Gideon the Ninth

Gideon the Ninth is the first novel in The Locked Tomb trilogy. It features a lesbian necromancer in a world of necromancers . . . set in space. The sheer Gothic design of the hardcover edition, with the black-edged pages, gives the book a charred and sinister look, signaling to the potential reader that this isn’t an ordinary novel.

Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House, has been invited by the emperor to a trial of battle and ability. If she wins, she will become an immortal servant of the Resurrection. There’s only one problem: she cannot do it without Gideon’s sword. Gideon, who has had enough of life and is done being raised and looked after by skeletal servants, is plotting her escape. But he is foiled by Harrowhark, who instead has her join her retinue to aid her in becoming what she truly aspires to be. Gideon also happens to possess a great sword that Harrowhark knows may be her key to succeeding.

The story uses a language and voice that some might consider a little bloated and slow, though others will be entranced by it. So its recommended that you read a few pages first to get a feel for whether you’ll like the book or not.