A review by kearstinreading
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

adventurous dark mysterious 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

4.75

When it comes to unexpected life paths, Alex Stern's journey might top them all. She dropped out of school, got involved with a drug dealer, and even became the sole survivor of a multiple homicide. Yale University seemed like the last place on Earth one would expect her to land. However, a mysterious offer arrives, granting her a full scholarship to Yale in exchange for her role in monitoring the school's secret societies. Seizing the opportunity to leave her tumultuous past behind, Alex embarks on her Ivy League adventure. Little does she know that the seemingly calm world of Yale's secret societies might be more dangerous than the chaos she left behind.

I'll admit that "Ninth House" initially presented a challenge for me. The first few chapters felt dense, and I'm the type who usually seeks escape in easy reads or thrillers. The dense writing style felt like a barrier to my limited free time. However, determination led me to revisit the book during my maternity leave, and, as it turns out, being trapped under a newborn for naps and feeds provided the perfect opportunity to dive into the story.

Once I managed to push past those early chapters, I discovered a story that I couldn't help but fall in love with. Flawed as she was, Alex's character resonated with me, and I found myself empathizing with her struggles. I wanted her to succeed, to make better choices, and I was completely riveted by her journey. The book's captivating narrative even had me reading in the middle of the night during those precious moments of postpartum awakeness. 

Beyond Alex, the setting itself became a character in the story. Yale's campus and its secret societies leaped off the pages and came alive in my mind. The campus setting was reminiscent of "The Magicians" series, which happens to be one of my personal favorites. The world-building in "Ninth House" was simply outstanding. 

In summary, I found the dense writing style and well-crafted characters of "Ninth House" to be a winning combination. This book is a perfect choice for the spooky season, but its compelling story and vibrant characters make it a great read year-round. Once you hurdle that initial challenge, you'll find yourself in the midst of an engrossing tale that's worth every page.