norcaldiy 's review for:

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious sad 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: Yes

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I don't like horror but I love this book. The horrors here have contemporary relevance, tackling abuse of women and the insidious evils of capitalism, the v!olence inherent in the system, and the entrenched nature of power imbalances in America. But it gives us just enough magic to make this book seem escapist, a team of heroes with just enough hope at the end that you think we all really might make it through this in the end! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Car accident, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism