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lauraschroniclife's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book didn’t disappoint me. I felt like it had the same emotions and feelings from Ninth House. The intrigue was still there for me. I was able to figure out a few more things in this one faster than ninth house but still had a few things I didn’t see coming. It was a rather enjoyable read for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Murder
the_lovely_mrs_p's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
5.0
Middle Book Syndrome who? Bardugo does not know her. I absolutely devoured the second book in this Dark Academia (to be) trilogy. Once you fall back into the hallowed halls of Yale it is impossible to look back into the real world. Following Alex into the depths of magic and despair, your heart can't help but race right alongside hers. As if possible, this second book is more intense, faster paced, and a whole new level of perfect.
Darlington is still missing, presumed to be either dead (if your philosophy is CYA through and though that is) or in hell (if you actually care, thank you very much). Alex and Dawes are working harder than ever to save him, regardless of the consequences. Without the backing Lethe the pair must figure out how to go to hell, and back, on their own. They risk everything; their life and worse, expulsion. To make matters stickier, Alex has an unwelcomed blast from the past she is forced to face head on. But in the end we all have our own demons to face, don't we?
I cannot wait for the final book in this trilogy. Here's to hoping Alex gets her happily ever after.
I highly recommend rereading Ninth House before you jump into this. Bardugo wastes no ink on rehashing or reminding the reader of the whose who - a risk that worked in her favor incredibly. Keeping the book fast and the reader on their toes, there isn't time to remind you who Eitan is.
Darlington is still missing, presumed to be either dead (if your philosophy is CYA through and though that is) or in hell (if you actually care, thank you very much). Alex and Dawes are working harder than ever to save him, regardless of the consequences. Without the backing Lethe the pair must figure out how to go to hell, and back, on their own. They risk everything; their life and worse, expulsion. To make matters stickier, Alex has an unwelcomed blast from the past she is forced to face head on. But in the end we all have our own demons to face, don't we?
I cannot wait for the final book in this trilogy. Here's to hoping Alex gets her happily ever after.
I highly recommend rereading Ninth House before you jump into this. Bardugo wastes no ink on rehashing or reminding the reader of the whose who - a risk that worked in her favor incredibly. Keeping the book fast and the reader on their toes, there isn't time to remind you who Eitan is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Police brutality, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Slavery
page 305 (hardcover, first edition) (last two pages of ch 29) goes into graphic detail of a rape, but the story would make sense if you skipped the first half of the page (and therefore the details). There are other descriptions similar but that one is the most unsettling in my opinionfaerietalebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Though the pacing was slow and the novel contained a lot more world building than I had anticipated for a sequel, it was very enjoyable once things picked up. Alex's struggle with her personal morality is put to the test many times and she comes to terms with the fact that she is not a "do the right thing" heroine. I also really enjoyed that a lot of the side characters got to be fleshed out much more, like Darlington and Dawes, even Turner and Mercy had their time in the spotlight. I really enjoyed that Leigh delved further into the discussions of magic in this dark academia setting of a higher education institution that has accumulated magic throughout centuries. She critiques how the magic was accumulated and at what cost to whom and she questions the privileges of who has access to this power. I highly recommend this series for fans of dark academia.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Minor: Slavery and Suicide
bookishbabe93's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
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