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This is the Buddy Read thread for the Ninth House! Our Unofficial Trim Master Picker Joy went with #2, and here we are! I think its myself, Meli, Charlotte, Shelly, and Jenni Elyse. But anyone else is welcome to hop on. Joanne and Nicole (I believe) both read it, and Joanne and possibly others are really excited to have this book be picked so they can follow. Its in from the library for me, and its probably going to be my fourth or fifth book of the month, so I might start it later in the month. Personally, I am first going to knock off Anxious People and Black Swans of Paris. Plus, I had another Trim pick for #2, Jodi Piccoult's Spark of Light, which was on my 2018 list, and I own it in the house. So I am thrilled to knock them both off this month.

I'm a little scared of Ninth House. I scare easily and am not generally a fan of horror. But i am going with it, because this group stretches me, and I have you all with me to hold my hand. Lets do this!

While this isn't on my Trim list for 2021, it was on my list for 2020 and the number wasn't called.

I'd like to join in the buddy read.

It’s not on my list either but I’ll join

Woohoo - so excited! When so many people showed an interest in this book last year I kept hoping and hoping it would be picked, but alas. Now in 2021 and it is the first book!? This has to be a sign of good things to come (* knock on wood, throw salt over shoulder *)

I started reading yesterday and finished today.

I enjoyed the book. Here's a link to my review: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I'll look forward to discussing with you all soon!

Holy crap, you already finished!? Saw you posted a review but haven't read it yet. Gonna start tonight.

The joy of a couple days off work and some health social distancing. And it was a great page-turner!

I read this book in 2020, and I can honestly say it was my favorite of the year. I read many good books, but this was special for me. I love Leigh Bardugo. You can find my review here if you're curious: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

I started last night and I am intrigued. It feels so long though 😨 But it snowed last night and I have all day to curl up with a good book and a hot coffee or two!

Glad to hear such a glowing review (favorite of the year!), Teodora :)

Teodora wrote: "I read this book in 2020, and I can honestly say it was my favorite of the year. I read many good books, but this was special for me. I love Leigh Bardugo. You can find my review here if you're cur..."

I read it in 2019 when it first came out-and it was top ten for me too

Yay! I'm in!! I've got two books that I want to read first and then I'll start this one.

Woot woot! I’m excited to read it. I’m going to read my historical fiction first but should finish that quick and then pick up Ninth House!

I freakin love a college campus setting, and dark magic, so this is a fun read so far.

Meli wrote: "I freakin love a college campus setting, and dark magic, so this is a fun read so far."

you will love it Meli-no doubt in my mind

I’m starting it tonight. Beware, though, I’m a slow reader. I’ll have it finished in the next 3-6 days.

I am at about page 150 and it is thrilling. I love the setting, I love Alex. I love Darlington and learning about both their backgrounds. Great book so far.

The only issue of note - and this in now way will impact my overall rating / feeling of the book - is Alex didn't even graduate high school and they brought her in to work for Lethe house at Yale but she also has to do well in her Yale classes!? I feel stressed for her! I assume the expectation is set because she is exceptional even though that isn't obvious (academically) yet, but I can't imagine all the private tutors in the world could get me to Yale standard and I even went to college!

I was twitchy about that exact same thing , Meli! Magic isn’t writing her essays!

I’m only on page 43. I don’t know why but I don’t trust Darlington. Why has he disappeared? I think it’s because his grandfather lost their fortune and he’s trying to get it back by doing something sinister. We’ll see if my prediction holds true.

Jenni Elyse wrote: "I’m only on page 43. I don’t know why but I don’t trust Darlington. Why has he disappeared? I think it’s because his grandfather lost their fortune and he’s trying to get it back by doing something..."

There are a lot of mysteries to unravel in this book!

After finishing the book, all the threads, questions and mysteries came together with both a satisfying conclusion and also a lead in to the next book in the series.

I am about 100 pages to go and I will likely rate this 5 stars. Hope to finish today.

Alex is probably one of my favorite characters I've read in a book in a long time. It's been a blast from start to finish!

I devoured this book when I read it last year. I can't wait for the next one. Glad that you all are enjoying it!

Meli wrote: "I am about 100 pages to go and I will likely rate this 5 stars. Hope to finish today.

Alex is probably one of my favorite characters I've read in a book in a long time. It's been a blast from sta..."

Knew you would be a fan Meli!

I haven't started yet but will soon! I'm halfway through the last book that I wanted to read before I started this. Can't wait... I'm getting excited reading all of your comments!

I wasn't planning to get to it, and finish, so soon but the other books I need for January aren't available at the library so I got a head start :) I'll be ready to chat once people get started!

I’m well in now and loving it - took a little while for me to get into its rhythm, but now I am, I don’t want to put it down!

I’m so curious at what’s really going on. I really what to know what happened at Ground Zero (in the book). I know some of Alex’s back story but not Ground Zero. I would be terrified of Grays too if I were her.

I’m still not sure about Darlington. If he ends up being okay and not evil like I said I’m my earlier post, I want Alex to be bi so she can have a relationship with him. (There’s always room for romance in books. ALWAYS.)

Jenni Elyse wrote: "I’m so curious at what’s really going on. I really what to know what happened at Ground Zero (in the book). I know some of Alex’s back story but not Ground Zero. I would be terrified of Grays too i..."

All will be revealed about Ground Zero in due time 😈
But it is quite a ways into the book.

Why would Alex need to be bi to have a relationship with Darlington? I don't think she has revealed her sexuality.

I thought I would finish yesterday but those last 40 some odd pages of every book seem to take FOREVER for any book I am reading.

A lot is being revealed / clarified / wrapped up.

I will say in retrospect, as KateNZ mentioned, it takes just a bit to get your footing in this book, but not too long. I think all the names of places at Yale and references to events we don't know about yet, and the jump to past and back to present were confusing me initially. Totally worth it and pretty propulsive once you get through the first 40 pages or so.

It seemed to me that she loved Hellie and I took it as they had a sexual relationship. But I could have misinterpreted those signs. ... Oops.

Finished (at the expense of sleep, lol) and it was wonderful!

I still have two more days.

Ok, I think we interpreted that relationship differently, but also I'm almost done so I won't say more!

I started!!! I'm only a handful of pages in. I'm really tired tonight, so Iknow I won't get far, but I started!!!

I am only like 10 pages to the finish. I should've just stayed up to finish, but I am kinda particular about being in bed by a certain time on a work night and I hit my max :P

Will finish today.
Everything is coming together!
Just one thing missing.... but we'll see if it is resolved at the very end.

oh the end.....;)

Joanne wrote: "oh the end.....;)"

SO EXCITED!! Might try to crank out the last few pages at lunch.

I was hoping to finish tonight but I hurt my back on Sunday and it’s steadily gotten worse each day. Today, I napped most of the day because I hardly slept last night with how much pain I’m in. But, I still managed 100ish pages today and I have a little over 100 left. I’ll finish tomorrow.

Jenni Elyse wrote: "I was hoping to finish tonight but I hurt my back on Sunday and it’s steadily gotten worse each day. Today, I napped most of the day because I hardly slept last night with how much pain I’m in. But..."

As a chronic back pain suffer, I would advise surrounding yourself with pillows and this may help you stay stationary while sleeping, also elevate your feet. Hope this helps. No one can know this type of pain unless you suffer from it. Hugs

I finished yesterday and that last line, my God! Love love loved this book, easy 5 stars.
Also, Alex is one my favorite characters I've read in a long time.

(view spoiler)[I loved how her relationship with Dawes developed and how Alex found her place in Yale with her different friend groups. I didn't think it was believable that she got away with not being accused of murder for Dean Sandow's death, but that doesn't hurt my score of the book. What were they going to do, end it with her going to prison for life!? Not to mention this is a fantasy with magic and ghosts, so I think I can suspend my disbelief for the ending 😉 Still, a part of me had to be like "they would've pinned that on the poor weird girl for sure.

And that last line, "We're going to hell!" I just had to grin. Very excited for the next book! (hide spoiler)]

Joanne wrote: "Jenni Elyse wrote: "I was hoping to finish tonight but I hurt my back on Sunday and it’s steadily gotten worse each day. Today, I napped most of the day because I hardly slept last night with how m..."

Thanks for the advice. I've been relaxing in my recliner for most of the day, each day since Sunday. But I move to my bed to sleep. I think I'm going to stick with the recliner tonight because nights are really hard and when I wake up the pain is unbearable.

Started a few days ago but have been so distracted by the events in DC. That's making it hard to get into this book. But tomorrow is supposed to be a rainy day!
And, I am encouraged by all the raves.

I just finished! Wow! What an ending! I want book 2 now!

Jenni Elyse wrote: "I just finished! Wow! What an ending! I want book 2 now!"

Wow, that was quick! Glad you liked it.

Book 2 is going to be a huge Buddy Read 🤗

Joanne wrote: "Book 2 is going to be a huge Buddy Read 🤗"

Is there any planned publishing date for it?
I will drop EVERYTHING for this next buddy read 😃💖

Rumors are 2021-I would guess the end of the year if that is true

Oh, and Meli-I love when you love something-your joy just gushes!!!

Joanne wrote: "Rumors are 2021-I would guess the end of the year if that is true"

That would be great, not much of a wait!

Joanne wrote: "Oh, and Meli-I love when you love something-your joy just gushes!!!"

😊🥰

Wow! Finished this morning. I really had trouble getting into this one, and if not for this buddy read and everyone loving it, I might have given up! It took me 100 pages but then I plowed through it. It seemed so disjointed in the beginning, and very YA. But then Alex's story and character came shining through. 4 stars for me.

For me, the switching from present to past was jarring until I figured out what was happening and the trajectory of the story.

I am glad you were finally able to get into it enough to rate it 4 stars!