Galaxy “Alex” Stern stands as the most improbable addition to Yale’s incoming freshman cohort. Brought up in the outskirts of Los Angeles by a free-spirited mother, Alex abandoned formal education early on, immersing herself in a world of dubious relationships with drug-dealing boyfriends, dead-end jobs, and darker experiences. Remarkably, by the age of twenty, she is the lone survivor of a gruesome, unsolved multiple homicide. Some may argue that she has squandered her life, yet, at her hospital bedside, Alex is presented with an unexpected opportunity: a chance to enroll in one of the world’s most prestigious universities with a full scholarship. The question remains—what’s the catch, and why her?
Even as she seeks answers to these questions, Alex descends upon New Haven, where her enigmatic benefactors assign her the task of overseeing the activities of Yale’s clandestine societies. These eight concealed “tombs” are widely recognized as the gathering places for the future elite, encompassing high-ranking politicians, influential figures in Wall Street, and major players in Hollywood. However, the covert undertakings within these societies unveil a more sinister and extraordinary reality than even the most paranoid mind could conceive.
“Wealth, power, murder, and magic collide once again as Alex Stern returns, and the Ivy League faces impending chaos.
Embark on a journey to the underworld, aiming to steal a soul from hell—an ostensibly straightforward plan, yet those who undertake this perilous quest seldom return. Undeterred, Galaxy “Alex” Stern is determined to liberate Darlington from purgatory, even if it jeopardizes her future at Lethe and Yale.
Barred from an official rescue mission, Alex and Dawes find themselves unable to seek aid from the Ninth House. Undeterred, they assemble a motley crew of questionable allies to save the denizen of Lethe. Together, they must navigate through a labyrinth of arcane texts and peculiar artifacts, uncovering the closely guarded secrets of their society while violating every rule in the process. However, as faculty members start succumbing to mysterious deaths, Alex discerns that these are no mere accidents. A malevolent force is at play in New Haven, and to survive, she must confront the shadows of her past and the ominous undercurrents woven into the fabric of the university.
Immersed in history and adorned with Bardugo’s trademark twists, Hell Bent breathes life into a complex world teeming with magic, violence, and all too tangible monsters.”
