From the Bookshelf of The Sword and Laser…

Gideon the Ninth (The Locked Tomb, #1)

Tamsyn Muir

Start date: February 1, 2020

Finish date: February 29, 2020

Discussion: Gideon the Ninth

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Gideon the Ninth

GtN: Make this a video game!
By John (Taloni) · 9 posts · 89 views

last updated Oct 14, 2021 07:33AM

GtN: write a better blurb challenge
By Lee · 19 posts · 125 views

last updated Mar 11, 2020 10:58AM

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What Members Thought

May 01, 2020 mina rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I did not read the synopsis of the book, but Tor.com had put out articles on this so many times which I avoided to read, and also the cover is awesome, so obviously I picked this book as one of my pandemic quarantine readings. I like the book and have decided to continue with the series.

This book is a fantasy story (necromancy), combined with a little horror and mystery, and some detailed explanations (or maybe they are vague to me, because the theorems or whatever just go over my head) on necro I did not read the synopsis of the book, but Tor.com had put out articles on this so many times which I avoided to read, and also the cover is awesome, so obviously I picked this book as one of my pandemic quarantine readings. I like the book and have decided to continue with the series.

This book is a fantasy story (necromancy), combined with a little horror and mystery, and some detailed explanations (or maybe they are vague to me, because the theorems or whatever just go over my head) on necromancy technology thrown in. The story is fast-paced after some slow introduction to the Canaan House, and it kept twitching to unexpected direction, made me constantly changing assumptions of who's actually responsible for the whole murders in the Canaan House, where all the representative necromancers and cavaliers from the 9 Houses assembled to become Lyctors.

The worldbuilding is original, but unfortunately not explained in detail, maybe because the author has several books in mind. The readers understand it by experiencing the story, which I like. But I still think my comprehension of their world is sketchy: What are the primary skill of each house? Who is the Emperor Undying, and why is he undead? Why does he needs so many Lyctors and what for? Why he has to wait so long to replenish his Lyctor numbers? What happened long time ago that led to the deep hate in his Lyctors' hearts? So many revelations are expected in the next books of the series: Harrow the Ninth (will be published in August 2020), and Alecto the Ninth.

Now let's talk about Gideon Nav, the redhead "cavalier primary" from the Ninth House, the protagonist: I like her loud and hilarious sarcasms (bordering to annoying, almost reminding me to the loudmouth protagonists in Andy Weir books), along with her soft heart for anything beautiful or skillful. I like her badass fighting skills (she did not even use her usual double longswords in this book) and her hate/hate/love-hate relationship with her necromancer, Harrowhark Nonagesimus. I like her righteousness and her decisiveness. But I do think she did not have time to show her full potential in this book *sigh.

Her necromancer, Harrow, on the other side, keep progressing to be even better than her parents and grandparents. She has to, her name is on the second book cover, so at least we know that she did not die (or if she died, she came back in one piece). Also badass and violent in a cold way, I admire this studious and talented character, and she stopped at nothing to get her way. Eagerly wait to see what she'll become in Book 2.

Other characters are originally interesting, too, each with their own unique quirkiness. But, ah, the ending, the ending!

The book is advertised quoting Charles Stross: “Lesbian necromancers explore a haunted gothic palace in space!" but there is really no lesbian story in it. There is some feeble attempt here and there, but no romance scenes, which is good. I have read quite a lot of good fantasy books with meh love stories, that I think those books will be better without them. ...more

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Mar 07, 2020 Brenda rated it really liked it

So, I finished this book today, and I still kinda don't know what was going on. Things became a little more clear as I read, but I had a hard time picturing things, or really knowing the whys or hows. It was definitely interesting and entertaining, and once I settled in to just enjoy the story and not worry so much about "getting it", it was a lot easier to like. It was very different from anything else I've read, which is kind of refreshing, even if it was almost too different at times. ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Feb 08, 2020 Melani rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: bookclub-picks, fantasy, challenge_sword

Despite not liking the characters, I'm interested enough in what has been set up to continue reading. I'm curious about the Emperor and the war, even though those two things are barely mentioned in this book I get the feeling they're what the long game is all about. The writing style was't really my thing, but I did get used to it. Hopefully the next book won't be quite so 'too cool for you' edgy, especially as there is a narrator change. On that note (view spoiler) ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Apr 27, 2023 Tensy (bookdoyen) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, fantasy

I really enjoyed this fantasy with it's snarky protagonist, Gideon. It has issues with pacing, the first part is a bit slow as it sets up Gideon's and Harrow's backgrounds and then the second half goes at breakneck speed with layers of mystery. This has elements similar to many video games and the dialogue is often juvenile, so it skews more YA than adult fantasy. I also had issues with the number of characters and trying to keep them straight. I thought this was partly due to listening to the a ...more

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May 04, 2024 Amy rated it liked it

Shelves: 1-audiobook, 1-irl, mystery-locked-room, scifi, 2010s, fantasy, 2024aty-completed

This book is big and messy and brilliant in spurts. It took me a few tries over more than a year to get through it. Every time I tried, I'd get a couple chapters in and just be so confused, because the world building was so lacking at first. You're thrown in in media res and it's nigh-impossible to find your footing. Once I decided to accept the things I could not change (lol) and just roll with it, I was able to listen to the entire thing. And it is eminently listenable. Moira Quirk, the narrat ...more

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Sep 21, 2019 Daniel rated it it was amazing

This book was such a wonderful and wild ride. Funny, spooky, and sad. I’m only taking off one star because I occasionally felt a little lost keeping track of the large cast.

Was so not prepared for the end.

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