Gideon the Ninth - Review
Link to the author's (T. Muir) personal website
Genre: Fantasy
Publication Type: Book
Tags:
- Average Age of Main Characters (19)
- Length (5 / 10)
Series: The Locked Tomb
Link to Goodreads
Blurb: The Emperor needs necromancers.
The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman.
Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no more time for undead bullshit.
Brought up by unfriendly, ossifying nuns, ancient retainers, and countless skeletons, Gideon is ready to abandon a life of servitude and an afterlife as a reanimated corpse. She packs up her sword, her shoes, and her dirty magazines, and prepares to launch her daring escape. But her childhood nemesis won't set her free without a service.
Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House and bone witch extraordinaire, has been summoned into action. The Emperor has invited the heirs to each of his loyal Houses to a deadly trial of wits and skill. If Harrowhark succeeds she will become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection, but no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier. Without Gideon's sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die.
Of course, some things are better left dead.
Review: I've got no clue what the style of writing this book has, but god damn if it isn't beautiful. The style is genuinely unique, and when combined with the setting and its humor, it becomes great. Kudos to the setting and humor themselves as well. The set-up of the nine houses and the mix of sci-fi elements with medieval stuff was inventive and interesting to read. The humor from Gideon (fuck yeah Gideon) somehow added to it all too. The writing style made and sudden introduction of so many characters at once 1/4 of the way through the book honestly made remembering everyone a bit difficult at first. I think this works to its advantage though, as connecting dots with all the characters and their activities while eliminating possibilities / suspects is where the story is leading you anyway. That murder-mystery like theme was simply mint. In summary: Amazingly written, super inventive, great characters, and an ending I'm not sure I agree with but will currently give the benefit of the doubt. See the series review here.