Who Would Like This Book:
If you love dark academia, secret societies, and a hefty dose of contemporary magic, "Ninth House" is a must-read. Leigh Bardugo masterfully blends supernatural intrigue with a sharp critique of privilege and power structures, all set in an atmospheric Yale brimming with secrets. The protagonist, Alex Stern, is a gritty, deeply flawed, but fiercely determined outsider - perfect for readers who root for underdogs and appreciate complex, layered characters. Fans of murder mysteries with a paranormal twist, intricate world-building, and morally gray heroes will find plenty to sink their teeth into. If you liked "The Secret History," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," or just love that moody, haunted campus vibe, this is for you!
Who May Not Like This Book:
This book isn't for everyone. Some readers have found the pacing slow, especially in the beginning where there’s a lot of world-building and detail about Yale that may feel excessive if you’re not into setting. The nonlinear timeline and info-dumps can be confusing, and some felt the magic system was a bit under-explained. Content-wise, "Ninth House" goes dark, tackling heavy topics like drug abuse, trauma, and sexual violence, which may be triggering or just too much for readers preferring lighter fare. If you dislike bleak stories, unlikable or abrasive main characters, or want your fantasy without graphic horror elements, this may not be your cup of tea.
About:
In 'Ninth House' by Leigh Bardugo, the story revolves around Galaxy Alex Stern, a survivor dealing with a traumatic past who is recruited to oversee the mystical activities of the secret societies at Yale. As part of House Leathe, the ninth house, Alex becomes entangled in a web of dark secrets, disappearances, and murder on campus. The book delves into themes of trauma, magic, violence, and the power dynamics within the elite circles of Yale, creating a world where the supernatural intertwines with the everyday struggles of its characters. The writing style is described as dark, compelling, and filled with vivid descriptions that transport readers to the atmospheric setting of Yale University.
Genres:
Tropes/Plot Devices:
Topics:
Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include graphic violence, sexual assault, trauma, substance abuse, and themes of death.
From The Publisher:
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.
Ratings (448)
Incredible (84) | |
Loved It (152) | |
Liked It (97) | |
It Was OK (60) | |
Did Not Like (38) | |
Hated It (17) |
Reader Stats (1314):
Read It (459) | |
Currently Reading (11) | |
Want To Read (608) | |
Did Not Finish (48) | |
Not Interested (188) |
17 comment(s)
This book really captured me. I loved it! Randomly, the occult elements reminded me of the occult aspects of the TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Darlington also reminded me a little of Buffy's Giles; he really felt like Alex's "Watcher".
Overall, my favorite part of the book was how well rounded and fleshed out Alex was. She was witty and strong but had a vulnerable side that you really could empathize with as well. I felt like I really knew her. There were also quite a few likable side characters. Dawes, Turner, and Darlington were all wonderful and all added something extra to the story.
In addition to ALL these positives, at the heart of this story is an interesting and compelling mystery with numerous plot twists and turns. It made me want to keep reading and reading and reading! I just didn't want to put the book down, and every time I had to, I couldn't wait to pick it back up. I would highly recommend this book. Can't wait for the next one!
2/18/25: surprised to discover i liked this one just as much on reread!
-
belated review, but i've been thinking about this one too much to let it slip by without an endorsement. i went into it cautiously bc i didnt love sixy crows, but this was really really good. around the 75% mark, i glimpsed an alternate reality where this book could have had a ghost boyfriend and realized that would have been the tipping point to put it in my favorites shelf. i have a feeling one of the next few books in the series will take that place instead. waiting with bated breath for #2.
was really nervous walking into this book, but the ending was actually so good. i was very confused with wtf was going on the first 150 pages or so but after that it got real good!
A great crafter of words and worlds. A magic system that was intriguing but I found it a little clunky as you went from past to present to the farther past. Still looking forward to the squeal
This book is somewhat of an enigma for me, I picked it up and put it down many times and it’s not that it didn’t interest me but it was hard to get into, on all accounts I should have ate this up. I finally finished it and glad I did, but something about it was sort of a slog.
Sexual assault of children
This whole book was just *chef kiss*. I mean the mysteries with in mysteries were phenomenal, and the back and forth in time was just done so well. I never lost track of where the author wanted us to be. Some of the parts that were supposed to be tense or dramatic didn't have enough build up or surprise or something for me. So 4 stars.
I thought I was going to like this one, but I felt like nothing happened in 100 pages! Very slow and unfortunately boring.
The premise was good: set in New Haven Connecticut and intertwined with the secret societies of Yale. Magic and ghost-lore are folded evenly throughout the first chapters (each dealing with a specific society) to set the stage.
But, that's where any semblance of order breaks down. The book quickly fails to read like fantasy--as it's heavily billed--and turns pumpkin: to a sub-par murder mystery.
Generally, this introduction to the "Alex Stern Series" reads like a Book II. Perhaps it is the victim of poor editing or organization. General plot, character, and world-building histories were dropped in haphazardly.
Don't think I've read Leigh Bardugo before but this book didn't exactly made me wanna read more books by her. But might try later
What can you read after
Ninth House?
About the Author:
Leigh Bardugo is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of fantasy novels and the creator of the Grishaverse (coming soon to Netflix). With over 3 million copies sold worldwide, her Grishaverse spans the Shadow and Bone Trilogy, the Six of Crows Duology, The Language of Thorns, King of Scars-with more to come. Her other works include Wonder Woman: Warbringer and short stories that have appeared in The Best of Tor.com and the Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy. She lives in Los Angeles.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.
