Gideon the Ninth
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.
I had no idea what to expect when I started Gideon the Ninth. I soon found out reading from Gideon’s perspective was going to be an exceptionally entertaining experience. Her humour, though, was used as a coping mechanism to cover up her horrible childhood growing up in the Ninth House. She was routinely beaten, abused, or worse, shunned, by her fellow residents and most of all by Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House. All Gideon really wanted was a friend, and it was interesting to see her find that in Harrow as they were forced to work together throughout the book.
I admire Muir’s worldbuilding skills. She created an entire solar system for her series to take place in and did so in a way that made the reader want to learn more about the world Gideon and Harrow lived in. I also suspect Muir had to do a lot of research to find out the names of all the bones she had Harrow use in the story. I don’t envy her that task!
The ending broke my heart. I loved Gideon and to see her sacrifice herself for Harrow was so hard to read. I hope to see more of Gideon in the second book, for I think something will be missing if this is the last readers see of her. She’s too important to Harrow’s story to be left out!
Gideon the Ninth is a unique fantasy that is perfect for the fantasy lover that likes a particularly dark story.
Gideon the Ninth Rating: ★★★★
I had no idea what to expect when I started Gideon the Ninth. I soon found out reading from Gideon’s perspective was going to be an exceptionally entertaining experience. Her humour, though, was used as a coping mechanism to cover up her horrible childhood growing up in the Ninth House. She was routinely beaten, abused, or worse, shunned, by her fellow residents and most of all by Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House. All Gideon really wanted was a friend, and it was interesting to see her find that in Harrow as they were forced to work together throughout the book.
I admire Muir’s worldbuilding skills. She created an entire solar system for her series to take place in and did so in a way that made the reader want to learn more about the world Gideon and Harrow lived in. I also suspect Muir had to do a lot of research to find out the names of all the bones she had Harrow use in the story. I don’t envy her that task!
The ending broke my heart. I loved Gideon and to see her sacrifice herself for Harrow was so hard to read. I hope to see more of Gideon in the second book, for I think something will be missing if this is the last readers see of her. She’s too important to Harrow’s story to be left out!
Gideon the Ninth is a unique fantasy that is perfect for the fantasy lover that likes a particularly dark story.
Gideon the Ninth Rating: ★★★★