"Ninth House" First Impressions *No Spoilers*

[SFFBC, Ancillary Mod]

Come talk about your initial, general impressions!

Please save all discussion of particulars, details from the story, character choices, plot questions, etc. for the full spoiler thread.

Content warnings for those who want them: (view spoiler)[ Ableism, Abuse, Anxiety, Autopsies, Bite wounds, Blackmail, Blood, Bullying, Choking, Corpse (graphic description), Death, Drug dealing, Emesis, Forced consumption of human waste, gore, grief, murder (graphic), overdose, racism, rape (including statutory and child), self harm, sexual assault, substance abuse, suicide (discussed), surgery and section, violence (hide spoiler)]

User-submitted content warnings on Storygraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/1...

(More about CWs here.)

[Aga]

I have DNFd this book last time, but I’m going to give it another try. I had a horrible stomach flu when I was reading this book and it was not a good pairing…

Who knows, maybe I will love it this time.

[Mai]

This is a reread for me. The first time through I thought it was ponderous, boring. This read I find it tightly plotted, well paced and really creepy.

[P.E.N.]

The contrast between the polished Yale world and the hidden, ritualistic underbelly is fascinating, it raises questions about how power always invites the forbidden, and what that reveals about human nature. Already feeling that creeping horror vibe early on. Curious to see how it builds for everyone.

[Sarah, The Unsettled]

I was finding it a little confusing at first. Heavier on the magic then I expected, but am close to the halfway point and starting to enjoy it quite a bit.

I’m listening and still not sure I understand everything so will probably have to skim back through some parts of the ebook, but otherwise really like it.

[P.E.N.]

@Sarah The heavier magic load at the start can definitely feel disorienting, I had a similar 'wait, how deep does this go?' moment. But that creeping sense of forbidden power seeping into everything is what makes it linger.
Glad it's clicking more now! Does the audiobook amp up the creepy vibe for you, or is the ebook helping clarify the layers?

[Sarah, The Unsettled]

Probably I’d say if I’m going for creepy ebooks and physical books, only because I can read them in the quiet and the dark. Audiobooks I usually listen to in the car on the commute into work in broad day light.

Which is a reflection of me, not the audiobook. The audiobook is well done.

I’m past halfway and thoroughly enjoying it.

[Sarah, The Unsettled]

Meant to add that I very much love the main character Alex Stern.

[Aga]

The book seems to be extremely popular. The waiting lists in the libraries in my city are crazy. I’m lucky to have an eBook in my subscription.

[April]

Gonna try to pick up a copy this Saturday. Also try to finish up The Familiar, my first Bardugo and a good one, by then!

[Naz]

About 10% in and it’s looking intriguing. I kinda like that you’re dropped in the middle without explanation as things slowly unravel. Alex seems like an interesting protagonist, as does Darlington. Looking forward to read more at this point. :)

[Netanella]

I've been listening to the audio, and am close to the end.

An amusing aspect of listening to audiobooks is that you make up spellings, and sometimes meanings, based on what you hear.

I thought it was Leafy House for the first half of the book, based on how I heard the narrator. Imagine my surprise when I found out later that the House was named after the river Lethe in the Greek underworld. :)

[aPriL does feral sometimes]

I loved Alex Stern, but I admit this is one of those books that I gradually liked as I got into it, but at first it was one I wasn’t enjoying.

[Sarah, The Unsettled]

@Netanella haha I did the same.

[April]

Well, where i went Saturday didnt have Ninth House, so i am reading Six of Crows instead. I am intrigued by this one though, and do still want to try and read with this group! Catch up when i can!

[Aga]

I’m glad, that I’ve decided to give this book another try. It’s intriguing and keeps my interest.

[Bonnie]

15% through, first four chapters.

Don't really understand everything, and don't care much yet. Will keep soldiering on though.
I probably would better enjoy some psychology, friendships, rivalries with the dorm roomies.
The scene at the Prognostications medical theater reminded me of Our Share of Night, which i read not too long ago. 👻

[Bonnie]

I refer to this Wiki sometimes, for characters and for Houses of the Veil

https://ninth-house.fandom.com/wiki/N...