Reviews with content warning for Suicide - Hell Bent

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Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo

38 reviews

jdamae11's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

** spoiler alert ** Bardugo excels at putting together misfit crews, and the one in Hell Bent had promise from its stronger foundation in its predecessor, Ninth House. The characters all have great potential, but I would have loved some time for them to breathe and for us to get a feel for their relation to one another, more of a “why” to get at their loyalty to each other. This book is filled to the brim with plot & at times I felt suffocated by the action of the book. However, let’s talk about how they do a HELL HEIST. Hello!?? I was LIVINGGG for this and really locked in for about the middle 100 pages of the book when the buildup for this event and the actual event is happening, and then the rest of the book is just kind of doing the absolute most. I enjoyed the heavier Horror genre lean in this book, thought it was scarier than Ninth House, and the collegiate First-Gen low-income narrative was really relatable. One thing I think is done really well is capturing the feeling of being trapped when you just do NOT have resources—especially in a U.S. context—and how ever-present that burden can feel. I really feel for Alex and relate to her so much in this regard. I think this book overall was a stepping stone to the rest of the planned series Bardugo has for the main protagonist, Alex Stern.

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lyssb's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This book was highly anticipated for me, and in my opinion did not disappoint! IMO this book really built on the characters of Ninth House but less on the world of New Haven, Nexuses, and the houses. I felt like there were many ups and downs that at times crept close to gratuitous, but I could understand why they were there. The side plot still leaves me a little frustrated since it does resolve nicely, but there was no greater meaning to it or even an exploration of WHY there was no greater meaning…Still obsessed with the book and it’s aesthetic, and adored all of the little historic and literary references that the pages are peppered with. Those highbrow nods balance perfectly with Alex, one of the coolest characters out there, ugly bits and all. Can’t wait to see what happens next for the little group that was assembled— Bardugo really knows how to create a great team. Was devastated to finish Hell Bent and know the long wait for the next book that would come after.

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dodgeremerson's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

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_isabel_'s review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

She found herself fantasizing about a life not only without fear but without ambition. She would read, and go to class, and live in an apartment with good light. She would feel curious instead of panicked when people mentioned artists she didn't know, authors she'd never read. [...] She would get the jokes, speak the language; she would become fluent in leisure.

It's really difficult for me to explain what this book meant to me, and what Leigh Bardugo's writing does to me.
I don't think I've read an author quite like her, and I don't think I can name an author whose writing manages to pack a punch like hers: it's so damn powerful, and every single sentence she writes is simultaneously brilliant, incredibly poetic and beautiful, but also easily grasped and easily capable of punching a hole through your stomach and soul.
GAH, this series!
I think (and I'm saying this a HUGE fan of Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse) "Hell Bent" might be my favourite book of hers to date. It's incredible.
I inhaled it in a few days time, despite it being nearly 500 pages long and not what I would call an easy read. It's complex, mysterious, thrilling and gut-wrenching. I loved it so much.

Alex Stern's latest adventure was unforgettable. It's a quest and a mission and a heist and a (hellish) road trip all in one, and I adored every single step of it. I also adored Alex Stern with my whole heart. I won't lie and say I can understand every single one of her choices (I'm more a Dawes with a smidge of Tripp), but I was still rooting for her with everything I had. I love how fierce she is, I love how unapologetic and ruthless she can be, I love her more tired and insecure side, and I love, love, love how protective and loyal she is towards the people in her life.
And speaking of which...
I also completely adored every single member of her band of misfits. I loved Dawes and Turner from the very beginning, and we get to know a bit more of both of them throughout this second book, but Mercy and Tripp and

even Darlington (yeah, I wasn't the biggest Darlington fan the first time around, but I think I love the Gentleman of Lethe more when he's hungry and unhinged, and decidedly demon-like)

caught me completely by surprise.
I loved them so, so much and I'm both terrified and excited for their next adventure together when we'll finally get to read the third book.

This book was a rollercoaster ride of twists and turns, mysteries and action, magic and puzzles, and I'm already preemptively sobbing because even though we'll have to wait a few more years before reaching it, I'm so not ready for the end.

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joelalan's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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marleywrites's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Their powers were connected now. Bound by hellfire.

•••

Whatever survived in hell wouldn’t be the Darlington you know.

•••

Demons aren’t smart, Dawes had once told her, they’re cunning. Alex had to wonder how many people had said the same thing about her.

•••

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUDGE!!!

This book!! This author!! What the HELL!! Leigh Bardugo, please never stop writing. This was a masterpiece. It was everything. It is everything.

The character development we see in all of these side characters, Dawes, Tripp, Mercy, Turner… it just makes me so proud of them. They all have such interesting arcs and it’s incredible to see them grow and see how far they’re all willing to go for one another.

The storytelling was phenomenal as usual. I have read all of the Grishaverse and have fallen in love with so many of Ms. Bardugo’s characters and storytelling, and I was not disappointed this time. Yet another amazing cast, yet another amazing way of storytelling. She is such a talented writer- the prose is witty, smart, and sharp. I admit at the start of Ninth House I felt a bit lost, but with Hell Bent I was ready to hit the ground running, and boy did Leigh Bardugo make me sprint! Also, I am lucky to have been to Yale before on a brief visit, and she really captured the town and it’s essence so well. I felt like I could picture where everything was going down and I adored the world building that she did for this story. There were so many little details that I was enamored by.

Okay, this next section I’m spoilering the whole thing, but I will say it’s about Darlingstern, so read at your own risk.

What the fudge. What the FUDGE. It’s Kanej all over again. In the best way. I love them so much. Their arc was so beautiful and they were hardly even on page together for awhile there (in the present). He’s her knight! *sobs in I want a Darlington* I can’t believe we didn’t even get a kiss. But at the same time, I was screaming from the start that they were so in love with each other it’s stupid. It’s like a quiet and steady love for each other. They know it’s there and it doesn’t need to be said. GOD. I love them.

Lastly I will just say, the ending??? Are we getting book 3?? Has she said anything about this?? I want more, immediately.

Five huge gorgeous beautiful shining stars to Ms. Bardugo & Hell Bent.

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chloebrown13's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Ninth House is my favorite book, and this sequel was an amazing follow up. I was invested and hooked through the whole thing. Can’t wait for the third book

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faerietalebooks's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Though the pacing was slow and the novel contained a lot more world building than I had anticipated for a sequel, it was very enjoyable once things picked up. Alex's struggle with her personal morality is put to the test many times and she comes to terms with the fact that she is not a "do the right thing" heroine. I also really enjoyed that a lot of the side characters got to be fleshed out much more, like Darlington and Dawes, even Turner and Mercy had their time in the spotlight. I really enjoyed that Leigh delved further into the discussions of magic in this dark academia setting of a higher education institution that has accumulated magic throughout centuries. She critiques how the magic was accumulated and at what cost to whom and she questions the privileges of who has access to this power. I highly recommend this series for fans of dark academia.

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