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A review by emptzuu
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Leigh Bardugo exhibits exceptional skill as a writer, even managing to captivate someone like me who typically isn't drawn to young adult fiction. Her Grishaverse characters won me over and secured her a place among my favorite fantasy authors.
Her transition to adult fiction with "Ninth House" was unexpected yet vital to my reading repertoire. From the outset, I found myself utterly engrossed in its dark academia setting, rich with murder, mystery, and ghosts—a perfect match for my literary tastes. The complexity of protagonist Alex, with her facade of being a good girl, added depth and intrigue to the narrative.
However, "Ninth House" isn't flawless. The book faces pacing issues, possibly stemming from the challenge of transitioning to adult fiction. The non-linear storytelling, while attempting to weave past and present together, occasionally becomes convoluted, especially with the addition of flashbacks. It feels as though Bardugo, unbound by the constraints of YA, attempted to incorporate a wide range of themes and elements, resulting in an experimental narrative that occasionally feels overstuffed. The ambitious scope of the series, initially planned as a 12-book saga, may have contributed to rushed sections, attempting to cover too much within a 500-page novel and overwhelming readers with information.
The perspective shifts, particularly to Darlington, occasionally feel redundant and slow the pacing, detracting from the narrative flow. While Bardugo handled multiple perspectives adeptly in "Six of Crows," the limited dual perspectives in "Ninth House" struggle to effectively advance the story.
Certain aspects of the narrative feel forced, particularly in the realm of horror and drama. It prompts questions about the authenticity of certain scenes—are they crafted for shock value or integral to the plot's development? The crime mystery plotline, especially in the final 150 pages, felt predictable and clichéd, lacking the satisfaction of a well-crafted conclusion.
Nevertheless, Bardugo effectively builds the world and its mechanisms. Her storytelling prowess shines through, leaving readers with a thought-provoking and immersive experience. The book may require slower reading to fully appreciate, but its depth and detail ultimately pay off. The extensive thought, detail, and research invested in crafting this story and its world are impossible to overlook. It's been a while since a book has left me feeling this way. Bring on the journey to hell!
Her transition to adult fiction with "Ninth House" was unexpected yet vital to my reading repertoire. From the outset, I found myself utterly engrossed in its dark academia setting, rich with murder, mystery, and ghosts—a perfect match for my literary tastes. The complexity of protagonist Alex, with her facade of being a good girl, added depth and intrigue to the narrative.
However, "Ninth House" isn't flawless. The book faces pacing issues, possibly stemming from the challenge of transitioning to adult fiction. The non-linear storytelling, while attempting to weave past and present together, occasionally becomes convoluted, especially with the addition of flashbacks. It feels as though Bardugo, unbound by the constraints of YA, attempted to incorporate a wide range of themes and elements, resulting in an experimental narrative that occasionally feels overstuffed. The ambitious scope of the series, initially planned as a 12-book saga, may have contributed to rushed sections, attempting to cover too much within a 500-page novel and overwhelming readers with information.
The perspective shifts, particularly to Darlington, occasionally feel redundant and slow the pacing, detracting from the narrative flow. While Bardugo handled multiple perspectives adeptly in "Six of Crows," the limited dual perspectives in "Ninth House" struggle to effectively advance the story.
Certain aspects of the narrative feel forced, particularly in the realm of horror and drama. It prompts questions about the authenticity of certain scenes—are they crafted for shock value or integral to the plot's development? The crime mystery plotline, especially in the final 150 pages, felt predictable and clichéd, lacking the satisfaction of a well-crafted conclusion.
Nevertheless, Bardugo effectively builds the world and its mechanisms. Her storytelling prowess shines through, leaving readers with a thought-provoking and immersive experience. The book may require slower reading to fully appreciate, but its depth and detail ultimately pay off. The extensive thought, detail, and research invested in crafting this story and its world are impossible to overlook. It's been a while since a book has left me feeling this way. Bring on the journey to hell!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Murder, Death, Addiction, Cursing, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexual content