The Sword and Laser discussion

I’m reading Hell Bent this month as I already read Ninth House. Is anyone else reading it and wants to chat? So far I’m loving the concept of (view spoiler)[ a library designed to provide a portal to Hell (hide spoiler)]

I might join in. The first one was a bit too much Ivy League snobbery giving me flashbacks, but the story worked well. I've been hoping to get into a series but the Posleen didn't work out and I've gotten jaded on Jasper Fforde. Fred the Vampire Accountant is good but I'm on book 6 of 8 and want to save the last 2.

I'm about 75% of the way through already. Listening this time - I think I read the first one - and it's working pretty well for me.

I'd say I will finish Ninth House by the weekend and almost certainly go straight into "Hell Bent". This is a 4 star book for me, so far.

There's a whole bunch available at LA Public Library for anyone with an Overdrive / Libby account there.

Ruth wrote: "I’m reading Hell Bent this month as I already read Ninth House. Is anyone else reading it and wants to chat? So far I’m loving the concept of [spoilers removed]"


Given that spoiler have you read (view spoiler)[book:The Library of the Unwritten|41961994] series? (hide spoiler)]?

Rick wrote: "Ruth wrote: "I’m reading Hell Bent this month as I already read Ninth House. Is anyone else reading it and wants to chat? So far I’m loving the concept of [spoilers removed]"


Give..."

I haven’t read the book you mention, no, I’ll have to look out for it

Ruth wrote: "I haven’t read the book you mention, no, I’ll have to look out for it"

It's the sequel to Ninth House

I just started it last night. I polished off Ninth House faster than I thought I would. The last 30% just flew by. I was enjoying it that much.

Tassie Dave wrote: "Ruth wrote: "I haven’t read the book you mention, no, I’ll have to look out for it"

It's the sequel to Ninth House

I just started it last night. I polished off Ninth House faster ..."

Lol the way Goodreads lays out comments has created an ouroboros of book references - I most certainly have heard of Hell Bent, if you look up thread you’ll see I’m the one who started the discussion! The book I referred to in my subsequent comment was the one Rick refers to in his comment, spoiler protected because the title is relevant to something that happens part-way through Hell Bent.

All perfectly clear 😅

Doh 😉

I should have noticed that. 🤣

Just finished, and really like the ending of the second book. There were just some big "gathering a band of odd-balls" energy that paid off at the end.

Tassie Dave wrote: "Doh 😉

I should have noticed that. 🤣"

It’s understandable since you’re upside down and all the blood is rushing to your brain.

Trike wrote: "Tassie Dave wrote: "Doh 😉

I should have noticed that. 🤣"

It’s understandable since you’re upside down and all the blood is rushing to your brain."

Not age related memory loss. That's a relief. 😉

About a third of the way in. So far an engaging read, mostly good use of previous characters and situations. Was Mercy (view spoiler)[always known to be Chinese? I wasn't sure if it had been revealed in the first book but the "Mercy Zhao" introduction took me by surprise. (hide spoiler)]

Anyway, two quibbles. First, I was peeved that the (view spoiler)[drug dealer from the first book showed up again. Thought she got away from that! (hide spoiler)] Sigh, probably a writerly necessity to keep the feel of the first book going in the sequel.

And then, the "Boy of a thousand second chances" (view spoiler)[didn't graduate and was left behind? Oh no. Oh no no no. East coast aristocrats don't do that. If they did, he'd have his own money to pay for tuition. Or a relative would come to his aid. This reeks of a plot twist. He ain't what he seems. (hide spoiler)]

Finished and enjoyed Ninth House. Found Hell Bent in my local library so I picked it up on Overdrive and started.

I finished Ninth House pretty quickly and really loved it—so I’m excited to start Hell Bent (just as soon as my hold at the library comes through!)

^ I dunno where you live, but LA Public Library had plenty of copies of Hell Bent. Many states will give you a library card for a big-city library if you reside in the state. California doesn't even require you to go in now.

Oh thanks—yes if I were in my city, I could get a physical copy but I’m traveling this week so I’m at the mercy of my library’s 2-4 week ebook holds wait or I’ll just have to check it out when I get home.

Finished!
I overall enjoyed it although it had less of the dark academia feel that I love, and more of an urban fantasy vibe, especially with the (view spoiler)[ vampires (hide spoiler)]

Ruth wrote: "Finished!
I overall enjoyed it although it had less of the dark academia feel that I love, and more of an urban fantasy vibe, especially with the [spoilers removed]"

I think that's a really good description of how the book felt, and a connection I hadn't really made until now. It is definitely less about school and secret societies and more about magic people tooling up and going to kick ass in the underworld.

I thought it was funny how by the end (view spoiler)[they're pretty much the Dark X-Men for New Haven. Got themselves a demon knight, a super-mage, a potion-making witch, a newbie vamp, and even help on the outside. (hide spoiler)]

Ruth wrote: "Finished!
I overall enjoyed it although it had less of the dark academia feel that I love, and more of an urban fantasy vibe..."
Agreed. Although I'm not sure where the author could have taken the dark academia side of things after the ending of the first book so it kind of makes sense she had to shift gears.

As I reflect on the comics-style roles, I'm modestly amused that it's the "Robin" that has the Batcave. And...hm. I mean, one could qualify as Oracle too, eh? Not really a fighter but will go along when needed, great with information.

John (Taloni) wrote: "There's a whole bunch available at LA Public Library for anyone with an Overdrive / Libby account there."

John!! You are the MAN! Thank you! I was gonna wait to read/listen to Hell Bent until it was on Kindle Unlimited, but you are correct that it was readily available at LAPL on Libby. Just snagged it and will listen presently.

I really enjoyed Ninth House and gave it 4 stars.

I liked Ninth House (4 Stars) but man Hell Bent came out of nowhere and smashed one out past the bleachers. I'm glad that it puts Yale into the periphery and feeds the plot some accelerant.

I am glad that in this series we're playing by the Dresden Files rules of magic, just a little amped up.

What are the dresden files rules of magic?

Laith wrote: "I liked Ninth House (4 Stars) but man Hell Bent came out of nowhere and smashed one out past the bleachers. I'm glad that it puts Yale into the periphery and feeds the plot some accelerant..."

Enjoying Hell Bent very much so far. About half way through.

In my other-thread rant, which got really long, I wanted to work in the phrase, "the East Coast upper class are such cold fish they could be undead for a week and not even notice." Decided not to as I had already gone on and on, but then (view spoiler)[I read the end of Hell Bent and laughed and laughed over Tripp's transformation. (hide spoiler)]

John (Taloni) wrote: In my other-thread rant, which got really long, I wanted to work in the phrase, "the East Coast upper class are such cold fish they could be undead for a week and not even notice." Decided not to as I had already gone on and on, but then (view spoiler)[I read the end of Hell Bent and laughed and laughed over Tripp's transformation. (hide spoiler)]..."

Lol (view spoiler)[I just finished Hell Bent as well and you're absolutely right - well done! (hide spoiler)]

I liked Ninth House (I gave it 4.5 stars) and it took me six days to listen to.
I also liked Hell Bent (I gave it 4.25 stars) and it took me four days to listen to. I couldn't say if my accelerated pace was because the story moved faster (I think it covered less time in Alex's life) or if I was just more drawn in. The audiobooks appear to be only 4 minutes different in length.

I think I ranked the sequel slightly lower primarily because I disliked the way it ended, (view spoiler)[the image of characters standing back-to-back in the middle of the courtyard, weapons raised, ready to take on the undead, is one I don't particularly care for; I don't mind a cliff hanger, but for some reason that rubbed me the wrong way. (hide spoiler)] I also found it tricky to follow/visualize some of the underworld scenes, but I am unsure if that is to be laid at my feet or the author's.
I will almost certainly stick around for the third installment when it comes out.

Visualisation is massively overrated. Just wing ;-)