The God and the Gumiho
Books | Fiction / Fantasy / Contemporary
4.5
Sophie Kim
In this sly and dazzling contemporary fantasy, the most notorious nine-tailed fox in Korea pairs up with a trickster god–turned–detective to track down a wrathful demon . . . before it can destroy the mortal world. “Enchanting fantasy . . . With an intoxicating mix of action, mystery, and deliciously angsty romance, this reads like the most bingeable K-drama.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)Kim Hani has retired from a life of devouring souls. She is, simply put, too full. Once known as the infamous Scarlet Fox, she now spends her days working in a coffee shop and annoying a particularly irritating, if unfairly handsome, trickster god as often as she can. That god is Seokga the Fallen. Exiled from the heavenly kingdom of Okhwang, he now begrudgingly resides in the mortal realm, working toward his redemption and suffering through his interactions with the particularly infuriating, if sneakily charming, gumiho barista at his favorite café. But when a powerful demon escapes from the underworld and threatens to end all of humanity, Okhwang’s emperor offers Seokga an enticing bargain: Kill this rogue creature, as well as the legendary and elusive Scarlet Fox, and he will be reinstated as a god. Hani, however, has no intention of being caught. Seokga might be a trickster god, but she has a trick of her own that he’ll never see coming: teaming up. As Seokga’s assistant, Hani will undermine and sabotage his investigation right under his overly pointy nose. Sure, she’ll help him kill the demon, but she certainly won’t allow him to uncover her secret identity while they’re at it. As the bickering partners track their case down a path of mayhem and violence, the god and the gumiho find themselves inescapably drawn to each other. But will the unlikely couple stand together to prevent the apocalypse, or will they let their secrets tear them—and the world—apart?
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Author
Sophie Kim
Pages
416
Publisher
Random House Worlds
Published Date
2024-06-04
ISBN
0593599667 9780593599662
Community ReviewsSee all
"<br/>I absolutely loved this book! The romance was simply sublime—the chemistry between the characters was electric and left me completely hooked from start to finish. I can’t remember the last time a romance felt so real and heartwarming, with just the right amount of tension to keep me eagerly turning the pages.<br/><br/>The writing itself was fantastic! It did take me a moment to adjust to the naming conventions, but once they were introduced, it was smooth sailing. In fact, the story flowed so well after that point, I couldn't put the book down. The pacing was spot on, and I found myself flying through chapters without even realizing it.<br/><br/>The mystery element was another highlight. It kept me on the edge of my seat, never quite knowing what would happen next, and it paired so beautifully with the romance. The balance between the two was perfect—neither overshadowed the other, and they both built toward an incredible payoff.<br/><br/>I’m already desperate for the next book—this series has me completely captivated, and I need to know what happens next immediately! Highly recommend this one to anyone who loves a gripping mystery with a heartfelt romance. You won’t regret it! <br/><br/>Thanks to NetGalley for an Arc of this book. It’s been a minute but I’m kicking myself for not reading this earlier"
"Seokga, the fallen God, must do two things to get back in his brother, the emperor's good graces. Kill the eoduksini that is wreaking havoc in New Sinsi and killing the Scarlet Fox. What happens, though, when Kim Hani, the Scarlet Fox, has captured his heart?<br/><br/>This contemporary fantasy mixes the genres of mystery, fantasy, and romance to weave an intricate plot. I had trouble at first with the pacing. It felt very slow. Once it got to the meat of the plot, though, I couldn't stop turning the pages. I liked the vivid imagery of the setting and the characters and the impending dread thar the author built up throughout the story. I think this is a worthwhile read, knowing that it's slow going at first. <br/><br/>My thanks to Ballantine, author Sophie Kim, and NetGalley for gifting me a digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own."
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Chris Hicks