Ninth House
The problem with finding a book that you enjoy, as much as I enjoyed this book, is that you then have to wait for the sequel to come out. Ninth House exceeded my expectations. I am an avid Book of the Month member. I honestly chose this book because I wasn’t excited by the other four options that were available. This novel is out of my usual genre. I typically stick to psychological thrillers and mystery so the magical elements that pop up in this novel are not an element that I am used to.
To be one hundred percent honest, I wasn’t a fan of the first chapter. I understand that the author was throwing the reader into the middle of the action. The following chapters are a back track, giving information that lead up to what happened. Usually, this move is smart. It makes the reader curious and want to know more. I typically love this move. However, in this instance, there was too much vocabulary that without the background information left me confused as to what was even happening. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like being confused as a reader.
The characters are believable and complex, although not lovable. Somehow this works to their advantage and made me enjoy them even more. The characters became tangible because they were imperfect. This worked in their favor as the story unravels and we finally find out the meanings behind the vocabulary.
As a reader, I love the original ideas that Bardugo exemplifies and explores. For instance, the library the Ninth House has is every reader’s dream. Simply write in a book the subject you are looking to research, place the book back on the shelf and wait for the library to conjure everything in the world. The magic in this novel is also unique: digging around in someone's inner to predict what would happen on Wall Street.
Although I began this book on the dubious side, Bardugo left me an immense fan. I am waiting anxiously, baiting my breathe in anticipation for the sequel that is coming. And I know she will not disappoint. Leigh Bardugo is a writer to watch and I can’t wait to see what she does next.
