Gideon the Ninth
Readers rate it 4.1 (1.5K on Hardcover)
448 pages · Released Sep 10, 2019 · Tordotcom
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Substance use
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Educational value
A note for parents
Gideon the Ninth is a dark fantasy with gothic horror elements centered on lesbian protagonists that skews decidedly adult. While the violence is not gratuitously graphic, the book contains sword combat, death, and an atmosphere of dread woven throughout. The sophisticated prose, complex character dynamics, and mature themes (including sexuality, trauma, and mortality) make it better suited to older teens and adults than younger readers despite its compelling voice.
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From the publisher
"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 ski... "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."
Shelved under
- Fiction, science fiction, action & adventure
- Fiction, fantasy, epic
- Fiction, fantasy, dark fantasy
- paranormal
- necromancy
- LGBTQ science fiction & fantasy
- Women authors
- Lesbians
- Butch Lesbians
- horror
- Mystery
- Swordplay
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ISBN 9781250313195 · Tordotcom