Reviews tagging 'Blood'

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

681 reviews

angela005's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, and Murder

Minor: Vomit

deanchaudhri's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

I have never rly read fantasy before so this was a first and i was really pleasantly surprised - it still had the darkness and grit that I like in thriller/horrors in addition to the magic and world building which was really cool. Also it had one of my fave atmospheres: ‘dark academia university’ vibes which really made it that more immersive & I kept wanting to enter this world. Was slow at first and a little convoluted but the last 1/3 or so was very action packed and thriller-esque with some nice twists. Very unique story and I really was rooting for the characters - they were very well crafted. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Excrement, Vomit, and Medical content

heidi_grey's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Wow. This was my first Leigh Bardugo book but if it‘s anything to go by it will not be my last. 

The writing reminded me a lot of a TV show because there were so many crazy twists and reveals, and that just kept me glued to the pages. I thought the different timelines worked so well to reveal more and more information. Also: what a fantastic first sentence. 

I loved flawed, strong, sharp Alex as the FMC and her journey. I expected the book to be a bit more dark academia but really enjoyed the magical murder mystery (gotta love good alliterations) focus of it. Highly recommend, just check TW beforehand 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood and Murder

Moderate: Gore, Rape, and Sexual assault

coffeeaddictedgremlin's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death and Death

Moderate: Drug use, Rape, Blood, and Murder

lillybrooke22's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, and Murder

itsheyfay's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Racism and Vomit

stephliljazz's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This is a great book. I feel like the first chapter starts off a little slow but still good and then it just keeps picking up from there. Inside this world of dark magic controlled by students a lot can and will go sideways quick. The characters are built up perfectly and the plot was twisty just how I like it. To wrap up im really glad this is a series. Now on to book two!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Minor: Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Self harm, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol

belles9's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault

Minor: Blood and Vomit

orlafitz14's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Really enjoyable, dark academia meets ghosts, kind of scary but I loved it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

sofiagreenhill's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I would’ve given this book a full five stars if not for the beginning. It was a slog to get through the first five chapters, but it picked up from there. It was jarring to get dropped so deep into action at the start and struggle to get a sense of what was going on. 

I’ve read a lot of reviews with harsh words about the violence against women. I feel like this book handles some of that tension well. Alex’s own trauma seems genuine compared to the life she’s lived. The violence against students seemed at times too much, and would’ve benefited if some of it was cut. It seemed like there was not a single woman in the story that hadn’t had experiences of violence and abuse. 

I didn’t expect to like Darlington so much, but I’m looking forward to reading more about him. I feel like it was a great move to remove him for the majority of the book. 

All in all the books a great read if you can manage to get through the beginning. The world building is superb, the characters complex and although the plot was a bit convoluted at times it’s a good read even if you’re not super into fantasy.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Body horror, Drug abuse, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail