keikeidoksu's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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? No
5.0
smithel's review against another edition
5.0
I was not expecting to love this book. Based on the blurb, I thought it would be crass but amusing, and mainly read it because it was popping up a lot in my recommendations about the time the sequel was doing well in the Goodreads reader choice awards. I was not prepared for how absolutely and completely I was absorbed into the story. Gideon, the hero, is crass. But she and her necromancer, Harrow, are also complicated, fascinating characters. I’ve been describing this book as Gormenghast with spaceships and necromancers, but that really doesn’t give enough credit to Tamsyn Muir’s brutal, exquisite world building. The book is a ghastly, revolting, utterly compelling story and I can’t wait to read Harrow the Ninth.
katie_the_vth's review against another edition
4.0
First, I read very little fantasy (or whatever this is) and did not expect to finish it let alone enjoy it. But i really did, made even better by the very talented audio book narrator (Moira). I enjoyed the banter, the world, even the magic (and i usually dislike magic). It seemed fully thought out.
A few things i struggled with: 1) couldn't keep all the characters straight; 2) she seemed obsessed with people being skinny, obsessed with the sad waif. Could have done with less of that boring trope but otherwise, will definitely be picking up the second one.
A few things i struggled with: 1) couldn't keep all the characters straight; 2) she seemed obsessed with people being skinny, obsessed with the sad waif. Could have done with less of that boring trope but otherwise, will definitely be picking up the second one.
vicwaltz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
chloelouise_xiv's review against another edition
4.0
Two things. One: I found this quite difficult to read at times. You’re thrown headfirst into this fully established world and lore at the beginning that is not only complicated in itself, but is also full of characters with complicated names and titles, and for a while I honestly had no idea what was going on. I’m not entirely sure I really do after finishing either. It also took me a long while to remember who was who and even by the end there were times I had to try and remember which house characters belonged to. This made the book as a whole fairly confusing.
Two: It’s fantastic. There’s no doubt about how good this book is, it’s bursting at the seams with rich world-building and interesting characters - Gideon especially. I can completely understand why this book is getting the attention it’s getting.
Two: It’s fantastic. There’s no doubt about how good this book is, it’s bursting at the seams with rich world-building and interesting characters - Gideon especially. I can completely understand why this book is getting the attention it’s getting.
sofiakhaus's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
firecrackerbaby's review against another edition
5.0
5 stars immediately because i love it when gay people: 1) are stupid (gideon) and 2) hate each other (gideon and harrow). i like that even though they didn’t kiss we know that they’re gay for each other. the last scene with lifting up the sword together gave me goosebumps. gideon is fucking hilarious the entire way through.
at the start, the heavy religious vernacular and intense vocabulary (lots of big words) made it a little hard to get through but now my vocabulary is bigger for it, so overall a win if you ask me
at the start, the heavy religious vernacular and intense vocabulary (lots of big words) made it a little hard to get through but now my vocabulary is bigger for it, so overall a win if you ask me
marlimead's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
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
4.0
pentenemy's review against another edition
5.0
Niche but when it hits it's a supernova
Necromantic Scifi Lesbian mystery
This is for very specific people, made for them, molded for them. So go into it with a peaceful jog, and maybe you will come out sprinting.
Necromantic Scifi Lesbian mystery
This is for very specific people, made for them, molded for them. So go into it with a peaceful jog, and maybe you will come out sprinting.
moomieswan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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