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Ninth House
(Alex Stern #1)
by
Galaxy “Alex” Stern is the most unlikely member of Yale’s freshman class. Raised in the Los Angeles hinterlands by a hippie mom, Alex dropped out of school early and into a world of shady drug dealer boyfriends, dead-end jobs, and much, much worse. By age twenty, in fact, she is the sole survivor of a horrific, unsolved multiple homicide. Some might say she’s thrown her li
...more
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Hardcover, 459 pages
Published
October 8th 2019
by Flatiron Books
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Nights
October 1st, 2019 :)
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Start your review of Ninth House (Alex Stern, #1)

I picked up this book with a mad feeling of hope flooding my heart. The premise promised me an entry to what I now consider to be my favorite genre—namely, novels that initiate their readers from the outset into a secret club, hidden from everyone else, the way an oyster conceals the pearl at its heart, which is probably what every good novel should do. I couldn’t imagine anyone in a better position to deliver this story than the author I believe to be one of the finest in her field.
But what a s ...more
But what a s ...more

Mar 29, 2018
Melanie
rated it
liked it
Shelves:
contemporary,
book-expo-2019,
read-in-2019,
dark,
new-adult,
magic,
paranormal,
ghosts,
arc

ARC acquired at Book Expo in exchange for an honest review.
“There were always excuses for why girls died.”
Ninth House is a love letter to living and surviving unspeakable abuse. This is a book all about trauma, and PTSD, and healing, in any and every way that you can. This is a book for victims, who have felt they will never get the piece of them back that someone forcefully took. This is a book for anyone who was willing to do anything to feel empowered after something horrible occu ...more

Yesssss! I finished this book in one hour and got all references at one time. I turned into most intelligent book reading machine and started to turn two pages at a time (because my mind can already feel what’s written at the next page, unbelievable, isn’t it?) I didn’t get bored. I didn’t yawn or complain about my heavy eyelids because I was so alert and concentrated. And of course, I loved those characters so much, I never had an urge to slap one of them or hate any of them. They were memorabl
...more

CONGRATULATIONS-Goodreads Choice Awards Adult Fantasy Winner!
"I am a daughter of Lethe, and the wolves are at the door."
Hello friends, and good evening. Do me a favor will you? Could you all please stand up? Thank you. Now, if you're a fan of dark fantasy/horror and stories involving occult magic, please remain standing; everyone else can sit down. Remain standing if you also retain the ability to push through a read that has a slew of triggers, such as sexual assault, graphic rape of a 12 year ...more
"I am a daughter of Lethe, and the wolves are at the door."
Hello friends, and good evening. Do me a favor will you? Could you all please stand up? Thank you. Now, if you're a fan of dark fantasy/horror and stories involving occult magic, please remain standing; everyone else can sit down. Remain standing if you also retain the ability to push through a read that has a slew of triggers, such as sexual assault, graphic rape of a 12 year ...more

DNF - pg 146.
I actually cannot do it. I can't finish it. I wanted to like this book so bad, and then I just wanted to finish it so bad, but it's sending me into a serious book slump. I'm giving up.
After struggling through the first 100 pages, I decided to take a break, read something else, and then come back to it. Sometimes it's the timing, you know? So I went and read a good portion of Isaacson's The Innovators, got myself neck-deep in some quantum computing, because after reading that, some m ...more
I actually cannot do it. I can't finish it. I wanted to like this book so bad, and then I just wanted to finish it so bad, but it's sending me into a serious book slump. I'm giving up.
After struggling through the first 100 pages, I decided to take a break, read something else, and then come back to it. Sometimes it's the timing, you know? So I went and read a good portion of Isaacson's The Innovators, got myself neck-deep in some quantum computing, because after reading that, some m ...more

"There were always excuses for why girls died."
To answer your question: yes, it really is that good.
Ninth House and I had a bit of a slow start. The new world that Bardugo has created might not be set in a fictional fantasy universe, but it features enough new concepts, characters, and settings that it takes some time to take it all in. Not only does every character have an alias and maybe even a nickname, so do the buildings at Yale. And since all my Yale knowledge is based on that cute little ...more
To answer your question: yes, it really is that good.
Ninth House and I had a bit of a slow start. The new world that Bardugo has created might not be set in a fictional fantasy universe, but it features enough new concepts, characters, and settings that it takes some time to take it all in. Not only does every character have an alias and maybe even a nickname, so do the buildings at Yale. And since all my Yale knowledge is based on that cute little ...more

Jul 04, 2019
Emily (Books with Emily Fox)
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
audiobooks,
2019-releases
This was honestly…. really disappointing.
I enjoyed the beginning, the world, the school setting and the magic seemed interesting but it went downhill fast.
Soon it was clear that Darlington was the only thing interesting and he wasn’t there for most of the book so… bleh.
Generous 2 star. So much potential but did not care for the story at all and frankly the last 3 hours of the audiobook could have simply not existed :/
I enjoyed the beginning, the world, the school setting and the magic seemed interesting but it went downhill fast.
Soon it was clear that Darlington was the only thing interesting and he wasn’t there for most of the book so… bleh.
Generous 2 star. So much potential but did not care for the story at all and frankly the last 3 hours of the audiobook could have simply not existed :/

This book is just fabulous. It has excellent worldbuilding; deep, dark mystery; fascinating characters that you root for even when you don't like their choices; a twisty, original and unexpected plot that had me guessing all the way until the end. Highly, highly recommend.
...more

4.25/5 ⭐
Full review on my Blog: The Dacian She-Wolf 🐺
me: *seeing the whole anarchy this book has created* I wonder if I too can ruin my life

Oh, behold the majestic weird shit that I am, reading my first Leigh Bardugo book ever!
YES. You may laugh at me and judge me and all that, but honestly, this book has created some serious anarchy after publication, a type of anarchy that made me stop and think: “If this book makes people feel so intense, then it is a make it or break it for me for sure” ...more
Full review on my Blog: The Dacian She-Wolf 🐺
me: *seeing the whole anarchy this book has created* I wonder if I too can ruin my life

Oh, behold the majestic weird shit that I am, reading my first Leigh Bardugo book ever!
YES. You may laugh at me and judge me and all that, but honestly, this book has created some serious anarchy after publication, a type of anarchy that made me stop and think: “If this book makes people feel so intense, then it is a make it or break it for me for sure” ...more

Aug 07, 2019
Alex ✰ Comets and Comments ✰
added it
"That was what magic did. It revealed the heart of who you’d been before life took away your belief in the possible. It gave back the world all lonely children longed for. "
©
-dnf @30%-
I don't think I have ever been more disappointed in myself for not being able to love this book. Leigh Bardugo continues to be my queen of fantasy, this one was just a complete and utter miss for me.
_______________
*all the sighs*
I'm still not certain that this review will get all my thoughts across. I' ...more


-dnf @30%-
I don't think I have ever been more disappointed in myself for not being able to love this book. Leigh Bardugo continues to be my queen of fantasy, this one was just a complete and utter miss for me.
_______________
*all the sighs*
I'm still not certain that this review will get all my thoughts across. I' ...more

leigh bardugo is synonymous with five stars, as far as im concerned.
so believe the hype because its real, its here, and its very adult.
alex stern is doing slytherin proud. 🖤🐍
____________________________________________
the hot trend for 2019 is snakes on covers and it makes me wish i was a slytherin. their brand/culture is t h r i v i n g.
↠ 5 stars
so believe the hype because its real, its here, and its very adult.
alex stern is doing slytherin proud. 🖤🐍
____________________________________________
the hot trend for 2019 is snakes on covers and it makes me wish i was a slytherin. their brand/culture is t h r i v i n g.
↠ 5 stars

TOTO, WE’RE NOT IN YA FANTASY ANYMORE.
Can you believe that of all the eras we could have been born in, we are all blessed to live in the one in which Leigh Bardugo is publishing books?!
I have often felt like Leigh is able to sneak into my brain and write exactly what I need. (I am calling her by her first name because if she is, in fact, a presence inside my mind then it’s a given that we’d be on that level of familiarity.)
For example: I love heists and ragtag groups of friends and slow burn rom ...more
Can you believe that of all the eras we could have been born in, we are all blessed to live in the one in which Leigh Bardugo is publishing books?!
I have often felt like Leigh is able to sneak into my brain and write exactly what I need. (I am calling her by her first name because if she is, in fact, a presence inside my mind then it’s a given that we’d be on that level of familiarity.)
For example: I love heists and ragtag groups of friends and slow burn rom ...more

I should start this by saying had anyone other than Queen Leigh Bardugo written this, I would have given it 1 star. There's also a 90% chance this would be on my DNF shelf.
Things I liked:
1. Darlington
He was the most likable character in the book for me, but even he fell flat. I get it, Dar. You love the big old mansion you inherited. What else do you have going for you? (Jury is still out on that one.)
2. ....................
Welp. I've just realized that I liked literally nothing else about t ...more
Things I liked:
1. Darlington
He was the most likable character in the book for me, but even he fell flat. I get it, Dar. You love the big old mansion you inherited. What else do you have going for you? (Jury is still out on that one.)
2. ....................
Welp. I've just realized that I liked literally nothing else about t ...more

oooh, goodreads choice awards semifinalist for BEST FANTASY 2019! what will happen?
THIS happened! WINNER! goodreads choice awards best fantasy 2019!
There were always excuses for why girls died.
i am going to review this carefully, for all of you who were too cool or too civilized to run for copies at BEA and have to wait for october to grab a copy. me, i regret nothing.
when i first heard about this book, there was only a little teaser of a synopsis available, and when i finally got my hands on i ...more
THIS happened! WINNER! goodreads choice awards best fantasy 2019!
There were always excuses for why girls died.
i am going to review this carefully, for all of you who were too cool or too civilized to run for copies at BEA and have to wait for october to grab a copy. me, i regret nothing.
when i first heard about this book, there was only a little teaser of a synopsis available, and when i finally got my hands on i ...more

Onwards to the written review!
New Month, New Tier List! Click Here to see all the books read in April and where they rank!
mmm....not the best record with Bardugo but...everyone loves this one.
Fingers crossed.
Update 1
Everyone is telling me that the beginning is rough. I'm 1/3 of the way through.
Can the beginning be over yet???
#2
CAN WE GO LIKE TWO PAGES WITHOUT SOMEONE GETTING RAPED???
#3
OKAY YES, BUT DID WE HAVE TO TRANSITION TO POO?
The audiobook, a summary:
1-12 hours - Ugh ugh ...more

I enjoyed reading this as a murder mystery and I appreciate the level of care that Bardugo puts into the world building and atmosphere. She builds intrigue and tension throughout the story, though I can understand why some people might find this too slow for their tastes. The dual storylines are a little hard to follow at first because there's so much to know about the world from the beginning, but I was able to get into the hang of it and just focused on enjoying watching things unravel. Charac
...more

If I have to describe this book in a single word, it would be “solid”. Well planned, well executed, with (almost) no cracks that could make it fall apart. This is my first Bardugo book, and while it did nothing to convince me to try her other works, I’ll definitely keep an eye on this series.
Ninth House is one of the best books I’ve read in a while, but don’t worry—I’ll still find stuff to complain about, as usual ;)
What the book gets right
Ghost, magic, mythology, and a unique, brave heroine ...more
Ninth House is one of the best books I’ve read in a while, but don’t worry—I’ll still find stuff to complain about, as usual ;)
What the book gets right
Ghost, magic, mythology, and a unique, brave heroine ...more

This Review ✍️ Blog 📖 Twitter 🐦 Instagram 📷
★ This time I decided to bring you my review immediately without the usual RTC because with a rating like that, everyone is curious and many people already asked me to review this one and what my thoughts are on it.
★ I need to make some things clear before you come to put my head on a pike! Bardugo is one of my favorite authors, I read all her books, I do own all her books (Including the collector’s edition of SoC and CK) ...more
“MORS VINCIT OMNIA”
★ This time I decided to bring you my review immediately without the usual RTC because with a rating like that, everyone is curious and many people already asked me to review this one and what my thoughts are on it.
★ I need to make some things clear before you come to put my head on a pike! Bardugo is one of my favorite authors, I read all her books, I do own all her books (Including the collector’s edition of SoC and CK) ...more

Mar 20, 2019
✨ A ✨
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
adult,
disturbing,
arcs-e-arcs-alcs,
four-stars,
audiobook,
2019-release,
new-adult,
read-in-2020
I, the biggest scared-y cat, actually enjoyed this?! Leigh Bardugo really be working that magic
Galaxy ‘Alex’ Stern, a drop out, a girl who can see the dead, the only survivor of a multiple homicide — is offered a chance of a lifetime: a free ride to Yale University. She can leave her terrible past behind and start fresh.
However, Alex knows that nothing is without its price and in exchange for this new life, Alex is recrui ...more
‘We are the shepherds.’
The time for that was done. Better to be a rattler.
Galaxy ‘Alex’ Stern, a drop out, a girl who can see the dead, the only survivor of a multiple homicide — is offered a chance of a lifetime: a free ride to Yale University. She can leave her terrible past behind and start fresh.
However, Alex knows that nothing is without its price and in exchange for this new life, Alex is recrui ...more

Aug 20, 2019
Cardan Greenbriar
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
panicking
after reading drunk hangover:
oh i'm sorry did i make a mistake?
The Darkling didn't make the cover
The Darkling is the whole book himself
And Leigh was cackling behind
pre reading:
Two theories:
Either The Darkling made the cover
or
The cover is The Darkling ...more
oh i'm sorry did i make a mistake?
The Darkling didn't make the cover
The Darkling is the whole book himself
And Leigh was cackling behind
pre reading:
Two theories:
Either The Darkling made the cover
or
The cover is The Darkling ...more

[read 2 | april 2020]
This reread actually fuelled my whole soul with the most darkly delicious appreciation both for how intelligent and cunning the plot is AND how incredible the magic system is. I crave dark academia because I am so sooo far from academic 😂let me live through books vicariously okay. And doing this reread via audio (which is stellar btw; the narrator is the same as Inej from the SOC audiobooks) was such the perfect decision. Gahhh, I loved it. I loved it more this time. It's so ...more
This reread actually fuelled my whole soul with the most darkly delicious appreciation both for how intelligent and cunning the plot is AND how incredible the magic system is. I crave dark academia because I am so sooo far from academic 😂let me live through books vicariously okay. And doing this reread via audio (which is stellar btw; the narrator is the same as Inej from the SOC audiobooks) was such the perfect decision. Gahhh, I loved it. I loved it more this time. It's so ...more

I don’t know what the hell I was thinking the first time I listened to this, I mean I fell asleep a lot. Tried to relisten and had to skim through for falling asleep. The only part was about an evil person forced to eat shit that I thought was gross and cool. I was falling asleep again so 1 Star and I unhauled and got credit back for Audio.




Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾 ...more




Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾 ...more

Apr 24, 2019
Tucker (TuckerTheReader)
rated it
it was amazing
Recommended to Tucker by:
Macmillan Publishers

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review
[12/10/19] - Congratulations, Leigh Bardugo, on winning the 2019 Goodreads Choice Award for Fantasy!!!
-----------
I totally forgot to tell you guys that, in an interview at the end of my audio file, Leigh stated:
"I am, alas, not a shapeshifter but if you give me a large pizza I can shift into a slightly bigger version of myself."
if that's not the biggest mood ever...
-----------
”It is only thro...more

An absolutely brilliant read.
I found myself completely taken by the blend of examining social issues and well-realized occult themes. This was my first read for Leigh Bardugo, and it has absolutely convinced me to read more from her in the future.
Ninth House is flat out brilliant. There is a reason Stephen King called it one of the best fantasy books he has read in recent years.
"best fantasy I’ve read in years" - King
The main protagonist is well-realized and motivated. The world is our own b ...more
I found myself completely taken by the blend of examining social issues and well-realized occult themes. This was my first read for Leigh Bardugo, and it has absolutely convinced me to read more from her in the future.
Ninth House is flat out brilliant. There is a reason Stephen King called it one of the best fantasy books he has read in recent years.
"best fantasy I’ve read in years" - King
The main protagonist is well-realized and motivated. The world is our own b ...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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Play Book Tag: Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo 4 stars | 6 | 10 | 12 hours, 54 min ago | |
Play Book Tag: Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo - 3 stars | 8 | 20 | Jan 24, 2021 12:34PM | |
You Are Never Too...: Ninth House (Alex Stern, #1) - TBD 2020 | 42 | 23 | Jan 23, 2021 09:09PM | |
Play Book Tag: Ninth House - Leigh Bardugo - 4 stars | 2 | 13 | Jan 20, 2021 06:56AM | |
Play Book Tag: Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo ★★★★ | 5 | 17 | Jan 15, 2021 04:39PM | |
Play Book Tag: Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo / 5 stars | 7 | 22 | Jan 14, 2021 12:36PM | |
Author a bit of a hypocrite? | 3 | 68 | Jan 09, 2021 03:07AM |
Leigh Bardugo is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of fantasy novels and the creator of the Grishaverse (coming soon to Netflix) which spans the Shadow and Bone Trilogy, the Six of Crows Duology, The Language of Thorns, and King of Scars— with more to come. Her short stories can be found in multiple anthologies, including the Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy. Her other works include Wo
...more
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updated Nov 29, 2020 04:19PM
Jan 24, 2021 04:54AM