The God and the Gumiho by Sophie Kim

Book Review

Matthew Johns

This excellent novel is set in contemporary Korea, but with a twist. It’s a world that is populated by gods and other magical creatures, many of which operate outside of the sight and knowledge of mere mortals.

The titular characters are the fallen god Seogka, and the gumiho (a shapeshifting fox) Kim Hani. Seogka is a trickster god who was banished from the heavens after instigating a mutiny against his holy, ruling brother Hwanin, involving unleashing a multitude of evil demons. Banished to the mortal world, Seogka works as a detective with the police in New Sinsi, hunting the demons he himself had released. Kim Hani had previously been a serial killer named the Scarlet Fox, killing men and eating their livers to increase her powers. After a long reign of terror, the Scarlet Fox retires and Kim Hani now works in a café, trying not to give into her urges. When Seogka starts coming into the café she works at, they both take an immediate dislike to each other, but when rumours begin of the Scarlet Fox at work again, Seogka starts hunting the elusive Scarlet Fox. Kim Hani finds herself working with Seogka, trying to put him off the trail of the Scarlet Fox. Of course, it’s not long before they both find themselves feeling something more for each other as they seek an eoduksini (evil spirit) which is intent on bringing death, chaos and destruction.

This was my first foray into Korean mythology, so I did find myself flicking back and forth trying to remember what each type of demon or spirit was when the unfamiliar names kept cropping up – a glossary would have been useful! But that was the only thing that detracted from the experience of this excellent book. Kim weaves a fantastical tale that immerses the reader in the world of New Sinsi and its various inhabitants. At times gory, funny, romantic, wistful, scary and thrilling, this was a gripping read. The dialogue was snappy, at times snarky, witty and easy to read. The burgeoning relationship between Kim Hani and Seogka felt realistic, and it was easy to empathise with both characters as they tried to change their natural instincts and stop winding each other up.

A great novel, cannot recommend this enough – a great combination of Korean mythology, thrilling fantasy and romance, it ticks all the boxes.