by Tamsyn Muir
First published 2019
Gideon has spent her life surrounded by unfriendly nuns, ancient retainers, and countless skeletons on the Ninth House. She packs her sword, her shoes, and her dirty magazines, ready to escape a life of servitude and avoid an afterlife as a reanimated corpse. But her childhood nemesis Harrowhark Nonagesimus blocks her path to freedom. Harrow, the Reverend Daughter and bone witch extraordinaire, has received a summons from the Emperor. The heirs of each loyal House must compete in a deadly trial of wits and skill. Victory means Harrow becomes an immortal servant of the Resurrection. Failure means the Ninth House dies. No necromancer can ascend without their cavalier, and Harrow needs Gideon's sword to survive. Gideon must choose between her long-sought freedom and saving the house that raised her. In this solar system of swordplay and cut-throat politics, some things might be better left dead.
Genres: science-fiction, adventure, fantasy, action
Vibes: dark, emotional, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: chosen-one, enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Ninth House, Solar System
Period: Future
85 pages · Kindle Edition · Tor.com
Content warnings: violence