Agatha Christie’s And
Then There Were None meets Hunger
Games and ends in a Harry Potter
and the Deathly Hallows-like action-packed climax in this totally immersive
sci-fi fantasy peopled with unique characters.
Gideon Nav has had enough of terribleness on the Ninth
planet. She packs her beloved two-handed sword and dirty magazines, arranges
for a shuttle and is ready to leave. Minutes before her shuttle arrives, the
Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House, Harrowhark Nonagesimus, arrives
and challenges Gideon to a duel with a deal that is surprisingly almost
entirely in Gideon’s favour, win or lose. Gideon and Harrow have a history of
hatred and while Gideon doesn’t trust Harrow, the stakes are too good to refuse
and Gideon is drawn into the duel, missing her shuttle. The Emperor has asked
all the heir-nacromancers of each house and their cavaliers to try and become
Lyctors. Harrow wants to win the trial of wits and abilities badly because she
can then save her fast-extinguishing House. But she doesn’t have a cavalier and
orders Gideon to be her cavalier for the trial and then Gideon would be set
free without strings. And Gideaon Nav becomes Gideon the Ninth, cavalier to the
Reverend Daughter. Gideon’s and Harrow’s prickly relationship continues when
they reach the first planet but the trials demand that the teams work together
and then people start dying mysteriously.
The book entirely follows Gideon’s PoV but develops most
characters excellently. The chemistry between Gideon and Harrow is crackling
from their very first interaction. In fact, as soon as she arrived on the
scene, Harrow totally reached us deep within our hearts. She is not around for
quite a bit in the beginning of the trial and we missed her so badly, despite
the extremely engaging new characters being introduced during that period. This
is being listed under lesbian fiction but sexuality is entirely immaterial to the this main storyline of action, adventure and
mystery. Yes, Gideon is attracted to other women, but there is no physical
follow-up on the attraction. All the relationships develop organically. While
there is no real romance track, the emotions and emotional connections are
strong enough to tug at your heartstrings.
We are not completely convinced about the ultimate antagonist
in the story. Her reasons, background and actions didn’t completely jell
together.
There are some books and characters with whom you get so
involved that you want to write your own story for them. When you don’t like
what the author has done with favourite characters and relationships you’re
rooting for and itch for other outcomes ranting against the reality the author
has given them, it is a huge achievement for the writer. This is one such book.
There are characters and relationships dear to us and we are forever going to
be imagining our own realities for them.
The audiobook is performed by Moira Quirk and she is
absolutely outstanding. She adds personality to each character, depth to every
emotion and atmosphere to every description. Her performance is so captivating
that we found ourselves abandoning all work and conversations till we finished
the book.
All in all, and absolutely great sci-fi, young adult
fantasy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
