Katharine McGee, the New York Times bestselling author behind the 'American Royals' series, has shifted gears from imagined modern monarchies to a reinvention of the ancient Greek pantheon. Her new novel, Ungodly Rich, released in early July, places gods and goddesses into the present day and frames their immortal dramas as an adult rom‑com full of high stakes and interpersonal entanglements. The book follows a human protagonist who becomes entangled with a man who is secretly a figure from myth, and the story deliberately leans into the messiness of both romance and divine legacy.
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Shoppers browse tables of children's and young‑adult books at a local sale, illustrating reader interest ahead of new releases like Katharine McGee’s 'Ungodly Rich.'
McGee says her fascination with classical literature and mythology has been lifelong. "I have always been a classics nerd," she said, describing the Greek gods as figures who have
In her adult debut, McGee depicts the Greek deities as a powerful clan of billionaires whose feuds and romances play out against a backdrop of obscene wealth and contemporary excess. Publishers Weekly commended the "compulsively readable" narrative driven by mythology, jealous power jockeying, and "wealth porn."
Ungodly Rich was published by Crown/Random House on July 7, 2026; the hardcover edition is 384 pages (ISBN 9798217086092) and the book is available in ebook and audiobook formats.
The story names the human protagonist Julia Dodds and her love interest Harry Adams—who is revealed to be Ares of the wealthy Ellene family—with relatives including Zeus and Hera and other mythic figures (Aphrodite, Hermes, Hephaestus, Hades) driving much of the novel’s family intrigue across settings from New York to New Zealand and a private island.
An unabridged audiobook narrated by Saskia Maarleveld is available and runs roughly twelve hours.
Advance jacket blurbs for the book include praise from fellow bestselling authors such as Renée Ahdieh and Jenny Lee.