The book alternates between two perspectives second-person chapters documenting Harrow's experiences in the present as a Lyctor, and third-person chapters that take place in the past, documenting Harrow's memories of the events in Canaan House in Gideon the Ninth.

Ianthe appears to know the reason behind these letters, but has been hexed by this past Harrow to prevent her from any talk of it. In addition, large portions of Harrow’s memory are missing Ianthe Tridentarius gives her a series of letters written by Harrow herself, giving her detailed instructions for what to do or avoid doing in various scenarios. He apologizes that she does not have a real choice in returning to her House, because the Lyctors are perpetually being chased by Resurrection Beasts, the 'ghosts' of the dead planets of the Nine Houses. Despite this, the Emperor fulfills his promise and renews the Ninth House by waking several hundred people from cryogenic sleep and delivering them as new citizens to the Ninth. It is the second in Muir's Locked Tomb series, preceded by Gideon the Ninth (2019) and followed by Nona the Ninth (2022) and forthcoming Alecto the Ninth (2023).Īfter ascending to Lyctorhood in Gideon the Ninth, Harrowhark 'Harrow' Nonagesimus discovers that her process of ascension is somehow imperfect and she lacks many of a Lyctor's standard powers. Harrow the Ninth is a 2020 science fantasy novel by the New Zealand writer Tamsyn Muir.

Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir