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odysseyreader 's review for:

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
4.25
challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
Unveiling the Underbelly of Ivy League Magic

About the Book:
  • Title: Ninth House
  • Author: Leigh Bardugo
  • Page Length: 458
  • Publication Date: 2019
  • Publisher: Flatiron Books
  • Dates Read: May 17, 2025 — June 10, 2025
  • Rating: ★★★★☆

**REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS**

Review:

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo is a journey into the grim, hidden world beneath Yale’s elite veneer, a true masterclass in Dark Academia and Urban Fantasy. Even on a second read-through, this book doesn’t shy away from disturbing imagery, right from the start, making it wonderfully spooky. That opening description of the “blooming” abdomen on pages 9–10 and the “butterfly flay” analogy? Absolutely chilling. And the idea of reading fortunes from body gore on page 11? No thanks! The concept of a comatose “lowlife” being tested on for prognostication is unsettlingly morbid.

But it’s not all gore and grimness. The novel manages to pull you in with intriguing magic concepts. The moment on pages 70–71 where the moths darken and the ink vanishes from her skin, her expression changes, opened. Her lips parted, and Darlington whispers, “Ink drunk.” This quote is always awe-inspiring and showcases the unique magical system.

I found Alex’s character incredibly relatable. On page 120, when she reflects on being the “twitchy kid, who talked to herself and flinched at things that weren’t there” and how counselors had various theories — “one counselor thought she had ADD; another that she needed a more regular sleep schedule. Then there was the vice principal, who had taken her mother aside and murmured that Alex just might just be a little slow.” This deeply resonated with my own experiences of being perceived as different. Like Alex, I’m jumpy, a bit slow, have AuDHD, and can sense and see ghosts. The way Alex uses her unique abilities to uncover truth, even when it’s gruesome (like the “ritual to reveal harm” on page 140, which also gives me inspiration for my own writing), makes for compelling reading. This reinforces the urban fantasy element where magic intersects with very real, dark problems.

Bardugo weaves a complex narrative, alternating between Alex’s present and Darlington’s past, leading to the thrilling reveal of Tara Hutchins’ killer. This core murder mystery aspect keeps the tension high. The twists kept me hooked, even on a reread. For example, the moment on page 371 when Alex sees “a monster — there was no other word for it — horned and heavy-toothed, so big its hulking body blotted out the night sky. A boar. A ram. The rearing, segmented body of a scorpion.” I had completely forgotten about this eerie scene and the later reveal on page 425: “So you sent the hellbeast to consume him that night.” And the final plot twist on page 433: “You killed them all. All those girls. One by one. You ate their souls.” This is definitely a plot twist worthy of a song! The world-building is intricate, revealing surprising aspects of Yale’s hidden history and its dangerous magical practices.

What truly impressed me was the book’s unflinching portrayal of real-world problems: what goes on in college that light never touches, how justice can be mishandled, and how outsiders deserve a voice. This is definitely an ADULT ONLY read, as it delves into very grim subjects like drug use and the disturbing truths that can hide within privileged spaces.

Leigh Bardugo deserves immense credit for never glamorizing any of it, not even the magic. Ninth House forces you to confront the truth as it is, no matter how uncomfortable. It’s a powerful and thought-provoking read that will stick with you long after the final page.

These books should provide a good starting point for your next odyssey into the dark and magical: 

  1. The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake: This is peak Dark Academia with a brilliant, intricate magic system. It follows six magical prodigies competing for a spot in a secret society. Expect highly complex narratives, morally gray and relatable characters, plenty of plot twists, and deep philosophical questions. It’s less “spooky” in a ghostly sense but definitely has a dark, competitive, and at times grim atmosphere.

  1. A Deadly Education (The Scholomance #1) by Naomi Novik: If you liked the “magic school with a dark twist” of Ninth House, this is a must-read. Set in a deadly magical boarding school where monsters are real and graduation is a miracle, it’s spooky, features a very unique magical system (especially how magic is accumulated and used), and has a wonderfully cynical yet relatable character in El. It’s a complex narrative with real-world problems (privilege, survival) magnified by the magical setting.

  1. Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey: This book directly blends a murder mystery with an urban fantasy setting at a magic high school. The protagonist is a cynical private investigator hired to look into a gruesome murder, leading her back to her estranged magical sister. It’s got a grim subject (murder, dark secrets), a complex narrative, and a very relatable character struggling with her identity and past. The magical elements are distinct and woven into the real world.

  1. Vita Nostra by Marina and Sergey Dyachenko: If you want truly unique magical systems and a highly thought-provoking and complex narrative, this is it. It’s a surreal Dark Academia novel set in a mysterious institute where students are forced to learn what feels like impossible, nonsensical lessons that transform them in profound ways. It’s grim and philosophical, definitely not for the faint of heart, but incredibly rewarding for those who like to think deeply about magic and reality.

  1. Gideon the Ninth (The Locked Tomb #1) by Tamsyn Muir: While leaning more into sci-fi fantasy, this book is intensely spooky with necromancy as its unique magical system. It’s a murder mystery set in a gothic, decaying space mansion, featuring sharp wit and relatable characters (especially Gideon and Harrow’s dynamic). Expect plot twists, a complex overarching narrative, and a grim atmosphere.

  1. The Secret History by Donna Tartt: This is the quintessential Dark Academia novel, though without overt magical elements. It’s a literary murder mystery with a complex narrative focusing on a group of eccentric classics students at an elite New England college whose intellectual pursuits lead to a horrifying crime. It’s highly thought-provoking about morality, privilege, and the dark side of intellectual obsession. While not fantasy, fans of the “dark academia” and “grim subjects” aspects of Ninth House will likely appreciate this.

Do you have a favorite dark academia book ? Tell me in the comments and add to my Storygraph Challenge!

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Disclosure: All thoughts are my own. Also: When you buy a book from the Bookshop.org links I provide, you will either provide me or an independent bookshop. I support a portion of the affiliate sales if you use them to buy a book I recommend!



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