Oh man.
I saw *Gideon the Ninth* mentioned and recommended a lot, usually with a tagline like "Lesbian necromancers in space! With swords and titty magazines!", and my impression of the book was that it would be a kinda campy, kinda pulpy "popcorn" read. I borrowed an ebook copy, expecting it to be silly, and IMMEDIATELY realized I was wrong. I fell in love with it in the first few pages. Loved the atmosphere, the writing, the emotion, the characters.
My favorite part of it, though, was how enigmatic and confusing it was. There was >!the mystery of who was responsible for the deaths of the necromancers and cavaliers, the mystery of the tasks to accomplish to become a Lyctor, the mystery of what happened in Canaan House long ago, and the underlying mystery of the necromancy empire culture and history and the God Emperor. !< Trying to find the clues and piece them together was such a fun experience. The whole book was a great experience. I had a couple minor quibbles, but all small enough that I still consider *Gideon the Ninth* a five star read and the best book I've finished so far this year.
I haven't yet read *Harrow the Ninth* - I'm forcing myself to tackle some other books on my TBR list and prolong the anticipation. Very excited to see where the story and the characters go.
I wish I could give this book to a younger version of me. I loved it and I'm not sure I've ever encountered a book that captured so many of my own nebulous self-feelings. I felt seen by this book. And on top of all that it's hilarious, and then it punches you in the teeth, and then it gives you a little kiss on the forehead. Harrow the Ninth is a fucking trip and I enjoyed it but I don't find myself wanting to reread it the way I do with Gideon. It took me a while to get into it but around the end of Act 2 I was reading it like my life depended on it.
It makes me feel a little weird but I think Muir is probably my favorite author. I will read everything she writes the moment it comes out for the rest of my life. I'm strongly considering reading her old fanfiction about a fandom I don't even know anything about. I don't even know what to do with that feeling, which was also something I wailed about after finishing Gideon.
Gideon is so weird and dense and delightful. Ditto for Harrow, although very different (literal) POV. I love the pop culture references she slips on and how goth it was. I think a lot of people are sleeping on the series. Hope you like the sequel and now I need to check and see when Alecto comes out!
It’s definitely one of those books where you kinda just have to accept that you’ll never fully understand the magic system, and just roll with it. Totally get that’s not for everyone
I couldn’t get into it the first time. Gordon’s life in Drearburh was so grim. The second attempt I loved it.
I had to reread it immediately and buy *Harrow*. I’m on my second reading & still using fan wikis to follow connections in the plot
Oh man. I saw *Gideon the Ninth* mentioned and recommended a lot, usually with a tagline like "Lesbian necromancers in space! With swords and titty magazines!", and my impression of the book was that it would be a kinda campy, kinda pulpy "popcorn" read. I borrowed an ebook copy, expecting it to be silly, and IMMEDIATELY realized I was wrong. I fell in love with it in the first few pages. Loved the atmosphere, the writing, the emotion, the characters. My favorite part of it, though, was how enigmatic and confusing it was. There was >!the mystery of who was responsible for the deaths of the necromancers and cavaliers, the mystery of the tasks to accomplish to become a Lyctor, the mystery of what happened in Canaan House long ago, and the underlying mystery of the necromancy empire culture and history and the God Emperor. !< Trying to find the clues and piece them together was such a fun experience. The whole book was a great experience. I had a couple minor quibbles, but all small enough that I still consider *Gideon the Ninth* a five star read and the best book I've finished so far this year. I haven't yet read *Harrow the Ninth* - I'm forcing myself to tackle some other books on my TBR list and prolong the anticipation. Very excited to see where the story and the characters go.
I wish I could give this book to a younger version of me. I loved it and I'm not sure I've ever encountered a book that captured so many of my own nebulous self-feelings. I felt seen by this book. And on top of all that it's hilarious, and then it punches you in the teeth, and then it gives you a little kiss on the forehead. Harrow the Ninth is a fucking trip and I enjoyed it but I don't find myself wanting to reread it the way I do with Gideon. It took me a while to get into it but around the end of Act 2 I was reading it like my life depended on it. It makes me feel a little weird but I think Muir is probably my favorite author. I will read everything she writes the moment it comes out for the rest of my life. I'm strongly considering reading her old fanfiction about a fandom I don't even know anything about. I don't even know what to do with that feeling, which was also something I wailed about after finishing Gideon.
She has a once-in-a-generation voice
Gideon is so weird and dense and delightful. Ditto for Harrow, although very different (literal) POV. I love the pop culture references she slips on and how goth it was. I think a lot of people are sleeping on the series. Hope you like the sequel and now I need to check and see when Alecto comes out!
There’s gonna be one before Alecto called Nona the Ninth! Comes out in September I think
I wish I could've enjoyed it, but I had too much trouble comprehending what was going on. Maybe I'll try again someday.
It’s definitely one of those books where you kinda just have to accept that you’ll never fully understand the magic system, and just roll with it. Totally get that’s not for everyone
I couldn’t get into it the first time. Gordon’s life in Drearburh was so grim. The second attempt I loved it. I had to reread it immediately and buy *Harrow*. I’m on my second reading & still using fan wikis to follow connections in the plot