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_lia_reads_ 's review for:
Ninth House
by Leigh Bardugo
I hesitated getting this book and then actually reading this book for so many reasons, mostly that I had heard about all the various trigger warnings for the book (there are a lot; I'm listing them at the end). But despite that, I'm so glad I picked this book up and I cannot wait for the next one in the series.
Ever heard of all those secret societies at Yale University that are like fraternities but with more secrets? Well, what if the members of those societies were all practicing dark magical arts and influencing the course of the world? Oh, and a lot of these rituals include using human bodies either for sacrifice or as conduits for the magic. That's the basic premise of Ninth House and it's so wild that it works.
Galaxy "Alex" Stern is thrust into this world because of her ability to see ghosts. She is a member of Lethe House, one of the societies that essentially oversees these rituals. She has a dark past that makes her a cynical, troubled character. In the beginning, you will be mildly annoyed with her. But by the end, you will be rooting for her.
The story alternates between the recent past and the present, as Alex is simultaneously trying to figure out if a murder of a townie is connected to any of the societies and to figure out where Darlington, her mentor, has disappeared to. I found both mysteries enthralling, along with the descriptions of the societies and the crazy magic that they are able to access. Even at times when I didn't care as much for Alex herself, these world building details pulled me into the story. And let me just say, Bardugo is a master of world building.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book with all of its ghosts and darkness. This was the first Bardugo book I had read, but I've heard the tone of this one is very different from her YA series. So take that into consideration when reading. But if you like the paranormal, secret societies, and magic (including magical archives that give you books based on what you write in a special notebook!), then this book is for you.
5 stars all the way from me.
TW: Rape; rape of a child; pedophilia; drug use; self-harm; physical abuse; suicide; overdose; gory descriptions
Ever heard of all those secret societies at Yale University that are like fraternities but with more secrets? Well, what if the members of those societies were all practicing dark magical arts and influencing the course of the world? Oh, and a lot of these rituals include using human bodies either for sacrifice or as conduits for the magic. That's the basic premise of Ninth House and it's so wild that it works.
Galaxy "Alex" Stern is thrust into this world because of her ability to see ghosts. She is a member of Lethe House, one of the societies that essentially oversees these rituals. She has a dark past that makes her a cynical, troubled character. In the beginning, you will be mildly annoyed with her. But by the end, you will be rooting for her.
The story alternates between the recent past and the present, as Alex is simultaneously trying to figure out if a murder of a townie is connected to any of the societies and to figure out where Darlington, her mentor, has disappeared to. I found both mysteries enthralling, along with the descriptions of the societies and the crazy magic that they are able to access. Even at times when I didn't care as much for Alex herself, these world building details pulled me into the story. And let me just say, Bardugo is a master of world building.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book with all of its ghosts and darkness. This was the first Bardugo book I had read, but I've heard the tone of this one is very different from her YA series. So take that into consideration when reading. But if you like the paranormal, secret societies, and magic (including magical archives that give you books based on what you write in a special notebook!), then this book is for you.
5 stars all the way from me.
TW: Rape; rape of a child; pedophilia; drug use; self-harm; physical abuse; suicide; overdose; gory descriptions