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A review by sara277
Gideon la Novena by Tamsyn Muir
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
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? Yes
4.25
This book is completely different from anything I’ve ever read, and I loved it. It’s definitely a “trust the process” kind of read.
The action starts on page 1 and you’re thrown into a unique world with complex magic, a long history and political intrigues, and you barely learn anything about any of those points until well into the second half. For the first 300 pages you’ll wonder what is going on, thinking you missed some important background information along the way, but it will make you laugh and the intrigue and deaths will keep you going until you finally get a perfectly crafted picture.
That was my experience at least. The first half I was completely clueless about what was going on, but I was interested just enough to keep reading, and it was so rewarding by the end. I definitely didn’t even consider picking up the second book until the last 100 or so pages. Now I need more.
The story is so good, beautifully written, sometimes a bit too explicit and gory, but so well done.
The characters are great. Loved Gideon and Harrow, both on their own and together, their push and pull dynamic, their enemies to whatever journey, their humor!Their ill-fated conclusion! Love love love dramatic, plot-pivotal, selfless acts of sacrifice. Though would have loved more Gideon in the following book… Loved the characters from the other houses as well, specially Palamedes and his nerd face-offs with Harrow.
I feel like a need a second read to really appreciate the side characters and the dynamic between houses, but with just the first I loved it. Can’t wait to pick up Harrow the Ninth.
The action starts on page 1 and you’re thrown into a unique world with complex magic, a long history and political intrigues, and you barely learn anything about any of those points until well into the second half. For the first 300 pages you’ll wonder what is going on, thinking you missed some important background information along the way, but it will make you laugh and the intrigue and deaths will keep you going until you finally get a perfectly crafted picture.
That was my experience at least. The first half I was completely clueless about what was going on, but I was interested just enough to keep reading, and it was so rewarding by the end. I definitely didn’t even consider picking up the second book until the last 100 or so pages. Now I need more.
The story is so good, beautifully written, sometimes a bit too explicit and gory, but so well done.
The characters are great. Loved Gideon and Harrow, both on their own and together, their push and pull dynamic, their enemies to whatever journey, their humor!
I feel like a need a second read to really appreciate the side characters and the dynamic between houses, but with just the first I loved it. Can’t wait to pick up Harrow the Ninth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Suicide, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Child death and Chronic illness