Necromancers, swordfights, and a haunted gothic puzzle-palace: Gideon the Ninth is Tamsyn Muir’s wildly inventive blend of dark science fantasy, locked-room mystery, and pitch-black humor. It pairs a foul-mouthed swordswoman with the grim heir she can’t stand and sends them into a deadly trial where everyone has secrets.
Get the Gideon the Ninth Audiobook on AmazonListen on Audible · also in Kindle & printWhat Gideon the Ninth is about
In a far-future empire ruled by necromancers, Gideon Nav has spent her whole life serving the gloomy, decaying Ninth House she’s desperate to escape. Her plans for freedom are upended when Harrowhark, the Ninth’s brilliant and ruthless heir, needs her for a once-in-a-generation summons: the Emperor has called the heirs of the great Houses and their sworn cavaliers to a crumbling, secret-filled mansion to compete for a rare and powerful prize.
What follows is part deadly contest, part locked-room mystery, as rival Houses circle one another and the trials turn dangerous. Tamsyn Muir mixes gothic atmosphere, intricate worldbuilding, sharp banter, and genuine menace, all anchored by the prickly, electric dynamic between Gideon and Harrowhark.
| Author | Tamsyn Muir |
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Why Gideon the Ninth is great on audio
Gideon’s wry, irreverent first-person voice is a huge part of the appeal, and it really comes alive performed aloud – the humor lands and the tense moments hit harder. The Gideon the Ninth audiobook is a great pick if you love character-driven fantasy where voice and tone matter as much as plot.
Who should listen
For listeners who love darkly comic, atmospheric fantasy with a big cast, a mystery to untangle, and a spiky central relationship. It gets grim and gory, so it suits adult readers.
If you like Gideon the Ninth, listen to these next
- The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
- A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
- The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
How to listen to Gideon the Ninth
Gideon the Ninth is available on Audible and Amazon. If you’re new to Audible you can listen with a free trial, or buy the audiobook (also in Kindle and print) on Amazon.
Get the Gideon the Ninth Audiobook on AmazonListen on Audible · also in Kindle & printFrequently asked questions
How can I listen to the Gideon the Ninth audiobook?
It’s available on Audible and Amazon. New Audible members can start with a free trial, or buy it on Amazon.
Is it part of a series?
Yes – it’s the first book in Tamsyn Muir’s The Locked Tomb series.
What genre is Gideon the Ninth?
It’s a genre-blending science fantasy – necromancers and gothic atmosphere in a far-future empire, with a locked-room mystery and sword-and-banter energy, aimed at adult readers.
Is it funny or serious?
Both – Gideon’s sarcastic narration brings a lot of humor, but the story also gets dark, tense, and at times gory.