Gideon the Ninth is the first book in the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Locked Tomb Series, and one of the Best Books of 2019 according to NPR, the New York Public Library, Amazon, BookPage, Shelf Awareness, BookRiot, and Bustle!
WINNER of the 2020 Locus Award and Crawford Award Finalist for the 2023 Hugo Award for Best Series! Finalist for the 2020 Hugo, Nebula, Dragon, and World Fantasy Awards
"Unlike anything I've ever read. " -V.E. Schwab
"Lesbian necromancers explore a haunted gothic palace in space!" -Charles Stross
"Deft, tense and atmospheric, compellingly immersive and wildly original." -The New York Times
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.
THE LOCKED TOMB SERIES BOOK 1: Gideon the Ninth BOOK 2: Harrow the Ninth BOOK 3: Nona the Ninth BOOK 4: Alecto the Ninth
Ich kann verstehen warum manche sich schwer mit dem Buch tun. Wenn man aber das 1/3 hinter sich hat, bekommt man eine fantastische Story geliefert. Was ein Ritt. Gerade die Art und Weise wie das Buch geschrieben ist, macht Gideon für mich so relatable und wenn man sich eben genau darauf einlässt, macht es besonders Spaß.
Oct 17, 2025
5.0
Ich kann verstehen warum manche sich schwer mit dem Buch tun. Wenn man aber das 1/3 hinter sich hat, bekommt man eine fantastische Story geliefert. Was ein Ritt. Gerade die Art und Weise wie das Buch geschrieben ist, macht Gideon für mich so relatable und wenn man sich eben genau darauf einlässt, macht es besonders Spaß.
I regret buying this book in English (me and my pride lol) but alas, I got through it and I had a lot of fun.
Some thoughts:
- The writing really isn’t easy and the book expects you to know a lot of anatomy and bone-related vocabulary.
- It’s a wild ride. I was confused almost the entire time (it’s part of the experience). Be prepared to take notes.
- That being said, once you clock the basics of the world and all the names and titles (there’s so many of them) it becomes less tedious and a lot more interesting to experience the story.
- Also, Gideon is a DELIGHTFUL protagonist. She’s just as confused. She spends half the book creatively insulting Harrow. It’s just very fun to be stuck in her head.
- The ENDING???
Dec 29, 2025
4.5
I regret buying this book in English (me and my pride lol) but alas, I got through it and I had a lot of fun.
Some thoughts:
- The writing really isn’t easy and the book expects you to know a lot of anatomy and bone-related vocabulary.
- It’s a wild ride. I was confused almost the entire time (it’s part of the experience). Be prepared to take notes.
- That being said, once you clock the basics of the world and all the names and titles (there’s so many of them) it becomes less tedious and a lot more interesting to experience the story.
- Also, Gideon is a DELIGHTFUL protagonist. She’s just as confused. She spends half the book creatively insulting Harrow. It’s just very fun to be stuck in her head.
- The ENDING???
I have no words it’s just amazing and I would let Gideon Nav slice me open with her sword gladly
Gideon just wants to leave and she gets to leave but not how she planned. When she gets caught trying to flee, her childhood nemesis and necromancer Harrowhark Nonagesimus makes Gideon her Cavalier for a dangerous and mysterious trial on another planet.
Gideon also hates that but has no other choice so she packs her sunglasses (literally) and joins Harrowhark on a trip that is definitely not at all relaxing and filled with bones, death, murder and weird locked doors.
Without spoiling too much of the fun:
Harrow and Gideon find themselves in situations that challenge every aspect of their beings and as a reader I went with them.
The whole concept of the world is just extremely unique and I found myself enjoying all of the characters. I was angry, excited and scared but I also cried like 30 minutes after finishing the book. Gideon’s random “your mom” jokes do lighten the grim mood that comes with necromancy and all that jazz and for me this was the perfect mix.
In conclusion: read it!
Jun 5, 2025
5.0
I have no words it’s just amazing and I would let Gideon Nav slice me open with her sword gladly
Gideon just wants to leave and she gets to leave but not how she planned. When she gets caught trying to flee, her childhood nemesis and necromancer Harrowhark Nonagesimus makes Gideon her Cavalier for a dangerous and mysterious trial on another planet.
Gideon also hates that but has no other choice so she packs her sunglasses (literally) and joins Harrowhark on a trip that is definitely not at all relaxing and filled with bones, death, murder and weird locked doors.
Without spoiling too much of the fun:
Harrow and Gideon find themselves in situations that challenge every aspect of their beings and as a reader I went with them.
The whole concept of the world is just extremely unique and I found myself enjoying all of the characters. I was angry, excited and scared but I also cried like 30 minutes after finishing the book. Gideon’s random “your mom” jokes do lighten the grim mood that comes with necromancy and all that jazz and for me this was the perfect mix.
In conclusion: read it!
