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jmlblue's review against another edition
dark
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
sjbshannon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Police brutality
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Trafficking
mybluebookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"Life is cruel. Magic is real. And I'm not ready to die."
I took a few days to digest this book before writing my review, as I couldn't decide between 4.5 or 5 stars. Ultimately I went with 5 stars for two reasons: 1) I'm obsessed with Alex Stern and 2) Leigh Bardugo's writing.
Hell Bent is dark academia incarnate; the storied Ivy League campus full of secret magical societies is a stark contrast to the bitter, deadly struggles for power and knowledge that take place there. Yet it becomes clear that you can't have one without the other - the glittering promises of a place of scholarly learning are built on the very souls of those who grasped at, and were denied, access to that world. It's against this backdrop that Alex's battle against Hell and its demons for Darlington's soul is enacted.
The plot of Hell Bent is complex with many twists, none of which I anticipated. I found myself unable to trust a single character, yet after each reveal I wondered why I didn't figure it out sooner, since Bardugo leaves plenty of bread crumbs for the reader. The ending left something to be desired as it lacked urgency, but of course I'll read the next book if only for some more sweet, sweet Starlington banter.
Throughout the entire book, Bardugo's writing was gripping, intricate and thoroughly researched, and deeply visceral. There were many deeply meaningful and touching lines and scenes, and there were also scenes that gave me nightmares (see: Alex's first encounter with Darlington in the ballroom - I actually couldn't fall asleep for hours after reading that). The Starlington banter is exquisite and I also enjoyed seeing more of Mercy and Dawes. But the best part of the book was Alex coming into her own and gaining confidence in herself and her powers. Seeing her determined rather than resigned, scheming rather than reacting, and protective rather than defensive was so rewarding after reading 800+ pages of her journey to get to this point. Somebody please give this girl a weekend off and a shopping spree to replace all her clothes that have been destroyed by arcane magic.
Similar books: The Atlas Six, Babel
I took a few days to digest this book before writing my review, as I couldn't decide between 4.5 or 5 stars. Ultimately I went with 5 stars for two reasons: 1) I'm obsessed with Alex Stern and 2) Leigh Bardugo's writing.
Hell Bent is dark academia incarnate; the storied Ivy League campus full of secret magical societies is a stark contrast to the bitter, deadly struggles for power and knowledge that take place there. Yet it becomes clear that you can't have one without the other - the glittering promises of a place of scholarly learning are built on the very souls of those who grasped at, and were denied, access to that world. It's against this backdrop that Alex's battle against Hell and its demons for Darlington's soul is enacted.
The plot of Hell Bent is complex with many twists, none of which I anticipated. I found myself unable to trust a single character, yet after each reveal I wondered why I didn't figure it out sooner, since Bardugo leaves plenty of bread crumbs for the reader. The ending left something to be desired as it lacked urgency, but of course I'll read the next book if only for some more sweet, sweet Starlington banter.
Throughout the entire book, Bardugo's writing was gripping, intricate and thoroughly researched, and deeply visceral. There were many deeply meaningful and touching lines and scenes, and there were also scenes that gave me nightmares (see: Alex's first encounter with Darlington in the ballroom - I actually couldn't fall asleep for hours after reading that). The Starlington banter is exquisite and I also enjoyed seeing more of Mercy and Dawes. But the best part of the book was Alex coming into her own and gaining confidence in herself and her powers. Seeing her determined rather than resigned, scheming rather than reacting, and protective rather than defensive was so rewarding after reading 800+ pages of her journey to get to this point. Somebody please give this girl a weekend off and a shopping spree to replace all her clothes that have been destroyed by arcane magic.
Similar books: The Atlas Six, Babel
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
shugentobler's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I didn't quite love this one as much as the first but I typically always like the first in a series.
I am again floored by how much research was put into this book. The details enhanced the story q out. I thought this one went a little slower than the first one but I still enjoyed it!
I am again floored by how much research was put into this book. The details enhanced the story q out. I thought this one went a little slower than the first one but I still enjoyed it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Sexual assault, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Racism and Sexism
circe813's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, and Police brutality
oliviaclaire's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.0
Hell Bent has been one of my most anticipated reads of the past couple of years. Having devoured Ninth House I kept hoping that every announcement from Leigh Bardugo would be a release date for her second Alex Stern novel. Well, the day has come and it doesn't dissapoint.
Hell Bent follows Alex's journey to retrieve Darlington from the depths of hell, a daunting task at the best of times. Throw in a threatening blast from the past and things become even more complicated. I have always admired book heroines who don't fit the sterotypical trope. Alex is dark and scarred and unapologetically a survivor and she fits beautifully into the equally dark academic world that Bardugo continues to craft around a very convincing portrayal of Yale. The lore in this series really draws me in and I loved learning more about the origins of the houses and the ritual of the Gauntlet. Everything from locations to magical items to new characters were fully and descriptively fleshed out and every individual felt immediately recogniseable from the others.
The only gripe I have with Hell Bent is that for a book of 480 pages it really does move a break neck pace for most of the narrative. There isn't much room for the characters, and therefore the reader, to stop and collect their thoughts. We're always hurtling into the next piece of the action.
All in all, Hell Bent was well worth the wait and I'll now return to being patient and pained as I wait for news on the third and final book in the trilogy.
Hell Bent follows Alex's journey to retrieve Darlington from the depths of hell, a daunting task at the best of times. Throw in a threatening blast from the past and things become even more complicated. I have always admired book heroines who don't fit the sterotypical trope. Alex is dark and scarred and unapologetically a survivor and she fits beautifully into the equally dark academic world that Bardugo continues to craft around a very convincing portrayal of Yale. The lore in this series really draws me in and I loved learning more about the origins of the houses and the ritual of the Gauntlet. Everything from locations to magical items to new characters were fully and descriptively fleshed out and every individual felt immediately recogniseable from the others.
The only gripe I have with Hell Bent is that for a book of 480 pages it really does move a break neck pace for most of the narrative. There isn't much room for the characters, and therefore the reader, to stop and collect their thoughts. We're always hurtling into the next piece of the action.
All in all, Hell Bent was well worth the wait and I'll now return to being patient and pained as I wait for news on the third and final book in the trilogy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Drug abuse, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
smuttymcbookface's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
4.75
Hell Bent was an amazing follow-up to Ninth House, continuing with the rich lore, three-dimensional characters with flaws, and a boat-load of mystery and death.
A gripe I had with the first book was the constant flicking between timelines to add mystery and intrigue from the start. Although there was some mild timeline hopping here, it felt much more natural whilst achieving the same effect.
I was truly invested in the characters, and I could feel the strain on Alex and Dawes as they were constantly pushed to the limit. The setting of Yale, with the constant references to certain architectural features of the buildings, was woven in to deepen mysteries without boring. The research done for this, as well as the lore, must have been extensive and Leigh Bardugo has done an unbelievable job of weaving it all into the story without info-dumping.
I enjoyed that there was no cliff-hanger ending, just unresolved threads of plot. Although the pacing is slow to start and ridiculously fast to end (so much was packed into the last quarter), I didn't find myself bored or racing through any of it. I enjoyed that there were still small conversations of friendship woven into all of the drama, and that Alex was constantly appreciating the normality of her non-magical life.
My only real complaint was that some of the journeys felt a little bait-and-switch in their conclusion.
A gripe I had with the first book was the constant flicking between timelines to add mystery and intrigue from the start. Although there was some mild timeline hopping here, it felt much more natural whilst achieving the same effect.
I was truly invested in the characters, and I could feel the strain on Alex and Dawes as they were constantly pushed to the limit. The setting of Yale, with the constant references to certain architectural features of the buildings, was woven in to deepen mysteries without boring. The research done for this, as well as the lore, must have been extensive and Leigh Bardugo has done an unbelievable job of weaving it all into the story without info-dumping.
I enjoyed that there was no cliff-hanger ending, just unresolved threads of plot. Although the pacing is slow to start and ridiculously fast to end (so much was packed into the last quarter), I didn't find myself bored or racing through any of it. I enjoyed that there were still small conversations of friendship woven into all of the drama, and that Alex was constantly appreciating the normality of her non-magical life.
My only real complaint was that some of the journeys felt a little bait-and-switch in their conclusion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Misogyny, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Racism, Sexual violence, and Police brutality
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Vomit
clareehebert's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Police brutality, and Sexual harassment
ravenfaerie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
romiress's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-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
4.0
I liked this more then the last one, and for me there was less dissonance over it being a weird RPF variant. The pacing was good, the characters were solid, and it pulled no punches.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Police brutality, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Racism, and Sexual assault