Just Arrived: “Harrow The Ninth” by Tamsyn Muir
On July 1, I featured Tamsyn Muir’s Gideon the Ninth as part of my Worldbuilding in Fantasy series on the Supernatural Underground blog. Although my focus was on the world, I did conclude that: “the juxtaposition of sorcery and space, adventure and action, politics and mystery, makes for exciting Fantasy…”
Others must have agreed, because immediately prior to my post, Gideon the Ninth received the Locus Award 2020 for First Novel. An outstanding achievement, just by the way.
As the first in a trilogy (The Locked Tomb), naturally I have been looking forward to the next “exciting Fantasy” instalment — so was delighted when a beautiful hardback edition of Book Two, Harrow The Ninth, arrived on my TBR table.
It is a very beautiful book, including the artistry and detail of the cover illustration, and style and texture of the fonts. In fact “gorgeous cover” is almost becoming a theme, since another of this year’s Just Arrived’s, Underland by Robert MacFarlane, was similarly distinguished. And as those who’ve followed me for a while now (waves!) will know, I do have a bit of a thing for beautiful and evocative book jackets.
If you want to check a few of those covers out, take a peek at:
SFF Cover Art Love: Some Favourites
SFF Cover Art Love; More Favourites
Getting back to Harrow The Ninth, as you’ve probably guessed I’m quite keen to read it. In terms of hints offered by the back and inside covers as to the contents within, there’s not a lot on offer. The reader is offered three sentences, two of which deal with the prior book, Gideon the Ninth, and only one with Harrow:
“In victory, her world has turned to ash.”
So, I guess I’ll find out in the best way, by diving in and finding out for myself.
A quick scan of reviews suggest they’re generally positive, although there’s a suggestion this book doesn’t necessarily tread an expected path from where Gideon left off. From my point-of-view, this makes the book far more interesting than otherwise, whetting my appetite to “read on.”
Something I intend to do, over the Christmas-New Year break, if not before.
Harrow is a very good story, but a total puzzle until about the final quarter. Well worth the effort to just run with the supposed nonsensical plot. Read it in order starting with Page 1, until you get to the end. (I did consider reading it by Chapter dates)
I don’t think I can explain further without giving up the plot, and sneaking a peek at the last page will not help explain the plot.
Can’t wait for the third book.
Now you are really whetting my appetite, June. I’m always up for a story that keeps me guessing.