Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

Gideon the Ninth (Locked Tomb, #1)

by Tamsyn Muir

The Emperor needs necromancers.

The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman.

Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no more time for undead bullshit.

Tamsyn Muir’s Gideon the Ninth unveils a solar system of swordplay, cut-throat politics, and lesbian necromancers. Her characters leap off the page, as skillfully animated as arcane revenants. The result is a heart-pounding epic science fantasy.

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. The emperor has called his necromancers to action, and Harrowhark is set on Gideon attending her as bodyguard. If Gideon survives, she’ll be a hero, and a free woman. If not, she can look forward to eternity as a shambling bone-servant.

Reviewed by HekArtemis on

2 of 5 stars

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2.5 stars. Oh how I wanted to love this one, lesbians, necromancy, haunted palace in space? Surely I would love it! Spoilers: I didn't.

The first 1/4 or so of the book was, sorry, but it was horrible - for me. It reminded me a lot of [b:Skull Flowers|44098437|Skull Flowers|Jazon Dion Fletcher|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1550957434l/44098437._SY75_.jpg|21401359], a weird as hell cyberpunk novel I forced my self through earlier this year and which is still perhaps my least fave read of the year. So I had to force my way through the first quarter of this book, hoping it would pick up. It did, once they left the Ninth House I thought things picked up quite a bit. But it just wasn't all that fantastic.

There were moments that I enjoyed a lot, moments that made me laugh like a juvenile because the humour was extremely juvenile. It wasn't terrible through the last half of the book, I did like it. But it wasn't as good as I had hoped, it didn't quite hit that spot. And the first quarter really left a bad taste in my mouth. Without the first quarter I would probably rate this a 3.5 which is a good rating imo, a 3.5 book is rereadable, but the first quarter made me drop a star as I am not sure I could reread that stuff.

I am curious though. The ending was surprising, especially considering some of the things we learn about Gideon, they seemed like they should be Chekhov's Gun but then they were just, nothing? Hmm, so it makes me curious. And the main storyline that will seemingly run through the whole series, what is hiding behind that door, is also a curious thing. So I might actually continue the series, I did like Harrowhark as a character and might enjoy a book around her. But I don't think I will rush to get the next book or anything.

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  • 23 November, 2019: Reviewed