A review by astroem
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

dark emotional lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Harrow is such a little creepy church goblin. Imagining Gideon holding Harrow back by her collar for some reason while Harrow tries to kill kill murder kill. 

Alright, now the actual review. Gideon the Ninth is an amazing exploration of choices and interpersonal relationships under a very high stress situation. And it's also just damn funny. Gideon is a wisecracking ball of something, defining Gideon Nav is like trying to wrestle a cat. But I am going to try. She is motivated, funny, extremely petty and more than a lil bit captivated by all the damn WOMEN she is being surrounded with. She is a self sacrificing idiot and also just being dragged along for the ride by the scruff of her neck. Harrow... is harrow. 

and also the trials/rooms were so creepy and full of horror. extremely atmospheric and full of interesting character studies that slowly and surely built up to a reveal that was both expected and completely unexpected at the same time and also the relationships between the necromancers and their cavaliers??? chefs kiss. were all of them healthy? no. would i like to study them under a microscope? yes./

Edit: Re-read this in 2024, and rereading this made me feel so smart