As someone who has read the entire Locked Tomb series, Heather's description of Gideon the Ninth characters getting easier to keep track of "For Reasons" absolutely cracked me up ROTFL I finished reading Harrow out of sheer stubbornness and because my spouse and I were reading the series together (he's a big necromancy fan in general and is obsessed with how the Locked Tomb series portrays it). It was a million times better the second time through, I have to say! The first time when you don't have a freaking clue what's happening, I found it so frustrating. The reveal came about 50 pages too late for my taste (like 60% of the way through the book), BUT! That reveal is admittedly incredible, and ultimately HtN has one of the best explanations for second person POV I've ever seen and the "flashback" chapters become very poignant/funny. It was just very very very frustrating to read that first time. Like, I actually wished I had been spoiled for it because it would've made it so much easier for me to enjoy. Thankfully, Nona the Ninth is MUCH easier to follow, even easier than GtN since you already know the world. Also Nona as a POV character is DELIGHTFUL! So adorable.
Ok this is actually super helpful and makes me feel more inclined to go back to it! I think I’m maybe about 15% in? And was fully just like WHAAAAAAAT IS EVEN GOING ON HERE??? And I’m also glad to hear there’s an explanation for the second person POV because it’s something I often find to be really affected-sounding unless there’s a real narrative purpose for it. So this comment is making me feel way less defeated about the whole thing, thank you!! 💖💖💖💖 I hate DNFing books but I was really not sure I’d make it thru this one. 😆
I'm in the "loved Gideon, hated Harrow" bunch -- I wish I'd just read the last 30% or so of Harrow because I want my time back. I agree with Heather's assessment of Gideon 100% with being thrown in at the beginning feeling totally worth it as it comes together so satisfyingly at the end, but did not feel that way about the sequel; I don't think I'll continue the series -- there are too many books and too little time! I've read zero Leigh Bardugo but I quite like the Shadow & Bone TV series; I hope there will be more. I am in awe of the LEGO Vespa! That is amazing!
Yeah I’m still trying to decide what to do about Harrow! I just looked and I actually left off farther into it than I remembered…about 25% or so, but I feel like I’d need to start over from the beginning if I were to actually finish it, which: 😩😩😩 (note to self: if a book makes you feel like 😩 possibly you should just DNF it 😆)
Someone described Fourth Wing as the book equivalent to a Marvel film and I thought that was a perfect description. It’s very entertaining and super fun and I don’t need it to be world changing for me to have a great time 😁
