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A review by nataliestorozhenko
Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo
4.0
My eyes and brain hurt as I devoured this book in two days, but it was so good. Leigh Bardugo's writing is so comfortably familiar with its amazing build of a found family trope but heavily and beautifully encased in academia. I loved all the references and quotes. How suitably they are woven into the puzzle.
“Traditionally, we are told the moral is "There is no reward for serving the wicked." But we might as well understand the story to posit this question: "Isn't it a merry thing to cheat death?”
Of course, one of the main reasons I was clutching at this book as a maniac is to see Darlington out of his predicament, finally. And once again, anything that features him, either dialogue or just a memory swoops me over. This character is written so deliciously, I didn't know I needed it. I will not comment on the glowstick as it was not used.
“You know your problem?”
“A predilection for first editions and women who like to lecture me about myself?”
I love how Galaxy's character progresses into a more confident and powerful position, and I just see how the author leads us to something even more epic. As well as Dawes, a shy and genius sweetheart but now more confident to show her claws to protect her family. Even Tripp has grown on me.
"Don't die. Try not to be an asshole. That's the oath."
God, I love Alex and Darlington's dynamic. It is a very slow burn that tries to mislead us into doubting it's even there. But desire is there for sure and it's evident. When they're together on the page, it feels like a fire, a delicious one. But my patience is running low, book three better have some action! Or help me, God!!!
“Her gentlemen demon.”
“His monstrous queen. His gentle ruler.”
This book is different in its pace and time setting. Unlike the first book, it's just covering a few weeks of descending to hell. It's different than I expected, I thought we would see some Dante's idea of circling through different levels of hell. Instead, most of the time was provided for preparation and it's quite action-packed, while the descends (yes, multiple) are quite short. And to be honest, I loved this structure even more than the first book. It's not better, it's just different. I was trying to connect all the dots by myself, but the solution to the mystery was surprising for me, which I appreciate.
“I think you well know that one can be both a murderer and a good man. Or at least a man who tries to be good. If only the evil did terrible things, what a simple world it would be.”
But what I didn't expect is that we mostly forget and do not interact with other houses while our curiosity is starving. Yes, it's logical as they're quite busy saving the most important character of the whole series, but now it's harder to figure out what is the whole role of the societies in the series and whether we will come back to them. Felt a little like a backlash.
As with the first book, I didn't enjoy a lot of Hellie's presence, idk, it just doesn't sit with me. Also was bored out of my wits by the Eitan's business, although liked how it played in the end. And couldn't grasp why so many pages were provided for Turner's quite boring "killer" memory.
Overall, I loved this book and can not wait for the next book in the series. I'm thankful to Leigh Bardugo for being decent enough not to leave a too-open ending. At least my favorite character is safe and sound for now and can stand for himself before all hell breaks loose. Oh, wait...
“Come on Darlington,' she said. 'Let's give them hell.”
“Traditionally, we are told the moral is "There is no reward for serving the wicked." But we might as well understand the story to posit this question: "Isn't it a merry thing to cheat death?”
Of course, one of the main reasons I was clutching at this book as a maniac is to see Darlington out of his predicament, finally. And once again, anything that features him, either dialogue or just a memory swoops me over. This character is written so deliciously, I didn't know I needed it. I will not comment on the glowstick as it was not used.
“You know your problem?”
“A predilection for first editions and women who like to lecture me about myself?”
I love how Galaxy's character progresses into a more confident and powerful position, and I just see how the author leads us to something even more epic. As well as Dawes, a shy and genius sweetheart but now more confident to show her claws to protect her family. Even Tripp has grown on me.
"Don't die. Try not to be an asshole. That's the oath."
God, I love Alex and Darlington's dynamic. It is a very slow burn that tries to mislead us into doubting it's even there. But desire is there for sure and it's evident. When they're together on the page, it feels like a fire, a delicious one. But my patience is running low, book three better have some action! Or help me, God!!!
“Her gentlemen demon.”
“His monstrous queen. His gentle ruler.”
This book is different in its pace and time setting. Unlike the first book, it's just covering a few weeks of descending to hell. It's different than I expected, I thought we would see some Dante's idea of circling through different levels of hell. Instead, most of the time was provided for preparation and it's quite action-packed, while the descends (yes, multiple) are quite short. And to be honest, I loved this structure even more than the first book. It's not better, it's just different. I was trying to connect all the dots by myself, but the solution to the mystery was surprising for me, which I appreciate.
“I think you well know that one can be both a murderer and a good man. Or at least a man who tries to be good. If only the evil did terrible things, what a simple world it would be.”
But what I didn't expect is that we mostly forget and do not interact with other houses while our curiosity is starving. Yes, it's logical as they're quite busy saving the most important character of the whole series, but now it's harder to figure out what is the whole role of the societies in the series and whether we will come back to them. Felt a little like a backlash.
As with the first book, I didn't enjoy a lot of Hellie's presence, idk, it just doesn't sit with me. Also was bored out of my wits by the Eitan's business, although liked how it played in the end. And couldn't grasp why so many pages were provided for Turner's quite boring "killer" memory.
Overall, I loved this book and can not wait for the next book in the series. I'm thankful to Leigh Bardugo for being decent enough not to leave a too-open ending. At least my favorite character is safe and sound for now and can stand for himself before all hell breaks loose. Oh, wait...
“Come on Darlington,' she said. 'Let's give them hell.”