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A review by takarakei
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
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
5.0
Reread January 2023:
I'm so glad I decided to reread this prior to the sequel coming out. I enjoyed it even more than the first time. I remembered the basic plotline, but forgot a lot of the details, which allowed me to just awe at the way Bardugo weaves the story together. So many crumbs throughout this book that are left for not only the main mystery of this book, but more for the future of the series. Also listened to the audiobook at the same time which was very well done. Bardugo also does an interview with the narrator at the end (audiobook)!
Original Review Sept 2022:
If you like dark academia and murder mysteries this book is for you!
This book is wild! One of my reading notes was literally "wtf am I reading"? A murder mystery unlike any I've ever read. Will keep you guessing til the end. So many twists and turns. The MC Alex is badass but flawed and realistic. She is constantly underestimated and totally not given enough credit for how badass she is.
This is a very dark book. A lot of bad things happen, please check CW/TW!!
The ending is a great metaphor for non-intersectional feminism (Belbalm) and the overall book has great metaphors for power imbalances and elitism. Also side note, to me Alex reads as bi
I'm curious to see where the sequel will go, it sounds like potentially in a different direction based on the ending.
I'm so glad I decided to reread this prior to the sequel coming out. I enjoyed it even more than the first time. I remembered the basic plotline, but forgot a lot of the details, which allowed me to just awe at the way Bardugo weaves the story together. So many crumbs throughout this book that are left for not only the main mystery of this book, but more for the future of the series. Also listened to the audiobook at the same time which was very well done. Bardugo also does an interview with the narrator at the end (audiobook)!
Original Review Sept 2022:
If you like dark academia and murder mysteries this book is for you!
This book is wild! One of my reading notes was literally "wtf am I reading"? A murder mystery unlike any I've ever read. Will keep you guessing til the end. So many twists and turns. The MC Alex is badass but flawed and realistic. She is constantly underestimated and totally not given enough credit for how badass she is.
This is a very dark book. A lot of bad things happen, please check CW/TW!!
I'm curious to see where the sequel will go, it sounds like potentially in a different direction based on the ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Gaslighting, Grief, Vomit, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Classism, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Racism, Racial slurs, and Alcohol
Institutional racism. child rape/SA, date rape (serial date rape)