A review by em_chata
Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo

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? It's complicated

5.0

Leigh Bardugo’s writing is incredible. Easily some of the best fantasy I’ve ever read. I love her books. The way she wrote Ninth House and Hell Bent is knowing, almost. It’s like the solution to the mystery is on the tip of your tongue the whole time, but you can’t quite find the words to describe it. She weaves together stories so effortlessly, and does it in such a unique way that I haven’t been able to find in many other books I’ve read. Galaxy Stern is an incredible main character and utterly real—she doesn’t try to make herself the hero, doesn’t try to be anything she’s not. There’s no ~grand revealing~ of Alex suddenly changing herself for the greater good, it’s just Alex being Alex. I loved how Bardugo wove several different stories into one grand plot—Eitan, Darlington, and the murders—it made the ending that much more satisfying. 

In addition, I’m really excited to see more of Darlington and Alex’s relationship. It kinda feels like how it does when you’re reading the book—a mystery, on the tip of your tongue…IDK how to explain it. I just love that their relationship goes so much deeper and that there’s still so much to unravel. I love how Bardugo set this book up perfectly for the next book, leaving dealings with Reiter and Hell’s open door for Galaxy and Darlington to handle in the next one. 10/10. Cannot express how much I adored this book and how excited I am for the third one. 😭
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