Listen.
The movie is better.
This book could have been incredible if, similar to his other works, Nevill didn't focus so heavily on the weight of other characters. This is, of course, almost always in a negative view, and while it can be argued it fits the narrative of MC Luke, if you've read his other work— you know it's just him.
My opinion? Hop on Netflix. You're not missing anything.
I can't say that Gideon the Ninth was a perfect book, but I CAN say that this beautiful genre-crossing slam dunk of a wild fucking novel took my heart with humor, disaster lesbians, heart-break and imagination I can barely comprehend. If you can listen to the audiobook to hear Gideon's and Harrow's voices, I URGE you to do so. It brings so much character and heart to the book.
This isn't a horror book that has any characters you can get emotionally attached to or care for, which really didn't work for me. The woman-identifying characters were incredibly one dimensional and clearly written by a dude. Though to be fair, all of the characters were one dimensional.
The most interesting part was the last 25% of the book and even then, the ending kind of made me roll my eyes. However if you like bleak endings, this one is for you.
April is a wonderful fat main character!! I don't think I've ever read a romance that celebrates self-love while addressing the trauma that comes with being a fat woman while ALSO having delightful fanfiction and fandom references all the live long day!
There is so much love and honesty and communication and drama and rated E (for explicit, not for everyone!) content wrapped up in a niche interest I instantly devoured. April is smart and sexy and Marcus is layered and also sexy and I mean, what's not to love here?
Is this the best retelling of Cinderella?
I mean- it might be. This is a beautifully crafted world with a lovely queer cast and a different take on the Fairy Godmother-trope. Ash is a dark fantasy that really reminds you how heartbreaking the tale of Cinderella is- the abuse, the pain, the hopelessness... I started and finished this book in one night, sitting outside, freezing- but not wanting to stop for even a second to go inside.
The cold toes were absolutely worth it.