Reviews

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

eversteph's review against another edition

5.0

This was a well-crafted, humorous, and mesmerizing book about secret societies and the occult in a university setting. I find the "school magic users" trope kind of overplayed, but this felt fresh and had me hooked from the first page.

It won't be for everyone. It's dark, and sometimes even violent and gruesome. I fully recommend it if you're into twisty, paranormal horror set in a rich fantasy world. In my eyes, this story also gets bonus points for complex and interesting female characters.

pinkblie's review against another edition

4.5

i don’t accept alex stern criticism

prettier_than_jesus's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny informative mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

gsyengle's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I can understand why this book is enjoyed by many, but the start of it felt incredibly slow. Struggled to get through due to the constant jumping back and forth between past and present. Left incredibly interesting chapters to be faced with the next not even continuing the plot. Second half of the book provided significantly more entertaining. 

anna4ce's review against another edition

2.0

Two stars, only because there was magic in it.

This is one of those books where I wonder, did I accidentally pick up a dud copy? Did everyone else get a different book with a better story? What am I missing? In scanning some reviews, I saw a lot of people swooning over Darlington....mmk? Did I miss something?

Spoiler

He wasn't even a part of two thirds of the book! He was simply a vehicle for leaving the ending open for a sequel!

All of the secret societies and powers are so confusing when you really don't care enough to differentiate between them. Overall, a let down for how hyped this was and this is the second book where Stephen King has blurbed it as a great read and I have wasted my time reading it. Magical coincidence, I think not!

deadash's review against another edition

4.0

It doesn't deserve 3 stars but at the same time It doesn't feel like 4 stars

mopherad's review against another edition

5.0

(Trigger warning:SA)

Do not go lightly into this book, it’s extremely heavy. Not in a gratuitous way, just got heavy themes and scenes that are not easy to get through.

Story wise, slow start, but I think that’s the right call. Theirs a interesting literary time line thing going that works.

kaldan's review against another edition

dark emotional 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

4.75

meghan8715's review against another edition

I wanted to like this so bad! I’m too bored to continue on, and usually when I  DNF a book I want to read spoilers to see how it ends, I don’t even care to do that. I don’t care about any of the characters, the dialogue makes me roll my eyes at times. Just not my cup of tea I guess! Donating to the library or a LFL!

unkindnessofravens's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0