Title: Gideon the Ninth
Author: Tamsyn Muir
Genre: Sci-Fi
Synopsis:
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.
Tags: Science Fiction, Space, Queer, Mystery, Horror
“If you do not find yourself a galaxy, it is not so bad to find yourself a star.”
Tamsyn Muir
★★★★★
I will confess to being thoroughly confused for the first half of the book. The setting is a gothic space nunnery in a universe I can only describe as “extremely extra.” The plot involves necromancers, sword fighting, and a whole lot of drama. But once I accepted that I was not going to understand everything that was going on, I started to relax and enjoy the ride. And let me tell you, it was one heck of a ride. The main character, Gideon, is a foul-mouthed, sarcastic, and utterly lovable necromancer. She’s the kind of person you’d want on your side in a fight, but you’d probably also want to keep an eye on your drink around her. Gideon’s relationship with her cavalier, Harrowhark, is one of the most complex and fascinating I’ve ever read. They’re both powerful necromancers, but they’re also bitter rivals. They constantly insult each other, but they also care for each other deeply. It’s a relationship that’s both heartwarming and heartbreaking. The plot of “Gideon the Ninth” is full of twists and turns. I never knew what was going to happen next, and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. The ending is one of the most satisfying I’ve ever read. It’s the perfect mix of closure and cliffhanger. Overall, I loved “Gideon the Ninth.” It’s a funny, exciting, and thought-provoking book. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves fantasy, science fiction, or just great storytelling.