cliffhanger has me excited for book three and the family drama (I imply this heavily) in-store.
If you liked book one, you'll enjoy book two just as much. The only reason I marked it down is that I'm not a fan on books that take place on boats because I feel the action is hindered.
I need book three, Sophie! Library adventures in the future?
April 14, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and Del Rey for the eARC of this book :)
The God and the Gumiho was one of my absolute favorite books of 2024 and its sequel lived up to every one of my expectations. It has the fun elements of a murder mystery (on a cruise ship), reincarnation, k pop idols, second change romance and Korean mythology all mixed into one with a mix of new and old characters that we already love.
After the cliff hanger of the first book, it picks up 33 years later with Seokga following the red thread of fate towards Hani, except it turns out it is not Hani, but Yoo Kisa. Much to Seokga’s dismay, we learn that Yoo Kisa has no memories of her past life as Hani (and therefore him). But when his brother gets murdered, they have to band together to figure out who the murderer is all while trying to understand their connection and where they fit into each other’s lives.
I really loved Yoo Kisa’s character and how the relationship with Seokga developed over time and in a completely new way compared to his and Hani’s relationship. Although she is not Hani, I really liked the way the character arc and story line was done to tell us that she is her own person but not skipping over Hani completely since her character still plays a part in this book. I loved how her past life started blending with her new life, yet not erasing the parts of her that still made her Kisa. We also get to see deeper parts of Seokga as he delves into his relationship with his parents and brother, as well as his insecurities from his past.
All in all, I really really loved this. It has the same humor and banter as The God and the Gumiho, yet also touches on the mental health issues of the characters.
The God and the Gumiho was one of my absolute favorite books of 2024 and its sequel lived up to every one of my expectations. It has the fun elements of a murder mystery (on a cruise ship), reincarnation, k pop idols, second change romance and Korean mythology all mixed into one with a mix of new and old characters that we already love.
After the cliff hanger of the first book, it picks up 33 years later with Seokga following the red thread of fate towards Hani, except it turns out it is not Hani, but Yoo Kisa. Much to Seokga’s dismay, we learn that Yoo Kisa has no memories of her past life as Hani (and therefore him). But when his brother gets murdered, they have to band together to figure out who the murderer is all while trying to understand their connection and where they fit into each other’s lives.
I really loved Yoo Kisa’s character and how the relationship with Seokga developed over time and in a completely new way compared to his and Hani’s relationship. Although she is not Hani, I really liked the way the character arc and story line was done to tell us that she is her own person but not skipping over Hani completely since her character still plays a part in this book. I loved how her past life started blending with her new life, yet not erasing the parts of her that still made her Kisa. We also get to see deeper parts of Seokga as he delves into his relationship with his parents and brother, as well as his insecurities from his past.
All in all, I really really loved this. It has the same humor and banter as The God and the Gumiho, yet also touches on the mental health issues of the characters.
May 25, 2025
"Some stories deserve a happy ending."
While the beginning was a bit slow, The God and the Gwisin was still a really entertaining book. After getting past the first 15% of the book, I honestly flew through it trying to guess who the murderer was and needing to get my answers.
Spoilers for The God and the Gumiho ahead!!!
Seokga the No-Longer-Fallen is looking for the love of his life. Ever since he lost Hani, nothing has felt right and he’s been desperately searching for her reincarnated form. But when the red thread of fate leads Seokga to a cruise down the river of the dead, the woman he finds isn't Hani . . . she's Yoo Kisa, and she has no memory of him whatsoever - with seemingly no interest in regaining it either. Although, when the Heavenly Emperor of Okhwang is murdered, Seokga and Kisa must solve the crime before the cruise ends. And as the mystery draws them closer, they will have to decide what they truly mean to each other.
I won’t lie, I feel like the synopsis of this book spoiled a lot of things and I definitely believe that it’s better to go in blind. I would have much rather not know who gets murdered aboard the cruise ship and I also think that not knowing about the red thread of fate from the beginning would have also added another pleasant element of surprise.
As I said, The beginning of the book was quite slow and this most likely happened because of Kisa. It felt a bit disorienting at first to read from her perspective and I didn’t like how Seokga and even us as readers were constantly comparing her to Hani. I really wanted to get to know Kisa as her own character, not as Hani’s reincarnation!
I did fall in love with Kisa tho. She was so smart and funny and I found her so relatable at this that I just couldn’t help loving her. She had her own struggles and I loved seeing how they impacted her and how she dealt with everything the world has thrown at her in her life. She was genuinely a really pleasant surprise since I wasn’t sure what to expect of her after what happened in The God and the Gumiho.
Seokga, the same as in the first book, had my heart. He is just my grumpy, caffeine addicted god and I love him so much!! He and his poor detective skills make this book so funny, in spite of some of the seriousness of his character.
The romance between the two was genuinely the cutest!! This is one book where the soulmates trope was done right!!! One thing I was scared about while going into this book, was that it will be an insta-love situation. And while some might argue that it was, I believe that not only did it work with the story, but it also didn’t feel like insta-love. The book takes place over the span of a week or two, but with the way their romance develops it feels like they spend so much more time together than they actually do and they form such a beautiful bond in the end.
I was also pretty scared about how the romance will develop due to Hani and the impact she had on Seokga in The God and the Gumiho, but by the end I realised I had no reason to be scared about that. There was this one moment in the book where Seokga becomes aware of the fact that it was Hani who he needed first, to help him open up to the possibility of love, but Kisa was the one he needed in the present with her gentleness.
I also really loved some of the side characters in this book like Hwanung (the way he and Seokga interacted was everything!! Seokga genuinely loves his brother so much and seeing them together healed my soul), Hajun (a new character we meet in this book! I absolutely loved his friendship with Kisa! I need a friend like him frfr) and a character that we met in a previous book that honestly I didn’t like back then but somehow miss Sophie Kim made me love her!
Now onto the mystery…. I predicted who the murderer was and the turn the plot was going to take towards the end. The plot in itself wasn’t bad but all these plot twists were hinted so heavily from the beginning of the book that they didn’t even feel like plot twists by the end. It was obvious to me that they would happen, I was there just waiting for everything to go down.
Overall, this was a solid book and I’m curious to see what Sophie Kim has in store next! (also don’t fall in the same trap I did! This book is NOT ya!)
Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for a copy of this book!
While the beginning was a bit slow, The God and the Gwisin was still a really entertaining book. After getting past the first 15% of the book, I honestly flew through it trying to guess who the murderer was and needing to get my answers.
Spoilers for The God and the Gumiho ahead!!!
Seokga the No-Longer-Fallen is looking for the love of his life. Ever since he lost Hani, nothing has felt right and he’s been desperately searching for her reincarnated form. But when the red thread of fate leads Seokga to a cruise down the river of the dead, the woman he finds isn't Hani . . . she's Yoo Kisa, and she has no memory of him whatsoever - with seemingly no interest in regaining it either. Although, when the Heavenly Emperor of Okhwang is murdered, Seokga and Kisa must solve the crime before the cruise ends. And as the mystery draws them closer, they will have to decide what they truly mean to each other.
I won’t lie, I feel like the synopsis of this book spoiled a lot of things and I definitely believe that it’s better to go in blind. I would have much rather not know who gets murdered aboard the cruise ship and I also think that not knowing about the red thread of fate from the beginning would have also added another pleasant element of surprise.
As I said, The beginning of the book was quite slow and this most likely happened because of Kisa. It felt a bit disorienting at first to read from her perspective and I didn’t like how Seokga and even us as readers were constantly comparing her to Hani. I really wanted to get to know Kisa as her own character, not as Hani’s reincarnation!
I did fall in love with Kisa tho. She was so smart and funny and I found her so relatable at this that I just couldn’t help loving her. She had her own struggles and I loved seeing how they impacted her and how she dealt with everything the world has thrown at her in her life. She was genuinely a really pleasant surprise since I wasn’t sure what to expect of her after what happened in The God and the Gumiho.
Seokga, the same as in the first book, had my heart. He is just my grumpy, caffeine addicted god and I love him so much!! He and his poor detective skills make this book so funny, in spite of some of the seriousness of his character.
The romance between the two was genuinely the cutest!! This is one book where the soulmates trope was done right!!! One thing I was scared about while going into this book, was that it will be an insta-love situation. And while some might argue that it was, I believe that not only did it work with the story, but it also didn’t feel like insta-love. The book takes place over the span of a week or two, but with the way their romance develops it feels like they spend so much more time together than they actually do and they form such a beautiful bond in the end.
I was also pretty scared about how the romance will develop due to Hani and the impact she had on Seokga in The God and the Gumiho, but by the end I realised I had no reason to be scared about that. There was this one moment in the book where Seokga becomes aware of the fact that it was Hani who he needed first, to help him open up to the possibility of love, but Kisa was the one he needed in the present with her gentleness.
I also really loved some of the side characters in this book like Hwanung (the way he and Seokga interacted was everything!! Seokga genuinely loves his brother so much and seeing them together healed my soul), Hajun (a new character we meet in this book! I absolutely loved his friendship with Kisa! I need a friend like him frfr) and a character that we met in a previous book that honestly I didn’t like back then but somehow miss Sophie Kim made me love her!
Now onto the mystery…. I predicted who the murderer was and the turn the plot was going to take towards the end. The plot in itself wasn’t bad but all these plot twists were hinted so heavily from the beginning of the book that they didn’t even feel like plot twists by the end. It was obvious to me that they would happen, I was there just waiting for everything to go down.
Overall, this was a solid book and I’m curious to see what Sophie Kim has in store next! (also don’t fall in the same trap I did! This book is NOT ya!)
Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for a copy of this book!
![Profile Image for vxmpslibrary [hiatus].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1786018920i/123295506._UX200_CR0,33,200,200_.jpg)
February 17, 2025
.4 stars.
- (slight) spoilers ahead!
.my thoughts.
The god and the gwisin is an interesting conclusion to the series, and it was a whole rocky ride that I found myself leaning in.
Seokga has his soulmate reincarnated and tied to him with a red thread, only to realise, she's dead, and not Hani as he mostly expected, yet hoped like a delusional. But with his brother's unexpected murder and only few days to solve in, he teams up with Kisa, Somi and Hajun. And they all are the worst detectives mind you.
The writing style was absolutely interesting, one thing I can never deny is Sophie Kim's writing style always get me in ways I cannot decipher, it's like being attached to one with such an interesting handwriting which is absolutely normal. The pacing seemed quiet alright for me too. And Kim's book having red thread theory like the previous one has me with NO complains, because I absolutely enjoy the red thread as she does.
Seokga, was hopelessly needed a therapist, how depressed he was, makes us realise how much love he carried just for her, and finding her only to find his [delusional] hopes shattered, he would definitely need a karaoke session afterwards, but his brother had a better plan earlier to make him go on a vacation way before he met Kisa.
Yoo Kisa, an intelligent scholar, and amazing person, with more knowledge than her age, was a character I was found of👀 she was scared of attaching herself too close to Seokga [failed] and was immensely disappointed thinking Seokga and her have a relationship based on her past life even though she was nothing like it right now.
Hwanin, was so appreciated here, and I loved it so much🥹🤍 he was an amazing brother, and I would never stop talking he played a major role, and the way Seokga expressed his love and affection yet annoyance to him was adorable, it's like me with my sister.
Somi, i understand that she was also in grief, but I painfully admit I found her quite irritating, the way she was behaving seemed like an act, and even though I was, liking and disliking her at the same time.
Hajun, oh the best friend I profusely need in life, he had an amazing character, he was a literal idol, and the way he would blush or stutter around Somi was honestly too cute to pass on.
Somi and Hajun together were still a cute couple I adored, and saw so many moments I enjoyed of them together.
Seokga and Kisa were immensely amazing together too! I loved every interaction they had which was hilariously funny. And Kisa's obsession with Seokga's bum made me half cringe and half amused.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, and loved it like always. I also predicted the most trust ones, even though one took me aback, and it was really satisfying and thrilling ride, I was gripping my seat with every moment that passed.
.preread.
yeah no I'm picking this up right after I wake up tomorrow because why not, I want to see how it goes!
. ݁₊ ⊹ reading after exams.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for giving me this lovely arc ! gonna pursue this soon as possible omg♥️
- (slight) spoilers ahead!
"You love fully and completely, only to have it returned in less than half."
.my thoughts.
The god and the gwisin is an interesting conclusion to the series, and it was a whole rocky ride that I found myself leaning in.
Seokga has his soulmate reincarnated and tied to him with a red thread, only to realise, she's dead, and not Hani as he mostly expected, yet hoped like a delusional. But with his brother's unexpected murder and only few days to solve in, he teams up with Kisa, Somi and Hajun. And they all are the worst detectives mind you.
The writing style was absolutely interesting, one thing I can never deny is Sophie Kim's writing style always get me in ways I cannot decipher, it's like being attached to one with such an interesting handwriting which is absolutely normal. The pacing seemed quiet alright for me too. And Kim's book having red thread theory like the previous one has me with NO complains, because I absolutely enjoy the red thread as she does.
Seokga, was hopelessly needed a therapist, how depressed he was, makes us realise how much love he carried just for her, and finding her only to find his [delusional] hopes shattered, he would definitely need a karaoke session afterwards, but his brother had a better plan earlier to make him go on a vacation way before he met Kisa.
Yoo Kisa, an intelligent scholar, and amazing person, with more knowledge than her age, was a character I was found of👀 she was scared of attaching herself too close to Seokga [failed] and was immensely disappointed thinking Seokga and her have a relationship based on her past life even though she was nothing like it right now.
Hwanin, was so appreciated here, and I loved it so much🥹🤍 he was an amazing brother, and I would never stop talking he played a major role, and the way Seokga expressed his love and affection yet annoyance to him was adorable, it's like me with my sister.
Somi, i understand that she was also in grief, but I painfully admit I found her quite irritating, the way she was behaving seemed like an act, and even though I was, liking and disliking her at the same time.
Hajun, oh the best friend I profusely need in life, he had an amazing character, he was a literal idol, and the way he would blush or stutter around Somi was honestly too cute to pass on.
Somi and Hajun together were still a cute couple I adored, and saw so many moments I enjoyed of them together.
Seokga and Kisa were immensely amazing together too! I loved every interaction they had which was hilariously funny. And Kisa's obsession with Seokga's bum made me half cringe and half amused.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, and loved it like always. I also predicted the most trust ones, even though one took me aback, and it was really satisfying and thrilling ride, I was gripping my seat with every moment that passed.
"Stop gaping Yeomra. You look like a dying fish."
.preread.
yeah no I'm picking this up right after I wake up tomorrow because why not, I want to see how it goes!
. ݁₊ ⊹ reading after exams.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for giving me this lovely arc ! gonna pursue this soon as possible omg♥️
June 2, 2026
The God and the Gwinsin was a great listen! I'm so sad to be leaving these characters and this world, but I'll absolutely be screaming about it to anyone who will listen and revisiting the Fate's Thread duology soon. I can feel it.
July 14, 2025
5⭐️
"Her lips are so sweet against his, and when her nose bumps against his, Seokga wonders if he has found Kisa a religion outside of his own to worship."
...
The God and the Gumiho is one of my all-time favorite books. I own it in multiple editions and have read it many times. So, as you can imagine, this was a very anticipated read for me! I went in with some trepidation, knowing that I may not get quite what I was expecting in terms of Kim Hani's character (whom I love). I think if you do the same, you will enjoy this as much as I did!
Kisa was her own wonderfully unique and loveable character, just in ways that were not the same as Hani's. She was gentler, softer around the edges. However, at the same time, she was strong and protected those she loved.
Her dynamic with Seokga may have been different, but it was also so lovely to simply watch them fall in love all over again. Good old Sexy Seokga will always remain in my heart as one of my favorite book characters in existence. He is so grumpy, complex, and to his dismay, soft at heart.
I loved the underlying mystery that weaves its way through the story (much like our red thread of fate), and the way we were able to unpeel more layers of Seokga's past. Especially with his family dynamics.
Sophie Kim is such an excellent writer. She makes me laugh, she makes me cry, she makes me swoon, and she keeps me turning the page and re-reading her stories over and over again. Thank you for another lovely story :)
"Her lips are so sweet against his, and when her nose bumps against his, Seokga wonders if he has found Kisa a religion outside of his own to worship."
...
The God and the Gumiho is one of my all-time favorite books. I own it in multiple editions and have read it many times. So, as you can imagine, this was a very anticipated read for me! I went in with some trepidation, knowing that I may not get quite what I was expecting in terms of Kim Hani's character (whom I love). I think if you do the same, you will enjoy this as much as I did!
Kisa was her own wonderfully unique and loveable character, just in ways that were not the same as Hani's. She was gentler, softer around the edges. However, at the same time, she was strong and protected those she loved.
Her dynamic with Seokga may have been different, but it was also so lovely to simply watch them fall in love all over again. Good old Sexy Seokga will always remain in my heart as one of my favorite book characters in existence. He is so grumpy, complex, and to his dismay, soft at heart.
I loved the underlying mystery that weaves its way through the story (much like our red thread of fate), and the way we were able to unpeel more layers of Seokga's past. Especially with his family dynamics.
Sophie Kim is such an excellent writer. She makes me laugh, she makes me cry, she makes me swoon, and she keeps me turning the page and re-reading her stories over and over again. Thank you for another lovely story :)
May 14, 2025
When you've been looking for the reincarnation of your soulmate for so many years your therapist begs you to take a vacation... on an underworld cruise ship... and you finally find her there, but she doesn't remember you. Oh, and there's also a murder mystery. And a surprise baby, but not in the way you think (have fun figuring that one out).
I can promise you, you haven't read a series quite like this before. The closest comp would be adult romantasy Percy Jackson, with Korean mythology. This sequel is pretty different from the previous book - characters old and new, in a completely new setting and situation. It's again an incredibly funny read, and even though I missed Hani just as much as Seokga at first, Kisa grew on me very quickly, and I ended up absolutely adoring her. But aside from being fun, there's also so much yearning. I empathized so deeply with Seokga, who desperately wanted to (re)connect with his soulmate after losing her and having searched for all these years. There's truly nothing like the reincarnation/soulmates trope done right.
I can promise you, you haven't read a series quite like this before. The closest comp would be adult romantasy Percy Jackson, with Korean mythology. This sequel is pretty different from the previous book - characters old and new, in a completely new setting and situation. It's again an incredibly funny read, and even though I missed Hani just as much as Seokga at first, Kisa grew on me very quickly, and I ended up absolutely adoring her. But aside from being fun, there's also so much yearning. I empathized so deeply with Seokga, who desperately wanted to (re)connect with his soulmate after losing her and having searched for all these years. There's truly nothing like the reincarnation/soulmates trope done right.
June 17, 2025
3.75⭐️ I enjoyed the first book, but the sequel didn’t hit the same for me—maybe it was the focus on new characters, which was okay, but I might just be biased toward Hani. The way the romance played out didn’t really pull me in either, but I still enjoyed the mystery—even if it was predictable and it was nice seeing some growth from Seokgo.
June 7, 2025
4.5 stars
Thank you Netgalley, Del Rey and Sophie Kim for providing me an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion. I also read the first instalment as an eARC so this was particularly exciting for me!
As someone who was blown away by the ending of THE GOD AND THE GUMIHO, I was absolutely ecstatic to hear the author had plans to write a continuation. I spent about a year trying to come up with ways Kim could go about this because it wasn't as clear cut an answer as it typically is with fantasy romances. I am happy to say that the author's creativity far exceeded my expectations!
Just like in the first book, we accompany grumpy trickster god, Seokga, as he descends into the river of the Dead for a cruise after being convinced a vacation is exactly what he needs. He's spent 30 years searching for his soulmate (Hani) after all, so burnout is a completely normal consequence (especially after a frigid trip to Antartica). With only a thread of fate to connect him to her and after years of not getting closer to finding her, it comes as a surprise to Seokga when said thread suddenly connects him to a cruise employee, Kisa, who is very much unlike Hani and has no memories of their time together.
This would be all fine and well, but this is Seokga, who always attracts bad luck, so obviously *someone* ends up murdered on the ship and they have only five days to figure out whom before he is accused of said murder since said person was no other than Seokga's own brother, the Heavenly Emperor of Okhwang with whom he has a sort of difficult relationship. I personally hate detective stories (yes, including Sherlock Holmes, sue me), so when I tell you I still loved this book (and the one before), I mean it in the most surprising way! Even though the mystery was a little predictable, that is never the point.... The point is obviously the K-dramaesque build up to the relationship between Seokga and Kisa, as well as their lovely companions, a K-Pop idol and a gumiho.
No one will ever beat Hani for me, but Kisa came so close! I love how different she is but also how similar in a lot of ways, and how Seokga learns to accept that this reincarnation of Hani is right for him, just as Hani had been at that point in time. They were so cute together, and the writing never wandered far from humourous while still maintaining a grip on the emotional side to the plot, which made this an enjoyable, lighthearted read that had been reacting in embarassing ways in the public transit system. Highly recommend!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you Netgalley, Del Rey and Sophie Kim for providing me an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion. I also read the first instalment as an eARC so this was particularly exciting for me!
As someone who was blown away by the ending of THE GOD AND THE GUMIHO, I was absolutely ecstatic to hear the author had plans to write a continuation. I spent about a year trying to come up with ways Kim could go about this because it wasn't as clear cut an answer as it typically is with fantasy romances. I am happy to say that the author's creativity far exceeded my expectations!
Just like in the first book, we accompany grumpy trickster god, Seokga, as he descends into the river of the Dead for a cruise after being convinced a vacation is exactly what he needs. He's spent 30 years searching for his soulmate (Hani) after all, so burnout is a completely normal consequence (especially after a frigid trip to Antartica). With only a thread of fate to connect him to her and after years of not getting closer to finding her, it comes as a surprise to Seokga when said thread suddenly connects him to a cruise employee, Kisa, who is very much unlike Hani and has no memories of their time together.
This would be all fine and well, but this is Seokga, who always attracts bad luck, so obviously *someone* ends up murdered on the ship and they have only five days to figure out whom before he is accused of said murder since said person was no other than Seokga's own brother, the Heavenly Emperor of Okhwang with whom he has a sort of difficult relationship. I personally hate detective stories (yes, including Sherlock Holmes, sue me), so when I tell you I still loved this book (and the one before), I mean it in the most surprising way! Even though the mystery was a little predictable, that is never the point.... The point is obviously the K-dramaesque build up to the relationship between Seokga and Kisa, as well as their lovely companions, a K-Pop idol and a gumiho.
No one will ever beat Hani for me, but Kisa came so close! I love how different she is but also how similar in a lot of ways, and how Seokga learns to accept that this reincarnation of Hani is right for him, just as Hani had been at that point in time. They were so cute together, and the writing never wandered far from humourous while still maintaining a grip on the emotional side to the plot, which made this an enjoyable, lighthearted read that had been reacting in embarassing ways in the public transit system. Highly recommend!!!!!!!!!!
October 22, 2025
4🌟 This book somehow manages to be both hilarious and heartbreakingly sad at the same time. It handles depression with surprising tenderness, balancing it with those warm, introspective inner monologues that hit a little too close to home. I connected more with Hani’s personality than Kisa’s, which probably explains the missing star.
The plot was a bit messier than the first book, but honestly, I still adore this series. It’s heartfelt, funny, and quietly profound. I can’t recommend it enough.
The plot was a bit messier than the first book, but honestly, I still adore this series. It’s heartfelt, funny, and quietly profound. I can’t recommend it enough.
June 26, 2025
Unfortunately, for me the 2nd part of the duology could not match the quality of the 1st book. I really liked The God & Gumiho and eagerly awaited the continuation.
It's not a bad story and I still recommend reading it, but be aware that it has suffered from the current Romantasy issues of tropification & convenience editing to appeal to a mass of younger female readers, who have read and enjoyed many similar books before.
Whilst I acknowledge that we have some character development in our trickster god Seokga and the overall idea with the ship cruise and drama was interesting, the execution lacked and some of the new characters introduced were totally inconsistent.
Mainly I am speaking about the female lead Kisa, who cannot by any means compete with the charismatic and experienced Hani from the first book, whose reincarnation she presents. I appreciate that the 2 women needed to have major differences, but Kisa's character made no sense in many ways. Telling us she was working as a doctor in the maternity wards of a magical hospital for years delivering babies, but lacking the maturity that a job like that brings automatically, also in regards to sexuality. She was 22 years when she died but worked 7 years in the underworld, which makes her close to 30 years but she reads extremely young - a move to keep the character as close to the targeted reader as possible. Even if not everyone has to have sexual experiences at all, there is no must in human lives, her way to work in her profession stands in total contrast to how she acts around Seogka, and her inexperience is questioned once she starts getting naked and having a pool thing with the god.
Also the sudden appearance of the god emperor Hwanin as a baby - even if it is explained contextually and acts a funny detail of brotherly annoyance for Seokga - adds a weird mature moment, where all of sudden everyone becomes an adult, protective, snuggly and focussed on reproduction. In regard to the storyline the baby is a liability and sucks the fun out of the murder mystery it is a product of. In regard to romance, please choose between either sexy and naughty or family vibes and responsibility.
The side-kick Hajun, a former k-pop idol who took his own life and who was a brilliant idea on paper, never became real because here the fact, that the author and all editors of this story were female, showed the most. The way he spoke in general, thought and also acted around his love interest Somi, never even remotely sounded like a guy. Without simplifying men and reinforcing gender cliches, there are differences in what men would speak about, to whom and when - how they look at a situation and internally evaluate, where they would hold things back, even if they feel them etc. It's a typical problem within many genres when women write men, but especially when romance or any kinds of emotional responses are involved.
I enjoyed the mythical creatures and legends, the mystery part, the actions taking place on the ship - which could have been more detailed but the romance was the focus - and Seokga in general, who was himself but with a certain amount of growth. Yet his infatuation with Kisa is not plausible, especially in comparison to her former self Hani, who excelled as a main lead in the 1st book because she was multi-facetted and not a little, innocent, frightened damsel in distress.
I hope the author will get back to her old form in the next book she publishes, which I very much will want to read, but I would highly suggest to stop writing for a market and a typical target group, instead prioritise a good story and its unique nuances. The new adults of GenZ all will get older and even now deserve to be challenged with good and diverse stories that make them think.
It's not a bad story and I still recommend reading it, but be aware that it has suffered from the current Romantasy issues of tropification & convenience editing to appeal to a mass of younger female readers, who have read and enjoyed many similar books before.
Whilst I acknowledge that we have some character development in our trickster god Seokga and the overall idea with the ship cruise and drama was interesting, the execution lacked and some of the new characters introduced were totally inconsistent.
Mainly I am speaking about the female lead Kisa, who cannot by any means compete with the charismatic and experienced Hani from the first book, whose reincarnation she presents. I appreciate that the 2 women needed to have major differences, but Kisa's character made no sense in many ways. Telling us she was working as a doctor in the maternity wards of a magical hospital for years delivering babies, but lacking the maturity that a job like that brings automatically, also in regards to sexuality. She was 22 years when she died but worked 7 years in the underworld, which makes her close to 30 years but she reads extremely young - a move to keep the character as close to the targeted reader as possible. Even if not everyone has to have sexual experiences at all, there is no must in human lives, her way to work in her profession stands in total contrast to how she acts around Seogka, and her inexperience is questioned once she starts getting naked and having a pool thing with the god.
Also the sudden appearance of the god emperor Hwanin as a baby - even if it is explained contextually and acts a funny detail of brotherly annoyance for Seokga - adds a weird mature moment, where all of sudden everyone becomes an adult, protective, snuggly and focussed on reproduction. In regard to the storyline the baby is a liability and sucks the fun out of the murder mystery it is a product of. In regard to romance, please choose between either sexy and naughty or family vibes and responsibility.
The side-kick Hajun, a former k-pop idol who took his own life and who was a brilliant idea on paper, never became real because here the fact, that the author and all editors of this story were female, showed the most. The way he spoke in general, thought and also acted around his love interest Somi, never even remotely sounded like a guy. Without simplifying men and reinforcing gender cliches, there are differences in what men would speak about, to whom and when - how they look at a situation and internally evaluate, where they would hold things back, even if they feel them etc. It's a typical problem within many genres when women write men, but especially when romance or any kinds of emotional responses are involved.
I enjoyed the mythical creatures and legends, the mystery part, the actions taking place on the ship - which could have been more detailed but the romance was the focus - and Seokga in general, who was himself but with a certain amount of growth. Yet his infatuation with Kisa is not plausible, especially in comparison to her former self Hani, who excelled as a main lead in the 1st book because she was multi-facetted and not a little, innocent, frightened damsel in distress.
I hope the author will get back to her old form in the next book she publishes, which I very much will want to read, but I would highly suggest to stop writing for a market and a typical target group, instead prioritise a good story and its unique nuances. The new adults of GenZ all will get older and even now deserve to be challenged with good and diverse stories that make them think.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,209 reviews