Reviews with content warning for Suicide attempt - Hell Bent

Conflicted on what to rate this one, but overall I can say I enjoyed it. It definitely was an easier read than the first book given that the world building was out of the way - which made for a more gratifying reading experience. That being said, there was a lot that still confounded me - making for a pretty bumpy first 3/4 of the book, and a pretty solid last 1/4 of the book.

I think this book’s primary strength is in its ability to capture intense emotion and explore deep rooted histories/traumas, both of which helped to construct a very visceral reading experience. However, there were too many instances where the tone of a given scene would do a complete 180 - oftentimes throwing your focus off entirely, Additionally, while there were lots of intense and interesting moments, it felt as though there were too many ideas being crammed into the one book -

from the reintroduction of Darlington’s parents to their deaths pretty quickly after their introduction, to Michelle being a double agent, to Mercy for some reason now being part of the squad? It just felt like so much of it, frankly, didn’t make sense. Especially the ending - why have them go through all of that, closing off the passage between world only for it to suddenly still be open anyways?

All in all, good story and great investigation of the core casts’ character arcs, but definitely tried to take on a bit too much.

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vaguelyredhead's review

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challenging 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

4.5

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morguemoth's review

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense fast-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

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polar_monkeys's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75

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natlren's review

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dark 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

5.0

“They watched each other in the quiet of the kitchen. They knew everything about each other. They knew nothing at all. He had a sense that they had entered into an uneasy truce, but he couldn’t quite name the war.”

It's been a long time since a series has made me feel this way. Alex, Darlington, Dawes, and Turner live rent free in my brain and I need book three like I need air.

I'm so endlessly grateful that I didn't let my opinions on Leigh Bardugo's YA series turn me off from the Alex Stern books because they are undoubtedly a masterpiece.

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sgrunwald96's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious tense fast-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 really enjoyed this book. I think it was better than 9th house and focused more on the core set of characters than on all of the societies. It suffered some of the same issues as the first one in there’s too much going on and it can be hard to track all the different names and old plot points but most of the confusion just comes from assuming you remember the first book. Super fun.

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diaashka's review

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adventurous dark mysterious 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

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natashaleighton_'s review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

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

4.5

Leigh Bardugo’s dark and deliciously creepy follow up to Ninth House was an emotional rollercoaster of a read I didn’t want to end!

Continuing on from the events of Ninth House, Alex is stronger and far more comfortable in her position at Lethe —the secret organisation (and governing body) who oversee and control the rituals that allows Yale’s notoriously secretive societies to practice magic. And ready to start making some demands. Like saving her mentor Darlington.

But Lethe’s decision to sweep last years’ events under the rug—and their refusal to consider Darlington’s possible survival in Purgatory—has Alex plotting the riskiest of schemes. To break into hell. And steal back Darlington’s soul.

Still, even the best laid plans can go awry, and unfortunately for Alex she may just be out of second chances…

I loved this just as much as the first! The dark, gritty undertones are still as deliciously compelling as they were previously, but the ominous sense of foreboding that pervaded the narrative has been amped up exponentially. However, when paired with the rather lively pace and almost unending plot twists (with ever increasing stakes for Alex and her rag tag group) it begin to get a little overwhelming.

Especially with soo much going on: the secret plot to save Darlington, a spate of (possibly paranormal) faculty deaths , as well as Alex’s not so distant past finally catching up to her. There was a lot to take in.

But the way in which each element was cleverly and intricately woven in was pure magic— and the emotion and suspense in THAT ending definitely made up for my initial apprehension.

If you’re a sucker for exquisitely in depth character development, then you’re in for a treat. As, besides Alex and her emotional journey (from pessimistic and overly distrustful girl into a determined and self-confident individual) we get to explore supporting characters such Detective Turner and Pamela Dawes in soo much more depth. I also really enjoyed the compelling and fascinating way their backstories were presented, which made for a rather immersive if slightly unusual experience.

And I can’t forget Darlington! I loved getting to see him again , though I do think his appearance was still far too brief for my liking (even if he was naked for most of it.) I did enjoy exploring his interactions and newly shifted dynamics with Alex—who is far more comfortable in her role (and ghost seeing powers) than the last time they were together.

It’s still pretty dark in tone (there is alot of death and violence including a pretty graphic animal death, so be warned), but I loved the found family-esque vibes we get this time around. It definitely added a touch of much needed coziness and made Alex’s decision to open up feel far more emotionally significant.

Overall, a splendid second instalment that perfectly sets up the next book—which I’m already eager to get my hands on!

Also, a huge thank you to Gollancz for the giveaway

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Reviews tagging 'Suicide attempt'

Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo

emilyreadsinallentown's review against another edition

katemarie99's review

laurenzokro's review

vaguelyredhead's review

morguemoth's review

polar_monkeys's review against another edition

natlren's review

sgrunwald96's review against another edition

diaashka's review

natashaleighton_'s review against another edition