Oh wow. Is it really that time? I'm not sure I'm emotionally ready for this, but you guys know I won't be able to resist the temptation. That's right; I'm talking about the third novel in The Locked Tomb series by Tamsyn Muir. Nona the Ninth was a bit of a surprise for us readers, as we had been expecting Alecto the Ninth. But hey! One more book for this brilliant series! Nobody is going to complain about that.

Nona could be concerned with many things, such as the return of the zombies (aka the necromancers) or that her city is under siege and about to tear apart. But Nona would prefer to focus on her friends, family, and her impending birthday.

Okay, there is one current event that has caught Nona's attention. The giant blue sphere hovering over the planet is hard to ignore. Nona doesn't find it as frightening as everyone else. Though it probably helps that she doesn't know what her allies hope or expect from her.

Wow. Wow. Wow. Can we just stop everything and give Tamsyn Muir an award? Right now, please. Because, wow! I knew Nona the Ninth would be a brilliant read – it would take all of our expectations and twist them into something wholly unexpected and compelling. But I was still unprepared for what I found in Nona the Ninth.

Words cannot express how amazing Nona the Ninth is. Actually, scratch that. Words cannot express how amazing the entire Locked Tomb series has been. It just so happens that Nona the Ninth is the ideal continuation of this story.

First, there was Gideon, full of personality (some would call that description too kind). Then Harrow, full of mystery and determination. Now there's Nona, and she is a story all of her own. Her story unfolds in two parts. Much of it is told through her perspective, though other details flow through her dreams.

These Dreams seem to be telling us an ancient story of immediate relevance. Readers will have to do a lot of reading between the lines here, but doing so will allow them to understand the whole picture – and every horrifying implication that comes with it.

Nona the Ninth is a bold and fascinating addition to this series. It made me worry, smile, cry, and laugh. Sometimes all at once. It's the sort of emotional roller coaster that only Tamsyn Muir could pull off.

To my fellow readers, let me offer you this piece of advice – read Nona the Ninth. If you haven't read the whole of The Locked Tomb series, do that first. If you read those, do yourself a favor and reread Gideon and Harrow the Ninth first. You won't regret it. This complex series deserves to be fresh on your mind before moving forward.

Nona the Ninth was not the book that I was expecting but it was the book that the series needed. With the addition of Nona's story, we get a very different perspective of the world and the conflict. This addition adds incredible depth to the story and pushes the reader to question things they had previously taken for granted.

Tamsyn Muir is one of the most talented writers I have ever read from. Her ability to create a distinct tone and voice for each of her characters is mindblowing. I reread Gideon the Ninth and Harrow the Ninth immediately before receiving this book so it was very clear to me how different each book is. Nona is a very, very different story from the first two books and Muir makes you feel it with every word on the page.

Further evidence of Muir's genius can be found in the interlude chapters. Interlude chapters are hard to incorporate successfully, however, in Nona the Ninth they add to the mystery and take the story to an even larger scale.

There were plot moments that I predicted and plot moments that left me reeling in shock. Nona is not going to answer your questions. She is going to turn your world upside down and leave you with many many more questions. And the answers you do get are simply going to prompt more questions.

Don't let that scare you off. Nona is a much easier read than Harrow. You still have to be willing to look between the lines and question what you are told. But that is typical of the entire Locked Tomb Quartet. I was not confused or left with questions because I did not understand the story. I understood everything that was happening, but I don't know what any of it means.

Nona added so many important and fascinating variables to the story which made it feel like a book to prepare us for the chaotic finale that will be Alecto the Ninth. That being said the book was very necessary and I am incredibly glad it was added to the series.

Nona the Ninth is a book of slow-building tension and ever-present suspicion that left me right on the edge of my seat and in desperate need of Alecto the Ninth. I don't care what else I read this year, this book is my favorite book of 2022.

Another fantastic installment of the Locked Tomb series. Muir somehow manages to create an immersive story that somehow never feels bogged down. A perfect balance of weight and levity. I was riveted from beginning to end.

I was lucky enough to read this as an ARC!
Nona was a joy to read - and will be an even bigger joy to reread when it officially comes out. I desperately loved the characters this story chose to center, desperately rooted for them as shit went down and, yes, desperately tried to make sense of the storyline as it took its sweet time unfolding. Luckily, not unlike Harrow the Ninth, it all made more and more sense the further I dove in, and was well worth any struggle. I cried at the end, and I think you might too.

When literary historians look back on this era, I know they’re going to say that Sally Rooney and Ottessa Moshfegh described a lot of how it was, and that the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Pixar described how we wanted things to be. But I hope they know that Tamsyn Muir’s Locked Tomb series describes how it feels. To be alive right now feels brutal, insane, complicated, tragic, and hilarious, and we are all of us so acutely aware of everything falling to pieces around us. I can think of few better expressions than Gideon, Harrow, and now Nona the Ninth, all of which love letters to Millennial culture, paeans to shitposting and being perpetually online. They are we take nothing seriously and are also simultaneously sad about everything. The series is the encapsulation of a cultural moment, and maybe even of a whole generation that was given a heap of dead and dying things and told to make miracles with them.

The earth is one of the major dying things, in the last throes of habitability as humanity is trying to put together a way out. Capitalism also isn’t looking too hot; the disembodied hand of the market has fused with rigor mortis into a final, perpetual middle finger from the mega-wealthy to everyone else. The trillionaires are still building their own rocket ships, only now instead of joyrides, they’re taking every last useful resource and absconding, and this time it’s not to offshore fiefdoms—it’s off-world entirely.

World governments, in various shades of inept and corrupt, are trying to make sure it’s not just the trillionaires who leave, and John—a.k.a. the Emperor, a.k.a. God—is trying to be part of the solution. He and his small team are running a cryogenics program to put the whole world into suspended animation until they can be ferried to Tau Ceti and one of the planets they hope will be a new home. And for a moment it seems like it’s all going to work out. Science is going to save us, and humanity will take to the stars at long last. And if science doesn’t do it, some kind of miracle will surely go rest of the distance.

Sure, John.

The miracle is necromancy, and it’s a third-rate miracle at best. It turns out that nobody cares if you’re Jesus-adjacent when the world is a mess. (Anyone who has read the New Testament can confirm that this is how it went for original recipe Jesus, too.) Healing the sick and raising the dead doesn’t fix rampant inequality, government incompetence, or the general human tendency to be a dick. And that includes John and his team. Nona the Ninth starts with John reciting his sins in a way that’s less confession and more justification, although we don’t know the full extent to which that’s true until the end. Muir, as always, doles out information in a way that only looks haphazard or slow. There’s actually a glut of information available from the first; unfortunately, and for the third time in as many books, we once again don’t have the context to fully understand it.

Full review on strange horizons

4.5 stars

Tamsyn Muir is absolutely unhinged and I love her for it. Her brain exists in an entirely different dimension and my singular brain cell is not strong enough to understand half of this book, but what I did understand was absolutely brilliant. I think if you've gotten to this point and you've read the first two Locked Tomb books, you will know what to expect when it comes to Tamsyn Muir, and it is that you literally cannot predict a single thing she will do - all you know is that you're in for a ride, and it will be rewarding in a lot of ways, but you'll also be left with more questions than the ones you went in with.

This book picks up from the epilogue of <i>Harrow the Ninth</i>, where we are following our titular character, Nona, in what appears to be a sort of war-torn, apocalyptic version of Earth, while we, the reader, are counting down to the opening of the Locked Tomb. I won't lie, the first half of this book was slow, and it took me a while to get into, which is why this isn't a full 5 stars. Once I hit the 50% mark though, I was completely hooked.

I've seen a lot of reviews saying this book is easier to follow than <i>Harrow</i>, and I personally disagree. Sure, the plot itself might be more straightforward simply because we're dealing with a more linear timeline, but that's about all that's straightforward. There are far more characters to keep track of here, and some of the characters we know from previous installments may or may not have the same name, or they may or may not look the same as we remember, and if you're like me and you're constantly trying to piece things together, it can sometimes send your brain into overdrive. I think if I'd read this physically and had been able to tab things and flip back and forth constantly, this would be easier, but I wasn't able to do so on my e-book. None of this is a mark against the book, but just something I wanted to mention in case anyone reads other reviews and is expecting an easier time understanding the book than <i>Harrow</i>.

Nona is a phenomenal main character, and so incredibly different to both Gideon and Harrow. Gideon is basically a lesbian himbo, and Harrow is an unhinged emo teen, but Nona is nothing like either of them - she has a lot of heart, and her main defining characteristic is that she loves everyone and everything, but not to the point where she's annoying or naive. She's child-like, but still questions the world around her. She's a little cinnamon roll that must be protected at all costs. It took a while for her to grow on me, but by the end, I think she's the main character that I've cried over/about the most.

All in all, this was a great entry in the series. I was a bit worried that it would read like a filler book because it was originally conceived as Part 1 of <i>Alecto</i>, and I definitely would say parts of the first half of the book felt that way while I read them, but by the end, I kind of look back on those moments in a different light, so I don't feel that way anymore. I cannot wait for this book to be out in the world so that people with more brain cells than me can read it and write up detailed summaries and theories that I can then read. I don't think Locked Tomb fans will be disappointed - Tamsyn Muir has really delivered yet another masterpiece with plenty of twists and turns that will have you laughing out loud, screaming, and crying all within the span of a chapter.

I've come to expect a lot from the Locked Tomb Series, and Nona gave me more than I could have imagined. It's a totally different book from Harrow, as Harrow was a totally different book from Gideon, yet rich with the same crackling humor and heartstopping grief, thrilling confusions and electrifying reveals. There are visuals that will be seared into my brain forever, and knots that just one read can't possibly untangle (so I'm planning on at least four or five more). Somehow it feels like escapism to slide into Nona's world of mutant dogs and birthday parties and too-real hatred and terrifying peril, because Nona's world is really all about love and the messy ways we wield it.

I love Nona. I must protect Nona. Muir likes to keep us readers muttering/saying/screaming "what" in a variety of different tones while we move through her stories. This picks up immediately in the aftermath of the fuzzy ending of Harrow. It's a quieter, more character driven entry than action filled Gideon or angst fueled Harrow. Nona just wants to make friends and be a friend. You will want to wrap her in a nice blanket and give her puppies. That's just who Nona is. As you should expect, there is mystery afoot, and Muir will reveal it in her own good time. You'll devour it as fast as you did Harrow, and it will just make you want the final volume even more.

I love Nona, and Nona loves me. This definitely read as more of an interlude between Harrow and Alecto, and maybe not QUITE necessary, but also very necessary because I loved spending time with Nona. This was definitely an easier read than Harrow (HTN is my favorite of the three, still) but more confusing than Gideon, and while answers were received, more questions were popped up. The ending, while exciting, also threw me for a bit of a loop. Overall, an excellent addition to the Locked Tomb series.

This book drags at the beginning, but by the halfway point I could not put it down. Tamsyn Muir is a master of confusing and manipulating the reader, but in a good way. Nona is very lovable and is an interesting POV character because she is the person in the book least aware of what is going on. I am really excited to see how the series wraps up in the next book!

This book was excellent as I expected it to be. It focuses on different characters and diving into them was a delight.

Oh gosh I have SO many questions. So many. Tamsyn Muir is always one step ahead of of her audience, and I love being kept guessing. Trying to put the pieces together and never quite managing it, then reaching the end and being left with even more questions! Nona the Ninth is another brilliant addition to The Locked Tomb series, and I'll be on pins and needles waiting for the next installment.

Nona the Ninth, the much-anticipated third in the Locked Tomb series, is a quietly brilliant book.

Originally part of the third and final novel in the series, Alecto the Ninth, Nona was expanded to a novel in its own right after Tamsyn Muir found the story growing more than she’d planned – and seeing the results, it’s clear she did the right thing. Readers already familiar with the series will be thrilled, while new readers will find themselves drawn into a world of necromancy, mystery, and characters to love – or love to hate.

This is a series where the reader does need to have read through the previous books to fully understand what’s taking place, because the overall story has been built so beautifully that to miss out on the context of the early books would be a true shame. With that said, though, each novel has been entirely different, and Muir wastes no time in establishing Nona’s unique voice.

While the action in Nona moves the story along at a good pace, it feels like a quieter book than the murder mystery of Gideon, or the intensity of Harrow. The character of Nona is the definition of innocence, but is never tipped over into naivete. The world from her perspective at first seems like a simpler place, until the author uses her extraordinary abilities to imply much more than she says outright; the reader is allowed to make connections much sooner than Nona.

There’s a significant portion of this series that involves reading between the lines, and though this book is certainly easier to follow than the last, readers do need to be ready to take an active part in piecing together the story. But importantly, it’s such a fun book, and Nona really is an incredibly appealing character, one I found it very easy to connect to and root for.

Nona the Ninth is an impressive entry in a bold, powerful series, a series that’s proving a playground for Tamsyn Muir’s remarkable imagination. It’s made big waves, and this novel keeps the momentum going while adding a whole new dimension to an already compelling story. I’m more interested than ever to see where Muir will take us, but regardless of the destination I’m loving the journey to get there.

Wow.

So if you're reading this and haven't read Gideon the Ninth and Harrow the Ninth, know that this is NOT the kind of series with any onboarding point but the beginning. That said, I'm going to try to keep things as spoiler-free as possible.

This book is fantastic, just like the other two. And just like Harrow, it takes a turn setting-wise from the previous book (though I think this one's more accessible). The first book was set amongst the necromancers, the second amongst the Emperor and his god-level companions, and this one's mostly set amongst the humans (albeit with necromancer protagonists and main characters).

Nona lives on a world in chaos, with "zombies" possibly attacking the city, and with rampant homelessness, hunger, and chaos. Her companions and caretakers (I'm not naming them, as that would spoil some previous books) are aware that she's incredibly powerful, but also has no conscious knowledge of her past. She does remember stuff in her dreams, though, and they try to gather what information they can from her.

The first half of the book is largely world-building (along with some fantastic new characters), but once threads from the previous books make themselves known, things move along at a breakneck pace, with tons of action and intrigue, and some surprising characters becoming core to the plot.

If you're invested in this world, this book will keep you that way, and set up the final book in the series. If you were disappointed by Harrow and want, essentially, "Gideon 2," this isn't going to meet that need. That said, I think it's a delightful read (even when it's horrifying), and the drawback to getting an early look at it (thanks, NetGalley!) is that I have to wait even longer for the conclusion in "Alecto the Ninth,"

Another mindblowing installment to this series. I had to read the ending multiple times and even then I wasn't sure I had recovered. Of the three Ninth protagonists, Nona is my favorite. The cast of characters in this book were excellent.

You will love Nona and Nona loves you.

A tale worthy of turning the trilogy into a series. There are still more questions than answers, but it was a wild ride.

Nona the Ninth is another triumph from Tamsyn Muir, and a very welcome entry in the Locked Tomb series.

With a plot surrounding the mysterious Nona (our eponymous and immediately endearing hero) and some very familiar friends, a planet in the throes of rebellion, an apocalyptic yet strangely docile threat looming on the horizon, and some absolutely wild flashbacks to the beginning of everything, long-time fans of the Locked Tomb will feast on this book which expands the rich world Muir has been building and moves it towards an explosive conclusion. Expect a book full of secrets, mysteries, necromancers, and a finale that both answers and creates several pressing questions that readers can mull over as they wait for the final book in the series to come out.

A great read with wonderful characters, drama, big emotions, and all the good stuff you have come to expect from the Locked Tomb series.

Thanks to NetGalley, I had received an e-ARC copy of "Nona the Ninth".
Nona the Ninth was nothing like what I expected or wanted, but was exactly what we needed after all.

Readers will start just as confused as Nona is with very little to go on, but will pick up the plot twists and details that will have you on edge and biting your nails as the bits and pieces come together. The world building and setup doesn’t come together until the end, but it’s well worth the wait and seeming interlude. It's the sort of series to keep you speculating throughout. I can't wait to see where Alecto the Ninth takes us!

Another thing that has me coming back to this series is Tamsyn Muir’s great sense of humor. Even stripped of most of the memes in this volume (the books typically have a touch of someone stuck terminally online in the early 2010s - in the best sort of way! I obviously recognize the humor so I’m right there with her.) Stripped of her memes, she’s wickedly funny. Her sense of humor counterbalance the gravity in the books perfectly. I wish that I could quote specific lines without spoilers, since this book is very quotable!

This book is more chaotic than Gideon the Ninth and Harrow the Ninth, but I enjoyed every bit of it.

This book devoured my soul, it haunts my dreams. Nona is best girl, and I am so thankful we had time with her. I cannot see the absolute chaos that is bound to happen in Alecto. Also Paul, why that name Tamsyn? Although that part did have me sobbing at 3:30 am

I couldn't believe my luck when I got this book. Nona the Ninth, third book in the Locked Tomb series was everything I hoped for. I cared for every new character, and felt deeply for all the familiar characters. I didn't know I would LOVE Pyrrha, Nona, and Camilla/Palamedes so much, they are the comfort family. Blood of Eden is scheming, and so is the Emperor's necromancer. We get to learn about the origins of it all. The Locked Tomb will OPEN, and I can't wait for you to meet Paul and Kiriona Gaia.
"But if you don't end up questioning what you read in the end, did Tamsyn wrote it?" - ME
Thank you so much, NetGalley. I will love you forevermore,