Ninth House

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussions of sexual violence and/or harassment, substance use, addiction, physical abuse, and mental illness.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did you react to Bardugo's darker, more adult take on magic compared to her young adult fantasy works like Six of Crows? What makes this interpretation of magic distinct?

2. The novel opens with Alex severely injured and hiding in the Hutch. How did this beginning shape your expectations for the story, and how did those expectations evolve?

3. What impact did the novel’s alternating timelines have on your reading experience? Did this approach enhance or detract from the escalating tension?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Alex uses her traumatic past experiences to navigate Yale's privileged environment. How have your own past challenges helped you to adapt to new situations?

2. The novel explores different kinds of friendships. Which relationship resonated most with you, and why? What parallels can you draw between these characters and friends that you have known?

3. Throughout the novel, the characters must often choose between following rules and doing what they believe is right.