Gideon the Ninth
"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
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Gideon, a swordswoman raised in a planet of bone, is dragged into the necromantic tournament of her cruel childhood rival. The two of them, sworn enemies, must survive a dying palace where the other heirs keep dying.
Gideon the Ninth was written by Tamsyn Muir and published in 2019. It was Muir's debut novel and the first in The Locked Tomb series, blending necromancy, sapphic romance, and dark academia in a far-future setting.
The Locked Tomb has three published novels: Gideon the Ninth, Harrow the Ninth, and Nona the Ninth. The fourth and final book, Alecto the Ninth, has been long-awaited and remains forthcoming.
Gideon the Ninth is 440 pages in standard print editions, though page counts vary slightly between hardcover, paperback, and large-print formats.
At an average reading pace of about 250 words per minute, Gideon the Ninth takes most readers 7 to 10 hours to finish.
Gideon the Ninth is a standalone novel by an unknown author, not part of a series.
Gideon the Ninth is available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats from Amazon, Bookshop.org, ThriftBooks, and most major bookstores.
