I finally finished this book:
It was SO GOOD. The main character, Alex, has been recruited to join Lethe, an organization that monitors eight secret societies at Yale. These eight “houses” are able to employ some sinister magic, and Lethe is supposed to ensure that things don’t get out of control. But then there’s a murder, and a coverup, and Alex takes it upon herself to find out what happened.
It’s a mystery, with lots and lots of magic woven into the story. I really, really loved that part of it. And I loved the writing except for one thing. Alex constantly communicates with people via quippy comebacks, which seemed out of place and took me out of the story a little. It just didn’t seem to fit in with the tone of the rest of the book. I liked the book enough to want to read more by this author- I hope the jokey one-liner isn’t a thing in all her books. But I’m willing to find out.
(I just realized Hell Bent is a sequel to Ninth House! I want to find out what happens! But then I have to deal with more of Alex’s one-liners… sigh).
I also finished…
I read this for Engie’s book club, which meant I read one section per week, interspersed with the other books I was reading at the same time. I’m wondering if it would have been better to read it continuously, rather than putting it down for a week at a time and then coming back to it. I was a little confused about which daughter went to which mother, and kept forgetting their backstories.
But! I eventually gave up on that, and read it more as a collection of short stories that were loosely connected, and I really enjoyed it that way. The writing is beautiful, and I got engrossed in each story as I read it. I’m really glad we read it for book club (although I didn’t vote for this one) because I wouldn’t have picked it up otherwise.
Now I have a conundrum! My plan was to start The Hallmarked Man by Robert Galbraith. I LOVE the whole series, and have been looking forward to reading this one. But, my mind was so scattered while reading Ninth House- I was frustrated that I couldn’t spend more time reading, and that took away a little enjoyment of the book. I don’t want the same thing to happen with The Hallmarked Man! Maybe I need to save it for January? Or, I could save it for Christmas Day- that would be fun.
Instead I picked up this one:
One of the books on my holiday TBR. I’m guessing this will be an easy, fun read that won’t take a lot of brainpower, and if I’m distracted by NaBloPoMo and can’t dedicate all my attention to it… that’s okay.
What are you reading?
Have you read Ninth House? Should I read the sequel?
Top photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash
27 Responses
Light breezy reads are the way to go for NaBloPo season! Once that’s over you’ll have the time and focus for Galbraith.
I’m still not reading anything yet. Once I get home then I should have more reading time.
Light and breezy it is! I’ve learned my lesson.
Yes, Jenny – You can check out what I’m reading through my comment to “What we read in October” by Lisa @ Lisa’s yarns. Although, between Nov 1 of this year – when she wrote the blog post – and now, I have not read any new books.
I have actually not read “Ninth House” or “Hell Bent”.
But yes – I do think that books can be differentiated by how much brainpower they require us to put into them.
There will be a big difference between Ninth House and the Christmas murder mystery, I’m pretty sure- the latter should be an easy read.
i haven’t read any fantasy book, can you believe it? I feel like not the right kind for me, but maybe I should try once? any recommendation?
Hmm! I used to not like sci fi or fantasy- but then I read Harry Potter, and loved those books SO MUCH. If you haven’t read them, I would try the first one to see if you like it.
Ooh, a Christmas murder mystery? Interesting concept! I can’t decide what I think about that! Christmas isn’t supposed to involve MURDER, lol! But I could also see that being kinda fun! I know you’ll report back so I can decide if Christmas murder mysteries are going to be my new thing. I am currently reading The Let Them Theory. I need a good fiction!
I’ll let you know- hopefully this book won’t be disturbing or gory. I know there’s also a category of “Christmas horror” and that just seems wrong.
I think you should save the Galbraith book for Christmas. It would be something so specific to look forward to, AND there will be zero guilt about settling in and reading for hour upon hour.
I am currently reading Broken Country and am hooked!
Okay, I’m going to do that. And- I’m looking forward to your book reviews tomorrow!
I loved The Joy Luck Club!
Right now I’m reading Mean Moms, and it is a HOOT.
Mean Moms? I haven’t heard of it, but it does sound like a hoot.
I just finished… The Anomaly! I picked it up on your recommendation! I really liked it. I listened to it in Spanish. A really interesting book! Thanks for always writing about what you’re reading. I definitely write down titles based on what you enjoyed.
Oh I’m glad you liked it! And you listened in Spanish… wow. Did you like the ending?
I loved Ninth House — and I loved Hell Bent! But I also loved Alex’s irreverent wit! I feel like it’s such a defense mechanism that she’s had to develop over the years that it worked for me. But if it bothers you, I would guess Hell Bent will be irritating too.
Yes, I get that it’s her defense mechanism. It still bugged me, though. I’ll see if I can look at it differently, and not let it bother me if I decide to read Hell Bent.
I did read Ninth House and it was too dark for me. I like my dark academia to be milk chocolate, I guess!
It was definitely dark! But I like dark chocolate : )
Wow – that sounds like a great book for you and I’m glad you enjoyed it so much. I’m not into sci fi, so that won’t be a book that I read. Weird about the one liners. I wonder if other readers found that distracting too? Maybe the author wanted to infuse some humor into the book but couldn’t figure out how to do it in a more seamless way.
I’m reading Amy Poehler’s memoir. Light and airy. No deadline, aside for the library and they’re pretty forgiving. I started When Breath Becomes Air, a memoir about a man who finds out he his terminal cancer and he’s a doctor who treats patients and basically diagnosed himself. He’s young, Like hasn’t finished his residency young. I decided it was too heavy for me right now. I do think it’s probably an excellent read.
I think your plan is a good one. Put off the book that you want to spend more time with till a time when you aren’t so busy.
I’ve heard of When Breath Becomes Air- it’s probably too heavy for me right now as well. And, I think you’re right that the author was trying to infuse this dark story with a little bit of humor. It definitely didn’t work for me!
The title Murder on the Christmas Express intrigues me! I read mostly mysteries (which includes suspense), so I’ll be looking for it to read this season.
Wahoo! I’m trying to go back and read one of my fallish books, and then I feel the need for a good festive murder and will probably pick up Christmas Express myself 😀 I also picked up another intriguing one from the library today – it’ll be featured in a post very soon (next week? If all goes according to plan, lol)
I have yet to finish a book this month– all my reading is blogs blogs blogs
The cover of that Christmas mystery is really calling to me! I’m looking forward to your review. I loved a good “locked room” mystery.
I was thinking about starting a longer book once I finish the thriller I just started, but it might not be the best time for something like that! NaBloPoMo means less structured reading time since I’m doing a whole lot more writing/commenting, so I need to be more strategic about what I pick up!
I just started The Guest, and am loving it so far! Just finished Her Many Faces, and really liked that one as well. I’m on a roll!
I was going to recommend you another book by Leigh Bardugo but my reading list says I have not read a single book by her. So how come I wanted to recommend one to you.
I keep saving good books for when I have more time. Sigh. Sometimes you just gotta start and enjoy even though household stuff gets pushed to the side.
I am not yet starting the Christmas reading but this sounds fun and I’ll put it on the TBR.
I love that Penguin cover! I read The Joy Luck Club years ago and it was hard enough to keep all the mother-daughter pairs clear when reading it through in one go, so well done!