Ninth House

I didn't really know what to expect going into this book. I read the premise and got super excited, then I read the most liked review here and grew a bit wary, but it just sounded so good that I decided that should figure it out myself. And when I tell you I was more than pleasantly surprised.

I saw people were having issues with the pacing and how slow everything felt but I didn't feel that way at all. I personally prefer the slow reveal of the world and the rules that contain it over authors who spoon-feed us the bulk of their world-building in chunks of jarring exposition. It just feels more organic, like Bardugo respects her audiences intelligence enough to place them right in the story with Alex to unravel this world's mysteries together.

I loved Alex and the entire cast of characters. I loved how distinct each character's voices were, how every single character has their own agendas, wants, and needs even down to the most minor of them.

Mostly I love how the book is structured. The multiple timelines that weave between each other, the way the introductions to each new house seem to bookend a portion of the story, and the way everything ties up so neatly at the end. You can really see the meticulous care and attention-to-detail that Bardugo put into this book. It's obviously the start to a series but stands strong as a one-off as well, and I think most series starters forget how important that can be.

The Ninth House is a book that expects its readers to be active participants in solving the mysteries within it rather than a passive observer. You either pick up the hints the author plants throughout the slowburns or you should try reading it again. Eitherway, it was a very fun read and I'm looking forward to the sequel.

ONE THING THOUGH! I wish there was a warning on the amount of sexual assault that happens in this book. It genuinely distressed me how often it happened and put me on edge as I continued reading.