Embark on a wild ride of reincarnated gods, past lives and intoxicating villains, where magic is real and all too dangerous, perfect for fans of Aiden Thomas.
Infatuation. Reincarnation. Damnation.
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.
Review
A School Library Journal Best Book Of 2023
A New York Public Library Best Book Of 2023
An Indie Next Kids’ November/December Pick
“A monstrously thrilling, deeply emotional, and mythologically rich fantasy about seizing your own power.”
―School Library Journal, starred review
“Electrifying… a high-stakes, action-packed plot; and a vibrantly drawn, intersectionally diverse cast embroiled in realistically thorny relationships.”
― Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Sharp as a blade, twice as vicious, and an outstretched hand all at once; a reminder to messy, angry kids that they can find their power no matter what they must do to survive.
"Absolutely unhinged and utterly unforgettable"―Andrew Joseph White, New York Times bestselling author of Hell Followed with Us
"This is the kind of book that changes young lives. The kind readers will force into their friends' hands and shout, 'Read this now!'. The kind where readers will fall in love with every character who is messy and sexy and terrible in their own way. The worldbuilding is fun and creative, the twists are satisfying, and it is super queer in the best way. There is plenty here to love. If only all the villain stories in YA could be this good!";
―Rebecca Roanhorse, New York Times bestselling author of Black Sun
“Vile, nasty, ill-behaved queerness―and I LOVED it. Godly Heathens takes the evil stereotype of queers as monsters―particularly ones in trans bodies―and embraces monstrosity with power and agency. A country-fried horror extravaganza you cannot miss!”
―Adam Sass, award-winning author of Surrender Your Sons and The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers
"Godly Heathens is as whip-smart as it is delightfully unhinged, oscillating between heart-pounding action, laugh-out-loud humor, and poignant discussions of identity. Paired with its baked-in layers of queer teen messiness, it's safe to say this series is off to an explosive start. Edgmon does not miss."
―Kayla Cottingham, New York Times bestselling author of My Dearest Darkest
--. About the Author
H.E. Edgmon (he/they) is a questionable influence, a dog person, and an author of books both irreverent and radicalizing. Born and raised in the rural south, he currently lives in the Pacific Northwest with his eccentric little family. His stories imagine Indigenous worlds and center queer kids saving each other. H.E. has never once gotten enough sleep and probably isn’t going to anytime soon. His highly acclaimed debut, THE WITCH KING, is out now.
