Gideon the Ninth

Tamsyn Muir

Sep 2019 · The Locked Tomb Series Book 1 · Sold by Tordotcom

About this ebook

Gideon the Ninth is the first book in the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Locked Tomb Series, and one of the Best Books of 2019 according to NPR, the New York Public Library, Amazon, BookPage, Shelf Awareness, BookRiot, and Bustle!

WINNER of the 2020 Locus Award and Crawford Award
Finalist for the 2023 Hugo Award for Best Series!
Finalist for the 2020 Hugo, Nebula, Dragon, and World Fantasy Awards

“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.

THE LOCKED TOMB SERIES
BOOK 1: Gideon the Ninth
BOOK 2: Harrow the Ninth
BOOK 3: Nona the Ninth
BOOK 4: Alecto the Ninth

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Ratings and reviews

Gideon and Harrow have been rivals since childhood. Going neck to neck and fighting whenever the opportunity presented itself. But now as Harrow is called to take one of the ultimate tests of necromancy, she needs Gideon’s sword arm to watch her back. Promised with her freedom if Harrow succeeds, Gideon agrees to take up her sword. But as they begin to unravel the mysteries of the Lyctors, necromancers who have gone beyond a simple raising of bones and spirit, they will find that not everything is as it seems. While death is nothing new to necromancers, are they willing to make the necessary sacrifices? Spaceships and necromancy are two elements I never thought I would see combined in a story. They just shouldn’t work together. Well, Gideon the Ninth smashed that thought. Not only is there a healthy dose of dark magic and battle, but there is also betrayal, mystery, and plenty of death to go around. The perfect mix to keep me reading! Gideon walks the fine line between friend and foe, love and hate between the characters she meets. This atmosphere creates an abundance of conflict and action. Reading this novel is like experiencing a twisted and dark version of Clue. People are dying, and fingers are being pointed in all directions. But of course, dying is the art of the necromancers, yet even they are left to scramble to put the pieces back together. Sometimes quite literally. I do admit there were certain areas where the necromancers would start talking and my mind would fog over. I didn’t understand the different types or the way it worked, but the main character Gideon didn’t either. I want to think this was done on purpose, but I also wanted to understand what was going on. I had to reference the various houses and their powers multiple times to try and grasp what each one was doing. This is definitely a book for readers who do not mind hitting the ground running and trying to absorb as much information as possible to work out their own understanding. Given the description of the book, I did expect more dark humor. Gideon carried the humor with her sarcastic remarks, but it wasn’t enough to lighten the mood. Do not approach this book thinking it will be light reading. This is a book steeped in taboo and dealing with the darker parts of humanity. Then again, with necromancers involved, it is assumed that the content will be rather macabre. Dark fantasy to the core, this is a great read. I cannot wait for the next book to be released!

When I tell you this series has changed my life for the better, I mean it. Gideon is beyond excellent, and I am firmly of the belief that you, dear reader, should absolutely try it. And the price it's at here is fantastic. I mean, it's lesbian space necromancers doing a resident evil 1, what more could you want?

Absolutely believe the hype. Gideon the Ninth is one of the most singular books I've ever read--I'm not sure there's much else like it, and I mean that strictly as a compliment. Once you've finished it you will ache for the sequel. This book is an astounding accomplishment and an absolute joy to read. I'm legitimately jealous of anyone who gets to experience it for the first time.

About the author

TAMSYN MUIR is the bestselling author of the Locked Tomb Series. Her fiction has won the Locus and Crawford awards, and been nominated for the Hugo Award, the Nebula Award, the Shirley Jackson Award, the World Fantasy Award, the Dragon 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