An Ivy Brownstone Review of Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

TLDR

4.5 out of 5 stars. Ninth House is the first book in what will surely be an enthralling series. The novel is a page-turner, packed full of dark magic, murder, and mystery. You’ll have to pick your jaw off the floor when you reach the end - and even the end feels like the first page of another book.

Where to Read

Anywhere during the day - if you want to avoid nightmares.

Favorite Quote

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

Summary

Leigh Bardugo crosses genres in Ninth House, as she tells the story of Galaxy “Alex” Stern, a young woman who has the rare ability to see and interact with ghosts. Alex is a high-school dropout, and mixed up in an unsolved multiple homicide when she is personally offered a full-ride to the prestigious Yale University. The terms? She must use her occult powers to oversee Yale’s eight secret societies that are known to tamper with forbidden magic. Stern doesn’t care much for the job until there is a murder on campus. While trying to reconcile with her twisted past, Stern is faced with solving a case that boldly introduces her to the world of dark magic.

Review

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo is fast-paced, eerily dark, and intensely captivating. I was excited to read the book given that many described it as Harry Potter for adults, but after finishing it I must disclose how misleading that description is. The book involves magic and takes place at a school, but Bardugo does not shy away from the darkest of plots including drugs, murder, and sexual assault. Bardugo does a great job building the world of Yale’s eight secret societies; the magic is dark but creative, and circumstances that seem implausible are described with such detail that you’ll find yourself scared.

The book is written in alternating points in time and points of view - something that I’m usually annoyed by - but in this case, I think it was done quite skillfully. In addition to the main character, Alex Stern, the reader gets to hear from Darlington - Alex’s mentor. The reader learns early on that Darlington is missing in action, so his narratives add a sense of urgency to the plot. As the book develops, so do the romantic feelings between Alex and Darlington, which has the reader rooting for Alex to find him all the more.

What I love the most about Ninth House is its inability to be placed in one genre. Definitely, a fantasy novel, absolutely a murder mystery, a little bit of a romance, a sprinkle of coming of age, and yet the book is cohesive and grounded. The novel ends on a cliffhanger that makes you want to pick up the next book, Hell Bent, right away.

Ninth House is the first book in what will surely be an enthralling series. The novel is a page-turner, packed full of dark magic, murder, and mystery. You’ll have to pick your jaw off the floor when you reach the end - and even the end feels like the first page of another book.