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Not recommended
Content we'd steer families away from.
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- Published
- 2019
- Ages
- 18–99
About the book
About the book
A high school dropout with the ability to see ghosts is given a full scholarship to Yale. In exchange, she must monitor the secret magical activities of the university's elite secret societies.
AI summary
A high school dropout with the ability to see ghosts is given a full scholarship to Yale. In exchange, she must monitor the secret magical activities of the university's elite secret societies.
Why parents choose this book
What makes Ninth House worth choosing
An honest, parent-first look at who this book suits, what it offers, and what to know before you buy.
Best for
- Age range: 18–99 (fits siblings across a range).
- Reading maturity: Young adult — teen protagonists and more nuanced themes.
- Kids who tend to love it: Fantasy.
- Personality fit: big-imagination kids who love new worlds.
Parents love this book because
- Written by Leigh Bardugo, whose books parents return to for consistently thoughtful storytelling.
Your child will probably enjoy Ninth House if they…
- Love magic, dragons, or fantasy worlds
This book helps develop
Vocabulary, sustained attention, and reading confidence for the 18–99 age band.
Things parents should know
- Violence: clear on-page conflict without lingering detail.
- Language: occasional mild words for the older end of the band.
- Sexual content: references or fade-to-black moments.
Reading commitment
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Why we recommend it
We don't broadly recommend Ninth House for the 18–99 age band; see the notes above before choosing. It leans into fantasy in a way that feels genuine, not formulaic. Leigh Bardugo's voice is what makes it stick: readable, respectful of kids, and easy to hand to the next child in the family.
Content ratings
Genres
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