Gideon the Ninth

 Gideon the Ninth was... interesting. In this gory sci-fi/fantasy, necromancers from nine Houses compete to become Lyctors: powerful sorcerers in the service of the necromantic God. With the aid of their loyal sword-wielding partners (cavaliers, or "cavs"), the necromancers must complete a series of brutal challenges. The hero of the story is Gideon Nav, a red-haired, foul-mouthed, ass-kicking lesbian, and reluctant cav to Harrowhark, a sadistic and tight-lipped female necromancer of the Ninth House. Each House has its own flavor; the Ninth has a gothic vibe and is known for its secrecy and bone magic (perhaps the most creative device in the book). 

The concept of this story intrigued me, and the action was very exciting. However, I found it impossible to keep track of the 16+ characters (I missed the character summaries at the end of the book, which would have been really helpful). I was also disconcerted by the author's penchant for inserting modern slang into the mouths of her otherworldly characters. Finally, I was not satisfied with the answer to a central mystery, which struck me as very abrupt and contrived. 

In the final assessment, I enjoyed the read, but would likely not continue with the next books in the series.