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A review by sleeping_while_awake
Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
5.0
I wasn't sure if I wanted to read Harrow the Ninth. I liked Gideon the Ninth, but I found the lack of explanation to the world-building detracted from my enjoyment. Additionally, combined with the sheer number of characters in Gideon, it was hard to ever think I knew what has happening.
I am really glad I decided to read Harrow. The worldbuilding is still vague, but at least with the second book it's familiar. In no way can you read Harrow without Gideon. A very large part of Harrow's plot is "re-telling" pieces of Gideon.
The second book was helped by a narrower focus. Less characters, less of the mechanical/magical workings that are never explained. It's primarily in one location, often with just Harrow alone.
Plot-wise, Harrow is now a powerful Lyctor. But, the events that took place in Gideon don't appear to be correct. People she thought died are now alive, and vice versa. Someone that wasn't ever a participant now had a starring role. She claims it's because she is going insane and her memory cant be trusted. But, there's something much more to this.
There's more sci-fi elements than Gideon. The magic system I still don't get. I understand there are a few different types, but how everything breaks into Houses and their specialties, it's beyond me. I went into Harrow not trying to figure it all out, and it was fine, as it's not the point of the book.
I really enjoyed the main mystery. Harrow is a unreliable narrator. I did pay very close attention throughout the book for possible clues, although I certainly did not really figure it out ahead of time.
If you weren't sold on Gideon, you may want to try Harrow. I would recommend refreshing yourself with the events of the first book.
I am really glad I decided to read Harrow. The worldbuilding is still vague, but at least with the second book it's familiar. In no way can you read Harrow without Gideon. A very large part of Harrow's plot is "re-telling" pieces of Gideon.
The second book was helped by a narrower focus. Less characters, less of the mechanical/magical workings that are never explained. It's primarily in one location, often with just Harrow alone.
Plot-wise, Harrow is now a powerful Lyctor. But, the events that took place in Gideon don't appear to be correct. People she thought died are now alive, and vice versa. Someone that wasn't ever a participant now had a starring role. She claims it's because she is going insane and her memory cant be trusted. But, there's something much more to this.
There's more sci-fi elements than Gideon. The magic system I still don't get. I understand there are a few different types, but how everything breaks into Houses and their specialties, it's beyond me. I went into Harrow not trying to figure it all out, and it was fine, as it's not the point of the book.
I really enjoyed the main mystery. Harrow is a unreliable narrator. I did pay very close attention throughout the book for possible clues, although I certainly did not really figure it out ahead of time.
If you weren't sold on Gideon, you may want to try Harrow. I would recommend refreshing yourself with the events of the first book.