The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
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
grisha'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
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Moderate: Drug use and Murder
_lazyreader_90's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Grief, Addiction, Emotional abuse, Gore, Blood, Drug abuse, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Death, Sexual harassment, 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
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
paduckling's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Blood, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Emotional abuse, Animal death, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Drug abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Mental illness, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Classism, Toxic friendship, Addiction, Forced institutionalization, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Police brutality, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Slavery, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, and Vomit
veeloucagraph's review against another edition
- 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
2.75
She'd never liked that phrase, diamond in the rough. All that meant was that they had to cut you again and again to let the light in.Â
That was all there was in this world. No heroes or villains, just the people you'd brave the waves for, and the ones you'd let drown.
I've been trying to figure out a way to start this review and I believe the easiest way is to say, I couldn't wait for the sequel after Ninth House, and now I don't know if I want another sequel.
The second book in this occult New Haven setting felt disappointing, like it was shy, not going all the way with any of its themes, unlike Ninth House, which impressed, shocked and enthralled me by the end. The story moves along quite slowly but at the same time, as though we don't get enough time to breathe with the characters. Things are happening because they have to, we take characters along for the ride and feel their burden through the boredom their plot points create. The writing feels too preachy or distanced at times and a lot of the supernatural doesn't really make sense either with the tone or the logic the characters come up with. The stakes don't really feel high even though they're meant to be higher than ever and so much tension was lost because of the repetition in the plot, making important moments or reveals anti-climactic.Â
Maybe all that really needs to be said is that there should have been more secret societies, more rituals, more creatures, more demons, more Alex and Darlington, more of the exciting elements, which Leigh Bardugo seems to keep like a delicacy when your will to read is about to leave you.
Graphic: Murder, Blood, and Cursing
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Drug use, Slavery, Excrement, Suicide attempt, Addiction, Death of parent, and Drug abuse
matcha_pages's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
I've noticed a pattern with Leigh Bardugo's books, the beginning is slow and hard to get into. But once the action starts I can't stop reading until the end. Hell Bent was no different, the time jumps at the start felt like we were meandering and rehashing parts of Alex's life outside of Yale. Once we stayed in present day it was a lot easier to get engrossed in the story. The puzzle within the puzzle plot line was clever, it added extra paranormal elements to the book. I really loved how Mercy & Alex's friendship was portrayed in this book and can't wait to see how it plays out in the next book.Â
I had a good time with this book, but was disappointed with the uneven pacing. It made the book feel way too long. I found myself often re-reading as settings or timelines abruptly changed. And Darlington's demon cock....why?
Graphic: Murder, Grief, Violence, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Drug abuse