Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo Narrator: Lauren Fortgang, Michael David Axtell
Series: Alex Stern #2
Published by MacMillan Audio on January 10, 2023
Genres: Fantasy
Length: 16 hours, 16 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
Galaxy “Alex” Stern is determined to break Darlington out of hell—even if it costs her a future at Lethe and at Yale. But Alex is playing with forces far beyond her control, and when faculty members begin to die off, she knows these aren’t just accidents. Something deadly is at work in New Haven, and if Alex is going to survive, she'll have to reckon with the monsters of her past and a darkness built into the university's very walls.
I was a little worried about reading Hell Bent without going back to listen to Ninth House. It would have been better, sure, but I remembered a lot, and many details. The world and its magic are complex and dangerous. There will be spoilers here for Ninth House. Â
Alex has made some friends and enemies and she’s learned a little about her own magic. People don’t seem to know about their magic unless they read about it, studying obscure texts or someone with similar magic can show them. No one is like Alex though.
We start here with Darlington missing, in hell. Alex and Pam believe he is still alive. They try to figure out how they can go to Hell and get him back. The “management” do not believe them or want them to do that. The new guy is a misogynist and only puts up with them because they are who he has available and trained to do the work.
Alex has more problems because Anton from Los Angeles has somehow found her and wants her to work for him in New Haven, or he’ll go after her mother. He sends her on jobs which are incredibly dangerous.
To get to Darlington, they will need four for the ritual to go to Hell. So Alex ends up working with Turner again, and a guy from another house. As part of it, they all see each other’s worst moments and become more connected to each other. At first, I thought those flashbacks were kind of tedious but they quickly became important. Reluctantly, she involves her roommate Mercy who is not in the houses, but has always wanted to learn more about magic. Mercy is very smart about the history and helps a lot.
The first trip is not successful and causes many problems. So they have to make another attempt, even though they were caught and warned off trying again.  In the end, Alex succeeds with a very risky plan.  It was so exciting but I can’t spoil you on the details.
The Alex Stern series is just has to have more because they have only started learning about the creatures in the world and Alex has more to work on her abilities. Plus their little team has to hunt down the big bads they now know are in the world, preying on innocents.  This is definitely a series to read in order and I look forward to more!
Narration:
Lauren Fortgang is the sound of this world for me and especially the sound of Alex. Her voices for other character’s were distinct and suitable. Both narrators gave fine performances with comfortable voices. There was only a small part from Darlington.  I was able to listen at my normal 1.5x speed, which I had to reduce to 1.25x for the first book. .
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Lauren Fortgang
Lauren Fortgang lives in New York City where she currently works as an actor and voiceover artist. Born in DE, she alternated between the metropolis of Wilmington and a rural upbringing in a variety of northern California towns. She had early training at A.C.T.’s Young Conservatory and is a graduate of Fordham University: College at Lincoln Center, where she majored in theater. Her curiosity for finding new niches in the industry has afforded her a broad career spectrum, both in and out of the spotlight as actor, singer, spokesperson audiobook narrator, podcaster, and even costume designer.
About Leigh Bardugo
Leigh Bardugo is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of fantasy novels and the creator of the Grishaverse. With over three million copies sold worldwide, her Grishaverse spans the Shadow and Bone Trilogy, the Six of Crows Duology, The Language of Thorns, and King of Scars—with more to come. Her short stories can be found in multiple anthologies, including The Best of Tor.com and the Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy. Her other works include Wonder Woman: Warbringer and the forthcoming Ninth House. Leigh was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Southern California, graduated from Yale University, and has worked in advertising, journalism, and even makeup and special effects. These days, she lives and writes in Los Angeles.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 23-COYER
I keep seeing this around and didn’t know it’s part of a series. Glad you loved it, Anne💜 I didn’t read it since you state there are spoilers for the first book. Off to check it out.
I’ve loved both books but they are dense and complex in the magic systems and the characters. The books are on the long side also. Modern day fantasy. I guess urban fantasy really.
Wow this sounds scary and what a cover. Glad you liked it
That’s a good point Debbie. It would be scary if it were real life but because it’s fantasy I just go with it. I would not want to be Alex in this world.
I haven’t read Ninth House yet but I have a copy on my shelf. I do hope to read both of these sometime this year since it seems like everyone is loving these books!
They are quite the blend of fantasy, urban fantasy, a little horror and new adult, although NA is not a popular term anymore.
I’m going to listen to the King of Scars series soon, and this one next. Lovely review, Anne. You really make me want to read this
Thanks Wendy. This series is just different. Some things feel very undefined but eventually the characters learn more. The undefined part can be a bit unsettling.
This is adult fantasy? I think I would enjoy this. For some reason, I thought it was YA, and I am not at all sure why…lol
Well this depends on how you define ages. It is what I call New Adult but that term isn’t used anymore and mostly they are combining it into YA. The age is college students in a college setting. It has a touch of horror and I think way too violent for YA readers. It’s contemporary but looks at history of the area A LOT. The magic is very complex. There are people who look 20s-30s and are hundreds of years old so definitely adults there.
I haven’t read Bardugo before, but my daughter loved the series that turned into a Netflix series. I’ll have to try her sometime. Glad this was such a hit!
It’s different than the usual UF I read, complex magic, a bit of horror in how violent it is. College students in a college setting. There is a lot of history of the area and previous magic users. I would read the books in order. Some things are so confusing / unsettling at first until Alex starts to figure out how they work.
Yes, it does seem like it might be wise to read book 1 first
You would miss a lot if you didn’t read the first book and it was 5 hearts for me also.
This series is probably more in depth fantasy than I usually read, although it reminds me I need to finish the Shadow and Bone series. I do love the covers and am glad you are enjoying these. Great review!
Thanks Lisa. yes probably. I really liked it though.