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= Gideon the Ninth = "Gideon the Ninth" is the first book in the "Locked Tomb" series by Tamsyn Muir, published by Tor.com in 2019.

Plot
Gideon was raised in the Ninth House as an indentured servant. Hating her life of being surrounded by devout nuns and loyal but ancient retainers, she repeatedly tries to run away to join the Cohort. However, her escape attempts are foiled by Harrow, Reverend Daughter of the house, who has another option for Gideon to get offworld. The pair of them go to take part in a series of challenges set by the Emperor along with scions of all the other houses. The prize? Immortality.

=== Main Characters and the Houses of the Emperor === The Second House is the military strength of the Emperor. Closely connected with the Cohort, they are fiercely devoted to maintaining rank. Prone to taking charge, despite the other houses' protests.

Necromantic Scion: Judith Deuteros, Ranked Captain of the Cohort

Cavalier Primary: Marta Dyas, Ranked First Lieutenant of the Cohort

Necromantic Specialty: Absorption of life energy from the living. A Second necromancer can drain thalergy from any living source, then use it to bolster the strength of their soldiers.

The Third House are the centre of fashion and gossip in the Empire, yet also function as intelligence gatherers for the Emperor.

Necromantic Scions: Coronabeth Tridentarius, Crown Princess of Ida, and Ianthe Tridentarius, Princess of Ida

Cavalier Primary: Naberius Tern, Prince of Ida

Necromantic Specialty: Cannibalization of thanergy from corpses, no matter how old. They surpass other houses’ limits for drawing power from dead bodies.

The Fourth House are the forefront of the Empire's military campaigns, usually the first on the field of battle.

Necromantic Scion: Isaac Tettares, Baron of Tisis

Cavalier Primary: Jeannemary Chatur, Knight of Tisis

Necromantic Specialty: Exciting thanergy into a state of fission, thereby turning corpses into bombs.

The Fifth House are the centre of the Empire's traditions. Old and powerful, they potentially threaten any house whose favour falters.

Necromantic Scion: Lady Abigail Pent, of Koniortos Court

Cavalier Primary: Sir Magnus Quinn, of Koniortos Court

Necromantic Specialty: Fifth necromancers are the foremost spirit magicians, unparalleled when it comes to speaking to the dead.

The Sixth House are the keepers of the Empire's collective knowledge, preserving it all in their library.

Necromantic Scion: Palamedes Sextus, Master Warden of the Library

Cavalier Primary: Camilla Hect, the Warden’s Hand

Necromantic Specialty: Psychometry, by which they can read the history that echoes of life and death leave on objects.

The Seventh House delight in the particular beauty only found in dying things. They love preserving people, places and times at the point of decay for later study and enjoyment.

Necromantic Scion: Dulcinea Septimus, Duchess of Rhodes

Cavalier Primary: Protesilaus Ebdoma, Knight of Rhodes

Necromantic Specialty: The preservation of the corpse and the stasis of soul, prolonging the space between life and death and between death and decay.

The Eighth House are the most devout of the houses in worshipping the divine Emperor, verging on zealotry at times.

Necromantic Scion: Silas Octakiseron, Master Templar of the White Glass

Cavalier Primary: Colum Asht, Templar of the White Glass

Necromantic Specialty: Soul siphoning. An Eighth necromancer can wedge a soul into the breach between life and the afterlife, and use it as a conduit for spirit magic.

The Ninth House are treated with fear and suspicion, but command respect because of the secret task that the Emperor has given them. It is unusual to meet a scion of the Ninth in polite society.

Necromantic Scion: Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of Drearburh

Cavalier Primary: Initially Ortus Nigenad, later Gideon Nav

Necromantic Specialty: The raising and crafting of skeletons. Though a staple of all necromancy, none master the art of skeletons like a Ninth necromancer.