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_isabel_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It's really difficult for me to explain what this book meant to me, and what Leigh Bardugo's writing does to me.
I don't think I've read an author quite like her, and I don't think I can name an author whose writing manages to pack a punch like hers: it's so damn powerful, and every single sentence she writes is simultaneously brilliant, incredibly poetic and beautiful, but also easily grasped and easily capable of punching a hole through your stomach and soul.
GAH, this series!
I think (and I'm saying this a HUGE fan of Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse) "Hell Bent" might be my favourite book of hers to date. It's incredible.
I inhaled it in a few days time, despite it being nearly 500 pages long and not what I would call an easy read. It's complex, mysterious, thrilling and gut-wrenching. I loved it so much.
Alex Stern's latest adventure was unforgettable. It's a quest and a mission and a heist and a (hellish) road trip all in one, and I adored every single step of it. I also adored Alex Stern with my whole heart. I won't lie and say I can understand every single one of her choices (I'm more a Dawes with a smidge of Tripp), but I was still rooting for her with everything I had. I love how fierce she is, I love how unapologetic and ruthless she can be, I love her more tired and insecure side, and I love, love, love how protective and loyal she is towards the people in her life.
And speaking of which...
I also completely adored every single member of her band of misfits. I loved Dawes and Turner from the very beginning, and we get to know a bit more of both of them throughout this second book, but Mercy and Tripp and
I loved them so, so much and I'm both terrified and excited for their next adventure together when we'll finally get to read the third book.
This book was a rollercoaster ride of twists and turns, mysteries and action, magic and puzzles, and I'm already preemptively sobbing because even though we'll have to wait a few more years before reaching it, I'm so not ready for the end.
Moderate: Rape, Suicide, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Slavery and Police brutality
bumbee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
soniajoy98'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
pages_with_panda's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
"We do what we have to," Alex said. "That's the only job of a survivor."
I don’t know if I liked this book as much as Ninth House. The reason being that this book felt sooo similar to NH. We don’t resolve the cliffhanger of the last book until more than halfway of this book. We still don’t have Darlington, there’s still murders on campus, Alex is still on the verge of losing everything and paying for the crimes of her past.
I love the characters but the plot/story and pacing were a bit slow. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Bardugo has a great writing style - very descriptive and poetic almost.
I loved the literary quotes sprinkled about, the history of Yale, the academic privilege that’s talked about. The imagery of the rabbits and it being a sort of guilt that Alex carried about. It’s an interesting book with very real meaning about who gets power, who’s really in charge.
The “twist” was a bit predictable and I’m a bit confused why Alex hadn’t seen it sooner. Darlington was MIA for the majority of the book (again) and we see more about him from Alex’s memories. Their reunion was a bit underwhelming but I think Bardugo does a good job of explaining why Alex wouldn’t be so much more receptive to him. I wish they would’ve had more than one conversation in this book too.
The plot wraps up pretty nicely while still leaving enough for a third book. I love all the characters in this - Turner, Tripp, Dawes and even Mercy. They were all great and I’m glad we got more backstory to them.
Overall a solid second book, looking forward to the third!
"You're the ones who fought for me. You're the ones I want to fight for."
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Sexual violence
Minor: Slavery and Suicide attempt
em_of_swags'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
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Body shaming, Slavery, and Police brutality
imogenlj's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexism, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Slavery, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Excrement, and Police brutality
jessiereads98's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Gun violence, Racism, Torture, Police brutality, and Grief
Minor: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Cancer, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Terminal illness, Excrement, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Classism
marleywrites'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
Their powers were connected now. Bound by hellfire.
Whatever survived in hell wouldn’t be the Darlington you know.
Demons aren’t smart, Dawes had once told her, they’re cunning. Alex had to wonder how many people had said the same thing about her.
This book!! This author!! What the HELL!! Leigh Bardugo, please never stop writing. This was a masterpiece. It was everything. It is everything.
The character development we see in all of these side characters, Dawes, Tripp, Mercy, Turner… it just makes me so proud of them. They all have such interesting arcs and it’s incredible to see them grow and see how far they’re all willing to go for one another.
The storytelling was phenomenal as usual. I have read all of the Grishaverse and have fallen in love with so many of Ms. Bardugo’s characters and storytelling, and I was not disappointed this time. Yet another amazing cast, yet another amazing way of storytelling. She is such a talented writer- the prose is witty, smart, and sharp. I admit at the start of Ninth House I felt a bit lost, but with Hell Bent I was ready to hit the ground running, and boy did Leigh Bardugo make me sprint! Also, I am lucky to have been to Yale before on a brief visit, and she really captured the town and it’s essence so well. I felt like I could picture where everything was going down and I adored the world building that she did for this story. There were so many little details that I was enamored by.
Okay, this next section I’m spoilering the whole thing, but I will say it’s about Darlingstern, so read at your own risk.
Lastly I will just say, the ending??? Are we getting book 3?? Has she said anything about this?? I want more, immediately.
Five huge gorgeous beautiful shining stars to Ms. Bardugo & Hell Bent.
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Racism, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Medical content, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Slavery, Suicide, Terminal illness, and Suicide attempt
uranaishi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Police brutality
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Cursing, Gore, Gun violence, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
georgia_mae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Racism, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Animal death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Mental illness, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Vomit, Suicide attempt, and Murder