Mini-Review

Gideon is a scrappy sword fighter who just wants to get the hell off the dead-end ninth planet. Trouble is, the only way she can do that is by being a reluctant bodyguard for her childhood nemesis, who’s taking part in a deadly challenge to become one of the Emperor’s Lyctors.

Wow, this book was a real experience. Don’t be put off by the scary cover, it’s not Stephen King levels of scary, although it’s not for the completely squeamish. I went into it not knowing too much, except that people loved it, and I love it too. It’s such an intriguing and enjoyable genre mash up: science fiction, fantasy, murder mystery, suspense, action, gothic horror, etc. Gideon’s voice is HILARIOUSLY sassy. The plot is intricate. It’s a fantasy world with plastics and space travel and flip contemporary slang. I could have done with a little less action towards the end (never my forte). Otherwise, perfection. The audiobook is fab – Moira Quirk is an A+ narrator, loved her in Petticoats & Piracy as well. Can’t wait to read/listen to the next one!

Fyi: violence, blood & gore, violent deaths, mass killing, terminal illnesses, cancer, suicide, necromancy, profanity

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