After rocking the cosmos with her deathly debut, Tamsyn Muir continues the story of the penumbral Ninth House in Harrow the Ninth, a mind-twisting puzzle box of mystery, murder, magic, and mayhem. Nothing is as it seems in the halls of the Emperor, and the fate of the galaxy rests on one woman's shoulders.
Harrowhark Nonagesimus, last necromancer of the Ninth House, has been drafted by her Emperor to fight an unwinnable war. Side-by-side with a detested rival, Harrow must perfect her skills and become an angel of undeath ― but her health is failing, her sword makes her nauseous, and even her mind is threatening to betray her.
Sealed in the gothic gloom of the Emperor's Mithraeum with three unfriendly teachers, hunted by the mad ghost of a murdered planet, Harrow must confront two unwelcome questions: is somebody trying to kill her? And if they succeeded, would the universe …
After rocking the cosmos with her deathly debut, Tamsyn Muir continues the story of the penumbral Ninth House in Harrow the Ninth, a mind-twisting puzzle box of mystery, murder, magic, and mayhem. Nothing is as it seems in the halls of the Emperor, and the fate of the galaxy rests on one woman's shoulders.
Harrowhark Nonagesimus, last necromancer of the Ninth House, has been drafted by her Emperor to fight an unwinnable war. Side-by-side with a detested rival, Harrow must perfect her skills and become an angel of undeath ― but her health is failing, her sword makes her nauseous, and even her mind is threatening to betray her.
Sealed in the gothic gloom of the Emperor's Mithraeum with three unfriendly teachers, hunted by the mad ghost of a murdered planet, Harrow must confront two unwelcome questions: is somebody trying to kill her? And if they succeeded, would the universe be better off?
As I try to gather my thoughts and emotions into something coherent, I realize that whatever rambling attempt at coherence is possible will inevitably come at the expense of spoilers. So. Many. Spoilers. I find it impossible to talk about my impressions without mentioning all the big twists and bigger reveals. So I guess I'll just say: this was a wild ride, Harrow's mind is about as dark a place as I expected, the worldbuilding and mystery plots here are even better than in book one, and the storytelling techniques the author applies are devious.
If you start reading Harrow the Ninth and wonder if you're reading a sequel to the wrong novel, please just keep reading.
Also, can I please have book three right about now? No? Damn.
Kill us twice, shame on God.
Wow. This book was a trip.
As I try to gather my thoughts and emotions into something coherent, I realize that whatever rambling attempt at coherence is possible will inevitably come at the expense of spoilers. So. Many. Spoilers. I find it impossible to talk about my impressions without mentioning all the big twists and bigger reveals. So I guess I'll just say: this was a wild ride, Harrow's mind is about as dark a place as I expected, the worldbuilding and mystery plots here are even better than in book one, and the storytelling techniques the author applies are devious.
If you start reading Harrow the Ninth and wonder if you're reading a sequel to the wrong novel, please just keep reading.
Also, can I please have book three right about now? No? Damn.
Gideon the Ninth was a crazy ride, I thought. Tone and worldvuilding were a bit off at times, but largely more than good enough to excite me for this one.
Harrow the Ninth has you wading through the grueling psychosis of Harrowhark as you question how much of what she's seeing, experiencing, feeling, remembering is real. Because very quickly you find that something has changed in the brief period between this book and the previous, and while I don't think it was hard to figure out why there were still a lot of questions to work through.
Mostly I want to call out the best case of second-person narration I've ever seen. The reason why is pretty obvious from the get-go, I think, but still, it works so well and I love it.
Really don't know where the third book is going to take this, but definitely excited to see …
Gideon the Ninth was a crazy ride, I thought. Tone and worldvuilding were a bit off at times, but largely more than good enough to excite me for this one.
Harrow the Ninth has you wading through the grueling psychosis of Harrowhark as you question how much of what she's seeing, experiencing, feeling, remembering is real. Because very quickly you find that something has changed in the brief period between this book and the previous, and while I don't think it was hard to figure out why there were still a lot of questions to work through.
Mostly I want to call out the best case of second-person narration I've ever seen. The reason why is pretty obvious from the get-go, I think, but still, it works so well and I love it.
Really don't know where the third book is going to take this, but definitely excited to see what disturbing monstrosity Muir cooks up next.
I enjoyed Gideon but I liked this one better. Totally different tone and problem: it’s all about wrestling with loss and culpability,
so check your mood before jumping in. Especially if you’ve struggled with dealing with someone dying, it can resonate more than you’re expecting.
Reminds me of Machineries of Empire series by [a:Yoon Ha Lee|3001246|Yoon Ha Lee|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1603220064p2/3001246.jpg].
Good: Harrow as self inflicted unreliable narrator trick was enjoyable; writing style fits perfectly with mystery plot lore about the Emperor & his Lyctors fits well with established universe & was satisfying to uncover
Bad: I miss Gideon's point of view characterization at times feels self-indulgent, characters are caricatures of what fans expect them to be
Tamsyn Muir writes with a vocabulary suitable for a science-fantasy necromancy novel. I have to look up obscure adjectives all the time, and some times the dictionary claims they don't exist. I still get the point. This makes it all the much more delightful when the characters intersperse the dark art with a surprise "that's what she said" from time to time, and there are a couple of hard core dad jokes in this book that really landed.
I can't wait to see what happens in the next book which is ... not out until forever! Noooo!
Harrow The Ninth is deeply necromantic and gorgeous; full of the most beautiful body horror with a casual familiarity with death, the dead, and those who refuse to die. For everyone who read GTN and wants to be more confused, for longer, with even more viscera.
First and foremost: If you made it to the end of Gideon The Ninth, and you liked it, you’ll like Harrow The Ninth. If you haven’t read Gideon The Ninth, go do that (or at least read our review) and then come back, this will be here when you return. If you have a phobia of skeletons, viscera, blood, gore, or the frequent removal and rebuilding of bodies... don't read it, it's really okay if this one isn't for you (but I hope for your sake it is, because it's fantastic). It would be deeply disturbing to anyone who has an abiding and genuine …
Harrow The Ninth is deeply necromantic and gorgeous; full of the most beautiful body horror with a casual familiarity with death, the dead, and those who refuse to die. For everyone who read GTN and wants to be more confused, for longer, with even more viscera.
First and foremost: If you made it to the end of Gideon The Ninth, and you liked it, you’ll like Harrow The Ninth. If you haven’t read Gideon The Ninth, go do that (or at least read our review) and then come back, this will be here when you return. If you have a phobia of skeletons, viscera, blood, gore, or the frequent removal and rebuilding of bodies... don't read it, it's really okay if this one isn't for you (but I hope for your sake it is, because it's fantastic). It would be deeply disturbing to anyone who has an abiding and genuine fear of such things, so please use your discretion.
Now that you’re here: Harrow The Ninth is perfect for anyone who read Gideon The Ninth and said to themselves, "I would like to spend longer not knowing what's happening but having a great time." Every phrase I want to use to describe this book reminds me of how people who have done drugs talk about how they feel. I was disconcerted frequently, confused generally, and loving every minute of it even though I didn't know what was going on (and clearly wasn't supposed to). It felt good to read, the prose had a visceral quality (both in terms of the syllabic density and its propensity to describe actual viscera). About halfway through I had a guess at what might be going on (and I was only partially right), it wasn't until 70%-80% of the way through that I reached the explanation and truly understood. But that turning point where I finally got what was happening, wow, I think it was an even greater emotional payoff for me than when I finally understood what was happening in Gideon.
As for my usual book two check for series of at least three books (as this is a trilogy): This wraps up several things from the previous book (but you don't really understand how until very far in). There is an entire storyline which only is within this book, in one way, but also transcends it and encompasses the first book in even more bizarre ways, so... I don't know whether this qualifies as having a storyline unique to this book, I really don't know. I think there is a major thing which is introduced and resolved wholly within this book, but with how trippy these books are it's totally possible that I'll re-read Gideon and realize it was actually begun there. This definitely leaves some major things to be addressed in the third book, which is good. The POV character did change, and the voice is very distinct from the previous narrator, oh yes. Lastly, this is a bizarre case where the first 60% of the book might actually be less confusing if the reader had not read the first book. I don't recommend picking up this one as your starting point, since the conclusion will make absolutely no sense without having read Harrow, but since this is a trilogy and not a long-running series this criterion isn't super important. TLDR: This book defies my usual book two checks and that feels appropriate. It's a great continuation while also having plenty to hold its own, and the narrator feels distinct from the first book's narrator. This makes me need the sequel as soon as I can get it.
I feel like this book is the 60% deliberate confusion, 10% Muir just seeing what her editors will allow her to publish, and 30% brilliant and incomprehensible world building. Somehow it all comes together in a phantasmagorical whole like a 21st century Alice in Wonderland, where the Rabbit holes contain rabbit holes.
[second read] On rereading, much of the shock and confusion is replaced by a new appreciation for the characterization and complexity of a book that does so much through its form as much as its substance. I might up that earlier estimate of 10% just seeing what editors will allow... that feels too low. There is so much here that is giggle-inducing nonsense, from characters with names taken from 2000s era pop music to self referential nods to the ridiculous nature of epic fantasy and SF writing in general.
[on third read] There is considerable depth to unpack …
I feel like this book is the 60% deliberate confusion, 10% Muir just seeing what her editors will allow her to publish, and 30% brilliant and incomprehensible world building. Somehow it all comes together in a phantasmagorical whole like a 21st century Alice in Wonderland, where the Rabbit holes contain rabbit holes.
[second read] On rereading, much of the shock and confusion is replaced by a new appreciation for the characterization and complexity of a book that does so much through its form as much as its substance. I might up that earlier estimate of 10% just seeing what editors will allow... that feels too low. There is so much here that is giggle-inducing nonsense, from characters with names taken from 2000s era pop music to self referential nods to the ridiculous nature of epic fantasy and SF writing in general.
[on third read] There is considerable depth to unpack here, considering the nature of perception and reality, as well as concepts of mortality and liminal spaces.
Bury me with a copy of this book, please. There's a Locked Tomb books 1 and 2 (and let's be realistic, book 3 even though it's not even out yet) shaped space in my heart forever.
I was prepared for this to suffer from second book syndrome, but to still very much enjoy it. I was not prepared to sit clutching my head and staring out into the middle distance for at least two thirds of this book as the plot thickened, and thickened, and thickened until I had to give up trying to be clever and figure it out and just see what was ahead. I am particularly furious at how good the manipulation of tone was throughout the different sections, never giving anything away but still carrying so much weight. Also I started acting like harrow while reading this book, covering myself in a black scarves and collecting bones from the seashore. I don't know what that says about the book, more about me maybe.
Just as Gideon managed to surpass my expectations, Harrow took what I expected and simultaneously delivered and subverted my expectations. While just as weird and wonderful as the first book, this book manages to deepen the world building and mythology while both answering some questions and creating new ones. All the while keeping the reader in a (wonderful) state of confusion.
My only real disappointment was that the next book was not yet able to be ordered.
Holy shit this was an incredible book. It has it all: a very intriguing setting that keeps you wondering how things work. A plot that keeps you glued to the story; I had many theories on what was going on- most of them wrong. And characters that are fascinating to read about, whether they are discussing the mysteries of life and death, visiting other planets, or just enjoying some soup. I highly recommend this series and can't wait for the next book!
Read my full review at my blog (warning: has spoilers for [b:Gideon the Ninth|42036538|Gideon the Ninth (The Locked Tomb, #1)|Tamsyn Muir|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1546870952l/42036538.SY75.jpg|60943229]): strakul.blogspot.com/2020/08/book-review-harrow-ninth-by-tamsyn-muir.html
I loved (5 star) the first and preordered this one and have just finished it.
Three warnings: 1. This book will make absolutely no sense at all unless you've read the first. Don't even try to start with this book. 2. Even if you've read the first book, you should probably reread it again immediately before starting this one. 3. I'll try not to post any spoilers for THIS book but this review will necessarily contain some spoilers from LAST book so if you haven't read that one yet either, go away.
This second book in the trilogy continues the story of Harrow and the very necromantic empire she lives in. Harrow is now a Lyctor and has increased exponentially in power, but she is also now facing bigger, tougher problems working directly for the Emperor/God with her fellow Lyctors and fighting fairly vaguely defined but terrifying things like Resurrection …
I loved (5 star) the first and preordered this one and have just finished it.
Three warnings: 1. This book will make absolutely no sense at all unless you've read the first. Don't even try to start with this book. 2. Even if you've read the first book, you should probably reread it again immediately before starting this one. 3. I'll try not to post any spoilers for THIS book but this review will necessarily contain some spoilers from LAST book so if you haven't read that one yet either, go away.
This second book in the trilogy continues the story of Harrow and the very necromantic empire she lives in. Harrow is now a Lyctor and has increased exponentially in power, but she is also now facing bigger, tougher problems working directly for the Emperor/God with her fellow Lyctors and fighting fairly vaguely defined but terrifying things like Resurrection Beasts. At the end of the last book, we learned that the process of becoming a Lyctor requires the sacrifice of the necromancer's Chevalier, so of course I expected this book would mostly be about that. Which it kind of is but also kind of isn't.
The reason I give this book only 3 stars instead of 5 is just that it is TOO obscure and convoluted. I don't mind a little misdirection and an unreliable narrator when it's done well and you can still figure out what's going on, but this was extremely hard to follow. It jumps back and forth in time, alternating between the present day Lyctor story (told, unusually, in the second person) and then flashing back to parts of the first book now told from Harrow's perspective, but told very differently than how we read them in the first book (the unreliable narrator). And not just a little differently, but extremely differently, as if even different people were present. The author clearly wants the readers to be trying to figure out why the change and what is actually going on, and this doesn't resolve till near the end of the book. And I did in fact figure out who the narrator speaking in second person was in the "current time" narration was, and had a pretty good guess at why the changes to the flashbacks, but it felt as if it was made unnecessarily long and complicated.
Spotting all the changes in the flashbacks required a far better memory of the details of the first book than I had a year later, which is why I suggest rereading the first before this one. And figuring out the actual situation and politics of the present-time scenes was frustrating as it was all written intentionally vaguely. It felt as if the author wanted to keep the readers guessing about EVERYTHING right until the end of the book. And I understand the temptation here - to have everything finally crystallize at the end of the book into something that makes sense - but the problem with this approach is that it means your readers spend the initial 4/5 of the book mostly in confusion, and that's a frustrating state to be in for that long. It also means having to hold all the separate facts in your head for the entire novel like jigsaw pieces without being able to slot them into a narrative you understand, because you're waiting through the whole book for the clues that finally tell you how to put them together. And that makes this quite an exhausting read. I can generally read a book this length in 4-ish hours but this took me nearly a week to get through and kept putting me to sleep because I honestly didn't have the mental energy to absorb too much of it at a time, particularly mid-coronavirus-pandemic. Sometimes it's okay to let your readers know what's going on, or at least give them a FAKE feeling that they know what's going on and then switch it up on them in one quick reveal, but an entire book KNOWING you don't know what's going on is just very tiring and not particularly enjoyable. And sometimes when you create an interesting world and magic system your readers just want to understand that world and how it works, not be given little glimpses of it and have to keep guessing and waiting on clues; too much of that can be frustrating also.
As a result I'm sure I missed a lot of nuances that I would pick up if I went back and reread the first book and then the second again, but I honestly don't feel as if I have the mental energy to handle that right now. Especially if I'm going to have to reread both the first book and this one before reading the final book in the trilogy. I still feel as if there's a lot I don't understand though and I'm not totally sure if that's because I missed stuff or because it genuinely wasn't there and I have to wait for the third book.
That said, we did eventually get to learn what happened to some of the characters we liked from the first book, and why Harrow's memories were not the same as Gideon's account of the first book, and we met some interesting new characters also, and learned a bit more about how the Empire works. And of course lots more bones and necromancy - it's an odd world, a combination of advanced space technology with death necromancy that is unlike almost anything else I've read, the only thing that's reminiscent of it is Gene Wolfe's Shadow of the Torturer series, which also has that kind of gritty, decayed old world feel steeped with death and bones. I'll look forward to the last book and hope it's a bit less obscure than this one.
