Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Read

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Libby

Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)

Screenwise Verdict

Let's be crystal clear: this is not for kids, not for young teens, not even for most older teens. Leigh Bardugo wrote an adult novel and she meant it.

That said, for adult readers who love dark fantasy, this is genuinely excellent. The worldbuilding is spectacular—secret societies at Yale practicing actual necromancy and occult rituals is such a rich premise, and Bardugo executes it with style. The protagonist Alex is damaged, complex, and compelling. The mystery keeps you hooked.

But the content is brutal. Multiple graphic sexual assaults, extreme violence, drug abuse, murder—all handled with literary intention but still very much present on the page. Common Sense Media parent reviews are unanimous: this is heavy, mature, adult content.

If you're an adult looking for smart, dark fantasy with substance, this delivers. If you're trying to figure out if your teen can read it—the answer is almost certainly no unless they're 18+ and you've had explicit conversations about the content warnings. This isn't a gatekeeping thing; it's just what the book is.

Age Fit

This is strictly adult fiction—18+ only. The graphic sexual assault, extreme violence, and mature themes make it inappropriate for teens despite the college setting. Even mature 17-year-olds should approach with caution. If you loved Bardugo's Grishaverse books, know that this is a completely different beast.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

25

This is an adult dark fantasy novel that deals with deeply traumatic content including sexual assault, drug abuse, murder, and exploitation. The protagonist is a survivor of multiple traumas and the narrative doesn't shy away from depicting violence, gore, and psychological harm. While the book handles these themes with intention rather than gratuitously, the content is emotionally heavy and far from age-appropriate for younger readers. Not designed to model healthy relationships or cooperation—it's a gritty exploration of power, privilege, and survival.

Imaginative

82

Bardugo creates a compelling alternate Yale where secret societies practice genuine occult magic, raise the dead, and manipulate forbidden powers. The worldbuilding is intricate and original, blending real Ivy League history with dark fantasy elements. The concept of monitoring these societies through a damaged protagonist who can see ghosts is fresh. Stephen King praised it as 'the best fantasy novel I've read in years' for its grounded approach to fantastical elements. The magic system and secret society lore invite curiosity and wonder, even if the tone is dark.

Safe

15

Multiple parent and teen reviews on Common Sense Media explicitly warn about graphic sexual assault, extreme violence, gore, drug use, and mature language. One parent review states it 'deals with situations like rape and extreme violence.' Teen reviewers note it's 'best for older teens who are okay with reading about gore and sexual assault.' The protagonist is a survivor of a mass murder and the book opens with traumatic content. This is definitively adult fiction with content that would be shocking and inappropriate for children or young teens to encounter unexpectedly.

Enriching

68

For mature readers, this offers substantial exploration of power structures, class privilege, institutional corruption, and survival. The Ivy League setting provides commentary on elite institutions and who they serve. The protagonist's journey from trauma survivor to someone reclaiming agency has emotional depth. It tackles complex themes about wealth, exploitation, and the occult consequences of unchecked power. However, the dark content and trauma focus means it's more about processing difficult realities than building skills or providing uplifting insights. Strong entertainment value for adult readers who appreciate dark fantasy.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely original worldbuilding that blends real Yale history with occult magic and secret societies
Stephen King called it the best fantasy novel he'd read in years—high praise from a master of the genre
Complex exploration of power, privilege, and institutional corruption through a compelling damaged protagonist
Strong character work with a survivor protagonist who has real agency and depth
Gripping mystery plot that keeps adult readers engaged through dense, atmospheric prose

⚠

What to Watch For

Graphic depictions of sexual assault—this is a major plot element and handled seriously but explicitly
Extreme violence, gore, and disturbing occult imagery throughout
Heavy drug use, murder, and psychological trauma as core story elements
This is adult fiction marketed to adults—not a YA crossover despite Bardugo's previous teen-focused work
Emotionally demanding read that deals with institutional abuse and exploitation

Conversation Starters

"What do you think the book is saying about how elite institutions protect their own?"
"How does Alex's ability to see ghosts work as a metaphor for seeing what privileged people ignore?"
"The secret societies in the book practice real magic—what would you do if you discovered something like that at a real university?"
"Why do you think the author chose to make this so dark rather than writing another YA fantasy?"
"What does the book suggest about who gets second chances and why?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

Writing about Ninth House: Alex Stern, Book 1 Leigh Bardugo? Put this WISE score on your site