The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
iamastraythought's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Classism
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
lynkera's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Blood, Death, Gore, Suicide attempt, Addiction, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Violence, Animal death, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
camiclarkbooks's review against another edition
- 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
I could not consume this story fast enough! Everything that happened had my mouth hanging open and going through the whole spectrum of emotions.Â
Leigh Bardugo is a genius.Â
How much longer until book three though???
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Blood, Body horror, Cursing, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Death, and Violence
Minor: Drug abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Mental illness, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, Grief, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Drug use, and Police brutality
mscalls's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Confinement, Blood, Animal cruelty, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Torture, Violence, Alcohol, Animal death, Death of parent, Murder, and Police brutality
prairieraven's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Car accident, Gore, Addiction, Body horror, Gun violence, Murder, Racial slurs, Medical trauma, Kidnapping, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicide, Mental illness, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Animal cruelty, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Rape, Abandonment, Sexism, Slavery, Drug abuse, Hate crime, Sexual content, Violence, Cancer, Child death, Confinement, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Stalking, Torture, Vomit, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Classism, Cursing, Police brutality, Racism, and Toxic friendship
silverthistle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I guessing that my lower than "average" rating is mostly a product of reading Ninth House and Hell Bent back-to-back. I am just now realizing there was roughly 5 years in between publication dates! That being said, Hell Bent did some things better than Ninth House and somethings didn't change at all and felt like recycled material.Â
Two things I really enjoyed about Hell Bent--1. I was very happy that there's more fantasy/magical elements and dark academia themes. Not only is it enjoyable to read, it also helped ground and enrich the narrative. 2. I enjoyed having way less of Alex's backstory. I don't care for her as a protagonist. I find the female characters in this series rather one-dimensional. Alex's character is primarily defined by her trauma, and I find that utterly uninspired. (I'm sorry for this opinion, fellow readers and Leigh Bardugo.) Two primary things I didn't care for--1. The entire middle section of the book. I had the same complaint with Ninth House. The story just drags in the middle and doesn't feel purposeful. It's worth pushing through for the last third of the book, however, because everyone's favorite gentleman demon returns! 2. On that note--there wasn't enough Darlington! The entire sequel is focused on his return, and it came far too late in the story. From a structure standpoint, Ninth House was superior because we had more multi-perspective narration. I felt like CHEERING when Darlington returned and we had his first-person narration again.Â
Overall, I enjoyed Hell Bent. The concept of a dark academia fueled "harrowing of hell" is simply fabulous.
Graphic: Animal death and Animal cruelty
alyssa_simard's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Gore, and Sexual assault
auliarach's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Blood, Gore, Addiction, Animal death, Body horror, Murder, Death, Grief, and Violence
browniebby's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.75
Honestly my favorite chapter was the first foray into hell. The glimpses into how they all got there was well done. (Although I definitely am side eyeing the shit out of Bardugo writing a POC in the situation Turner was in. I understand it from a narrative point but I'm not sure that as a non POC thus is her place).
Could have done without the dozen of mentions of Darlington's glowing dick too. Like after the first, maybe second time, it was too much.
I do hope we get to see more Mercy and the rest of this tiny found family. They are all messy and damaged but I think they all balance each other out.
Graphic: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Cursing, Death, and Drug abuse
hanna's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Police brutality, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Gore, Grief, Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Sexism, Blood, Confinement, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Self harm, Torture, Sexual assault, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Classism, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Rape, Slavery, and Suicide attempt