Have you read Ninth House? Because if not–and you’re a loon if you haven’t–this review is a waste of your time. Hell Bent is the second book in Leigh Bardugo’s Alex Stern series and will likely to confuse those who haven’t read the first. But for those of you who have… here goes.

Our story begins a few months after the literally spellbinding conclusion of Ninth House in which Darlington was sent to Hell by a now dead dean. Alex (Galaxy) Stern, now the Virgil of Lethe, the house that monitors the use of magic by Yale’s famed secret societies, has a lot on her plate. There’s the usual challenge of trying to pass her classes (her background as a low level drug dealer in L. A. really didn’t prepare her academically for the Ivy League), her work for Lethe (the ghosts she can see are more aggressive than ever), her very scary ex-boss in L.A. is forcing her to work for him, and, despite being told to drop it, she’s determined to open a portal to Hell and rescue Darlington, her mentor and possible paramour. To top it off, something is in Black Elm, Darlington’s large and dark house and that something is freaking Alex out.

Fortunately, Alex, now in her second year at Yale, has a squad. There’s Pamela Dawes, the current Oculus at Lethe whose research skills are beyond impressive; Turner, a detective of the New Haven Police Department and liaison between Lethe House and the Chief of Police; Mercy Zhao, Alex’s roommate; and Tripp Helmuth, third generation Bonesman. All but one are, surprisingly, murderers and Alex will need them all in order to save Darlington and, to a lesser extent, the world.

Hell Bent proffers a profusion of riches. As is true in every Bardugo book, the world building is meticulous, dense, and brilliant. Not only is Yale so vividly portrayed it might has well be a character but New Haven, which Alex has to venture into on the orders of Eitan, her old supplier, is crisply manifested as well. The gripping plot is full of clever twists, and the writing is vivid and intelligent, with moments of wit and humor. However, the standout aspect of the book are the well-developed characters, particularly the four murderers, who each have a rich backstory that allows the reader to understand and empathize with them as they navigate the challenges of their journey through hell.

Hell Bent isn’t quite as gripping as Ninth House, perhaps because the catchy conceit of the series is no longer new.  And, like Ninth House, it ends on a cliffhanger although this one is far more abrupt. I will be eagerly anticipating the next installment–Bardugo has said she’d like to write at least five books featuring Alex–as will, I suspect thousands of others. Read these books, peeps. I promise, you’ll be transported. (Hopefully, however, not to Hell.)