The second book in a series, especially a short series (three or four books), has a tough job to do. The first book ropes in the viewer, so it’s generally enjoyed. The last book wraps everything up, so it’s generally enjoyed. The second, or middle, books have to get you from the beginning to the end, so it’s generally not as well liked. This is very true of Harrow the Ninth.

In addition, I had a very difficult time with this book. The first issue is one that I had with Gideon the Ninth, and I suspect I will have with the latter two books. I don’t like horror, I don’t like psychological horror, and I don’t really like books that are gory, and Harrow the Ninth has all three in spades. In addition, it has been described as gaslighting the reader, as it describes the events of the first book as happening very differently–in one case, with a completely different character in an important position, as Harrow’s cavalier. Finally, Ortus (Harrow’s cavalier according to this book) is the name for two important characters, which is just confusing. It turns out, in the end, to have happened that way for a reason, but I found it confusing.

Confusing, and frequently disgusting, are the two best descriptions I have for this book. Until the last act, I was thinking I’d rate it two stars. In the end, I gave it three. It would probably benefit greatly from a reread, but I’m not sure I can stomach that. Maybe after the last two books.

Muir, Tamsyn. Harrow the Ninth. New York, New York: Tordotcom Books, 2020. 178,196 words. 3 stars.