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A review by annemaries_shelves
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5 rounding up on GR
I loved this book! It took a little while (~50 pages) to truly get on board and get excited to pick up the book. But from the jump, Gideon was a hilarious and memorable main character and the world building was excellent. It's served to you bit by bit for most of the novel, so you really get to take your time answering all those upfront questions. I also buddy read this, and I think it's a great way to enhance your experience - you can brainstorm what's going on, freak out over the plot events, and keep each other motivated through 450-490 pages of book (bonus content included).
Honestly, you can't go wrong with lesbian necromancers in space in a gothic palace, trying to win a competition and solve a murder mystery, with enemies to something thrown in there.
Truly one of the more unique books and concepts I've read in a long time and I'm excited to read the sequel. Muir's writing and humour also really worked for me, and she was great at evoking a sense of atmosphere and creepiness.
Harrow and Gideon's relationship was fascinating and full of venomous banter and years of acrimony influencing behaviour... so Muir really had her work cut out for her to build their individual and joint character development and she nailed it in my opinion.
If your copy has bonus content at the end, I recommend reading it after the book if you don't want any (minor) spoilers.
CW: violence and death associated with necromancy; on page blood and injury descriptions and murder; child death off page; child abuse
I loved this book! It took a little while (~50 pages) to truly get on board and get excited to pick up the book. But from the jump, Gideon was a hilarious and memorable main character and the world building was excellent. It's served to you bit by bit for most of the novel, so you really get to take your time answering all those upfront questions. I also buddy read this, and I think it's a great way to enhance your experience - you can brainstorm what's going on, freak out over the plot events, and keep each other motivated through 450-490 pages of book (bonus content included).
Honestly, you can't go wrong with lesbian necromancers in space in a gothic palace, trying to win a competition and solve a murder mystery, with enemies to something thrown in there.
Truly one of the more unique books and concepts I've read in a long time and I'm excited to read the sequel. Muir's writing and humour also really worked for me, and she was great at evoking a sense of atmosphere and creepiness.
Harrow and Gideon's relationship was fascinating and full of venomous banter and years of acrimony influencing behaviour... so Muir really had her work cut out for her to build their individual and joint character development and she nailed it in my opinion.
If your copy has bonus content at the end, I recommend reading it after the book if you don't want any (minor) spoilers.
CW: violence and death associated with necromancy; on page blood and injury descriptions and murder; child death off page; child abuse
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse and Child death