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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
Ninth House is a dark, atmospheric journey into the world of Yale’s secret societies, blending supernatural horror with real-world privilege and corruption. Alex Stern, a survivor with a troubled past, is thrust into a world of magic, ghosts, and ancient power, struggling to navigate its dangers while uncovering deadly secrets. “We are the shepherds. We are the sacrifice.” Bardugo’s writing shines in its rich world-building and flawed, compelling characters, especially Alex, whose resilience and sharp wit make her an unforgettable protagonist. The novel’s eerie, immersive atmosphere is a highlight, pulling readers into its chilling mysteries. However, the slow start and dense world-building may be overwhelming for some, and the non-linear timeline can make the narrative feel disjointed at times. The themes of trauma and violence are intense, making it a heavy read, yet they add depth to the story’s exploration of power and survival. “What is the point of a door that will not open?” Alex’s journey is filled with unanswered questions and unsettling truths, making the book both gripping and haunting. Despite its flaws, Ninth House is an unforgettable dark academia experience, leaving readers eager for more.
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:
Complicated
I loved untangling the web in this story. A beautiful dark academia read, some cool magic, monsters, and gore, and a rich magical world full of lore.
The little glimpses along the way that something might be different about Alex were exceptionally well paced, and her budding friendships trickled in nicely. It wasn't a huge character development, but it was enough to keep my excited for the sequel.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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:
Yes
adventurous
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
The author name-drops New Haven iconography like it's no one's business, to the point where I was forced to do some research halfway through. Sure enough, indeed, Leigh Bardugo is a Yale graduate. Having grown up and worked in the area, I can always spot a Yale transplant by the way they feign intimacy with the city and its surrounding area, all while never getting much farther than Ikea or Jordan's Furniture. And that's fine. That's how it is everywhere - Boston natives feel the same about the half million college students swarming their streets. And, frankly, I can't even really call this a complaint. I liked reading about the place I grew up from an outsider's perspective. I think, obviously for the purposes of novel-writing, Bardugo has crafted a highly romanticized version of Yale and New Haven. I don't know that it's possible to write a book about an Ivy League without it being riddled with stereotypes and a certain sense of pretension. At one point, she claims that Yale is a far cry from California because the people at Yale wouldn't dare to wear provocative clothing or glitter. This is...so obtuse that I have to hope that this is just Alex's prejudice shining through and not how the author actually thinks. Obviously, there are glaring differences between California and Connecticut, but if you think glitter and clothing lie at the nexus of that...I don't know how to help you.
The last quarter of the book gave me whiplash. The author apparently couldn't decide on a shocking enough ending, so she just kept throwing plot twists at it until something stuck. I think that's where my main problem lies: there was no careful subtlety to the major reveal at the end. It was a piss poor plot twist because it was completely unexpected, so it felt rushed and random. I do wonder if I read the book again if I would uncover something I did not previously notice, but literally nothing comes to mind. The more I think about it, actually, the more I find that a lot of the mystery-unraveling plot points that appear towards the novel's close were really not incorporated well enough into the beginning. Whereas, other aspects were given considerable screentime, with very little to show for it. I feel like most of the novel was spent convincing the reader of how edgily smart everyone was all while accomplishing nothing in the way of an actual plot.
Regardless, I really enjoyed this book. It is often dense and fans itself up a little bit more than can be ignored. But, really, what else would you expect from a book set at an Ivy League?
The last quarter of the book gave me whiplash. The author apparently couldn't decide on a shocking enough ending, so she just kept throwing plot twists at it until something stuck. I think that's where my main problem lies: there was no careful subtlety to the major reveal at the end. It was a piss poor plot twist because it was completely unexpected, so it felt rushed and random. I do wonder if I read the book again if I would uncover something I did not previously notice, but literally nothing comes to mind. The more I think about it, actually, the more I find that a lot of the mystery-unraveling plot points that appear towards the novel's close were really not incorporated well enough into the beginning. Whereas, other aspects were given considerable screentime, with very little to show for it. I feel like most of the novel was spent convincing the reader of how edgily smart everyone was all while accomplishing nothing in the way of an actual plot.
Regardless, I really enjoyed this book. It is often dense and fans itself up a little bit more than can be ignored. But, really, what else would you expect from a book set at an Ivy League?
It took me a minute to get into this book. It was a slower first half than I'm used to, but it ultimately paid off in the end. We'll see if I pick up the second book, but I didn't hate this one.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Dark and gory. I like it.
I can see this is going to be controversial after reading reviews, but I give this book five stars. The point of the novel is that Alex is an unreliable narrator. What Bardugo chooses to show us is based on what Alex herself would be willing to tell someone she is explaining her story too. This is what makes me love the book so much!