Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Gideon the Ninth
- Author: Tamsyn Muir
- Narrator: Moira Quirk
- Length: 16:50:19
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 10/09/2019
- Publisher: Recorded Books
- Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
It’s not every day you stumble across a tale that feels like it’s been whispered across the galaxy, carried on the winds of some desolate, bone-strewn planet. “Gideon the Ninth” by Tamsyn Muir, narrated by the wildly talented Moira Quirk, is one of those rare audiobook experiences that grabs you by the collar and doesn’t let go. The story unfolds like a dusty road stretching out before you, full of unexpected turns, shadowed corners, and a cast of characters so vivid you’d swear they’re sitting shotgun beside you. I first pressed play on this sci-fi fantasy epic while winding through the stark, otherworldly expanse of the Atacama Desert in Chile – a place so surreal it felt like the perfect companion to Muir’s solar system of necromancers, swordplay, and cut-throat politics.
Let me paint you a picture: I’m cruising along, the sun dipping low over a landscape that looks like it’s been carved from the bones of the earth, when Gideon Nav’s voice – brash, irreverent, and dripping with sarcasm – bursts through my speakers. She’s a swordswoman raised among the dour nuns and skeletons of the Ninth House, itching to ditch the undead nonsense for a life beyond the ossuary. Then there’s Harrowhark Nonagesimus, her childhood nemesis and a bone witch with a mind sharper than a blade. The Emperor’s summoned them to a deadly trial, and Gideon’s sword is Harrow’s ticket to immortality – or doom. It’s a premise that hooked me instantly, reminding me of those nights in Oaxaca when a grandmother would spin tales of betrayal and bravery, her voice weaving magic into the air.
The audiobook experience here is something special, and a lot of that comes down to Moira Quirk’s narration. She’s got this knack for breathing life into every character – Gideon’s swagger practically leaps out of your headphones, while Harrow’s icy precision cuts through like a winter wind. You can almost hear the creak of ancient bones and the metallic ring of a sword being drawn. Quirk’s pacing is spot-on, too; she knows when to let a moment linger, like the silence before a storm, and when to charge ahead with the energy of a duel. It’s the kind of performance that takes me back to those desert drives, where a good narrator can make you feel like you’re living the story, not just listening to it.
What Muir does with “Gideon the Ninth” is build a world that’s as intoxicating as it is unsettling – a solar system where necromancy isn’t just magic, it’s politics, power, and survival. The Ninth House feels like a crumbling relic, its gothic decay seeping into every chapter, while the trial itself is a labyrinth of wits and violence that kept me guessing. There’s a thread of dark humor running through it all, too – Gideon’s quips about her dirty magazines or her disdain for the whole necromantic circus had me chuckling out loud more than once. It’s a bit like sitting around a campfire with a friend who’s seen too much but still knows how to make you laugh.
For me, this story hit close to home in ways I didn’t expect. Growing up, I was always the kid sneaking off with a book – or, let’s be honest, a stack of comics – dreaming of adventures beyond my little corner of the world. Gideon’s itch to escape, to swing her sword at something bigger than the life she’s been handed, felt like an echo of that restless kid I used to be. And Harrow? She’s the flip side – the one who’s all duty and discipline, carrying the weight of a dying legacy on her shoulders. Their dynamic is electric, a push-and-pull of loyalty and loathing that’s as compelling as any human connection I’ve stumbled across on my travels.
The themes here – identity, freedom, the messy ties that bind us – unfold like a journey through uncharted territory. Muir’s prose is lush yet brutal, painting a universe where every skeleton has a story and every alliance comes with a price. It’s science fiction and fantasy braided together with a gothic twist, and it’s unlike anything I’ve encountered in the genre. If I had to compare it, I’d say it’s got the wit and world-building of “The Locked Tomb” series (well, naturally, since it’s the first book!) crossed with the raw energy of a “Mad Max” chase scene – only with more lesbian necromancers and fewer dune buggies.
That said, it’s not a perfect ride. The sheer density of Muir’s world can feel like you’re trying to navigate a foreign city without a map – names, houses, and necromantic jargon pile up fast, and I found myself rewinding a few times to catch my bearings. For some, that complexity might be a hurdle, especially in audio form where you can’t flip back a page. And while Quirk’s narration is a triumph, there were moments where the rapid-fire dialogue between characters blurred together, making it tricky to track who was snarking at whom. Still, these are small bumps on an otherwise thrilling road.
If you’re into science fiction and fantasy with a taste for the macabre – or if you just love a d*mn good story – I can’t recommend this audiobook enough. It’s perfect for long drives, quiet nights, or anytime you want to lose yourself in a world that’s equal parts haunting and hilarious. The listening experience is immersive, thanks to Quirk’s stellar performance, and at 16 hours and 50 minutes, it’s a meaty journey worth every second. Plus, there’s a buzz about free audiobook options out there – check sites like Audiobooks.com for a sample or a deal to snag it without dropping $29.99.
Reflecting on it now, “Gideon the Ninth” feels like one of those rare finds you pick up on the road – a story that sticks with you long after the last chapter fades. It’s got the heart of an adventure, the soul of a tragedy, and the guts to swing a sword at convention. For me, it’s up there with the time I listened to “One Hundred Years of Solitude” under a desert sky – a tale that’s as much about the journey as the destination.
Until our next adventure, happy listening, Marcus Rivera
