๐Ÿ“š Gideon The Ninth

by Tamsyn Muir

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 Gideonโ€™s sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die.Of course, some things are better left dead.

๐Ÿ“– Learn more on Goodreadsโ€ฆ

I was really looking forward to Gideon The Ninth having read lots of glowing reviews about the book, and the series in general, but I came away feeling a bitโ€ฆmeh.

Itโ€™s not a bad book, donโ€™t get me wrong, but I donโ€™t think it lived up to the hype. The story is really interesting, and quite unique, what with the necromancy and all that, but I donโ€™t think Muir went into enough detail about the background story.

Personally, I would have preferred this book to have set the scene a little better and talk about the background of the empire we find ourselves in, the Emperor, and how it all came to be.

Instead, I found myself playing catch up on the storyline and feeling unfulfilled because of it. Despite this, I found Gideon to be absolutely brilliant and really well written. There was just enough dark humour sprinkled in to make me chuckle a number of times.

I found my brain wandering at times, which isnโ€™t a great sign, but in fairness to the book, I โ€œreadโ€ this via audiobook and this was my first one, so maybe that had something to do with it?

<summary>๐Ÿšจ Mild spoiler ahead...</summary>
<p>The last few chapters culminate into what can only be described as a boss fight, and they're really gripping as the story all comes together. But like I said, I'd have liked the backstory to have been revealed a sooner.</p>

Given how the first book ended, I think I will read the second book, but I might try this the old fashioned way, by actually reading it to see if that holds my attention any better.

In the meantime, I flipped back to Brandon Sandersonโ€™s world and am currently reading listening to The Way Of The Kings.

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