Ninth House
Book 1 of the Alex Stern series
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Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo is a dark fantasy novel blending Yale secret societies, occult magic, and crime investigation. It follows Galaxy “Alex” Stern as she uncovers supernatural secrets while navigating danger, privilege, and morally complex choices.
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo is a dark, contemporary fantasy novel set within the elite world of Yale University. The story follows Galaxy “Alex” Stern, a young woman with a troubled past, who is recruited to monitor the university’s secret societies. Beneath the veneer of prestige, these societies wield occult magic, hidden power, and dangerous secrets that could threaten the living and the dead alike.
Blending supernatural intrigue, crime investigation, and college drama, Ninth House explores themes of power, privilege, trauma, morality, and redemption. Bardugo’s writing balances the suspense of a thriller with the rich worldbuilding and magic systems of her fantasy works, offering readers both mystery and dark enchantment.
The novel delves deeply into character development, highlighting Alex’s resilience, intelligence, and moral complexity as she navigates a world steeped in tradition and supernatural threats. Readers experience a mix of suspense, horror, and morally grey dilemmas, emphasizing the consequences of ambition, loyalty, and ethical choices.
Popular fantasy and thriller tropes appear throughout the story, including secret societies, forbidden magic, crime-solving protagonists, morally ambiguous characters, and mentorships with hidden agendas. Bardugo’s narrative also incorporates dark academia elements, mixing university life with sinister supernatural undertones.
Ninth House is recommended for readers who enjoy contemporary fantasy with suspenseful mysteries, occult elements, morally complex characters, and immersive dark worldbuilding. It showcases Bardugo’s versatility beyond her Grishaverse novels and solidifies her reputation for creating compelling, thought-provoking, and hauntingly memorable fantasy narratives.
Publication Details:
| Number of Pages | 480 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10 | 1473227984 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1473227989 |
| Published Date |
Other books in the Alex Stern series
She survived a massacre. Yale's full ride comes with dark secrets. Alex sees ghosts, monitors secret societies, occult magic. Bardugo's adult debut: Stephen King's favorite, Amazon series. Dark academia murder mystery.
About Leigh Bardugo
Leigh Bardugo is a bestselling fantasy author and creator of the Grishaverse, best known for Shadow and Bone, Six of Crows, and King of Scars. Her work blends rich worldbuilding, political intrigue, and morally complex characters.