NONA THE NINTH by Tamsyn Muir

2023 Nebula Award Nominee Reviews Part 6/6

Review by: Abe Ziesing

On par with the first two installments of THE LOCKED TOMB series, NONA THE NINTH is distinct, original and highly entertaining.

If you've read either of the first two books in this series then you already know the deal - necromancy, body horror, ass jokes - zombie science-fantasy featuring lots of kickass lesbians and gratuitous gore. These novels are also many-layered puzzles and difficult reads. If you don't keep your attention keenly focused, you'll surely miss some of the good stuff, and there is A LOT of good stuff! Tamsyn Muir loves to throw the proverbial kitchen sink at you in awkward ways, and without giving you many clues or even context as to what's going on and who's who. Even if you are paying close attention throughout, NONA THE NINTH is intentionally very dreamy and convoluted for over half of the book... and then Tamsyn Muir gives you some baby reveals... and then she gives you bigger and bigger reveals until the whole thing pays off for all of the "what the hell is going on here“ feelings. The mic-drop ending made me feel simultaneously excited to read the forthcoming series finale, and very pleased with the closure and overall quality of book three.