Reviews

Ich bin Gideon by Tamsyn Muir

helena_buchwelt's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious tense medium-paced

5.0

taiy's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious medium-paced

3.5

This one had all of the elements for me to love it but I just didn't vibe with it like I expected to. Very glad I pushed to finish this one because I got more into it, but not sure yet if I'll continue. 

atomic_tourist's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

Sometimes I read a book and I'm like, 'yep, of course Tor Books would publish this...'

By that what I mean is that lots of their sci-fi and fantasy reads like fanfic, with characters that fit into neat bins both in terms of the tropes they check off and the identities they hold, and that everyone talks like they're tweeting. I guess it's kind of like 'adult' literature that reads strongly like YA? Though actually Gideon is one of few books I think fits squarely in the amorphous genre that is 'new adult.' Whatever that even means.

I'm rambling, I know... But what I'd really like to get at is that despite these limitations (which hold Gideon back from being a truly great book) I really liked it! I wish it had had a better editor, but I feel that way about 99% of books from this publisher. It was a pleasure seeing the relationship between Gideon and Harrow evolve, and I enjoyed the And Then There Were None-esque nature of the 'whodunnit' in last 2/3 of the novel. While the writing style (it really is very Twitter-y!) wasn't wholly original, the novel's premise was strong enough that I still had a good time.

And one more gripe: if you're going to market your book as "lesbian necromancers in space," then maybe the characters should... I don't know... do some lesbianing? Just a wild thought! 

roselemm12's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I give this 4 stars just because the world is that cool to me. It’s the kind of book I really want to dislike but just can’t. I only wish that someone a little less scatterbrained then Muir could expand this world a bit more because I’d love to dive deep into the setting but everything is concealed in too much mystery.

wewolay's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious 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

4.5

"If you do not find yourself a galaxy, it is not so bad to find yourself a star."

Yo, what did I just read??
This was chef's kiss, I absolutely loved it.
Gritty and darkly humourous, this was an entertaining read, the characters were just so messed up and hilarious. All the information about necromancy was truly interesting, although I was confused at time, well majority of the time and when I understood what was happening, it was truly satisfying.
There was plot twist after plot twist and it had me feeling so eager and thrilled.
And here are some of my favourite quotes:

"Her adept said: "I'll keep it off you. Nav, show them what the ninth house does."
Gideon lifted her sword. The construct worked itself free of its last confines of masonry and rotten wood and heaved before them, flexing itself like a butterfly.
"We do bones, motherf*cker."  she said."

"Harrow said, with some difficulty: "I cannot conceive of a universe without you in it."
"Yes you can, it's just less great and less hot." Said Gideon."

""This won't work," she said. "I've never had to work with something so small before."
"That's what she said." murmured Gideon, sotto voice."

Of course, there are more quotes which I absolutely adore.
Also, I WANT GIDEON BACK?? LIKE WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE'S GONE. SHE BETTER COME BACK IN THE NEXT BOOK.
Anyways, an amazing book with an incredible plot, I love it!

tmspinks's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

_emcat_'s review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

So good. The confusion you feel at the beginning is worth it once you get into the meat of the story

charelia's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

5.0

sarahaswoods's review against another edition

adventurous challenging mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

amazing sapphic book where you fall in love with the characters and get your heart ripped out of your chest!

evaroyter's review against another edition

5.0

what an amazing read truly. Muir’s writing is so amazing witty and descriptive and the way that works with Gideon’s narration is so deeply captivating. Gideon is simply such a hilarious character but in a way that easily adds to everyone else’s seriousness.

This book had me going through every stage of grief and experiencing every emotion. Love it. Also very obsessed with all the unexplained lore and side-plot and the sheer amount of words and terms I had to google to even begin understanding this book.