If there is something I cannot get enough of, it's non-binary rep in books regardless of the subgenre., This made me pick up "Godly Heathens", which tells us the story of a teenager named Gem Echols whose dreams are a little too vividly weird and violent in nature for their taste. Not even their best friend Enzo, the only person around whom Gem allows themself to not perform the charismatic and charming role they hide behind, knows about Gem's disturbing visions, so it's quite a shock to their system that the weird new kid in town acts like she knows exactly what Gem's dreams are all about.

As the book progresses we're swept up in a whirlwind of angry deities, magic, and timeless devotion, and it's such a fun ride! It was a pleasure to tag along as Gem and Willa progressively came into their true identities. While godly drama is always right up my alley, it was made twice as special by the fact that the main character, Gem, was an Indigenous non-binary teen. Marginalized communities have so many things to say, and what could've turned out bland had this been yet another story about two cishet heteronormative White characters became glorious through an intersectional lens that made room for voices such as Gem's, which have been historically silenced. It is refreshing to read stories with such a diverse cast of characters that discusses mental health, trauma, and found family while leaving room for an exploration of dissident identities. Gem's Indigenous heritage is Seminole, and I found it really wholesome that the author leaned into it instead of just mentioning it in the passing to score some diversity points.

Regarding the romance, which is quite relevant in this story, I did like the chemistry between the characters. Even though the discussions and depictions of ethical non-monogamy could have been refined further, it was nonetheless good rep, and I did enjoy exploring so many different identities as they interacted and came together. All in all, this is a book that does not leave one indifferent. You might despise it or you might love it, but it will certainly make you feel something regardless of what it is.

Be warned that there are triggering topics in this book that some readers might be disturbed by.

This is a book that for all intents and purposes should have worked for me. Dark fantasy world, diverse representation, morally grey characters; but for some reason it just didn't click and i gave it until the 30% mark but I found myself just not enjoying the reading experience.

I think that this book has alot to offer the right person, but that person is not me and this will be a soft DNF (not to say I wont try it again at some point in the future).

Everything I've read by H.E. Edgmon so far has been absolutely fantastic, and this was no exception. The writing is rich and lyrical, the characters complex and well-realised and the plot and shifting timelines had me hooked throughout!

The cover? Stunning.
The characters? Fantastic.
The plot? Incredible.

Honestly not a bad word to say about this book!

4.25/5 stars! The queer fantasy book I've been waiting for. It is very much YA, but as long as you head into it remembering that, it is very likable. The world-building was both unique and comfortable and Gem was a character that kept me engaged and pulled at my heartstrings.

Really enjoyed this! Currently catching up to my arcs so I will give a more detailed review in the future!

Gotta be honest, this book caused me alot of frowning in confusion at the beginning but a little later on? Loved it. I really really like characters who are complex...neither hero nor villain and this book really delivered on that

Ended up purchasing the special editions from this duology!

Daphne Press always giving the people what they want - well-written queer orientated books.

Incredible book by Edgmon, I couldn't put it down!

I really enjoyed this book, the plot was well paced and the characters were well written. I look forward to reading more from this author.

This was so, so good! The mind blowing ending is really what bumped it up to a five star for me. It does usually bother me when books end on a cliffhanger, but I think it fit with the rest of the story. I loved how unhinged everyone in it was, the Southern setting, and the relationships. I’d LOVE to see this as TV adaptation.

Thank you to NetGalley and Daphne Press for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Godly Heathens by H.E. Edgmon is a book that immediately drew me in with its beautiful prose. The writing is lyrical and rich, full of vivid descriptions that bring the small town of Gracie, Georgia, and its characters to life. There’s a raw, emotional honesty in the way Edgmon writes that really resonated with me, especially when it came to capturing Gem Echols' inner world and their struggles with identity.

However, while I appreciated the prose, the overall execution of the story didn’t quite work for me. The premise is fascinating—a nonbinary teen discovering they’re a reincarnated god, dealing with a mysterious past and dangerous enemies. But as the plot unfolded, I found it a bit difficult to follow and fully connect with the narrative.

One challenge was the pacing. The story moved quickly between Gem's present life, their past lives, and the unfolding conflict with the pantheon of gods. This could have been thrilling, but instead, it often felt disjointed. The transitions between different timelines and revelations were sometimes abrupt, making it hard to stay grounded in the story. There were moments where I found myself having to reread sections to piece together what was happening, which took me out of the flow of the narrative.

Additionally, while the concept of reincarnated gods with a complex history is intriguing, the execution left me wanting more clarity and depth. Gem’s relationships, particularly with Willa Mae and Enzo, were central to the plot, but they sometimes felt underdeveloped amidst all the mythological twists and turns. I was left wishing for more time spent exploring these dynamics and less time trying to untangle the mythology and past lives.

That said, I think Godly Heathens has a lot to offer readers who enjoy a blend of contemporary issues with mythological elements and don’t mind a bit of narrative complexity. Edgmon’s writing is undeniably powerful, and there are moments of brilliance in the way they handle themes of identity, belonging, and transformation. While it didn’t fully come together for me in the end, I can see this book being a hit for those who love intricate, character-driven stories with a mythic twist.

In conclusion, Godly Heathens is a book I wanted to love for its prose and bold ideas, but the execution left me a bit lost. It’s worth a read for the writing alone, but be prepared for a story that requires some patience and a willingness to navigate its complex layers.

This was so refreshing, a true breath of fresh air!

The voice was engaging, fun and so proud of the identities and diversity within the book. It is truly a book I would've loved to read when I was younger and learning about my queer self too.

Gem Echols is a trans teen living in the small town of Gracie. He is confident in himself and lives a reasonably good life but looks forward to the day when he can move to New York and be nearer to his best friend who is secretly in love with. He has had bizarre and disturbing dreams for as long as he remembers but he is pretty sure that he is completely sane. His life is turned on its head when a new student arrives at his school and tells him that far from being a normal boy, he is in fact a reincarnated god and not only that but all of the other gods in the pantheon want to kill him. Oh, and this new student is also a reincarnated god and their soulmate.


I didn’t really know what to expect when I went into this book but I was utterly blown-away by the incredibly unique story that Edgmon has crafted with this book. One of the first things that really struck me was the fact that Gem is incredibly confident in himself and seems to be pretty accepted for being exactly as he is. His life is not completely free of microaggressions however it made a really refreshing change to pick-up a YA book with a trans protag where the conflict wasn’t because of their gender. This is not to say that there isn’t a place for these narratives, particularly with YA books, however there is something so beautiful about reading a book where trans people can simply exist. There is also a gorgeous representation of all queer identities within this book that absolutely made my heart sing. I was especially a fan of the poly rep and am excited to see their dynamic explored further in the sequel!


Edgmon has a true gift for writing some of the most stunning prose that I have come across and had I been reading this book physically, you can guarantee that my copy of this book would have been chock full of tabs, underlining, and marginalia. Some of my favourite quotes are just quippy, relatable one-liners that I am sure a lot of queer folk can identify with and some of the quotes were powerful, sweeping statements that feel as though they tattoo themselves on your heart as you are reading them. I am sure to treasure this book for many years and re-reads to come.


This was an utterly compulsive read for me and once I started, I knew that I didn’t want to stop for anything. It was so easy to follow along with all of the plot and characters that it was easy to forget that this book introduces the reader to a pantheon of 17 new gods each with their own unique powers as well as each of them having at least two names. At no point did it feel as though info-dumping was happening and I didn’t have to stop to scratch my head and try to remember who’s who.


I look forward to seeing where this book goes in the conclusion to the duology and feel sure that I am going to be surprised right up until the end.

I don’t love a book that starts with a dream sequence. It seems cliché, and overdone. But, when I got past the first chapter of Godly Heathens, I could not stop reading. H.E. Edgmon is a new to me author, and it only took about five minutes until I was completely hooked.

Gem is arrogant and full of self-loathing. Seriously. You will either want them to shut up or want to jump into bed with them to see what all the fuss is about. In my case, I was left cautiously curious, as their self-esteem and lack of social graces had me asking, ‘Do I even like this person?’

Then comes along Willa Mae and the rest of the would-be-Gods who expect Gem to be more than they ever thought imaginable. And there is the best friend\I’m madly in love with this person Enzo, who isn’t as they seem, and Gems world is rocked beyond imagination.

I began reading Godly Heathens without any idea as to what to expect, and left thinking where can I get more! It was original and thought-provoking. The characters were relevant and left me craving. They were far from perfect, but I understood their need for a clean conclusion, even if it would never be possible.

If I had a book like this to read as a teen/YA, I would have been jumping with joy and madly in love with both Gem and Willa Mae by the end. It’s the perfect gateway of what ifs. Even as an ‘oldie’ I still found myself captured in the creative writing and the originality of the storytelling. I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled by what H.E. Edgmon has coming next because it is sure to be captivating.

I received an ARC from the author via NetGalley and am leaving a voluntary review.

Let's start with the good: I liked the main character Gem, who's a slutty demiromantic trans masc Indigenous teen. YA authors are really knocking it out of the park these days with making interesting queer characters and I appreciate that a lot. I liked the vibes of this book, and its depiction of small town life and family drama. But unfortunately, I didn't click with much else. I felt the plot -- it's about teens who are reincarnated gods - was underdeveloped, as were the characters. It's not a bad book, and I'm sure a lot of teens especially will love it. But it just wasn't for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an arc of this!

It's safe to say I had a rocky start with this book. The premise sounded really cool and the writing was engaging, but I couldn't bring myself to care about anything that happened and I struggled to form any connection to any of the characters. Thankfully that changed around the 60% mark and I ended up being pretty invested in both the plot and the romance and actually enjoying it. I'll definitely give the sequel a go as soon as I get my hands on it!

Unfortunately ended up being a DNF for me, I got about 5 chapters in but just couldn't engage with the story

I found the concept of this really captivating and exciting, but I felt the execution a bit lacking. I would have loved this if the characters were more well-rounded or fleshed out, but they fell flat to me.
I found the pacing to bit uneven also.
Besides these points, I did still enjoy the book and the story

This was a really interesting read. I found the setting quite unique and very promising, however it was hard to connect for me in the beginning.

Godly Heathens was my very first book I read with a trans main character that was written in 1st POV. As such, I found it hard to wrap my head around the character as they were struggling to find their identity. I can only imagine how many readers might be able to relate to Gem’s struggles finding themselves, but it is not something I can note on.

I found the mystery of the Gods interesting albeit for most of the book I had no idea what was going on. The magic was perhaps not so thoroughly explained as I found myself questioning what everyone could do. Is there a limit to the Magician’s powers? When we finally got certain things revealed, I got some answers and a lot more questions. It feet like the first 75% was very slow and everything happened in the last 25% of the book, so maybe could have been better balanced, but I appreciate that we needed to be introduced to characters and to the magic system through Gem learning all about it themselves.

I had a feeling about a certain someone halfway through the book, however, I did not see the massive plot twist coming (if you know, you know).

All in all, it was a fun read, if you enjoy fantasy and queer/trans characters with a polyamory romance, this might just be the perfect fit for you.

I did dock a few stars as I found the wait a bit too long between the intriguing start and the point when we started getting some answers, and I found myself not really connecting to the characters, but it might just be a me issue as I did have a lot of new experiences with this read.

I am looking forward to reading book 2, and hoping I will connect more as I will be more familiar with the characters.

Godly Heathens is a fast-paced ya fantasy novel, full of action and secrets. I am sure it will find a group of loyal fans, but it unfortunately wasn’t for me. Starting with the positives, the idea of gods reincarnating into teenagers in a small American town is fascinating. Also, they are not benevolent deities, but rather vengeful creatures, which was original. All the characters in this book are messy and morally grey at their best behaviour.

On the other hand, I think the novel would be much better if the characters were more complex and thoughtful. The revelation of Gem’s origin felt rushed. The characters move too quickly to working together and considering their options, including violence and murder.

To sum up, if you’re looking for a book with lots of action and morally grey characters, this book could be perfect for you.

I have wanted to read a book by this author for SO long and I am so glad I started with this one, the way I loved this book so deeply from the very start I will absolutely read every single thing they ever publish