Book Review: The Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

First Thoughts:

My first reading experience from Bardugo was where most started, the Shadow and Bone Series. I however, wasn't a big fan. There's a lot of ways in which the first book in that series (as I stopped reading after the first book) but this isn't a review about that series. I mention it only because my expectations on the writing style and imagination of Bardugo wasn't at a peak. This was honestly, my first Dark Academia book in years (possibly ever, I jut can't remember lol). I will admit, the book did not immediately capture my attention. I found my mind wandering a bit and details being a bit hazy.

That however only lasted about three chapters or so. From then on, I was hooked.

Writing: 4/5

I was much, MUCH more impressed with Bardugo's writing style. I will give the credit to this being a New Adult book in which its tone was more fitting for my interests and maturity. This might have been where most of my disconnect stemmed from the first time around. It was gritty and haunting. The tone was set perfectly for the underground society that has been plaguing Yale.

Plot: 4.5/5

Secret society of some of the most brilliant minds underground at Yale university? Yes please. I am a huge fan and constant serial binger of Gilmore Girls so having that visual background was helpful throughout the book. Take the perfect Rory Gilmore, throw some very traumatizing history, an imperfect family, lack of money as a resource, all her charm and you have Alex Stern. There really is no relevance or similarities between the TV show and this book other than they both take place at Yale. You merely get a leg up on the academia setting if you are a fan of both.

You get death. You get ghosts. You get hauntings. You get demons. You get book wit and street wit. You get a society that is composed of nine houses. New adults varying from freshman year to master's students that know the ins and outs of the school. One of such freshman is put into this world not necessarily by her grades, ivy league-worthy smarts, money, family, or college standing but because she has the ability to see ghosts naturally. You have a wealthy, incredibly smart and determine boy who got into the society because of all the leg ups he gave himself. Add a bit of Sherlock Holmes detective sleuthing. Put all the above together and you get the entire premise of this book.

The plot was great. It was everything you want in a Dark Academia book and more. The book reads between two essential timelines and a touch of Alex's life before the society and Yale. The two timelines consist of before Darlington went missing and after. Alongside trying to figure out the dark secrets and workings of the society Alex gets thrown into, you have the entire mystery of Darlington himself. Both of these interests were worked together fantastically.

Characters: 4/5

While I am still comparing Gilmore Girls to this book solely based off the Yale setting...While I had related to Rory Gilmore for her avid book obsession and quiet demeanor, I relate to Alex way more than I ever could with Rory. She's dark (including her humor), closed off but also interested in making new relations. She might not have the ivy league GPA to give credit to her smarts but she is no dumby. She's daring and a mystery herself. I loved every bit of her character and how she grew throughout the book. Darlington, Dawes, and Turner were written so well that they were absolutely vital to the story. I could not picture this book without them. They were well shaped and gave shape to Alex herself. She needed each of them in the beginning, middle and end.

Romance: 3/5

There was not much romance from this book. There was past mistakes that were definitely not romantic. There was build up but really, romance was not the highlight of this book. Unless you include self love and discovery which it was as a majority. I feel like Alex needed people more than she would ever care to admit. She's a lone wolf personality but the one that needs a pack to find her direction and be her best self. We did get a touch of romance but this didn't come up until the last half of the book (majority 3/4 of the way through). Of course, whether romance was a main staple or not...how could you not love Darlington from the beginning. Seriously.

Overall: 4/5

I only had to main problems with this book:

I am all for diversity in the book community. Please, give us more hispanic representation. Please. I myself am Hispanic and come from a highly hispanic community. I live for the representation. That being said, I am tired of the bare minimum effort. I really feel that Bardugo should have left this aspect of Alex out or delved deeper into the representation. A few Spanish words and an all knowing abuela do not cut it. Sorry.
That this book does not have a sequel set to release soon. Seriously, its been three years already. I need it ASAP.

Other than that, this book gave me a wonderful taste for the Dark Academia world that has yet to be tempered. Absolutely loved it. I will even give the second book in her first series a chance because I liked this book that much. Which is saying something...trust me.