Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

65 reviews

themdash's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Trafficking, Stalking, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

nataliebootlah's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.0

 Last book of 2023! ✨ 

 

When Alex wakes up from a coma, she’s given what some would consider a second chance at life: admittance to Yale. 

 

This dark academia novel is one of the few fantasies I’ve read recently that didn’t center around romance, which was refreshing. The slow reveal of clues as Alex tries to find her footing at Yale, understand her role as Dante over eight notorious secret societies, and come to terms with seeing Grays was addicting. Even though it started off a bit slow, Ninth House ended up being one of those books where you have to know what happens next. So if you’re interested in dark magic, monsters, and mystery in modern day, you’ll want to read this one. 

 

Be forewarned, there are a few graphic scenes I could have lived without (rape, assault, torture, etc.), so please check the TWs prior to reading. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Excrement

Moderate: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, and Murder

Minor: Addiction and Alcoholism

daralexandria'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? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Blood, Murder, and Alcohol

Minor: Death

grace_b_3's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Rape, and Violence

tomasalbanez's review against another edition

adventurous challenging 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? No

5.0

MEU DEUS. QUE LIVRO BOM! A história te prende enquanto o mundo de Alex desabrocha na sua frente. A mudança de perspectivas é perfeita! No final eu mudei umas 5 vezes entre "como ela vai conseguir terminar a história nesse livro" e "como vai ter mais coisa pra ser contada no livro seguinte". Um começo maravilhoso, um meio intrigante e um final extremamente satisfatório. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Excrement, and Murder

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Classism

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Suicidal thoughts

prairieraven's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense slow-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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

emily_zylstra02's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Blood, and Grief

estefizaga's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative 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

If I could, I would give this book more that 5 stars 😩🤌🙌🏻🖤

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Excrement, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

katemarie99's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

2024 UPDATE: 
Bumping up from 3.75 stars to a nice even 5. Loved this so much more the second time around. So much complexity, so many layers. The themes really came through and I will be thinking about this book for a long time. Trigger warnings: sexual assault, rape, gore. 

Kinda gave me Addie LaRue vibes, but this succeeded where that one fell flat for me. I'd like a sequel, please. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Gore, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Blood, Excrement, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Body horror, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Classism

jai_98's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

 

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo is a masterpiece that pulls readers into a world steeped in dark secrets, intrigue, and the chilling blend of magic and reality. This book deserves every bit of praise it receives, as it takes readers on a thrilling and thought-provoking journey that leaves an indelible mark on one's soul and is a great contender to be my favourite read of 2023. 

Bardugo's exceptional storytelling skills are on full display, delivering a narrative that is both highly imaginative and intricately crafted. From the very first page, I found myself utterly captivated by the gripping plot and the unique blend of occult elements with the elite academic setting. The Yale University backdrop serves as the perfect juxtaposition, blending the prestigious veneer with the shadows lurking beneath its hallowed halls. 

The protagonist, Galaxy "Alex" Stern, instantly commands attention with her sharp wit, resilience, and dark past. Bardugo’s characterization is exemplary; each character is vividly brought to life, with their flaws and virtues carefully woven into the fabric of the story. The interplay between the characters and their complex relationships never fails to captivate, as alliances shift, secrets unravel, and loyalties are put to the ultimate test. The world-building in Ninth House is nothing short of astonishing. Bardugo effortlessly combines the magical underbelly of New Haven with Yale's legendary secret societies, creating a rich tapestry of hidden realms, intricate rituals, and dangerous secrets. The way these elements are seamlessly integrated into the modern world is remarkable, adding a sense of magic and mystery to the otherwise mundane. 

Bardugo's prose is as enchanting as ever, dripping with atmospheric descriptions that transport readers to the dimly lit corridors and ancient libraries of Yale. Her writing style is masterful, rich with detail and precision, effectively immersing readers in the sights, sounds, and emotions of the story. Furthermore, Ninth House delves into important themes like power, privilege, and the consequences of unchecked authority, presenting a dark mirror to our society. Bardugo explores these topics with depth and nuance, sparking thought-provoking discussions long after the final page has been turned. 

In conclusion, Ninth House is a truly remarkable and unforgettable novel. It grabs hold of your imagination and refuses to let go. Leigh Bardugo's mastery shines through with each turn of the page, solidifying her place as one of the most talented writers in the genre. I wholeheartedly recommend Ninth House to anyone seeking a thrilling, dark, and intellectually stimulating reading experience. Buckle up and prepare to be transported into a world where magic and reality collide in the most enticing and extraordinary ways. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Drug use