Gideon the Ninth is a fantasy novel which combines a number of genres, themes, and elements to bring a quirky, dark story of necromancers, warriors, and labyrinths, in a mystery thriller format.   It was first published in 2019 and many readers were intrigued by the world, the characters, and the storytelling.   The author has gone on to write two more stories and has a loyal following.

I read the book with some interest, but then I found it hard-going.    Without the mystery element I would probably have abandoned the book.    It has strong characters and some creative ideas, but I found it somewhat contrived, coming up with magical/neuromantic answers to a series of challenges and secrets to be revealed.    I found the ending to be melodramatic.

I wanted to like the book and I had no problem with the horror, sentimentalism, and unusual world-building, but I found the overall story to be a bit clumsy and unengaging.  It is a book suitable for younger readers wanting alternate fantasy/sci fi, but it did little for me.   3.0 stars/5