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.

I thought I was late to this, but no one else has started yet so I don't feel so bad lol. This book is craaaaaaazy!

Part I

(view spoiler)[ I enjoyed the first bit with Gideon trying to escape and seeing Lady Harrow's use of necromancy - super cool! - but am less interested now they're at this trial thing. I don't know why, but I'm finding it quite a difficult read... is this just me? I really have to concentrate to work out what's going on - it might be the small text or just that I'm distracted anyway at the moment. I would have liked to see a bit more of the Ninth before they left. (hide spoiler)]

Same! I am late but I've only just been able to start! I'll update here later on today

Yay! Have to admit I'm struggling with this one a bit, so it'll be nice to have someone to read with :)

sorry for starting so late! so excited for this series, i’ve heard so many amazing things about it

lol I'm glad we're all late...

Up to page 40 so far:

(view spoiler)[
Idk why I'm struggling so much with this book right now. It's just difficult to kinda get my mind around where we are world wise. I imagine it'll get better as I continue but it is not grabbing my attention right now to keep going.

I know I have to power through based on what I've heard, but oh the first half of finding yourself in a new world is sometimes a bit harder for me. I do really like Gideon's character so far though, and I love the spunky attitude (hide spoiler)]

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "I thought I was late to this, but no one else has started yet so I don't feel so bad lol. This book is craaaaaaazy!

Part I

[spoilers removed]"

OMG SAME

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "I thought I was late to this, but no one else has started yet so I don't feel so bad lol. This book is craaaaaaazy!

Part I

[spoilers removed]"

adult fantasy books are normally a bit harder for me, you’re not alone!

chapter 13
(view spoiler)[“touch me again and i’ll kill you” can’t wait for them to become significant others (hide spoiler)]

chapter 30
(view spoiler)[i like how palamedes pointed out the similarities in their experiences (hide spoiler)]

chapter 31
(view spoiler)[that baby thing is sick…what the hell (hide spoiler)]

done
(view spoiler)[wow this was awesome!! and harrow’s a lyctor now!! i can’t wait to see what happens next (hide spoiler)]

I'm in such a book rut at the moment that this book has been difficult to pick back up...

my library’s audiobook copy doesn’t have chapters displayed for some reason so i’ll have to use percentages 😅
68%
(view spoiler)[ assuming she’s having sex with ianthe is FOULLLL (hide spoiler)]

93%
(view spoiler)[“the woman i was pretty sure was actually my mother, wearing the body of a woman i’d had a crush on, who in turn had been wearing the identity of a woman she’d murdered…” this book is so insane, i love it (hide spoiler)]

95%
(view spoiler)[if i had a nickel for every book series i read in which a character named annabel died unfairly, i’d have two nickels. which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it happened twice (hide spoiler)]

Well done for getting on with it; I'm seriously struggling with this one. I've put it to the side for now (I have a number of other buddy reads; didn't plan this month well lol), but hopefully will come back to it some time this week.

Heard such good things but I really wasn't into it :( Hopefully I'll be more into it after a break...

Mucia wrote: "I'm in such a book rut at the moment that this book has been difficult to pick back up..."

I feel you! I've managed to finish one book I was kinda struggling with but the idea of picking this back up is completely unattractive right now :/

Ellen-Arwen wrote: "Well done for getting on with it; I'm seriously struggling with this one. I've put it to the side for now (I have a number of other buddy reads; didn't plan this month well lol), but hopefully will..."

i hope you like it if you decide to pick it up again!

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RESTARTING JUNE 1, 2025



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Started Harrow, for those who haven't read it this is a trust the author book. It's so so good but you will spend the first 2/3rds going what the hell is going on. Once all is revealed it's amazing, such a brilliant book.

Read these last week, just need to add my thoughts.

Not me getting to this a full two months later than planned, OOF. But I've started the second one! And it's just as confusing as everyone said!

End of Act One: (view spoiler)[For a hot second there I was worried that the events of the first book were all some hallucination, but now that Ortus-in-the-past is asking cryptic shit like "Is this really how it happens?" I'm definitely sure that book 1 happened, and the issue is Harrow's memories in book 2. I'm interested to see how her relationship develops with Iolanthe - we didn't get a ton of Ianthe in the first one, and it looks like she has the potential to be more than just an enemy/tentative ally in this one (hide spoiler)]

End of Act Two: (view spoiler)[I understand that there are literally thousands of years of animosity behind these characters, but I really wish they would all get a fucking grip and do some basic communication. Since Harrow doesn't have her memories, it feels like there's not a ton to grasp onto with this book, and all the vague bullshit from God and the other Lyctors is wearing on my nerves a little bit. I am entertained though, so I can't be too mad at it. (hide spoiler)]

End of Act Three: (view spoiler)[I'm actually kinda obsessed with all the little humanizing touches to God and the other Lyctors. Like yeah he's the Emperor Undying, but also he needs to get laid sometimes. And he's got limited options. That feels so much more grounded and character-based than a lot of fantasy books with immortal characters who are mysterious/obsessively pious all the time. (hide spoiler)]

End of Act Four: (view spoiler)[I wasn't that obsessed with Ianthe in book one, but holy shit she's awesome here. I love the sexual/romantic tension between her and Harrow. This section of the book really grabbed me - things are heating up and getting more complex but also I feel less unmoored than I did in the first few acts so I'm enjoying the read a lot more. (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[The modern day at the end?? WTF is happening?? Loved this book, though, especially now that Gideon is back (hopefully to stay!) I already have the next one out from the library (hide spoiler)]