Title: Harrow the Ninth
Author: Tamsyn Muir
Publisher: Tor.com
Publication Date: August 4, 2020
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Summary
After the events in Gideon the Ninth, Harrowhark has been drafted by the Emperor to fight in a war. However, things at the Emperor’s house aren’t exactly what they seem. In order to do so, she must become a full lyctor. But even that proves difficult, since her sword makes her nauseous and her mind appears to be playing tricks on her.
With the help of three teachers, Harrow has to learn how to hone her powers in order to save the galaxy. To make matters even more difficult, she’s being haunted by the ghost of a planet and someone might be trying to kill her. Will she be able to figure it out before they are all doomed? And is she even necessary to the survival of the Nine Houses anyway?
Review: Harrow the Ninth
I listened to Gideon the Ninth back in January for our book club, so I jumped on the chance to read this one! Thanks to Edelweiss and Tor Books for the chance to review this one early. The only issue with that is now I have wait even longer for the third book in the series, which is going to be difficult with that cliffhanger ending!
Fair warning, the first half of this book is incredibly difficult to follow. It’s told in a nonlinear fashion, with a somewhat unreliable narrator in Harrow. Harrow is pretty sure she’s going mad, so it’s hard to tell what’s real and what isn’t. Don’t worry, though! By the end, it all makes sense. Which means this series in general lends itself to re-reads (or re-listens).
Given there’s a different narrator in this one, there isn’t nearly as much snark as the first one, which I kind of missed. I will say having a list of characters is also immensely helpful in being able to follow along. The characters are strong on their own, but some of them are called a variety of names throughout, which can be difficult to follow at times. Use the list of names at the beginning!
This also has great LGBTQ rep, as did Gideon the Ninth. 100% glad that we read it for book club so that I could be introduced to this world. If you loved Gideon the Ninth, you definitely won’t be disappointed in this sequel! Harrow the Ninth doesn’t fall pray the sophomore slump–a wild ride that will leave you wanting more at the end!
4.5/5 stars