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A review by kynaeus
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
funny
mysterious
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
5.0
Giden the Ninth, and the series as a whole, is dense with fascinating magic and interesting worldbuilding as this first entry starts things off with a girl and her necromancer investigating a haunted house in space that turns into a murder mystery
If you read the audiobook (highly recommend), you may want to keep a copy of the dramatis personae nearby so you can keep visual track of all the characters as there are many to keep track of and they all have 5 names each. Fortunately for you, they're all awesome and there's a good variety cast of personalities w/ comedic relief to help break up the tension of imminent death around any corner.
Most people I see recommending this book pitch it as "lesbian necromancers in space" and while there is zero doubt in my mind about one character (thank you for your service Frontline Titties of the Fifth House), I definitely thought of Nona as more asexual because of her.... well, you'll find out when you read this masterpiece.
Finally, the pacing can be off-putting to many first timers.
You won't know exactly what's going on or what everyone's motivations are until you reach the end, and then everything will be turned on its head. But the best part of this series is how well-planned it feels the farther along you get so as soon as you finish reading Gideon you might find yourself starting right back at page 1 searching for clues. This series reads like a masterpiece and feels like it will be rightly regarded as a pinnacle example of sci-fantasy from this time period
If you read the audiobook (highly recommend), you may want to keep a copy of the dramatis personae nearby so you can keep visual track of all the characters as there are many to keep track of and they all have 5 names each. Fortunately for you, they're all awesome and there's a good variety cast of personalities w/ comedic relief to help break up the tension of imminent death around any corner.
Most people I see recommending this book pitch it as "lesbian necromancers in space" and while there is zero doubt in my mind about one character (thank you for your service Frontline Titties of the Fifth House), I definitely thought of Nona as more asexual because of her.... well, you'll find out when you read this masterpiece.
Finally, the pacing can be off-putting to many first timers.
You won't know exactly what's going on or what everyone's motivations are until you reach the end, and then everything will be turned on its head. But the best part of this series is how well-planned it feels the farther along you get so as soon as you finish reading Gideon you might find yourself starting right back at page 1 searching for clues. This series reads like a masterpiece and feels like it will be rightly regarded as a pinnacle example of sci-fantasy from this time period
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Genocide and Suicide