What would you do if you're approached to attend one of the most elite universities in the world, on a full ride?
You'd most likely say 'yes!' but what about what the catch is monitoring the activities of the school's secret societies? Even when their occult activities might not always fall into the most 'moral' of standards.
Galaxy 'Alex' Stern is not a good person, or even a 'wrong place, wrong time' kind of person. She dropped out of school, got involved with drug dealers, and mysteriously survives the murder of most of her acquaintances back in Los Angles.
Ninth House is the first in an adult series by Leigh Bardugo, who is known for having written the Grishaverse books. This book follows Alex as she thrown into a world that is opposite the one she knows. Rich people, extravagant life styles and magic some people could never comprehend. She is brought into Yale on a full ride to help their supervise their secret societies activities.
While doing this she meets the quiet Pamela Dawes and pretty-boy Daniel Arlington (Darlington), who are about the Lethe. A magical society that is meant to keep the others in check, until they are pulled into a murder investigation that eventually leads them to...hell?
Ninth House is a wild ride, with magic, parties and characters with deep secrets that make things complicated for everyone involved. This book is different from the young adult novels we know Leigh for, but has its own magic and darkness that made it a 4/5 star read for me.
Ninth House is followed by Hell Bent, which was released earlier this month. Hell Bent finds these characters trying to enter hell, to save themselves and someone who they lost. But getting into the underworld is not easy, and taking someone back with you is even harder. Hell doesn't want to let go of its dead.
In order to avoid spoilers, I won't get too much into Hell Bent, but this book was also a fun read for me. 4/5 stars with new fantastical elements, deep emotions from the characters and new demons placed upon the world.
I can easily say that Leigh Bardugo is one of my favorite authors. I love her use of fantasy and complex magic as well as having deep characters, mostly with dark pasts. These characters have to make hard choices and the depth of them has always been something I've enjoyed.
Do you have any favorite books by Leigh Bardugo? Or even an author you know is a 'I will buy everything they write'? Leave a comment below!
Also be sure to check of Ninth House and Hell Bent, hopefully from a local bookstore!
More information on Ninth House can be found on the Goodreads link below:
Comments