2020adewitt's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
While I found Ninth House a bit slow to start, it’s still my favorite dark academia book I’ve read. Once I got into it, I fell in love and I remember being so sad when I realized I had to wait for the second book. I think the best part of Leigh’s writing, is I fell in love with a character who we hardly even heard from or saw the entire novel.
abbymazing's review
4.0
Really good book. I wasn't sure I'd like it cause it's not really my type but I did. Love Darlington. Yale is confusing. Alex was definitely unknowingly in love with Hellie. The ending was. Something. I don't think it made logical sense but it did make plote sense? Or maybe vice versa.
nataliereadsbooks's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
4.25
Loved Alex’s snarky attitude and unwillingness to deal with bullshit. I really enjoyed reading how her past connected to her present and how she began to piece together those that could be trusted and those that couldn’t. This was a fun, multifaceted read!
cxxitlyn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Blood, Addiction, Vomit, Murder, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Drug use, Death, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Injury/injury detail, Gore, Sexual violence, and Gun violence
alexandrasteen95's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
jessreadreceipts's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Mental illness, Vomit, Medical trauma, Rape, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Animal cruelty, Stalking, Trafficking, Gun violence, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Toxic relationship
illbeatthelibrary's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
artbyabookgeek's review
5.0
If you are a Gilmore Girls fan, your world is about to change lol. New Haven is portrait very differently. I had to go back a few times to understand what each house was about. Lots of info to keep up with the story, which is solving a murder mystery at Yale. Although it can be considered a Fantasy book, is a Urban Fantasy so this is a good option if you are looking for a change in your High Fantasy streak.
courtthebookgirl's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
5.0
I need to start in a weird place for a review: I didn’t see my own five-star rating coming. The first half (literally half), I really struggled. It moved slowly and there was a tremendous amount of world-building that took place (as a non-fantasy reader, that is something I find challenging to follow).
That said!
When this book picked up, it PICKED UP. It went from hard to follow to impossible to put down. It was captivating and exciting and compelling. Alex had a chokehold on me and wouldn’t let go. Darlington… oh, my Darlington. I’ll spare the spoilers.
This book is hella dark and twisty, and quite the literary ride. The writing is flawless and there were whole passages I highlighted. The world-building (while, yes, slow) was absolutely necessary to follow the plot to its crashing conclusion.
I have always loved dark academia (especially when it includes a Dean of Students, because I am one 😂), and this also has a twisty horror vibe with a slew of secret societies to keep it truly interesting.
In the first half of the book, I wasn’t sure we were getting above 3 stars. Now I know that all of that was necessary, and clearly 5 stars for me in the end. I can’t wait to read 𝙃𝙚𝙡𝙡
That said!
When this book picked up, it PICKED UP. It went from hard to follow to impossible to put down. It was captivating and exciting and compelling. Alex had a chokehold on me and wouldn’t let go. Darlington… oh, my Darlington. I’ll spare the spoilers.
This book is hella dark and twisty, and quite the literary ride. The writing is flawless and there were whole passages I highlighted. The world-building (while, yes, slow) was absolutely necessary to follow the plot to its crashing conclusion.
I have always loved dark academia (especially when it includes a Dean of Students, because I am one 😂), and this also has a twisty horror vibe with a slew of secret societies to keep it truly interesting.
In the first half of the book, I wasn’t sure we were getting above 3 stars. Now I know that all of that was necessary, and clearly 5 stars for me in the end. I can’t wait to read 𝙃𝙚𝙡𝙡
emilenilemil's review
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
3.5