bean_7088's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Less space, and gay than anticipated, lots of necromancy.
Was a hard one on audio, there were so many names and people and it was hard to keep track when I couldn't see the names.
I'll probably re-read it to get a better grip on the whole story since I stopped and started a lot, but I really enjoyed the mystery and intensity of the story.
Edit: well, I'm glad I re read it right aways 😅 much easier knowing who everyone is also before I had missed the part where they become friends and actually care about each other, so I had been confused.
It was still good. I still loved all the casual gay, and Gideon being a shit.
Was a hard one on audio, there were so many names and people and it was hard to keep track when I couldn't see the names.
I'll probably re-read it to get a better grip on the whole story since I stopped and started a lot, but I really enjoyed the mystery and intensity of the story.
Edit: well, I'm glad I re read it right aways 😅 much easier knowing who everyone is also before I had missed the part where they become friends and actually care about each other, so I had been confused.
It was still good. I still loved all the casual gay, and Gideon being a shit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Terminal illness, Body horror, Violence, Death, and Gore
Minor: Cannibalism
It's necromancy. It's a little grosssharron_joy_reads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Gideon is ready to escape but her lifelong enemy, Harrowhark, the Reverend Daughter and Necromancer of the Ninth House requires one final service, she needs a swordswoman. The Emperor orders the heirs of the eight houses and their cavaliers to travel to the First House and undertake a trial of skill and power. If Harrowhark succeeds she will become an all powerful immortal but she cannot succeed without Gideon. The trials begin and the first house becomes a death trap.
This is a techno gothic sci-fi murder mystery horror story and it is incredible. It is fantasy but the world building is shared as the story is told, it leaves the intricacies of this world to the reader to decipher, this is quite common in sci-fi , not so much in fantasy. I loved this as it enabled me to construct the world bit by bit in my head like a puzzle and I love puzzles! There are a lot of characters but they are all listed at the front if you get lost and after a while they are easy to remember.
The magic systems in this are gloriously gothic, living skeletons from fragments of dust, constructs of bone, flesh and sinew, it is so visceral! The solar system they are in is fuelled by the power of death and the energy of life.
Gideon is a hell of a woman, acerbic and irreverent, her contemptuous relationship with Harrow, who has tormented her since they were children, is vicious from both sides but with a rich vein of dark humour. I loved them both!
It is a murder mystery in a crumbling gothic mansion. It is Medieval knights on a quest, loyalty and fealty to one’s House, duty and honour. It is powerful sorcery using blood, bones and magic. It is trials to the death and solving the clues to find the key. It is a remarkable read and I cannot wait for the next book in the series!
This is a techno gothic sci-fi murder mystery horror story and it is incredible. It is fantasy but the world building is shared as the story is told, it leaves the intricacies of this world to the reader to decipher, this is quite common in sci-fi , not so much in fantasy. I loved this as it enabled me to construct the world bit by bit in my head like a puzzle and I love puzzles! There are a lot of characters but they are all listed at the front if you get lost and after a while they are easy to remember.
The magic systems in this are gloriously gothic, living skeletons from fragments of dust, constructs of bone, flesh and sinew, it is so visceral! The solar system they are in is fuelled by the power of death and the energy of life.
Gideon is a hell of a woman, acerbic and irreverent, her contemptuous relationship with Harrow, who has tormented her since they were children, is vicious from both sides but with a rich vein of dark humour. I loved them both!
It is a murder mystery in a crumbling gothic mansion. It is Medieval knights on a quest, loyalty and fealty to one’s House, duty and honour. It is powerful sorcery using blood, bones and magic. It is trials to the death and solving the clues to find the key. It is a remarkable read and I cannot wait for the next book in the series!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Gore, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
kkirsch118's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Cursing, Chronic illness, Bullying, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Terminal illness, Abandonment, Blood, Gore, Body horror, and Murder
aweso10's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
oh, gideon... i will say this was a super slow read for be, but the last quarter-ish really had me locked in! lotssss of world building, characters that you fall in love with or love to despise, a confusing yet intense plot, lots of magic and swordfighting and amazing dark fantasy vibes. if it weren't for the learning curve i had to go through to understand wtf was going on in this book, it would be a solid 4.5/5!! i am fully obsessed with harrow as a character and will definitely be proceeding with Harrow the Ninth shortly:):)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Murder, Blood, and Death
Minor: Medical trauma and Cursing
jillian8's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Love love love. Gets even better after you read the second one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Grief, Gore, Toxic friendship, Violence, Body horror, Child death, and Suicide
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Physical abuse
Minor: Genocide, Cannibalism, and Child abuse
katee17's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Gore, and Blood
Minor: Suicide
ymziegler's review
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I can't stop thinking about this book, which is exactly what I want once I've finished a book. I see many reviews saying people dnf'd it because they didn't understand what's happening, but I promise once you're about 50% way through you will not be able to put it down. I love my lesbian necromancer and cavalier duo and I cannot wait to read Harrow the Ninth!
I love Gideon very very much. In the beginning I wasn't a massive fan of her character because she seemed just sassy and defiant (valid character traits, just not my favorite when that's the main thing) but throughout the book you get to know her better and she is so... my type. I also grew to love Harrowhark as well, which again in the beginning she does not seem even likeable.
Once the conflict picks up it's WILD. I almost want to reread it just to experience it all again. Cannot wait to read the next books in the series.
I love Gideon very very much. In the beginning I wasn't a massive fan of her character because she seemed just sassy and defiant (valid character traits, just not my favorite when that's the main thing) but throughout the book you get to know her better and she is so... my type. I also grew to love Harrowhark as well, which again in the beginning she does not seem even likeable.
Once the conflict picks up it's WILD. I almost want to reread it just to experience it all again. Cannot wait to read the next books in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Death of parent
bezarue's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
No one is surprised that I loved this. The tagline says lesbian necromancers in space exploring a gothic castle. Ofc this was right up my street.
Spoiler
Genuinely shocked by just how many people died. Like christ on a bike I was expecting one more death after the kids not like ten. Also Gideon better not actually be dead or I am going to lose my shit. She's gotta keep being reincarnated right? RIGHT?!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Child death, Death, Suicide, Blood, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Death of parent, Terminal illness, Violence, and Gore
arlaubscher's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Child death, Death, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Death of parent, Gore, and Suicide
Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, and Cursing
lmaloney's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Terminal illness, Physical abuse, Vomit, Torture, Murder, and Mental illness
Moderate: Abandonment, War, Cancer, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Slavery, Toxic friendship, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, and Child death