From Powells.com
Our favorite books of the year.
Staff Pick
This book went on my list of top favorites upon finishing it. With this story, Tamsyn Muir managed to creep me out, make me laugh really hard, and definitely cry at one point. The characters are endearing while they harbor secrets and face shambling horrors; our protagonist Gideon just wants her longsword and her freedom. The story is set in a fascinating society where necromancy is the main focus of religious worship, and you cannot help but be drawn into the intrigue right along with Gideon and Harrowhark as the danger mounts and time runs out. Recommended By Shayna O., Powells.com
Gideon the Ninth was a thrilling, unique, fast-paced read. It read like a movie, packed with fully choreographed sword fights, necromancy, and gore. I laughed, I cried, and I reread all my favorite chapters over and over again after I finished the book. Also, Gideon the Ninth is so incredibly gay, without focusing on trauma, hardships, or formative gay experiences. It's refreshingly gay. Escapism gay. Queer romance, giant swords, dead things, murder plots, frenemies — what's not to love? Recommended By Jem J., Powells.com
A Very Gothic Queer science fantasy, this will have you giggling and awestruck at Gideon’s snark, and the delicious train wreck that is her relationship with Harrowhawk. Heavy on the skulls, necromancy, and the suspense, and lots of black clothing. All Gideon wants is to escape the confines of the Ninth House, but things don’t go quite as planned, and so a reluctant adventure with Harrowhawk begins. Recommended By Mary Jo S., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
A USA Today Best-Selling Novel!
"Unlike anything I've ever read. " V.E. Schwab
"Lesbian necromancers explore a haunted gothic palace in space!" Charles Stross
"Deft, tense and atmospheric, compellingly immersive and wildly original." The New York Times
The Emperor needs necromancers.
The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman.
Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no more time for undead nonsense.
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.
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 be 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
"Warm and cold; goofy and gleaming; campy and epic; a profane Daria in space." Robin Sloan, author of Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore
Review
"Brilliantly original, messy and weird straight through. With a snorting laugh and two middle fingers, the whole thing burns end-to-end. It is deep when you expect shallow, raucous when you expect dignity and, in the end, absolutely heartbreaking when you least expect it." NPR
Review
"Gideon the Ninth is simply one of the best and most original books in recent memory." Shelf Awareness
Review
"Gideon the Ninth is worth every second of every spine-chilling page as the book moves seamlessly from science fiction to mystery-thriller and back again." BookPage (Starred Review)
About the Author
TAMSYN MUIR is the author of the Locked Tomb Trilogy, which begins with Gideon the Ninth, continues with Harrow the Ninth, and concludes with Alecto the Ninth. Her short fiction has been nominated for the Nebula Award, the Shirley Jackson Award, the World Fantasy Award and the Eugie Foster Memorial Award. A Kiwi, she has spent most of her life in Howick, New Zealand, with time living in Waiuku and central Wellington. She currently lives and works in Oxford, in the United Kingdom.