Nona the ninth by Tamsyn Muir

If you like to be challenged, confused and carried to the depths of death and uncertainty… then this book is for you! In the realms of the dead, zombies and living creatures are in conflict and Nona the ninth seems to be a key to a future, but nothing is clear. Nona is naive (and strangely both living and dead). She seems to be liked by all despite her child-like ineptness, and she is being nurtured by those with unusual powers for unknown purposes. Existing in a world that is unrecognisable, and in a power conflict that defies logic, she must navigate the confusion of life and death. And explore the complexities of life, death and love, as well as loss and sacrifice, within a world of conflict and lies. 

I am not grateful that I had to read this book in order to review it - the literary genres that Muir has tangled in this book are not to my taste and it was torturous making my way to the final page. But, this book (and I assume the rest of the series, as this is Book 3) must have a following for those who like extremely dark and distressing content with the addition of zombies and cryogenics. The writing style is twisted and atmospheric in a strangely unique way. Clarity is lost in the process and so readers must be particularly persistent. In addition characters may have twisted histories, change form and shape and exist with alternate names, and dream scenarios are also scattered through the plot - a recipe for confusion. There are also very confusing religious threads that defy logical connection. The book is maddening and grotesque, and occasionally feels like a dark journey into hell with the occasional addition of humorous or intriguing companions. Consequently, this is only for a limited audience and only mature readers with extreme persistence (and a liking for zombie-conflict genre) should begin the journey.

Themes: Zombies, Cryogenics, Necromancy, Death, Conflict, Sacrifice, Power, Gender-fluidity, Fantasy, Sci-fi.

Carolyn Hull