"Out of this world" story and characters: Review of GIDEON THE NINTH

Happy belated Halloween! In honor of the recent holiday, how about a quick review of an appropriately spooky story: GIDEON THE NINTH.

It's a strange book to summarize. A blend of sci-fi and fantasy, we have groups of necromancers coming to an ancient complex to compete in a deadly contest with uncertain goals.

You might say the worldbuilding is "out of this world"!

In some ways, it's all as absurd as it sounds. Yet the writing is so self-aware and irreverent it somehow all coheres.

Part of that comes from Gideon having of the most engaging character voices I've read recently. Pair that with some touching relationships and moments shared and it made for quite the entertaining read.

Would recommend it if you're looking for something totally fresh, but only if you have a high tolerance for depravity of all kinds!