But you can’t go back to the ways things were no matter how much you want that. (472)

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genre: Fantasy/Supernatural

We have now moved on from the beginnings of Alex and how she moved onward to Yale University after her turmultous life out west.

In my honest opinion, this entire duology is not a fantasy series, per se. It is more supernatural than fantasy. Unless you consider ghosts, demons and vampires more fantasy than supernatural, then I have to say go for it. To each their own.

Continuing on from Ninth House, one of my Alex’s dear friends, Darlington, has gone missing from the societies and needs to use her supernatural abilities to find him. Throughout this entire story, Alex needs to figure out how to open a portal to Hell to find him. She believes that is where he is at. She and other friends believe that he was inhabited by a demon from Hell.

The only problem with opening up a portal to Hell is the possibility of not coming back to the land of the living. Some of these societies do bad things when a portal to Hell is open. Some of these societies like to keep it open in order for demons to come and go as they please. Demons have possessed the living, which is what is happening with Darlington.

While I was reading this novel, I learned more about Alex’s past and why she was so into Darlington. Darlington welcomed Alex with open arms when she arrived at Yale and to the Ninth House. Alex grew more into her supernatural abilities in order to help save Darlington from the pits of Hell and its demons.

Alex has continued to grow into her character which is huge for her and her own story. If Leigh wants to write more about Alex and how she will continue to evolve as a person, I would love to read more. Alex, so far to this date, is one of my favorite female main characters. She lives up to her own and will not take any shit from anyone. She is a strong, independent, female character.

If you have read the Grishaverse from Leigh Bardugo, I highly suggest you read this adult duology by her. It is no where near the telling of the Grishaverse but I did really enjoy these two books from her. Her writing style has continued to grow with more and more books she has published.

Also, she has just come out with a standalone historical fantasy that is based on vampires. It is called the “The Familiar” and came out in April of this year (2024). I have not read it yet but I do plan on reading it sooner than later.

Happy Reading!!