Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Lots of mature content in fab adult series installment.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In HELL BENT: ALEX STERN, BOOK 2, it's November when Alex visits Darlington's house off Yale's campus. She's there to feed Cosmo the cat and check that Darlington is still trapped in a circle of protection in the ballroom, still naked, still sprouting horns. Only this visit is different. Alex is shoved from behind into the cellar and trapped there with two ghosts. They warn her that something truly nasty and probably even more demonic than poor Darlington is lurking and ready to strike. But what? And did she unleash whatever it is? Rewind to the start of the school year. As the campus comes alive again, Alex and Dawes attempt their first ritual to try to get Darlington out of his terrible demon-realm limbo – one definitely not sanctioned by anyone overseeing Lethe House. They have to close the portal as demon horses close in, even as they hear Darlington's voice from the other side yelling "wait." That one word sends Alex and Dawes in a tailspin. They know he's there and he's waiting for them and they are determined to get Darlington out no matter the cost to their college careers, their future at Lethe, or their immortal souls.
Is It Any Good?
This sequel is an intense thriller, a wild ride filled with hellish realms, grisly rituals, murderers, demons, drug dealers, talking ghosts, and Yale's elite. And Alex Stern is in the center of it all, trying to run Lethe House (the gatekeeper organization for all of Yale's secret magical societies) while her mentor Darlington is, well, not in Spain like she keeps telling everyone. It's complicated. He's halfway trapped in a demon realm/halfway trapped in his house's own ballroom in a circle of protection, naked, sprouting horns and an erection. Is he more demon than man now? Can he be saved? Is there a ritual she can do in secret that will save Darlington and not destroy all of New Haven in the process?
Beyond the fascinating rituals -- maybe one too many -- there's a complex web of characters spinning around Alex. There are the shady advisors who tell her to stop looking for Darlington or get expelled. There are the drug dealers from her old life in California who won't leave her alone -- just one more job, now one more… There's Turner, the police detective who needs her advice on some murder cases that look suspicious, in a sinister kind of way. There's Dawes, the brains behind Lethe who clings to the safety of their rules until she can't anymore, not when Darlington is in trouble. There's her Yale roommate Mercy who doesn't understand why Alex is never home studying, until she decides to confide in her. The magic of the story is in distilling all of Alex's connections, adding heaps of New Haven history and Ivy League politics to the mix, and letting it all simmer. While the end result is something far more fantastical than expected -- think surprising new powers and adversaries -- it's a truly exciting ride to hell and back. And back again.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why Hell Bent: Alex Stern, Book 2, is considered a book for adults. How does it differ in tone from Leigh Bardugo's books for young adults? Are any of the themes the same? What do you think would be different about this story if the author decided to write it for the teen audience instead of an adult one?
Think about your favorite female protagonists in young adult books. How is Alex Stern different? Do you like the change? Or would you rather someone like her roommate Mercy be the main character?
What do you think is next for Alex and her friends and foes? What dangers are still left to tackle? What new resources does she have available to her?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Courage , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Flatiron Books
- Publication date : January 10, 2023
- Number of pages : 496
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate