What is it with the number 9 and necromancy? Alliteration? The other thing they have in common is that they’re both damn good books. I’ve fallen away from reading consistently and it’s a habit I need to reacquire as soon as possible. That and cooking for myself.
The Ninth House encircles around Yale University as its primary location and even a background character of sorts. Galaxy Stern (she prefers Alex) is a young woman who had led a hard and dangerous life. Her second chance begins in the hospital after being involved in a brutal crime. Dean Sandow, the head of Yale, kindly offers her a new opportunity: a position at the school and no tuition fees. However, the job itself is unusual and indeed one-of-a-kind. She is to work with Lethe, an organization set up decades ago to keep tabs on all of the other secret societies on the campus, of which there are eight. The Ancient Eight, all with their own school of magic and many powerful patrons, connections, and secrets. She is a Dante, the name for an apprentice in Lethe, and her Virgil, or senior partner, is a fellow named Darlington. It all sounds amazing and almost unbelievable, but Alex has secrets of her own and brings an unexpected strength and set of skills to this world. And she will need them all.
Alex Stern and Gideon (of Gideon The Ninth) are very similar in many ways. Both snarky, tough young woman who are trying to forge their own paths in a world that insists on protocol and tradition. They’d get along rather well if they ever met (which I now very much want to read. Maybe the world of Gideon is a future version of Yale?). Alex is a complex and interesting character. She rolls her eyes at what she sees as the pretentious viewpoint and sheltered life of the students, but also longs for their normality and concern about regular problems.
The story itself doesn’t shy away from the dangers both of life for young women (which may be very troubling for some readers-many serious issues are discussed and Alex has had a hard life) and unfettered magic use in this world. Alex’s backstory is engaging and while she has a clever retort for most situations, the pain and trouble that fuels her make the young woman very sympathetic. Leigh has a real talent for painting a picture with words, and I found myself wanting to visit not just the fictional places she’s created but New Haven and Yale itself.
Upon further reflection, however, I found myself dissatisfied with the ending. She wraps up all of the threads a little too neatly to prepare for the sequel, and I always like it when there’s a bit of hanging plot afterwards instead of just jumping to the next problem. Does that make sense? And she plans to return a character who doesn’t need it in my opinion. Those thoughts aside this was a wonderful book.
Reviewed for Cannonball Read #12! It’s a good cause! Check them out!
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