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natlren's review against another edition
dark
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
5.0
“They watched each other in the quiet of the kitchen. They knew everything about each other. They knew nothing at all. He had a sense that they had entered into an uneasy truce, but he couldn’t quite name the war.”
It's been a long time since a series has made me feel this way. Alex, Darlington, Dawes, and Turner live rent free in my brain and I need book three like I need air.
I'm so endlessly grateful that I didn't let my opinions on Leigh Bardugo's YA series turn me off from the Alex Stern books because they are undoubtedly a masterpiece.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Animal death
Moderate: Violence and Blood
Minor: Suicide attempt and Drug abuse
sgrunwald96's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
4.5
I really enjoyed this book. I think it was better than 9th house and focused more on the core set of characters than on all of the societies. It suffered some of the same issues as the first one in there’s too much going on and it can be hard to track all the different names and old plot points but most of the confusion just comes from assuming you remember the first book. Super fun.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Violence, Body horror, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, Racism, Drug abuse, Police brutality, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, Animal death, and Injury/Injury detail
diaashka's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
Minor: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Police brutality, Hate crime, and Slavery
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Leigh Bardugo’s dark and deliciously creepy follow up to Ninth House was an emotional rollercoaster of a read I didn’t want to end!
Continuing on from the events of Ninth House, Alex is stronger and far more comfortable in her position at Lethe —the secret organisation (and governing body) who oversee and control the rituals that allows Yale’s notoriously secretive societies to practice magic. And ready to start making some demands. Like saving her mentor Darlington.
But Lethe’s decision to sweep last years’ events under the rug—and their refusal to consider Darlington’s possible survival in Purgatory—has Alex plotting the riskiest of schemes. To break into hell. And steal back Darlington’s soul.
Still, even the best laid plans can go awry, and unfortunately for Alex she may just be out of second chances…
I loved this just as much as the first! The dark, gritty undertones are still as deliciously compelling as they were previously, but the ominous sense of foreboding that pervaded the narrative has been amped up exponentially. However, when paired with the rather lively pace and almost unending plot twists (with ever increasing stakes for Alex and her rag tag group) it begin to get a little overwhelming.
Especially with soo much going on: the secret plot to save Darlington, a spate of (possibly paranormal) faculty deaths , as well as Alex’s not so distant past finally catching up to her. There was a lot to take in.
But the way in which each element was cleverly and intricately woven in was pure magic— and the emotion and suspense in THAT ending definitely made up for my initial apprehension.
If you’re a sucker for exquisitely in depth character development, then you’re in for a treat. As, besides Alex and her emotional journey (from pessimistic and overly distrustful girl into a determined and self-confident individual) we get to explore supporting characters such Detective Turner and Pamela Dawes in soo much more depth. I also really enjoyed the compelling and fascinating way their backstories were presented, which made for a rather immersive if slightly unusual experience.
And I can’t forget Darlington! I loved getting to see him again , though I do think his appearance was still far too brief for my liking (even if he was naked for most of it.) I did enjoy exploring his interactions and newly shifted dynamics with Alex—who is far more comfortable in her role (and ghost seeing powers) than the last time they were together.
It’s still pretty dark in tone (there is alot of death and violence including a pretty graphic animal death, so be warned), but I loved the found family-esque vibes we get this time around. It definitely added a touch of much needed coziness and made Alex’s decision to open up feel far more emotionally significant.
Overall, a splendid second instalment that perfectly sets up the next book—which I’m already eager to get my hands on!
Also, a huge thank you to Gollancz for the giveaway
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Blood, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Animal death
Minor: Slavery, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt
metaphorical_disaster's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.5
After reading Ninth House, I was so hesitant to start this journey. The first book left me confused at times and I felt myself losing focus.
It took me only a few chapters to get heavily invested in Hell Bent. The story was so much more intriguing and fast paced. The characters flaws were on display and I was chomping at the bit to see what was going to happen. Loved this book. Cannot wait to see if at third will be coming soon!!!
It took me only a few chapters to get heavily invested in Hell Bent. The story was so much more intriguing and fast paced. The characters flaws were on display and I was chomping at the bit to see what was going to happen. Loved this book. Cannot wait to see if at third will be coming soon!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Rape, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
thalia16's review against another edition
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Animal death
Moderate: Blood, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, Murder, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicide attempt and Slavery
keen's review against another edition
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Misogyny, Animal death, and Drug use
Minor: Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Sexual assault
outra_joana's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Suicide attempt, Addiction, Gore, Death of parent, Cancer, Sexual content, and Drug abuse
girlwithoutearing's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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
4.0
Hell Bent is a good sequel to Ninth House. It picks up the fast pace and high stakes.
My only complaint is that Alex seems to control some of the other characters a little to well at the end of the story, making some vilians arrive at the right place at the right time a little too effortlessly. It would have made for a good climax if there had been more complications for the main cast of characters at some points. It is explained afterwards that more steps had been taken for that to happen "off screne", but it all went down a little too smoothly imo.
I did really like the characters and their relationships, though. Their friendships or lack thereof felt realistic and I enjoyed reading about them.
My only complaint is that Alex seems to control some of the other characters a little to well at the end of the story, making some vilians arrive at the right place at the right time a little too effortlessly. It would have made for a good climax if there had been more complications for the main cast of characters at some points. It is explained afterwards that more steps had been taken for that to happen "off screne", but it all went down a little too smoothly imo.
I did really like the characters and their relationships, though. Their friendships or lack thereof felt realistic and I enjoyed reading about them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, and Vomit
Minor: Suicide attempt
gphemsley's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Torture, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Addiction, Animal death, Gore, Drug abuse, Police brutality, and Vomit
Minor: Sexism, Sexual content, and Suicide attempt