Ninth House by Leigh Bard Ugo
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Web ID: 117752393 stars
Galaxy "Alex" Stern is from LA and now studies at Yale while also learning to take over for Darlington at Lethe House, a secret society charged with monitoring the other secret societies of Yale. Alex is special; she can see "Grays" or ghosts that normal humans can't see without taking a very dangerous potion. The book switches between Alex and Darlington for a while and also switches time periods. Alex has a history with drugs and trauma and is using this opportunity as a fresh start. This book is long. It is 15 hours long in audiobook and around 450 pages in print. There is so much narrative. Nothing happens for the majority of the book. You get sprinkles of action and then more narrative. This book should have been exciting and should have held my attention from start to finish. Secret societies, commentary of privilege, trauma, victims taking back their power, all of it seems to make for a great book. It just was very boring at times and tough to get through. There are many dark themes and some gratuitous violence. Alex has had a lot happen to her in her short life. I like that Bardugo was attempting to tackle things like trauma, privilege, and power. Alex does find some healing within herself and confronts the privilege that she sees. I think the problem is that Alex is hard to like. You feel for her, but there is a disconnect. I still think I'll be reading Hell Bent because I'm curious to see what the outcome is for Darlington, but I'm going to take a break and try another book before diving back into this world.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
It's own little world
I liked the way this book skipped around from the present to the past in order to show and tell the backstory of characters without slowing the plot down. It was hard to put down! Very chapter led you further and further into the story, which you knew has some twists and turns coming, but just like the characters, couldn’t quite figure out what they would be. It was a great blend of the supernatural with the all too realistic world and mixed them together to where you can’t tell when some stopped and the other started. It’s a long read, with a lot of description to make you really feel in it, but I could have used a bit more fleshing out of the characters. There are quite a few side characters and I found myself looking back to see who they were and not getting a lot of personality come through on them.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Thrilling, Dark, Magical, a little Confusing.
Dive into the mystical shadows of Yale University, where the arcane and the academic intertwine in Leigh Bardugo's Ninth House, a spellbinding tale that blends the allure of Dark Academia with the chilling elements of Dark Fantasy and Secret Societies. 🌟 Unraveling the Enigma: Meet Alex Stern, a uniquely dark protagonist, haunted by a past slowly unveiled across multiple timelines. As a girl, she grappled with terrifying apparitions, dubbed "greys" by those unaware of the vivid clarity with which she sees these spectral figures. Teaming up with the campus golden boy, Daniel Arlington, Alex delves into the secrets of Yale's hidden societies, unearthing a the story's main mystery. 🌀 Multi-Timeline Intricacies: The narrative weaves through dual perspectives and timelines, adding complexity to the plot. While this unique storytelling style may pose a challenge initially, persist through the first two thirds, and the intricate threads of the tale will seamlessly converge, pulling you into a captivating world where secrets lurk around every corner. 📖 A Gradual Page-Turner: Admittedly, Ninth House requires some patience, demanding readers to trudge through the initial chapters. However, once the intricacies become clear, the last hundred pages transform the narrative into a relentless page-turner, culminating in a wild cliffhanger that will leave you reaching for the sequel without a second thought. ⚠️ Content Warning: Proceed with Caution: While recommending this enthralling read, it's crucial to mention the triggering content, including sexual assault and rape. Potential readers should approach with awareness, as these themes play a significant role in the story's progression. 🌌 Conclusion: Ninth House is a dark and mesmerizing journey into the mystical underbelly of academia. Despite some initial challenges, the payoff is worth the investment, and the promise of an unforgettable sequel will linger long after the final page. A must-read for those who relish the blend of magic, mystery, and the complexities of the human psyche.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Dark and Tense. Such a Good Read!
I've had this book for what seems like forever and finally picked it up because I needed a book with a snake on the cover for a readathon. I'm glad I chose this one. I already love this author because Grishaverse...enough said there haha. If you don't know...go find it! Anywho .. this is different from the author's other books as this one isn't YA and man what a ride. This will definitely be one readers either love or don't...I really cannot see an in-between. This is a very tense read, with a Gothic feel, shrouded in mystery and dark magic. Perfect one for me and would be a good one for Spooktober due to the content. Cannot wait to find out where this story ends.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Bardugo’s adult debut is masterfully written.
I thoroughly enjoyed how the novel alternates between both Alex and Darlington’s perspectives. The longer I occupied their minds and uncovered their flaws, motivations, and fears, the more I grew attached to them as a result. Additionally, I appreciated how Bardugo organizes “Ninth House”’s timeline by idea instead of by chronological order of events, which was a breath of fresh air. I was constantly on my toes as each chapter haphazardly moved backward and forward in time, caught off guard by the clever plot twists and shocking reveals in connection with the fantastical murder mystery storyline. What made Bardugo’s novel even more enjoyable was her world-building. Much of the novel takes place in the New Haven area, specifically on Yale’s campus. Bardugo does a fantastic job immersing the reader in Yale’s atmosphere by providing detailed descriptions of the campus architecture, drawing the reader’s attention to defining landmarks, and weaving in the institution’s history. Her magic system is entirely unique and revolves around Yale’s many secret societies. Built on Nexus’ of power, the fictional Lethe House is meant to regulate their activities. Different abilities are attributed to each of the nine houses (illusions, elemental magic, shapeshifting, necromancy, portal magic, divination by use of reading entrails, etc.) and I loved trying to figure out what role each house played in the murder plot. This book easily made my favorites list! I cannot wait to get my hands on “Hell Bent” and get my Darlington fix!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Fun read
I loved the author's take on all things spooky, and the main character was witty. Her attitude was savage. I'm so glad the next book is out!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
GREAT - Secret Societies, Dark Magic, Conspiracy
It took me about 50 pages to get into it but once I did, I was HOOKED! Leigh Burdugo is a master storyteller, and the fact she actually went to Yale & was involved in the “secret societies” really shines through in all the well-thought out, vivid descriptions of the campus and societies! I loved the characters, (DARLINGTON) , looovvvvedddd Alex, a strong, fully-formed and complex female protagonist who sees dead people and understandably, had a very difficult early life then show up a Ivy Leauge, thrown into the elitist world of the societies. Her commentary and perspective are refreshing. Chock full of mystery, murder, magic, conspiracy and a sprinkle Burdugo’s signature slow-build romance. I would HIGHLY recommend Ninth House, I could not put it down and cannot wait for the next one!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Great read, dark, beautifully written
This is one of my favorite books lately and I can’t wait for the next. It has some darkness and a spooky feel to it. Mysterious, creepy, intense, and a tinge of romance building up. I also love Alex stern.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com