A review by riada
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

3.0

“Pain ran in a circle, and so would healing.”

I finally read [b:Ninth House|43263680|Ninth House (Alex Stern, #1)|Leigh Bardugo|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1553102141l/43263680._SY75_.jpg|53348200] by [a:Leigh Bardugo|4575289|Leigh Bardugo|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1534446099p2/4575289.jpg] because I wanted to see how she transition into adult fiction. The world-building and character intricacy of Bardugo are here, though I had mixed results with this.

The Yale setting and Bardugo's eerie, creepy atmosphere are an allure. Ghosts in the background, weird rituals, underground societies-things that create suspense. Alex-Galaxy Stern, the protagonist, is likable and really weighed down with pain. I enjoyed the deep dive into trauma, healing, and survival immensely. Her narrative is unmistakably raw. The mental battle she wages against her powers and the ghosts is riveting.

“I let you die. To save myself, I let you die.
That is the danger in keeping company with survivors.”

Pacing was a major problem of this book. The story was so weighed down by the world-building. The book's thickness and non-linear mode of storytelling confused me and distanced me from the story. Even after I got over the hurdle of the first 100 pages, it was hard for me to stay engaged. Reading felt much like a chore instead of a fascinating mystery due to long stretches of time that nothing happened. I agree when other people said that this book was "too slow" and " pretentious". I could say it is not bad, although it is hard to keep attentive.

Sometimes, its character development and inquiry into the use and abuse of power and privilege is brilliant. One of the strongest themes set across the story of this book is the scathing indictment of Yale's wealthy, entitled class that manipulates the system and their position. The book's harsh, gritty nature isn't merely for shock value; I liked its reflection on abuse, privilege, and power.

“Only two things kept you safe: money and power.”

I landed in the middle with this book. I think Bardugo can definitely weave a complex, darker story, but the execution just didn't work for me here. The development of the characters, the trauma, and recovery themes were so powerful, yet the pacing and structure made it such a slow burn that, for me, it never quite lived up to its promise.

I will still read the next one, though my expectations are low.