Gideon the Ninth
Gideon the Ninth is a 2019 sapphic fiction and queer fantasy novel by Tamsyn Muir. The story is set in The Ninth House and Caanan House, in The Far Future. It features Gideon Nav, Harrowhark Nonagesimus and Palamedes Sextus. Key subjects include necromancy, women authors, lesbians and butch Lesbians.
Open Library readers give it an average of 4.2 out of 5 from 72 ratings, and 383 more have it on their want-to-read list. It has been published in 7 editions.
At about 440 pages, most readers finish it in 8–9 hours.
About Gideon the Ninth
"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."
Awards & lists
- ✦Hugo Awards 2020 — Best Novel (nominee)
- ✦Nebula Awards 2020 — Best Novel (nominee)
- ✦World Fantasy Awards 2020 — Best Novel (nominee)
- 🏆Locus Awards 2020 — Best First Novel (winner)
- ✦Locus Awards 2020 — Best Science Fiction Novel (nominee)
Quick answers
Who wrote Gideon the Ninth?
Gideon the Ninth was written by Tamsyn Muir and first published in 2019.
What genre is Gideon the Ninth?
It is usually shelved as Lesbian & Sapphic Fiction, Queer Fantasy, Queer Science Fiction and Dark Fantasy.
How long is Gideon the Ninth?
The median edition has 440 pages, about 8–9 hours of reading at 250 words per minute.
What books are similar to Gideon the Ninth?
Readers who like it often enjoy The Cold Commands, The Dark Defiles and The Crippled God.
More by Tamsyn Muir
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Harrow the Ninth
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Nona the Ninth
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