Harrow the Ninth

This book is one of the most unique, challenging books I've ever read. There is really nothing like it. People said it was confusing and it absolutely is the most confusing thing I've ever laid eyes on. About 70% in, things start making sense and it does put a lot of it into context. The last third is very good. However, there are little things about Muir's writing that just kinda grind on me.

Firstly is the way she uses names. Every other line switches names and it's highly unnatural and takes me out of it every time. The same character will refer to the same person as John, God, Teacher, Emperor, and King Undying in the same chapter in their own head or in dialogue with no rhyme or reason as to when or why. This gets even worse with the House representatives, because sometimes someone will refer to them by their first name, sometimes by their last name, and then sometimes by their house number, again with no reason. It's not that I can't figure out who they're referring to, it's that I shouldn't have to, and I don't believe people do this. You might call someone a different name, but you won't make a game out of changing it every time.
(Okay, that bothers me more than it should. I know)

Otherwise, my other problem is that the writing trends into melodrama during big moments and a little bit less would go further for me, personally. I also think that, while the reveals were very good, there is definitely a way to have made this story have the same reveals and be like 25% less confusing than it was. At a certain point, you are getting off on making things confusing, and I think we passed that point in this book.

Also this book was funnier than Gideon the Ninth but without trying to be as funny (or seeming to), so that was a win.

Pretty excited to read Nona the Ninth, after a break