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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
Much love for space necromancer lesbians, OBVIOUSLY.
As everyone always warns you, I was confused constantly. Which is fine and things were explained mostly eventually, sort of. Probably by the third reread I'll be there.
Using the confusion as a tool did make this weird scenario where I got used to words not making sense, but then words that did make sense (like a fight scene) would end up getting glossed over (I audio booked, so it just keeps going). That combined with Gideon being somehow both one of the least reliable narrators I've read recently and also the most reliable narrator in the novel and it made for a bumpy ride.
Otherwise though, cool world, cool characters, cool magic, very excited for the next ones!
As everyone always warns you, I was confused constantly. Which is fine and things were explained mostly eventually, sort of. Probably by the third reread I'll be there.
Using the confusion as a tool did make this weird scenario where I got used to words not making sense, but then words that did make sense (like a fight scene) would end up getting glossed over (I audio booked, so it just keeps going). That combined with Gideon being somehow both one of the least reliable narrators I've read recently and also the most reliable narrator in the novel and it made for a bumpy ride.
Otherwise though, cool world, cool characters, cool magic, very excited for the next ones!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was definitely one that grew on me.
For the first third of the book, I struggled. The writing seemed pretentious, I was losing track of who all the characters were, couldn’t remember anyones names because they are all really complicated and kept switching between using their names and their house number, and I was just a bit thrown into the world like “what’s going on”, not really understanding the “rules” of this world. But I persevered since this was a gift.
The next third had a bit more intrigue for me, much more sinister events and a mystery to keep me guessing. We were finally staying in one environment, where I understand the “rules” more and the characters have a common task to interact and be in competition about. I had more of a comparison base of what “The Ninth” meant in relation to the rest of the realms as we found out more about their respective players. Writing style still a bit pretentious - but found its flow a lot better than before. Harrow and Gideons relationship also was interesting, hitting a sort of frenemies phase.
Last third was a great payoff! It made the slog at the start worth it in the end. I found the reasonings of why the characters were ultimately put to this test and the motivations of the key antagonist satisfying and did get hit with a twist or two!
Unusual genre mix, you’d probably find something to enjoy here if you’re into science fiction, gothic vibes, fantasy, dystopian, competition-based tales, mystery.
For the first third of the book, I struggled. The writing seemed pretentious, I was losing track of who all the characters were, couldn’t remember anyones names because they are all really complicated and kept switching between using their names and their house number, and I was just a bit thrown into the world like “what’s going on”, not really understanding the “rules” of this world. But I persevered since this was a gift.
The next third had a bit more intrigue for me, much more sinister events and a mystery to keep me guessing. We were finally staying in one environment, where I understand the “rules” more and the characters have a common task to interact and be in competition about. I had more of a comparison base of what “The Ninth” meant in relation to the rest of the realms as we found out more about their respective players. Writing style still a bit pretentious - but found its flow a lot better than before. Harrow and Gideons relationship also was interesting, hitting a sort of frenemies phase.
Last third was a great payoff! It made the slog at the start worth it in the end. I found the reasonings of why the characters were ultimately put to this test and the motivations of the key antagonist satisfying and did get hit with a twist or two!
Unusual genre mix, you’d probably find something to enjoy here if you’re into science fiction, gothic vibes, fantasy, dystopian, competition-based tales, mystery.
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What an amazing story, and so damn witty.
Loved all of it, the character development, the original premise, engaging the whole way through.
I listened to the audiobook version, and Moira Quirk acts it all out perfectly.
Loved all of it, the character development, the original premise, engaging the whole way through.
I listened to the audiobook version, and Moira Quirk acts it all out perfectly.