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A review by nataliestorozhenko
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
4.0
One more book that I enjoyed solely because the main female character is displayed as morally grey, unhinged, and the complete opposite of perfection.
Although it is a fantasy with a pretty fascinating and unpredictable magic system, the familiar dark academia feel was a nice touch combined with its usual critique of modern societies, classism, capitalism, and obsession with possessing divine knowledge. Was it interesting to read about young people dealing drugs though? Not so much for me.
I don’t give this book five stars because although I enjoyed reading about characters with traumatic pasts, I know how Alex is who she is because of it. But I think there was too much monologue and too many references to Hellie, Len, and their drug-induced past. I would instead enjoy more dialogue or anything about Darlington or even the houses of the Veil. I feel like this whole system is intriguing, and I wish to know more details about the workings of each house because I feel like the book swept over them too fast. But maybe in the next books?
Okay, honestly speaking, I enjoyed this book primarily because of Darlington. Anything featuring his dialogue or his thoughts just didn’t let me go. That part where he kneeled before Alex… oh my Lord, it made me feel things…
It was a huge mistake to finish this book before obtaining the next one because I can’t wait to see the gentleman demon in action. And of course, Leigh Bardugo is an absolute master, and it was interesting to see her craft taking a slightly different direction. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
Although it is a fantasy with a pretty fascinating and unpredictable magic system, the familiar dark academia feel was a nice touch combined with its usual critique of modern societies, classism, capitalism, and obsession with possessing divine knowledge. Was it interesting to read about young people dealing drugs though? Not so much for me.
I don’t give this book five stars because although I enjoyed reading about characters with traumatic pasts, I know how Alex is who she is because of it. But I think there was too much monologue and too many references to Hellie, Len, and their drug-induced past. I would instead enjoy more dialogue or anything about Darlington or even the houses of the Veil. I feel like this whole system is intriguing, and I wish to know more details about the workings of each house because I feel like the book swept over them too fast. But maybe in the next books?
Okay, honestly speaking, I enjoyed this book primarily because of Darlington. Anything featuring his dialogue or his thoughts just didn’t let me go. That part where he kneeled before Alex… oh my Lord, it made me feel things…
It was a huge mistake to finish this book before obtaining the next one because I can’t wait to see the gentleman demon in action. And of course, Leigh Bardugo is an absolute master, and it was interesting to see her craft taking a slightly different direction. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.