Godly Heathens (Ouroboros, #1)

by H.E. Edgmon

Godly Heathens is the first book in H.E. Edgmon's YA contemporary fantasy duology The Ouroboros, in which a teen, Gem, finds out they're a reincarnated god from another world.

Maybe I have always just been bad at being human because I'm not one.

Gem Echols is a nonbinary Seminole teen living in the tiny town of Gracie, Georgia. Known for being their peers' queer awakening, Gem leans hard on charm to disguise the anxious mess they are beneath. The only person privy to their authentic self is another trans kid, Enzo, who's a thousand long, painful miles away in Brooklyn.

But even Enzo doesn't know about Gem's dreams, haunting visions of magic and violence that have always felt too real. So how the hell does Willa Mae Hardy? The strange new girl in town acts like she and Gem are old companions, and seems to know things about them they've never told anyone else.

When Gem is attacked by a stranger claiming to be the Goddess of Death, Willa Mae saves their life and finally offers some answers. She and Gem are reincarnated gods who've known and loved each other across lifetimes. But Gem - or at least who Gem used to be - hasn't always been the most benevolent deity. They've made a lot of enemies in the pantheon-enemies who, like the Goddess of Death, will keep coming.

It's a good thing they've still got Enzo. But as worlds collide and the past catches up with the present, Gem will discover that everyone has something to hide.

• ISBN10: 1250853613
• ISBN13: 9781250853615
• Publish Date: 28 November 2023
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: St Martin's Press
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 400
• Language: English

Reviews

[Quirky Cat]

Book Summary:

Gem Echols works very hard to present a certain image to the world. Most people see what they want – Gem Echols, a nonbinary Seminole teen with a boatload of charm (but not too many friends). The real Gem Echols is more than that, naturally. They have a complicated history, some mental health concerns, and a deep-seated need to be accepted and loved.

Thankfully, Gem has Enzo, their best friend. Unfortunately, said best friend lives in NY, so...not exactly close enough to help all the time. For example, it feels like Enzo is a whole world away when Gem's life crashes and changes in ways they never could have anticipated.

My Review:

Holy cow. I loved Godly Heathens. This book is amazing. Frankly, everything I've read by H.E. Edgmon has been amazing, so I'm not surprised. But I am thrilled – to say the least. Godly Heathens is dark, brilliant, and incredibly intense.

It all starts with a dream. That is to say, Gem's dreams. That's the first time readers see that something potentially supernatural is happening in Gem's life. From there, everything unfolds rather quickly.

Godly Heathens is a tale of two worlds, multiple lifetimes, and the grudges that gods carry (and how long they'll hold onto them). It is also a story of one teenager struggling to find balance and happiness, even while grappling with mental health struggles. It's supernatural and human, merging the two into this delightful and compelling mixture. I couldn't get enough of it.

Most of Godly Heathens sped by in a whirlwind. It felt like one minute I was picking it up; the next minute, I was turning the last page. I'm already really looking forward to the conclusion (Merciless Saviors) and am lucky enough to have it waiting in my NetGalley queue. I need to know what happens next.

Highlights:
YA Fantasy
Urban Fantasy
Strong World-Building Elements
Mythological Characters
LGBT+

Trigger Warnings:
Graphic Deaths/Injuries
Controlling/Grooming Behavior

Thanks to Wednesday Books and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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