Crystal

Where to start? Alex Stern is such a great female main character. She's raw, complex, and unapologetically real. She's been through hell, both literally and figuratively, but never in that whiny, "woe is me" way that so many characters fall into. Leigh Bardugo writes her with grit and heart, which makes her easy to root for even when she's making questionable choices. What love most about this series is that while it's undeniably fantasy, it feels grounded. These are real people who just happen to stumble into magic, and that makes the dark, secret world of Yale's societies all the more compelling. Hell Bent takes everything Ninth House built and turns it up: higher stakes, more dange, and even deeper character moments. It's dark, twisty, and completely addictive.

This book leans more into the mechanics of a typical video game, but I feel like Dinniman explains things well enough that even someone who doesn’t play video games can still enjoy it. I continue to be surprised by how deep these books can get at times.

Carl follows a moral code, and a lot of the story is him trying to balance survival for himself and Princess Doughnut with showing empathy and helping others when he can. That push and pull adds so much to his character and to the world around him.

I also really enjoy the way Dinniman drops in pop culture references. They never feel jarring or out of place, and they add some humor without pulling you out of the story.

Overall, this one was fun, immersive, and surprisingly thoughtful. Definitely worth the read, and I am looking forward to reading the next one!

If you've been on the fence about these books....just take the plunge especially if you are considering the audiobook version! I doubt you'll regret it!

This book gives a great deal of backstory and makes you look at Haymitch in a different light than we all likely did back when the OG Hungar Games books/movies came out. l'd say it's a great addition to the series and ties the most recent book and the 0G series together nicely.

To my knowledge this will be the last book of this series, and the story is tied up rather nicely in the end. While I enjoyed the book, it's not one that makes me want to run through the streets telling everyone they need to read it.

If you're in need of a sort of cleansing read, something to fill the void after finishing one of those epic jaw-dropoing reads, then I would recommend this series. The characters are likeable, although a little whiny at times, you will find yourself hoping everything works out for them in the end. That they beat the odds so to speak and conquer their own fears.

A dark, immersive departure from Bardugo’s Grishaverse, and so worth the read!

Alex is tough, flawed, and wonderfully real. Yale’s actual landmarks and secret societies make the magic feel plausible, and the narration keeps you hooked.

Stay through the credits for Bardugo’s interview.

Bring on the sequel!