Book Review: In the Midst of Omens by Nicole Bailey

Title: In the Midst of Omens
Author: Nicole Bailey
Series: The Legacy of Gilgamesh #1
Pages: 346
Publication Date: June 4, 2024
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Fantasy / Romantasy
Synopsis:

A king determined to be remembered for all time…A jealous goddess who desires his throne.

King Gilgamesh rules the world’s preeminent city, the jewel of creation, Uruk.

But that is not enough. His desire for legacy consumes him and drives his ceaseless ambition—until the gods step in.

Their solution? Enkidu—a man with no past.

Enkidu captivates and frustrates Gilgamesh, drawing the king’s attention from eternity. He’s the perfect solution—for everyone except the goddess Inanna.

She has her own plans in place for Gilgamesh’s future until Enkidu’s arrival sabotages them.

No one spurns a goddess and gets away with it. Not even the king.

Especially not the king.

A reimagining of the world’s oldest written story, this fantasy reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast is filled with romance, twists and turns, and gripping characters.

LINKS: Goodreads | BookBub | Amazon | Bookshop.org

This blog uses affiliate links for some book recommendations, and if you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission. Thanks for supporting this little bookish corner of the internet!

---

I was so excited to get an early copy of In the Midst of Omens. I love Nicole Bailey’s books and was so looking forward to reading a reimagining of The Epic of Gilgamesh. I’ve never read a retelling of Gilgamesh before, and In the Midst of Omens didn’t disappoint! The world-building, characters, and relationships are all fantastic, and I adore Bailey’s writing style.

I was so intrigued by Gilgamesh – his strong sense of responsibility and duty, his conflicting feelings about love and life, his obsessive need to leave a legacy, and his tumultuous connection to a goddess. It all makes for a thought-provoking read. Gilgamesh is a man of contradictions, and Bailey crafted him in a way that shows all the different layers to his personality. His arc explores his ambition and loyalty, his duty to his people, his compassionate and passionate nature, and his desperation to be remembered after he’s gone. It’s a fascinating and multi-faceted examination of a complicated character, for sure.

Something I always love in Bailey’s books is how the stories highlight so many different types of relationships and love. In this book we see the platonic love between Gilgamesh and his wife, the polyamorous relationship Shamat shares with two others, and the main romance between Gilgamesh and Enkidu. Gilgamesh and Shamat have such a unique relationship, and their platonic love for each other knows no bounds. They are both so committed to each other, and the strength of their bond is at the forefront of the book.

Of course, the romance between Gilgamesh and Enkidu was definitely my favorite. I can’t resist a swoon-worthy romance, and this couple has a wonderful opposites-attract love story. I need more of them!! lol The plot and world-building are strong, too. Well-paced and immersive, it’s the type of story that pulls you in quickly.

Though this is a reimagining, I don’t think you need to know much about the original story to easily follow this one. If you have, you’ll be impressed with Bailey’s knowledge of the original story and how she puts a fresh spin on it. I’m excited to see what happens in the next book!

• The relationships.

• The romance.

• The writing style.

If his future was his burning purpose, his dreams were his oppression.

If there’s one thing a human can’t stand it’s something they haven’t yet conquered and destroyed.

Wicked man could perish as long as a victorious mythology lived past him.

If they couldn’t learn to respect her love and wisdom, they could learn to fear his wrath and brutality.

Related Posts