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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