Nona the Ninth

Nona the Ninth follows the story of a mysterious being called Nona who inhabits the body of Harrowhark, a powerful necromancer. Set in a distant future where necromancy and space travel coexist, the narrative centers on Nona's life as a teacher's assistant who possesses unexplained magical abilities and an innate understanding of all languages. The story takes place on a war-torn planet where various factions vie for control, including the rebel group Blood of Eden and the established Nine Houses. Nona finds herself caught between these opposing forces while living with a group of necromancers and warriors who protect her, all working under the cover of a rebel cell. The book builds on the complex universe established in the previous Locked Tomb novels, expanding the scope of its necromantic science fantasy setting. Multiple characters share bodies, political tensions escalate, and questions of identity and loyalty drive the narrative forward. This third installment in the Locked Tomb series explores themes of personhood, belonging, and the nature of consciousness while continuing to challenge conventions of both science fiction and fantasy genres.

Readers call the book confusing but emotionally powerful. Many note it feels different from previous books in the series, with a slower pace and focus on character development rather than action. Readers praised: - The exploration of trauma and healing - Character interactions and relationships - The last 100 pages ("worth the confusion" - multiple reviews) - Nona's unique perspective and voice Common criticisms: - Too many timeline shifts and perspective changes - Plot feels disconnected from previous books - Key questions remain unanswered - Hard to follow without re-reading earlier books Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (31,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (3,000+ ratings) StoryGraph: 4.2/5 Several reviewers noted feeling frustrated during the first half but satisfied by the ending. Multiple Reddit threads debate whether the book should have been split into two volumes. The most frequent comment across platforms is "I have no idea what's happening but I love it."

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🦴 The Locked Tomb series began as Muir's response to a Tumblr post requesting "lesbian necromancers in space," which she transformed into a complex, multi-layered narrative universe. 🌌 Before writing the series, Muir worked as a professional horror writer in New Zealand, and her expertise in horror elements strongly influences the gothic atmosphere of the books. ⚔️ The series' unique blend of science fiction and necromancy was partly inspired by Muir's interest in both modern scientific concepts and medieval religious texts about resurrection. 📚 "Nona the Ninth" was originally intended to be part of "Alecto the Ninth" but grew so large during writing that Muir and her publisher decided to split it into two separate books. 🎮 Muir has cited video games, particularly Dark Souls and Bloodborne, as significant influences on her world-building and the way she approaches death and resurrection in her stories.