Name: Ninth House
ISBN: 9781250238061

Leigh Bardugo

Lauren Fortgang

Michael David Axtell

Ninth House

Abigail | 

Emma Hak-Kovacs

Travis Todd

Allie Dietrich

Annie Beth

Sanne Duinker

Abigail Mills

ell.

Namera Nous

Cassandra 

Alina

The mesmerizing adult debut from Leigh Bardugo, a tale of power, privilege, dark magic, and murder set among the Ivy League elite Galaxy “Alex” Stern is the most unlikely member of Yale’s freshman class. Raised in the Los Angeles hinterlands by a hippie mom, Alex dropped out of school early and into a world of shady drug-dealer boyfriends, dead-end jobs, and much, much worse. In fact, by age twenty, she is the sole survivor of a horrific, unsolved multiple homicide. Some might say she’s thrown her life away. But at her hospital bed, Alex is offered a second chance: to attend one of the world’s most prestigious universities on a full ride. What’s the catch, and why her? Still searching for answers, Alex arrives in New Haven tasked by her mysterious benefactors with monitoring the activities of Yale’s secret societies. Their eight windowless “tombs” are the well-known haunts of the rich and powerful, from high-ranking politicos to Wall Street’s biggest players. But their occult activities are more sinister and more extraordinary than any paranoid imagination might conceive. They tamper with forbidden magic. They raise the dead. And, sometimes, they prey on the living.

Elda Mengisto

"That was in the spring. But the trouble had begun on a night in the full dark of winter, when Tara Hutchins died and Alex still thought she might get away with anything." (4) This book intrigued me in a few ways before its publication. I've read Six of Crows, her famous YA novel a year ago, and while I had a hard time reading it in the beginning, I grew to like the story in the end. In addition, she came to Seattle for a book signing, so I wanted to join in on the fun. Unfortunately, I never went, but I still wanted to read the book. Ninth House features Galaxy Stern, a young woman who sees "Greys", or ghosts from the beyond. This revelation surprisingly ends her up at Yale University, where on the surface, she doesn't seem to belong. Her background previously involved dealing drugs and drifting homeless in LA. She becomes the protegee to Darlington, one of the specialists in this dark magic. This becomes further emphasized when Tara Hutchins, an innocent student, gets murdered and may be linked back to these dark societies. From the beginning, where we see Alex ravaging through food in her wounds, I related to her and her story. Bardugo does a good job with giving flashbacks to Alex's youth, which shows how hurt she was with being a loner and not being of one race or another. I also like seeing her beyond this "superwoman"; one of my favorite scenes featured Alex in Belbam's office, wondering what she could make out herself in Yale. They really delve into Alex's humanity and what she wants to do--to live, and to "sit on [her] porch and drink foul-smelling tea and yell at passersby". What's interesting, yet could've done better with execution, was with Darlington, her "Virgil" before he disappears. We get flashes of his experiments in Bardugo's flashbacks, as well as his perspective of Alex. I liked their dynamic, and hope they bring it back in some way, because it was cool seeing them trying to get to know each other. But if the last line from the book hints, then the adventure must be just beginning for them. In addition, the party they went where they had to dodge glamours in food was really sensual and intriguing. Also, this quote: “That was what magic did. It revealed the heart of who you'd been before life took away your belief in the possible. It gave back the world all lonely children longed for.” It added depth to what Darlington believed and how it incorporates into the book. Speaking of magic, it was interesting to see how magic worked in Yale University. It frequently mentioned New Haven beyond the campus, and noted how ordinary it was. Always on the verge of gentrifying beyond compare, they said. However, the history of how magic settled itself into it was curious, if a bit shallow. Bardugo also does a good job with mentioning the different societies and their powers, and it is clear that she did her research on the area. I'm not sure about the power of magic that could spread or be destroyed; maybe it will be covered in a new book or an anthology. A curiosity which straddles through the first book is how girls died. I'm not sure how well-developed it was, especially considering the "normal" circumstances people believed women were murdered. Will this continue as well, especially considering Alex's backstory? Overall, Ninth House is a good book to get into if you're into a mix of modernity and magic. I don't think about the dead frequently when I think about magical worlds in fantasy, but Bardugo does a good job with it. In transitioning to adult novels, she keeps the existential questions with Alex and her role in Yale, but she does decently in it. A dark, but thoughtful book. (7.75/10)

Ninth House is the mesmerizing adult debut from #1 New York Times bestselling author Leigh Bardugo, a tale of power, privilege, dark magic, and murder set among the Ivy League elite. Galaxy “Alex” Stern is the most unlikely member of Yale’s freshman class. Raised in the Los Angeles hinterlands by a hippie mom, Alex dropped out of school early and into a world of shady drug-dealer boyfriends, dead-end jobs, and much, much worse. In fact, by age twenty, she is the sole survivor of a horrific, unsolved multiple homicide. Some might say she’s thrown her life away. But at her hospital bed, Alex is offered a second chance: to attend one of the world’s most prestigious universities on a full ride. What’s the catch, and why her? Still searching for answers, Alex arrives in New Haven tasked by her mysterious benefactors with monitoring the activities of Yale’s secret societies. Their eight windowless “tombs” are the well-known haunts of the rich and powerful, from high-ranking politicos to Wall Street’s biggest players. But their occult activities are more sinister and more extraordinary than any paranoid imagination might conceive. They tamper with forbidden magic. They raise the dead. And, sometimes, they prey on the living.

Painfully underwhelming, ackingly long to get into, amazing second act lost to a weird plot twist ending. I think I am confused 

Claire Maguet

I didn’t care much for the twist at the end, some of the formatting of the book was weird, and it generally was a bit slow and took time for me to get in to. But interesting to read, I definitely want to pick up the next one. 

Hannah Bateman

This book was absolutely thrilling. Every chapter had me dying to know what came next. I loved how unique and mysterious the magic systems were. I didn’t feel super connected to Alex, but I always find it impressive when an author can capture my attention through the eyes of a character that I don’t really like. Overall this book was a bit like a good piece of dark chocolate— a little bit bitter to bite into, but once you start you can’t stop.

Alissa 


This book was absolutely thrilling. Every chapter had me dying to know what came next. I loved how unique and mysterious the magic systems were. I didn’t feel super connected to Alex, but I always find it impressive when an author can capture my attention through the eyes of a character that I don’t really like. Overall this book was a bit like a good piece of dark chocolate— a little bit bitter to bite into, but once you start you can’t stop.

Cuando ganeden esta acerrado, guehinam esta siempre abierto. While the Garden of Eden may be closed, Hell is always open.

“Ninth House” is a great blend of thrills, a fierce female protagonist, and a touch of magic—everything I could hope for to keep my mind racing. The story was so gripping that the 13-hour flight I read it on seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. This was my introduction to Bardugo’s work, and I’m pleased to meet with her.

Alex Stern, is a compelling character—a Yale student and the newest Dante in Lethe House, the enigmatic organization tasked with overseeing New Haven’s secret magical societies. When a girl named Tara is found dead, Alex is dived into an investigation. The stakes are high as she works to ensure the magical houses aren’t behind the murder, and Bardugo keeps you guessing at every turn.

Dark, atmospheric, and utterly engrossing, Ninth House is an excellent read that left me want more. If you’re drawn to stories with rich world-building, sharp heroines, and a touch of the macabre, this book will not disappoint.

Bilge Ince

Cuando ganeden esta acerrado, guehinam esta siempre abierto. While the Garden of Eden may be closed, Hell is always open.

“Ninth House” is a great blend of thrills, a fierce female protagonist, and a touch of magic—everything I could hope for to keep my mind racing. The story was so gripping that the 13-hour flight I read it on seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. This was my introduction to Bardugo’s work, and I’m pleased to meet with her.

Alex Stern, is a compelling character—a Yale student and the newest Dante in Lethe House, the enigmatic organization tasked with overseeing New Haven’s secret magical societies. When a girl named Tara is found dead, Alex is dived into an investigation. The stakes are high as she works to ensure the magical houses aren’t behind the murder, and Bardugo keeps you guessing at every turn.

Dark, atmospheric, and utterly engrossing, Ninth House is an excellent read that left me want more. If you’re drawn to stories with rich world-building, sharp heroines, and a touch of the macabre, this book will not disappoint.

Wowie!! The end of this book is a whirlwind and entirely unpredictable. I literally cannot wait to read the sequel. This is the perfect combo of mystery, thriller, fantasy, dark academia, friendship, romance- it's got it all! If any of those are your vibe, read this!

Paige Leitner

Maria youngberg 

millena

I don’t even know where to start, I picked this book knowing I was going to hate and instead it ended up being the best book I've ever read???

The beginning was TOUGH, you probably won’t understand the first 150 pages but I swear that at some point something just click and you won’t be able to put the book down (!!!!! please check the TW list !!!!!)

Alex is without a doubt in my top 3 favorite FMC’s, her story is so sad and painful to read and even though she went through what she went she’s still so fucking strong, my girl deserves the world 😭


  ”I want to survive this world that keeps trying to destroy me.”


Unfortunately I’ll need at least one month to recover from all Darlington's content so I can find words to describe how much I love him (I need more him in book two please!!!!) ((honorable mention to halloween party scene 🏆))

The side characters were my favorites of all time (specifically Dawes and Turner), at first I thought I wouldn't like them much but after 50% I just couldn't live without them anymore???!? The friendship between Alex and Dawes was so good for the development of the story AND for the personal development of both, I really love it! Turner made me laugh so many times, the man simply can't take the magic seriously and we love him for it

I'm not even going into the plot twists bc there were so many that I'm still shocked, I can't wait to start the second book 😭

A great mystery with loooots of twists/reveals. The characters had so much color and texture and I enjoyed the non-linear timeline. It took on a much stronger fantasy tilt than I expected  especially as it went on but I still was able to find it enjoyable. Excited to read the second book. 

Liyah 🤎

matti horckmans

Jennifer Gosnell

So overall I really liked it!! I liked how morally grey most of the characters were. And there was a LOT goin’ on. Lots of twists. Really interesting history (with the Yale history and societies being real and such, not the magic part obvs haha). 

The world building was really good and immersive. A bit disturbing. VERY disturbing in some parts. (Really could have done without the bathroom ghost scene. Horrifying.) 

I was looking for dark academia and hell, this is DARK academia. I will be picking up the next one to see where this story goes!

radhika dhawan

i think i’m officially a fantasy girlie

Preston Carey

Action packed adult fantasy. Buying Hell Bent rn

Isabella

4.75 ⭐

What an enjoyable ride, truly. I see the criticisms people have of this book and while I can understand them I genuinely thought this was greatly written. I love Alex so much she will live in my heart forever and I found myself relating to her more than once. Very excited to read book two!

I first started this book sometime last year and just couldn't really get into it. Two weeks ago I gave it another go and while it again took me a little while to really understand the plot, I did enjoy the book. 

Ninth House is a unique book with a plot unlike anything I've read before. The beginning was however very vague and the world-and storybuilding took a while but definitely worth it. 

 I'd recommend it if you're into mysterious books with a little magical aspect. 

Isabelle

I first started this book sometime last year and just couldn't really get into it. Two weeks ago I gave it another go and while it again took me a little while to really understand the plot, I did enjoy the book. 

Ninth House is a unique book with a plot unlike anything I've read before. The beginning was however very vague and the world-and storybuilding took a while but definitely worth it. 

 I'd recommend it if you're into mysterious books with a little magical aspect. 

It seems like a very long time since I last enjoyed a fantasy /dark academy novel! So I am going to dive into « Hell bent » straight away. I was not very much into the Grisha series (I read them all anyway) so I had 0 expectations. I like the characters, the plot, the twist, the ideas, hope that the 2d volume of this duology delivers. 

Barbara

the plot was amazing and it had the most unexpected plot twist. Had a hard time with all the name and places but it was totally worth it. Can wait to read the second book!!!!!!

Elena Tsakona

sani

“we are the shepherds.”

4.5★. what a brilliant book! leigh bardugo is my favourite author from now on. i didn't read this book. i lived in this book. the worldbuilding was a little bit confusing in the beginning but i suppose that happens to the best of us when it comes to her books. 

alex stern from the beginning was so intriguing. i think i loved it when it was shown that she's powerful not because she can see the grays but because she can do anything to get what she wants. i mean, my girl literally crossed borderland.

AND darlington? the golden boy of lethe. the gentleman demon. if he doesn't come back in book two and darlingstern ship doesn't sail, i will rip my hair off and never touch a book again. i am not kidding. i am THAT serious. 

“and maybe he wanted her to be the kind of girl who dressed as queen mab, who loved words and had stars in her blood.”

Emily Wisnesky

lemme tell you the amount of times i wanted to dnf this book because of those first 200 pages were crazy. thankfully the pace does pick up after and i did start to understand more of what was going on as well. i really don’t know what to say other than i did enjoy the read and i will be picking up hell bent :)

Everything I ever wanted in a book! Perfect!!!

Samantha Cummings

A LOCUS AWARD FINALIST! The mesmerizing adult debut from Leigh Bardugo, a tale of power, privilege, dark magic, and murder set among the Ivy League elite Galaxy “Alex” Stern is the most unlikely member of Yale’s freshman class. Raised in the Los Angeles hinterlands by a hippie mom, Alex dropped out of school early and into a world of shady drug-dealer boyfriends, dead-end jobs, and much, much worse. In fact, by age twenty, she is the sole survivor of a horrific, unsolved multiple homicide. Some might say she’s thrown her life away. But at her hospital bed, Alex is offered a second chance: to attend one of the world’s most prestigious universities on a full ride. What’s the catch, and why her? Still searching for answers, Alex arrives in New Haven tasked by her mysterious benefactors with monitoring the activities of Yale’s secret societies. Their eight windowless “tombs” are the well-known haunts of the rich and powerful, from high-ranking politicos to Wall Street’s biggest players. But their occult activities are more sinister and more extraordinary than any paranoid imagination might conceive. They tamper with forbidden magic. They raise the dead. And, sometimes, they prey on the living.

Rebeca Keren Nuñez

"Ninth House" de Leigh Bardugo es una novela que te atrapa desde la primera página y te sumerge en un mundo oscuro y fascinante de magia, misterio y secretos ocultos. Publicada en 2019, esta obra marca el debut de Bardugo en la literatura adulta y muestra su talento para crear mundos complejos y personajes memorables.

La historia sigue a Galaxy "Alex" Stern, una joven con un pasado turbulento y un don para ver a los Grays, espíritus que habitan entre los vivos. Alex es reclutada para unirse a la novena casa de Lethe, una sociedad secreta en la Universidad de Yale que se encarga de vigilar las actividades mágicas y asegurarse de que no se salgan de control.

A medida que Alex se sumerge en el oscuro submundo de la magia, se enfrenta a peligros inimaginables y descubre conspiraciones que amenazan con destruir todo lo que conoce. Con la ayuda de su mentor, el enigmático Darlington, y sus propias habilidades únicas, Alex se embarca en una búsqueda de la verdad que la llevará por caminos tortuosos y llenos de peligros.

Lo que hace que "Ninth House" sea tan cautivadora es su mezcla única de elementos sobrenaturales, intriga política y exploración de temas profundos como el poder, la corrupción y la redención. Bardugo crea un mundo vívido y detallado que te absorbe por completo, con una prosa elegante y evocadora que te transporta a las calles empedradas de New Haven y los oscuros pasillos de la novena casa.

Además de su trama absorbente, la novela está poblada por personajes complejos y multifacéticos que saltan de las páginas con vida propia. Desde la valiente y decidida Alex hasta el misterioso y carismático Darlington, cada personaje está hábilmente desarrollado y aporta capas adicionales a la historia.

En resumen, "Ninth House" es una obra impresionante que combina intriga, magia y suspenso en una narrativa inolvidable. Con su mundo ricamente imaginado y sus personajes convincentes, Leigh Bardugo nos ofrece una experiencia de lectura que te dejará sin aliento hasta la última página.

Galaxy "Alex" Stern is the most unlikely member of Yale's freshman class. A dropout and the sole survivor of a horrific unresolved crime, Alex was hoping for a fresh start.

But her free ride comes with a catch. She has been tasked with monitoring Yale's secret societies - notorious haunts of the rich and powerful.

Now there's a dead girl on campus, and Alex is the only person willing to look deeper. Because societies are far more sinister and extraordinary than anyone ever imagined.

They tamper with forbidden magic. They raise the dead. And sometimes they prey on the living.

Maria

a solid 4.5 read for me

i think my rating says it all, i enjoyed this a lot. a fair warning though that there is a lot of discussion around and depiction of sexual assault (rape, csa), as well as drug abuse and general gore.

the writing worked well for creating the general ominous atmosphere of the story, and establishing the setting. i have to say though i felt like the first 100 pages or so kind of dragged, although there were things happening. it might have been because a lot of information about the socities, the so-called ninth house, the magic, and characters were all introduced to us, but i struggled a bit at first. there was also a great detail of information, which was good for establishing the setting, but sometimes hard to keep track of. another thing that did not work for me were the societies themselves: i had a hard time distinguishing between them. i remember maybe three of them and only barely what they were specializing in. however, i do understand the intent behind the societies: they represent the rich and powerful, those privileged enough who can get away with anything, no matter how horrible their actions. so it makes sense that they would blur and blend into each other, they’re all after all the same, no matter what magic they would specialize in.

i enjoyed that the narrative moves between two timelines, and while it could risk becoming annoying or adding a sense of constant interruption to the present timeline, it did not. the plot also kept me invested all the way through, and even though i guessed the culprits involved in the murder mystery i still found every second of it to be intriguing.

the characters really shine through this story. i think leigh bardugo’s writing is at its best when she’s focusing on these morally grey characters. i loved alex, i felt her pain and anger, and understood her frustration with the unfairness of the world she lives in. i admired that through all this she still fights hard to get some justice, to get some power for herself. darlington on the other hand was so delightful to read about, he was just waxing poetics about new haven at every turn, and hoped desperately there had to be more to life than just whatever we see around us; how could i not love him? 
i also thought the little tidbits of magic around lethe and all the other houses was fascinating. 

a really surprisingly good read overall. i hate that i have to wait for the next book, because that ending really has me on edge.

Ninth House

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