Ninth House
Ninth House is a 2019 dark fantasy New Adult novel by Leigh Bardugo.
Author | Leigh Bardugo |
---|---|
Audio read by | Lauren Fortgang, Michael David Axtell |
Cover artist | Keith Hayes |
Language | English |
Set in | Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut |
Publisher | Flatiron Books |
Publication date | October 8, 2019 |
Media type | |
Pages | 458 |
ISBN | 1250313074 |
Premise
The novel follows unlikely Yale University freshman 20-year-old Galaxy "Alex" Stern, a high school drop out and homicide survivor who can see ghosts, called "grays". Alex is mysteriously offered a full-ride to university following her trauma despite her background and lack of qualifications. She attempts to navigate her new life at the Ivy League while tasked by her benefactor with monitoring the eight Houses of the Veil, secret societies that harbor dark occult magic and power, from Lethe, the ninth house.[1][2]
Background
The novel is Bardugo's first adult novel and beyond the fantasy elements is largely inspired by her time at Yale University.[3] Bardugo became inspired upon discovering the tombs of Yale's secret societies as she walked down New Haven's Grove Street during her freshman year. When her friend sent her pictures from their time at Yale years later, Bardugo was struck with memories, both pleasant and unpleasant, which inspired her to explore trauma for this novel but also companionship through it.[4] The "ninth house" in the novel is based on the Anderson Mansion, the real-life New Haven headquarters of the Yale secret society Shabtai.
Reception
Award-winning horror author Stephen King called Ninth House "the best fantasy novel I've read in years, because it's about real people. Bardugo's imaginative reach is brilliant, and this story―full of shocks and twists―is impossible to put down." It also received endorsements from fellow authors Lev Grossman, Kelly Link, Joe Hill, and Charlaine Harris.[5]
Adaptation
On October 10, 2019, two days after the novel's release, it was announced Amazon Studios would adapt Ninth House for series. Leigh Bardugo herself is set to executive produce the project alongside Pouya Shahbazian.[6]
References
- Grady, Constance (October 11, 2019). "Leigh Bardugo turns Yale into a haunted, haunting fantasy world in Ninth House". Vox. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
- Sheehan, Jason (October 6, 2019). "'Ninth House' Keeps Watch Over Bloody Mysteries". NPR. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
- Lindem, Vicki (October 8, 2019). "Stephen King Calls 'Ninth House' "the Best Fantasy I've Read in Years"". Book Bub. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
- Romanoff, Zan (October 9, 2019). "Leigh Bardugo Wants 'Ninth House' To "F*ck You Up A Little"". Bustle. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
- "Ninth House: Leigh Bardugo, Flatiron Books". Macmillan. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
- Andreeva, Nellie (October 10, 2019). "Grishaverse Author's 'Ninth House' Novel To Be Developed As TV Series By Amazon Studios". Deadline. Retrieved November 1, 2019.