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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
Unrelentingly stressful and relies on the same timeline framing as the first one. But still delicious dark academia with engaging, well-written plot and characters.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
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
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
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
Better than the first!
I really enjoyed this second book. It was fast-paced and kept your mind engaged. I was trying to figure out what might be next, but Leigh Bardugo is a good puzzle creator herself. If you enjoyed the first, I definitely recommend the second. I am highly anticipating the third!
I really enjoyed this second book. It was fast-paced and kept your mind engaged. I was trying to figure out what might be next, but Leigh Bardugo is a good puzzle creator herself. If you enjoyed the first, I definitely recommend the second. I am highly anticipating the third!
A lot of it read like filler, honestly, and I was waiting for some meaningful conversations between the characters that would build upon their relationships, but they never came, and that was unsatisfying, especially considering all of the space that was devoted to lore and meandering descriptions and journeys back and forth from various locations. When you go to hell to save a person TWICE, you and your team and the person you saved could at least have a lengthy conversation about it afterwards. I guess it was meant to be a horrible shock when Michelle turned up dead at the end, but we spent such little time with her that I didn't care, so it felt like a very flat finish.
I'll 100% read the next one in the hopes of more character/relationship development, now that Darlington is back from hell (which I have another complaint about, it took far too long to get him out, he and Alex should honestly just bone and put me out of my misery), but I have to say, Bardugo didn't stick the landing with this one the way I'd hoped.
I'll 100% read the next one in the hopes of more character/relationship development, now that Darlington is back from hell (which I have another complaint about, it took far too long to get him out, he and Alex should honestly just bone and put me out of my misery), but I have to say, Bardugo didn't stick the landing with this one the way I'd hoped.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
This book gave me everything I wanted! While I was definitely impatient for Alex to finally start the rescue mission for Darlington — and I’ll admit, the pacing dragged a bit there — I loved seeing the other characters get fleshed out along the way.
In Hell Bent, we get much more background on the crew that helps Alex bring Darlington back from hell (the Lethe team, along with a few key allies), and I honestly loved it! Their teamwork and chaotic planning gave off major Scooby-Doo vibes at times, which I found oddly perfect and endearing.
Alex continues to wrestle with her traumatic past in her signature no-nonsense way, and I can’t overstate how much the final chapters stuck with me. The emotional weight and eerie tension were pitch-perfect.
And, of course, Darlingtooooonnn, my love, my heart, my man (though that last part is a little questionable now lmao)
So much is left open by the end — and the shifts in the story’s world have altered dynamics between characters so significantly… I’m practically on the edge of my seat waiting for the third book. Whenever it drops, I’ll be there on day one.
In Hell Bent, we get much more background on the crew that helps Alex bring Darlington back from hell (the Lethe team, along with a few key allies), and I honestly loved it! Their teamwork and chaotic planning gave off major Scooby-Doo vibes at times, which I found oddly perfect and endearing.
Alex continues to wrestle with her traumatic past in her signature no-nonsense way, and I can’t overstate how much the final chapters stuck with me. The emotional weight and eerie tension were pitch-perfect.
And, of course, Darlingtooooonnn, my love, my heart, my man (though that last part is a little questionable now lmao)
So much is left open by the end — and the shifts in the story’s world have altered dynamics between characters so significantly… I’m practically on the edge of my seat waiting for the third book. Whenever it drops, I’ll be there on day one.