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A review by lovelymisanthrope
Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I read "Ninth House" last year and was captivated by the story, and absolutely dying to see the resolution to the cliffhanger ending
"Hell Bent" is the sequel to "Ninth House" and continues to follow Alex Stern in her journey to free Darlington from purgatory. Alex and Dawes are forbidden from attempting to save Darlington, so they assemble their own team to get the job done.
I did enjoy this story, and I did appreciate how much of an urban fantasy this felt to me, but I was a little bored at times. This book and the series as a whole has a lot of world building because of the magic system. With this being the second book, I wanted to get to the meat of the story faster. I felt at times that there were entire sections that could have been cut out of the book. Perhaps there re easter eggs that will feel more important for the next book, but right now, it felt unnecessary.
I do still really enjoy Alex as a character. She is rough around the edges and so relatable with her chaotic energy. I also really appreciate how committed she is to rescuing those that she loves. Darlington was so good for her, and she is hell bent on saving him.
The mystery that is going on was very okay. I was not super invested in all of the murders and trying to resolve what was happening, but I was not entirely bored by it either.
Will I keep reading this series? Probably. I am invested in Alex as a character, and I do love Leigh Bardugo's writing.
"Hell Bent" is the sequel to "Ninth House" and continues to follow Alex Stern in her journey to free Darlington from purgatory. Alex and Dawes are forbidden from attempting to save Darlington, so they assemble their own team to get the job done.
I did enjoy this story, and I did appreciate how much of an urban fantasy this felt to me, but I was a little bored at times. This book and the series as a whole has a lot of world building because of the magic system. With this being the second book, I wanted to get to the meat of the story faster. I felt at times that there were entire sections that could have been cut out of the book. Perhaps there re easter eggs that will feel more important for the next book, but right now, it felt unnecessary.
I do still really enjoy Alex as a character. She is rough around the edges and so relatable with her chaotic energy. I also really appreciate how committed she is to rescuing those that she loves. Darlington was so good for her, and she is hell bent on saving him.
The mystery that is going on was very okay. I was not super invested in all of the murders and trying to resolve what was happening, but I was not entirely bored by it either.
Will I keep reading this series? Probably. I am invested in Alex as a character, and I do love Leigh Bardugo's writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Murder, and Toxic friendship