Both of these series are fantastic. Nicole takes known stories and makes them uniquely her own all while keeping the tragedy and romance. I'm not usually a romance lover, but Nicole's characters are so wonderful and perfect that you can't help but love them and root for them, even when you know she's going to make you cry.

Apollo Ascending retells the Apollo and Hyacinthus myth and the Legend of Gilgamesh is a retelling of the world's oldest story, The Epic of Gilgamesh. Both are incredibly queer and bittersweet.

10/10 would recommend! 💚

I have never really read Gilgamesh so didn't know the story, which you do not need to have read to enjoy this telling. Gilgamesh was born with both mortal and god blood, so not fully immortal while being stronger, near invincible, taller, and more gorgeous than the average king. He seems to have everything he could want. He can't see it, which makes him come off as a real narcissistic jerk even though he is really just lonely without realizing it. The gods create a man to be the yin to his yang. A gentle, naive giant who has no past, does not yearn for a legacy, but wants to fulfill his purpose in the present. The love story between Gilgamesh and Enkidu is one of slow but burning passion. The second book encompasses their epic journey into the gods' territory to try and reverse a fatal curse given to Enkidu. I wasn't prepared to smile or cry as much as I did in this series.

I have never really read Gilgamesh so didn't know the story, which you do not need to have read to enjoy this telling. Gilgamesh was born with both mortal and god blood, so not fully immortal while being stronger, near invincible, taller, and more gorgeous than the average king. He lives in a beautiful palace, has many wives and children, a thriving economy, wins every battle, and seems to have everything he could want. He just can't see it, which makes him come off as a real narcissistic jerk. As the story goes on more is told and his actions are actually those of a kind being, one who is lonely without realizing it. Gilgamesh is entirely focused on the future and his legacy, unable to enjoy the goodness in his life in the present. Those who love him want for him to be able to live his life with joy. The gods create a man to be the yin to his yang. A gentle, naive giant who has no past, does not yearn for a legacy, but wants to fulfill his purpose in the present. The love story between Gilgamesh and Enkidu is one of slow but burning passion. The two men truly are made for each other and the joy they both finally feel together leaps off the page. As much as the shock and sorrow of the last chapter sinks and drips off the pages with your tears. I wasn't prepared to smile or cry as much as I did in this book. I'm both looking forward to and dreading the next book because I have fallen in love with these characters and I want them to get their happily ever after forever.

Epic love story best describes the long and arduous journey of Gilgamesh and Enkidu in this second book. The tale very much parallels the ups and downs of a terminal diagnosis. If you or someone you love is fighting something with a 0.01% cure rate you may identify strongly with the emotions in this book. It had me all over the place for sure. Enkidu has been cursed to die in one year’s time. He knows the date of his death and his lover, Gilgamesh, is determined to find a way to undo this curse. He literally goes to the ends of the earth, into the gods’ territory, defeats monsters, gives absolutely everything he has to save the one he loves. Sometimes you do all the right things, carry all the hope, try to drag your loved one over the victory mark, and death comes anyway. The amount of tissues I used reading this… It built up and destroyed my heart many times over. Bailey makes you FEEL right along with the characters as they navigate the stages of grief from both the afflicted and the loved one’s POVs. The ending is what you know is coming, but in a gentler and kinder way. The last chapter is good and sweet and leaves you with a slight smile on your face. You may feel like you battled the rapids to get there, but it is a most worthwhile and enjoyable ride. Stock up on the tissues first, because you will be crying a river, too!

I love the LGBTQ+ representation in all of Bailey's books and my library actually bought and featured this series. This was the first series of Bailey's that I read. Each book builds upon the next in this world of magical beings called the Ether, and the FMC is a teenager living in the human world. Each of these books is a little different but builds upon the one before it with Faye as the central character. The series is completed so you won't have to suffer through waiting about what happens next!

TWO amazing series, and at a discount!?! This is an incredible deal for two completed series, especially of this length and caliber. I have read and loved both series. The Apollo Ascending series is based on gods and goddesses and their relationships with mortals. Some very intense romantic relationships and characters you will hate and fall in love with. Your heart will be shattered and then repaired in both series but I think Apollo made me cry just a bit more because some things were unexpected. The Gilgamesh epic has so much hope in the midst of tragedy and fate hanging over their heads. It's a long, agonizing journey for the characters but filled with so much love and determination. Again, intense relationships and characters. Bailey excels at world building and bringing characters to life. One of my favorite things about her writing is how I can just sink into the stories and experience them almost in 3D just by her descriptions. I can picture the settings, the way I envision the characters, the battles, the sky, the weather. GOOD writing is essential to me as my time is precious and I don't want to waste it on mediocre books. You won't regret buying this bundle!

I adore Bailey's books and rich storytelling. In all of her series, the world-building, character development, and intricate plots are so well-done! And the romances... swoon! I just finished Among the Cursed and Divine, and adored it as much as the rest of her works. Powerful, thought provoking, and engrossing, it had me hooked from beginning to end!

Such a good book omg!

I bought this mostly for the Apollo series but I'm glad I bought both! Both of them made me cry and I fell in love with all the characters. I've always thought I related with Artemis and I loved her as a a character. Apollo and Hyacinth make my heart twist and cry! I love them so much! Gilgamesh was new to me. I'd never read his story before but Nicole knows how to twist a heart. I sobbed and fell in love with them too. I wish I could read both of these series for the first time again!!

5 ⭐ CW: (provided by the author) grief/loss, death, war, gore, cussing, sexual content

In the Midst of Omens by Nicole Bailey is book one in the Legend of Gilgamesh duology. Another mythology retelling banger from Nicole! As usual, her characters are wonderful and compelling, and you can't help but love them and root for them, even when you already know what will happen based on the original story. Nicole weaves a new story from the oldest written story in history and makes it as gay as it was meant to be! It was a trip seeing my name in the acknowledgements of this book. I have been a staunch Nicole Bailey hype person since connecting with her on Instagram. You won't regret reading her books.

We follow Gilgamesh, King of Uruk and blessed with god-blood. He is ruthless, selfish, and arrogant. He is known for taking many wives and pulling other kings off their thrones and shaming them in front of their people. Gilgamesh is constantly looking to the future, trying to craft a legacy that will outlive him, making him unable to live and enjoy the moment. When the gods create gods blessed wild man, Enkidu, Gilgamesh finds himself contending with something new and not so easy to defeat.

I loved Enkidu right away! I loved an unconventional cinnamon roll. Enkidu is so innocent and pure, and exists to humble Gilgamesh and bring him down a peg. He's kind of like a muscular manic pixie dream girl lol. Gilgamesh is a little hard to stomach at first until Enkidu shows up and starts sanding away those edges. I do love the way Nicole has depicted Gilgamesh; he's both generous and selfish, loving and fierce. I also loved Shamhat as Gilgamesh 's Queen. She was so strong, and wasn't afraid to stand up to her husband. She had so much agency.

Though this was based on the Epic of Gilgamesh, this was a love story through and through. It was beautiful seeing two very masculine figures learn to be vulnerable with each other and learn how to love. It was very sweet, and also quite spicy 🥵. Not only is this an MM romance, but we also see polyamory between Gilgamesh, Shamhat and her partners, including a FF relationship. Nicole has also found a way to include nonbinary characters as priests of Inanna. Of course, Nicole can't just let us be happy at the end, so I'm very much looking forward to book two to see how it all ends.

Loved this book and the entire series so far! Any fan of mythology or magic and looking for a true MM romance should read

I am someone who still reads physical books and I don't usually buy a whole series until I've finished reading book one, but I had a good feeling about this series and ordered all four books at once. So glad I did as I would not have been able to wait! Wonderful romance. I will re-read for sure.

I read all four books in this series in less than a week as I couldn't put them down! It's a wonderful story about two characters you can't help but fall in love with. Highly recommended for anyone who likes good romance or Greek mythology retellings. Lucky for me I love both! Do yourself a favor and give it a try; I'm so glad I did!

What a fantastic ending to a wonderful series! I loved all four books and look forward to re-reading . I'm so sad it's over but the ending left me smiling all day. So glad I stumbled across this series!

I read all four books in this series in less than a week as I couldn't put them down! It's a wonderful story about two characters you can't help but fall in love with. Highly recommended for anyone who likes good romance or Greek mythology retellings. Lucky for me I love both! Do yourself a favor and give it a try; I'm so glad I did!