Diving into the enigmatic, labyrinthine world of Tamsyn Muir’s ‘Nona the Ninth’ is a journey that defies expectations and challenges the boundaries of traditional storytelling. As a follow-up to the acclaimed ‘Harrow the Ninth,’ this not-so-final installment delves deeper into the realm of necromancy. Be on the lookout for the next book in the series!
Nona the Ninth is the third novel in the Locked Tomb trilogy. The trilogy features the following novels:
- Gideon the Ninth (2019)
- Harrow the Ninth (2020)
- Nona the Ninth (2022)
Table of Contents [CLICK HERE TO OPEN]
Harrow the Ninth
Her city is under siege.
The zombies are coming back.
And all Nona wants is a birthday party.
In many ways, Nona is like other people. She lives with her family, has a job at her local school, and loves walks on the beach and meeting new dogs. But Nona’s not like other people. Six months ago she woke up in a stranger’s body, and she’s afraid she might have to give it back.
The whole city is falling to pieces. A monstrous blue sphere hangs on the horizon, ready to tear the planet apart. Blood of Eden forces have surrounded the last Cohort facility and wait for the Emperor Undying to come calling. Their leaders want Nona to be the weapon that will save them from the Nine Houses. Nona would prefer to live an ordinary life with the people she loves, with Pyrrha and Camilla and Palamedes, but she also knows that nothing lasts forever.
And each night, Nona dreams of a woman with a skull-painted face…
Our Review
Despite the Locked Tomb series’ intricate perspectival shifts and complex plot details, the central star-crossed romance between Gideon Nav and Harrowhark Nonagesimus remains its emotional core. In the second book, Gideon’s repeated death and the emergence of a mysterious girl signaled Tamsyn Muir’s commitment to defying conventional narrative resolutions. The lingering question of “Who is Nona?” has intrigued readers since the announcement of the third installment, yet Muir deliberately leaves this inquiry partially unanswered in Nona the Ninth. Instead, she dismantles the elaborate world crafted in the previous two books, grounding her readers in a narrative that feels closer to reality.
Except for some dreams of a woman clad in a painted face, Nona knows nothing beyond her unremarkable life in a city verging on social collapse. Living amongst interplanetary refugees and menaced by a blue sphere in the sky. After Gideon’s street-smarts and Harrow the Ninth’s disorienting use of second person, Nona carries her own unique voice. A little naive and fierce is a brilliant reflection of her age. Moreover, her unwavering love for the world.
After Cam, Pal, and Pyrrha’s efforts to prevent their hopes of finding Harrow and Gideon shape who Nona becomes, it’s difficult to watch the weight of the baroque plot that ostensibly produced Nona suddenly falling on her shoulders, demanding she act accordingly.
Alecto the Ninth is poised for a significant undertaking, and I am confident that Muir will once again astonish us—not just with the tale she unfolds but with her narrative approach. Nevertheless, concluding Nona the Ninth left me with a sense of uncertainty. The fleeting acquaintance with Nona, however inevitable, prompts contemplation on whether the gains justify the losses. In a series unafraid of delving into the darkest realms of death and grief, I yearn to hold onto a character’s assurance that “you can’t take love away.” In a universe where resurrection is possible, the past tense may not be as robust or straightforward as it appears. The Locked Tomb saga unfolds, and the awaited character finally speaks, yet unlike Muir’s characters racing ahead with witty remarks, I find myself still mourning the departed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nona the Ninth about?
Nona the Ninth is a story of a loving family. It is an unusual family: Camilla and Palamedes (who share a body) and Pyrrha love Nona. Cam and Pal love each other, and all share their love for Nona, who loves them back.
How old is Nona in Nona the Ninth?
Nona is both six months old and eighteen years old.
Is there a 4th Book in the Locked Tomb Series?
Gasp! There is indeed! Or rather, there will be. Alecto the Ninth is set to be the next book in the series.
Is Nona the Ninth part of a series?
Yes, Nona the Ninth is the second book in The Locked Tomb trilogy, following Harrow the and preceding “Alecto the Ninth.”
Praise for the series:
Harrow the Ninth, an Amazon pick for Best SFF of 2020 and the New York Times and USA Today bestselling sequel to Gideon the Ninth, turns a galaxy inside out as one necromancer struggles to survive the wreckage of herself aboard the Emperor’s haunted space station.
The Locked Tomb is a 2023 Hugo Award Finalist for Best Series!
“Lesbian necromancers explore a haunted gothic palace in space! Decadent nobles vie to serve the deathless emperor! Skeletons!” —Charles Stross on Gideon the Ninth
“Unlike anything I’ve ever read.” —V.E. Schwab on Gideon the Ninth
“Deft, tense and atmospheric, compellingly immersive and wildly original.” —The New York Times on Gideon the Ninth
In the end, Tamsyn Muir’s Nona the Ninth is more than a book; it’s an adventure waiting to be embarked upon, an exploration of a world that stretches the boundaries of imagination and leaves an indelible mark on all who dare to delve into its pages.
