Challenge Corner discussion

The Emperor needs necromancers.

The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman.

Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no more time for undead bullshit.

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 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.

**This BOTM thread will be open until June 5th @ Midnight (in your time zone)**

Oh hell yes, this is my all time favourite series and I've been meaning to reread it for ages.

ooo yes yes!! I'll going to aim to get through this one this month!

Starting this one now! All my sapphic friends have been telling me to read it for AGES so I'm happy to have an excuse to move it up my TBR list

End of Act One: (view spoiler)[Most of the fanart I've seen for this book is super angsty/dark, so I'm surprised by how comedic the tone has been so far. At first I didn't love that, but it feels so in character for Gideon that it has really grown on me. The dislike/sexual tension between Harrow and Gideon is really well done. I'm excited to get into the meat of the Lyctor process and (hopefully) see some sick ass sword fights (hide spoiler)]

End of Act Two: (view spoiler)[I love that Muir doesn't spend a ton of time on exposition explaining how all the different magics work. We learn enough as we go along to be interesting and cohesive. Lowkey hoping that Dulcinea and Gideon hook up at some point. And I'm totally devastated by Magnus and Abigail's deaths. I fear it's gonna be Dulcinea that did it, there's no way she's as weak as she seems. (hide spoiler)]

End of Act Three: (view spoiler)[I was expecting inter-House fighting to be the real enemy here, so it's super interesting to see how Canaan itself is emerging as the main enemy. Isaac's death was painful but not too surprising, but the fact that something killed Jeannemary outside the basement adds a ton of tension. I'm loving this book so far! (hide spoiler)]

I'm so glad. I'm going to reread soon, it's so hard not to spoil things

End of Act Four: (view spoiler)[Gideon's sacrifice isn't really surprising, but it still felt satisfying. Great reveal about Dulcinea! I love how subtly that was built up. Palamedes' death was a waste though. I was expecting that final detonation to really DO something, but it doesn't seem very consequential to this whole last battle. That's really a pity tbh, he was one of my favorite characters. (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[Crying, screaming, throwing up. Gideon's voice fading away from Harrow is painfully tragic and if she doesn't come back to life somehow in the later books I am gonna riot (hide spoiler)]

You should read Harrow the Ninth now. I'll buddy the series with you if you intend to go on.

Jessica wrote: "You should read Harrow the Ninth now. I'll buddy the series with you if you intend to go on."

I'd love to buddy the series! I already have Harrow out from the library so I can start whenever you want

Awesome. I'm in the midst of another series but should be done in the next couple of days. Do you want to set it for today and I'll jump in a couple days later?

Jessica wrote: "Awesome. I'm in the midst of another series but should be done in the next couple of days. Do you want to set it for today and I'll jump in a couple days later?"

I'm also reading some other stuff atm. I know I won't finish the whole second book by the end of May and I want to use it for the June challenge, so I set the date of the thread for June 1!

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Sounds good, I haven't started this one yet and am on a work trip where I forgot my ereader so I'll be listening which slows me down.

Saige wrote: "End of Act One: [spoilers removed]"

Was it only you who read it, Saige? What a shame! (How did it get all the votes? This always confuses me)


Well, I started it today and will hopefully still get in before the 5th *fingers crossed* I have read it once before, but I haven't even recorded it; I was feverish and decided it didn't count if I couldn't remember it ROFL.

End of Act I (view spoiler)[ (I'm going to be approaching this as if it isn't a reread considering I really remember SO little). Yeah, it's SUPER comedic, isn't it? The humour/language is a little on the crude side for my taste I have to admit (I don't want to be a prude, but I can't help it somehow! I think I must a reincarnation of a Very Proper Victorian Lady or something hehe).

I'm looking forward to the Lyctor process too - I'm not big into romance/sexual tension stuff (I think I've said that to you before?), so I'm hoping for some good fights and friendships and all that jazz :) (hide spoiler)]

Act One
(view spoiler)[ God, I love this series it’s one of my all time favourites. The humor and voice are exactly my style and I love how complex and well woven this is. The evolution of Harrow and Gideon’s relationship is so great, we see them as enemies here and reluctant allies. That Harrow dug all night to win the battle is classic Harrow. Gideon’s sunglasses are also awesome and Harrow’s reaction to them is hilarious. I will admit the first time I read this I did not realize which planet the first house was, Ninth was self-explanatory but I had wrongly assumed they would go in order. Gideon being half in love with all the pretty ladies is so real 😂 (hide spoiler)]

Act Two
(view spoiler)[
Poor Gideon with this vow of silence and fucking Harrow excluding her, if they’d just worked together from the beginning they’d be so much farther along. Harrow being all I’m fine and should have just left me, like please. Hello Palamedes and Camilla, my loves, I’m so happy every time you appear. Poor Magnus and Abigail though, murdered after their anniversary celebration. I’m being really careful not to spoil anything but it’s really fun to see all the details interspersed that become relevant in later books. The clues are all there, they just don’t mean anything until you’ve read Harrow or Nona. This is why Tamsyn Muir is so brilliant, every time I reread I find a new cheeky clue.
(hide spoiler)]

Act Three (contains overall Gideon spoiler)
(view spoiler)[ I do love how they don’t really question how Dulcinea got the keys she has. I’m curious if she could do the siphoning challenge given that she’s a lyctor, I think she would have been fine which makes me wonder why she asked them to do it for her, I have some theories but they get spoilery with reveals in Harrow so I’ll leave it at that. Gideon is so horny for Coronabeth it’s so funny. I love seeing Camilla kick ass, it serves Judith right for that ill advised challenge and I am glad that Palamedes took her facility key for it. He was right about all of it. Also Gideon’s first words to the teens being about Palamedes being Sexpal is too fucking funny. Jeannemary’s death hurts, it’s sucks how Gideon blames herself but I totally get it. She expected to be safe there, but wasn’t.
(hide spoiler)]

Act Four
(view spoiler)[ God, Colum is so fucking creepy and I hate him, he was far too arrogant and the only one that deserved what he got. I love all of this time with Palamedes and Camilla and go Palamedes for giving Cytherea super cancer though I wish it had finished her off. Ianthe’s ascension is really impressive given that she didn’t actually see the theorems or do the trials. The Coronabeth reveal was excellent and I love how Corona doesn’t give a shit about Babs she just wishes she’d been chosen. What happened with Harrow’s parents was awful and I’m so glad Gideon got it out in the open so multiple people could point out to her how ridiculous it was to blame herself. The Reverand Mother and Father deserved what they got and I’m glad Harrow realizes it was not worth it, could never be worth it, but what a thing to live with. No wonder Harrow and Gideon are so well matched, the self-loathing on them both is massive.
(hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ Gideon’s last words to Harrow, the worst thing anyone could ever do to you are so real. God, I love this book but this last bit hurts, Harrow begging for Gideon’s life and being told the Emperor can’t do shit is so rough. And I am immediately starting Harrow, this is the problem with this series, even though I know what happens next I have to go on and usually when I finish Nona I then want to go back to Gideon. I did that loop when Nona came out and I think I made it to three loops before I made myself read something else 😂. Since rereads don’t count for points that should help me escape that this time but we will see lol.
(hide spoiler)]

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Saige wrote: "End of Act One: [spoilers removed]"

Was it only you who read it, Saige? What a shame! (How did it get all the votes? This always confuses me)


Well, I started it today and will hope..."

Finished act 1 (view spoiler)[ getting used to the writing and language/ world building so far. Thaat beginning… I mean trying to escape since the age of 4 phew… trying to understand what really is going on. Switched to the audiobook while gaming so I could get some more reading in. But going to switch back for act 2. I’m hoping with time I’ll be able to understand and get it a bit more (hide spoiler)]

Haley wrote: "Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Saige wrote: "End of Act One: [spoilers removed]"

Was it only you who read it, Saige? What a shame! (How did it get all the votes? This always confuses me)

Well, I started it..."


I adore this series but the beginning is very what the hell is happening. It all makes sense by the end but it's quite the journey to get there.

Jessica wrote: "Act One
[spoilers removed]

Act Two

Poor Gideon with this vow of silence and fucking Harrow excluding her, if they’d just worked together from the beginning they’d be so much farther along. Har..."

I still don't know what planet the first house is! Should I know by now??

Also agree it's QUITE the journey lol. I am still confused tbh. The style is FUN, but surprisingly hard to read if that makes sense? It's actually very dense - it's a kind of juxtaposition...


Act II (view spoiler)[ God, they are both so stubborn! (Harrow and Gideon). "I'm absolutely fine, just passed out here, but it was ALL UNDER CONTROL, all right Nav?" Haha!

Gideon is interestingly uneducated/somewhat disinterested (at the moment at least) in the larger machinations; it would be interesting if this were written from Harrow's PoV...

Anyway, like I said, I STILL don't really know what's going on but am totally okay to go with the flow :) (hide spoiler)]

Haley wrote: "Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Saige wrote: "End of Act One: [spoilers removed]"

Was it only you who read it, Saige? What a shame! (How did it get all the votes? This always confuses me)


Well, I started it..."

I started it with audio for the first few chapters too and that got me into the style, but then I switched to reading. It's certainly odd, isn't it? :P

Jessica wrote: "Act One
[spoilers removed]

Act Two

Poor Gideon with this vow of silence and fucking Harrow excluding her, if they’d just worked together from the beginning they’d be so much farther along. Har..."

Oh, I forgot to say Gideon's sunglasses are EPIC - my favourite part ;)

Jessica wrote: "Haley wrote: "Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Saige wrote: "End of Act One: [spoilers removed]"

Was it only you who read it, Saige? What a shame! (How did it get all the votes? This always confuses me)

Well,..."

oh good I'm happy to hear that!! I'm sticking it through to the end :) hoping to get through a chunk tonight

Haven't quite managed to get to finish Part III yet (why do so many things get in the way of reading?) but up to Chapter 23

(view spoiler)[ The writing style is taking some getting used to, I have to admit! I'm finding it surprisingly slow, but intriguing. I guess it might be the kind of book that's better on a reread?
Anyway, LOTS has happened - gosh!
I loved when Gideon nearly died and Harrow was actually TENDER towards her. Veiled in sarcasm, but it was a sweet moment haha. And I'm now finding it funny how turned on Gideon is by literally ALL the women - she's been starved poor girl! (In the literal meaning too - food on the ninth must be crap if she eats 1 1/4 dinners so readily, although having just died was part of that of course).

So, I really don't know what's going to happen/only have the faintest grasp on what actually IS happening lol. All the allegiances/not allegiances are confusing - so many characters!

It was also super cute how nice Dulcinea was to Gideon with the whole super intense pain and almost dying part.

It's quite refreshing to have an MC who isn't super intelligent, because it makes me feel less thick :P Since Gideon is figuring things out only slowly, it means I can be in the dark with her.

And - I'm guessing they're on earth? Gideon having a bath was adorable! (It's amazing how cute I'm finding this super violent book lol).

But another body/charred remains... is it Dulcinea's cavalier? which would be Protesilaus (had to check the front of the book; I honestly haven't got most of the names).

Curious. And does winning the contest mean you get to be Lyctor? Again, checking in at the front of the book - that means you're second to the Emperor - who has made no appearance.

Teacher is funny, odd. And I think genuinely doesn't know more than he's letting on, but I won't be surprised at anything tbh. (hide spoiler)]


Sorry for the rambling! I don't know if I'll finish this in time - I have to talk to Kit de Vaal tomorrow (!!) as a represent for my IRL book club about the Women's Prize nominees tomorrow, so my reading time will be spent preparing for that... exciting and nerve-wracking!

(That was more rambling. I'd better stop now.)

I haven't managed to get to part 3 either, but slowly making my way through. I'm going back and forth between audio and physical because the narrator is really fun. but finding I have to REALLY focus to understand what in the world is going on lol

(view spoiler)[ the scene where Gideon was spooked by looking at herself in the mirror I laughed so hard, she was really prepared to attack (hide spoiler)]

Haley wrote: "I haven't managed to get to part 3 either, but slowly making my way through. I'm going back and forth between audio and physical because the narrator is really fun. but finding I have to REALLY foc..."

Yeah, I LOL'd at that scene too!

I'm finished too, but have hardly any time to write anything - glad I have tomorrow to do the review, but barely 😅

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Jessica wrote: "Act One
[spoilers removed]

Act Two


This makes me feel better, it's Earth. A friend of mine read it and picked it up immediately and I felt dumb but clearly she's just very astute.

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Haven't quite managed to get to finish Part III yet (why do so many things get in the way of reading?) but up to Chapter 23

The writing style is taking some getting used to, I have to admit! I'm ..."
I loved all the rambling.

Haley wrote: "I haven't managed to get to part 3 either, but slowly making my way through. I'm going back and forth between audio and physical because the narrator is really fun. but finding I have to REALLY foc..."

Haha yes this was so funny and also I love the audiobook, Moira Quirk is one of my favorite narrators she's so good.

Jessica wrote: "Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Jessica wrote: "Act One
[spoilers removed]

Act Two


This makes me feel better, it's Earth. A friend of mine read it and picked it up immediately and I felt dumb but clearly..."

Yeah no I didn’t get that right away either… oops HAHA but up to act 3!! (view spoiler)[ okay okay slowly starting to get more into it. I’m listening while playing a cozy game so I’m taking my time listening. Two people dead… who in the heck, also definitely many people to keep up with. But liking the banter between Harlow and Gideon, it makes me smile. (hide spoiler)]

Thanks Jessica and Haley, definitely feeling less stupid about the whole situation! It's a surprisingly DIFFICULT read. It's comedy and action but hard to get your head round at the same time? I definitely liked it, but I think it would be better on a reread. Did you find that Jessica?


Okay, further thoughts (sorry I am not going to write much because I have about half a spoon due to stupid medication withdrawal, but I want to get BOTM points lol.) (Do other people know about spoons? I have no spoons to explain)

ACT III (view spoiler)[ The banter at this point was probably the best bit because the rest was... WTF is going on?! Lol, I was feeling SO dumb reading this, because I know it's a well-loved book and wondering if I was just stupid-er than the rest of the world or what? But particularly liked the scene with all the pain when Harrow siphoned (not even sure if that's the right word) off Gideon, and she suddenly starts acting differently . (hide spoiler)]

ACT IV (view spoiler)[ Still a lot of WTF-ery going on, but bits that stuck out were the SUPER CANCER - ick. I mean, seriously, ick. And (I hope it was this section) finding out about the truth with what happened on nine with the kids and Gideon and Harrow's parents (I understood this bit :P) - my heart broke! Seriously. What a world! Honestly, was still trying to remember everyone's names, but the mirrored self loathing Gideon/Harrow was... gah. (I guess I was focusing on what I actually could get my head round lol) (hide spoiler)]

To the End (view spoiler)[ Well. F*ck me. (Gideon would've put it better... *sobs*). So, I think it was only really this point I figured that a Lyctor was a super powerful servant to the Emperor and just what that MEANT. All of the complicated bone magic and that bl*ody construct that wouldn't f*cking die, and Gideon being so self-sacrificing in a very, almost, matter-of-fact way? Not quite the right word, but I'm lacking words (because of spoons).

Honestly, I wanted to cry - partly through feeling stupid, partly through relief at having finished, and mostly because of Harrow/Gideon. She begged for her LIFE, and the Emperor can't do anything?!? WTF is he for??? And I want to go straight onto the next one, and the next, like you said Jessica - and would probably be caught in a massive cycle too, but this writing is the most I have managed all day to do, and I still have to write a review, and I have so many buddies, and I have my own writing to do, and I have done nothing but SLEEP and I hate myself and am literally crying right now.

This is why you shou;d never do drugs, kids.

I'm joking - it's all prescribed sh*t and theoretically Ondasteron (sp??) should make me feel better and I bl*ody hope so because I am TIRED of being this tired. Sorry this isn't about Gideon at all anymore; it's so hard to read when your brain isn't functioning, and a realy unattractive part of mental illness is it makes you f*cking self-centred and then you hate yourself more. And then it cycles - except most of the time I'm asleep, which - honestly - is a relief except I want DEM POINTS.

Um... Gideon. It was only the day before yesterday, but I feel like my brain has run out of every orifice in my body, and all I'm left with is a confusing sense of feelings - wow, this was amazing, god I'm so stupid, god, stop making it about you, why does everyone else get this, I wanted to love this, didn't you love this, I loved the characters but I still don't get it all and now I need to sleep because I hate myself too much to do anything else but I can't stop thinning about the book when I have enough thoughts to actually thunk.

(hide spoiler)]

Umm... that's about it. Sorry for the non-coherence!

OMG, I am so sorry for the self-pity fest. Please ignore it. I can't type to well ATM so this is by dictation, and I wish I could delete all of that, well, I might when I can look at the screen for a bit longer. Did you finish this one Haley?