Gideon the Ninth
by Tamsyn Muir
The Locked Tomb
Best for: readers who want something genuinely strange and ambitious. A genre-bending necromantic fantasy built on the antagonistic, inseparable bond between a swordswoman and her necromancer rival. Dense, darkly funny, and unlike anything else on this list — for readers who want their sapphic romance wrapped inside real genre ambition. Find on Amazon
About This Book
Gideon the Ninth is a science fantasy romance novel by Tamsyn Muir, first published in 2019 by Tor Books. It is part of the The Locked Tomb series. Readers can expect enemies to lovers, forced proximity, rivals to lovers; sweet heat; a slow burn and emotional tone.
At a glance
- Genre
- Science Fantasy
- Trope
- Enemies to Lovers
- Heat
- Sweet
- Mood
- Slow Burn
- Published
- 2019
Where to read or listen
Get Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Why You May Love This Book
You may love this if…
- In a haunted gothic palace in space, a swordswoman and her necromancer rival must navigate a lethal trial to become immortal servants of the Emperor.
- Readers who love complex world-building
- Fans of dark humor and snark
- Intense
- Features Enemies to Lovers
This may not be ideal if…
- Readers looking for high heat or explicit romance
- Readers who prefer light, straightforward narratives
- Prose and world-building can be very dense
The Romance
Tropes, dynamics, and the chemistry that drives this story.
Tropes
Relationship Dynamics
Details
Type: Romantic Subplot
Pairing: F/F
Power balance: Skewed relationship between necromancer and cavalier
How It Feels
The emotional landscape you'll move through while reading.
High tension, high angst, high humor, and a satisfying emotional payoff.
Heat Level
Based on available metadata and editorial review.
Who Is This Book For?
Best for
Reading mood
May not suit
Recommended audience: Adult
Content Guidance
The Story
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no time for the Ninth House. But when the Emperor invites the heirs of each House to a trial of wits and skill, Gideon is blackmailed into serving as Harrowhark's protector. They must survive a crumbling mansion, skeletal horrors, and the machinations of other necromancers while unraveling a mystery that could change the galaxy.
Central Conflict
The intense, antagonistic relationship between Gideon and Harrowhark as they are forced to cooperate to survive a deadly necromantic competition.
Setting
A decaying, atmospheric gothic palace on the First House planet within a necromantic space-empire.
Themes
Strengths
- Incredibly unique voice
- Masterful blend of horror and humor
- Compelling and complex female lead
Consider before reading
- Prose and world-building can be very dense
- High barrier to entry for casual readers
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Discussion Guide
Questions to deepen your reading experience or spark a book club conversation.
- 1
How does the central conflict shape the relationship between the main characters?
- 2
Which theme — Space Gothic — resonated most strongly with you, and why?
- 3
How does the setting influence the characters' decisions and their relationship?
- 4
Did the emotional payoff feel earned by the story's buildup?
- 5
How do the relationship dynamics evolve throughout the story?
- 6
Who would you most want to recommend this book to?
- 7
How did the pacing affect your reading experience?
- 8
Which aspect of the story did you find most compelling?
How This Profile Was Created
Eikna uses book metadata and AI-assisted analysis to create structured romance profiles. Public profiles are reviewed and approved by an editor before publication.
- Editor reviewed:
- Yes
- Last reviewed:
- August 30, 2026
- Confidence:
- High confidence
- Profile version:
- eikna-public-book-intelligence-v1
About the Author
What Readers Say
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Publication Details
- Publisher
- Tor Books
- Published
- 2019
- Language
- English
- ISBN-13
- 9781250313171
- ISBN-10
- 1250313171
Gideon the Ninth: quick answers
- Who wrote Gideon the Ninth?
- Gideon the Ninth was written by Tamsyn Muir.
- When was Gideon the Ninth published?
- Gideon the Ninth was first published in 2019 by Tor Books.
- What genre is Gideon the Ninth?
- Gideon the Ninth is a science fantasy romance novel, with enemies to lovers, forced proximity, rivals to lovers.
- Is Gideon the Ninth part of a series?
- Yes — it is part of the The Locked Tomb series.
- How spicy is Gideon the Ninth?
- EIKNA rates Gideon the Ninth as sweet heat.
Are you the author? Verify your author profile to manage this book.
This is my book — sign inWhere to read or listen
Get Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
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