Scan barcode
adrienreads's review against another edition
- 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
This book is dark, but if the first book was too explicit/intense for you, this one definitely felt "lighter", more-or-less. Still dark and horrific, but there was far less (on-screen at least) sexual violence, and overall I had a much easier time with this one. Again, still not "light reading" by any means, but worth noting.
If you've loved Bardugo's other books, this one scratches that same itch, and more.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Physical abuse, Classism, Death, Domestic abuse, Murder, Addiction, Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, Body horror, Drug abuse, Gore, Grief, Police brutality, and Death of parent
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Trafficking, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, and Child death
Minor: Slavery, Misogyny, and Racism
stephliljazz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
"People shouldn't have to march through the world fighting all the time."
"I will serve you till the end of days."
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Drug use, Blood, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Torture, Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, and Gore
Moderate: Abandonment, Slavery, Stalking, Grief, Vomit, Addiction, Animal cruelty, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, Death, Animal death, Alcohol, Violence, Torture, Classism, and Police brutality
Minor: Classism
emijoanmcn's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Gore, Animal cruelty, Murder, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Blood
whensarahreads's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
alexijai98's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Murder, Sexual violence, Vomit, Animal cruelty, Death, Blood, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Animal death, Adult/minor relationship, Gore, Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug abuse, Addiction, Drug use, and Forced institutionalization
caroline_wavesandpeanuts's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, Death, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Sexual violence, Suicide, Gore, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, and Adult/minor relationship
catpolhamus's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Animal death, Drug use, Domestic abuse, Blood, Animal cruelty, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Drug abuse
jmlblue's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Animal death and Animal cruelty
sjbshannon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Toxic relationship, Violence, Police brutality, and Animal death
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Trafficking
mybluebookshelf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I took a few days to digest this book before writing my review, as I couldn't decide between 4.5 or 5 stars. Ultimately I went with 5 stars for two reasons: 1) I'm obsessed with Alex Stern and 2) Leigh Bardugo's writing.
Hell Bent is dark academia incarnate; the storied Ivy League campus full of secret magical societies is a stark contrast to the bitter, deadly struggles for power and knowledge that take place there. Yet it becomes clear that you can't have one without the other - the glittering promises of a place of scholarly learning are built on the very souls of those who grasped at, and were denied, access to that world. It's against this backdrop that Alex's battle against Hell and its demons for Darlington's soul is enacted.
The plot of Hell Bent is complex with many twists, none of which I anticipated. I found myself unable to trust a single character, yet after each reveal I wondered why I didn't figure it out sooner, since Bardugo leaves plenty of bread crumbs for the reader. The ending left something to be desired as it lacked urgency, but of course I'll read the next book if only for some more sweet, sweet Starlington banter.
Throughout the entire book, Bardugo's writing was gripping, intricate and thoroughly researched, and deeply visceral. There were many deeply meaningful and touching lines and scenes, and there were also scenes that gave me nightmares (see: Alex's first encounter with Darlington in the ballroom - I actually couldn't fall asleep for hours after reading that). The Starlington banter is exquisite and I also enjoyed seeing more of Mercy and Dawes. But the best part of the book was Alex coming into her own and gaining confidence in herself and her powers. Seeing her determined rather than resigned, scheming rather than reacting, and protective rather than defensive was so rewarding after reading 800+ pages of her journey to get to this point. Somebody please give this girl a weekend off and a shopping spree to replace all her clothes that have been destroyed by arcane magic.
Similar books: The Atlas Six, Babel
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death