Leigh Bardugo unveiled the title and cover of the highly anticipated sequel to her popular fantasy novel Ninth House.
On Today.com, the author announced that Hell Bent will be published by Flatiron Books next year. “I know it’s been a long wait for readers, but I’m thrilled to throw open the doors of Lethe once again and welcome them to another tale of murder and arcane magic set at Yale,” she said.
Published in 2019, Ninth House was Bardugo’s first book for adult readers. The novel tells the story of Alex Stern, a Yale freshman who agrees to monitor the university’s secret societies on behalf of a shadowy group of benefactors. She soon discovers that the groups are dabbling in the paranormal.
A critic for Kirkus gave the book a starred review, writing, “With an aura of both enchantment and authenticity, Bardugo’s compulsively readable novel leaves a portal ajar for equally dazzling sequels.”
Hell Bent finds Alex in over her head when Yale faculty members begin dying mysteriously. The book, Bardugo says, “is loaded with occult happenings, deadly grudges, forgotten poetry, peculiar romance, and bad behavior from villain and hero alike.”
Bardugo shared details of the book on Instagram, writing, “So, what can you expect from Hell Bent? Dead languages, dead people, dark magic, big grudges, bad behavior, lust, love, literal and figurative demons, and some quality architecture.”
Hell Bent is scheduled for publication on Jan. 10, 2023.
Michael Schaub is a Texas-based journalist and regular contributor to NPR.
