Rereading this, because Harrow the Ninth practically demands that you review everything that happens in this first book. I’m filled with even more admiration for how Muir planted the clues and narrative hooks for key characters and events in the series.1
Side note: my friend pointed me to this post from Muir a while back, and it’s fascinating to read how Muir pictured the characters in her mind. I like how she acknowledges her particular grounding in place and culture—“I am a Kiwi: I write Kiwis In Space as a default”—and also how she drew from New Zealand’s ethnic groups for her characters.
I read Gideon the first time in one big gulp, and as a result rushed by some of the more emotional beats of the story. This time through I understood more about Harrow’s character, and her story felt retroactively sadder. Some of the mechanics of Lyctorhood also made more sense.2
I’m really fascinated by what Muir is doing with these books—Harrow triggers a loopback through Gideon with more information, and from what she’s said about Alecto the Ninth she’ll be subverting what we know about the story one more time. Can you pick apart a plot too many times? I can’t wait to find out.