Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo

Hell Bent (Alex Stearn) by Leigh Bardugo, 484 p.

"Find a gateway to the underworld. Steal a soul out of hell. A simple plan, except people who make this particular journey rarely come back. But Galaxy “Alex” Stern is determined to break Darlington out of purgatory―even if it costs her a future at Lethe and at Yale.

Forbidden from attempting a rescue, Alex and Dawes can’t call on the Ninth House for help, so they assemble a team of dubious allies to save the gentleman of Lethe. Together, they will have to navigate a maze of arcane texts and bizarre artifacts to uncover the societies’ most closely guarded secrets, and break every rule doing it. But when faculty members begin to die off, Alex knows these aren’t just accidents. Something deadly is at work in New Haven, and if she is going to survive, she’ll have to reckon with the monsters of her past and a darkness built into the university’s very walls. Thick with history and packed with Bardugo’s signature twists, Hell Bent brings to life an intricate world full of magic, violence, and all too real monsters." --Goodreads blurb

More backstory to the great character development in book 1. I didn't think the storyline was as tight as the first book, but it didn't suffer from sophomore slump at all. I really love this series. 

 

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

Ninth House (Alex Stearn #2) by Leigh Bardugo, 461 p.

CW: Sexual assault, childhood trauma, drug usage

"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 life away. But at her hospital bed, Alex is offered a second chance: to attend one of the world’s most elite universities on a full ride. What’s the catch, and why her?

Still searching for answers to this herself, Alex arrives in New Haven tasked by her mysterious benefactors with monitoring the activities of Yale’s secret societies. These eight windowless “tombs” are well-known to be haunts of the future rich and powerful, from high-ranking politicos to Wall Street and Hollywood’s biggest players. But their occult activities are revealed to be more sinister and more extraordinary than any paranoid imagination might conceive."--Goodreads blurb    

This was a re-read for me in anticipation of the second book in the series being released. This was one of my favorite books released in the last few years. This is Bardugo's first adult fantasy and she knocked it out of the park. Great character development and world-building. This is urban fantasy as its finest. I've waited three and a half years for the second book and I can't wait to read it!

 

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo - 459 pages

"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 life away. But at her hospital bed, Alex is offered a second chance: to attend one of the world’s most elite universities on a full ride. What’s the catch, and why her?

Still searching for answers to this herself, Alex arrives in New Haven tasked by her mysterious benefactors with monitoring the activities of Yale’s secret societies. These eight windowless “tombs” are well-known to be haunts of the future rich and powerful, from high-ranking politicos to Wall Street and Hollywood’s biggest players. But their occult activities are revealed to be more sinister and more extraordinary than any paranoid imagination might conceive." -- Goodreads

Bardugo is a favorite author of mine, and her writing in this new adult novel did not disappoint. Original story line, characters you love and love to hate, and well-written, I can't wait for the next book in this series to come out. This story does have a couple scenes that could be hard for some.

Siege and storm by Leigh Bardugo

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo, 432 pages

"Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land, all while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. But she can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her—or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm."

Great continuation of this trilogy. This second book had all the adventure, with some great new characters. The dichotomy of Alina's powers growing and where that makes Mal fit in is a great story thread. Can't wait to pick up the last book in the trilogy, though that means it will be over.