A Books & Beans Review of Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
TLDR
4.5 out of 5 stars. Ninth House is the first book in what will surely be an enthralling series. The novel is a page-turner, packed full of dark magic, murder, and mystery. You’ll have to pick your jaw off the floor when you reach the end – and even the end feels like the first page of another book.
Where to Read
Anywhere during the day – if you want to avoid nightmares.
Favorite Quote
“I want to survive this world that keeps trying to destroy me”
Summary
Leigh Bardugo crosses genres in Ninth House, as she tells the story of Galaxy “Alex” Stern, a young woman who has the rare ability to see and interact with ghosts. Drugs and an unsolved multiple-homicide case leave high-school dropout, Alex Stern, in the hospital with little hope for the future, until an unexpected visitor stops by and offers her a full-ride to the prestigious Yale University. The terms? She must use her occult powers to oversee Yale’s eight secret societies, that frequently tamper with forbidden magic. Stern doesn’t care much for the job until there is a murder on campus. While trying to reconcile with her twisted past, Stern finds herself in the middle of a case that boldly introduces her to the world of dark magic.
Review
Leigh Bardugo crafts a fast-paced, eerily dark, and intensely captivating tale in the Ninth House. I was excited to read the book given that many described it as Harry Potter for adults, but after finishing it I must disclose how misleading that description is. The book involves magic and takes place at a school, but Bardugo does not shy away from the darkest of plots including drugs, murder, and sexual assault. Bardugo does a great job building the world of Yale’s eight secret societies; the level of detail she applies to her dark and creative world leave the reader scared, yet glued to the next page.
The book is written in alternating points in time and points of view – something that I’m usually annoyed by – but in this case I think it was done quite skillfully. In addition to the main character, Alex Stern, the reader gets to hear from Darlington – Alex’s mentor. The reader learns early on that Darlington is missing in action, so his narratives add a sense of urgency to the plot. As the book develops, so do romantic feelings between Alex and Darlington, which has the reader rooting for Alex to find him all the more.
What I love the most about Ninth House is it’s inability to be placed in one genre. Definitely a fantasy novel, absolutely a murder mystery, a little bit of a romance, a sprinkle of coming of age and yet the book is cohesive and grounded. The novel ends on a cliff hanger that makes you want to pick up the next book right away – the only problem is the sequel, Hell Bent, won’t be out until January 2023.
Conclusion
Ninth House is the first book in what will surely be an enthralling series. The novel is a page-turner, packed full of dark magic, murder, and mystery. You’ll have to pick your jaw off the floor when you reach the end – and even the end feels like the first page of another book.