A review by bffbookclubbritt
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I. Love. This. Book.

Alex Stern has something the secret societies at Yale want - she can see ghosts. Despite her troubled past, she gets a full ride to the prestigious school where she is mentored by the pretentious Darlington. After a murder close to campus brings Alex and Darlington on the brink of something off about the societies, Darlington goes missing and it’s up to Alex to find him.

This book is so unique and soooooo dark. I love Bardugo’s take on the ability to see ghosts and the way she builds this magic system very slowly. Alex is so cool and rough around the edges, which makes her perfect for a strong character arc.

Never have I ever had a book boyfriend who has shown up less in a novel. How is Darlington the best character and he’s in the novel the least? That’s good writing, my friends.

My only beef with the novel is that the beginning was sooooo confusing. I’m glad I pushed through though and when I re-read the beginning I was like “oh yes I know what this all means now,” ha!

5/5 ghostie stars!
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