Hell Bent (Alex Stern, #2)
Galaxy “Alex” Stern returns to Yale, balancing deadly occult rituals and the drug‑scarred ghosts of her past as she defies the powerful Lethe House to retrieve her mentor from a hellish prison. Brimming with dark academia, twisted magic, and uncertain allies, her relentless search tests loyalties, morals, and the very boundaries between life and damnation.
Tropes & Themes
About This Book
In "Hell Bent," Galaxy "Alex" Stern returns to Yale University, determined to rescue her mentor, Daniel Arlington V, known as Darlington, from a hellish prison. Forbidden by the powerful Lethe House from attempting the rescue, Alex and her ally Dawes embark on a perilous journey to uncover the societies' most closely guarded secrets. Their quest leads them through a maze of arcane texts and bizarre artifacts, testing their resolve and challenging the very boundaries between life and damnation.
As they delve deeper, Alex and Dawes assemble a team of dubious allies, including Detective Turner and Tripp Helmuth, to aid in their mission. Together, they navigate the treacherous underworld of Yale's secret societies, confronting dark magic, twisted rituals, and the drug-scarred ghosts of Alex's past. The tension escalates as faculty members begin to die under mysterious circumstances, and Alex realizes that these are not mere accidents but signs of a deadly force at work in New Haven.
The novel's atmosphere is dark and intense, immersing readers in a world of twisted magic and uncertain alliances. The slow-burn suspense builds as Alex's relentless search tests her loyalties, morals, and the very fabric of reality. With its richly detailed setting and complex characters, "Hell Bent" offers a gripping continuation of the Alex Stern series, blending elements of dark academia with supernatural intrigue.
What Readers Say
Readers praise Bardugo's immersive world-building and dark academia themes in 'Hell Bent'. Many commend the novel's gripping plot and character development, enhancing the series' depth. Fans note the book's emotional impact, blending suspense with profound human experiences. Some criticize the pacing and character development, feeling the plot is overstuffed and rushed. Recommended for fans of dark fantasy and occult themes, with content warnings for violence and trauma.
Rating Distribution
Based on 11 Open Library ratings
Reader Reviews
5 curated reviewsJennifer Pierson: The Power of Three Readers
Jan 26, 2016
#DEEPSIXWOMENROCK
Hell Bent is the first book I've read by Becky McGraw, and I LOVED it! Cecelia Logan is out of a 6 year stint in the Army. She's been trying to prove to her family for years that she's not a helpless woman, and she thought she finally earned her brother's respect when he hired her at his company. But he only uses her for his secretary, and she's very frustrated. Former Delta Force Operator turned CIA Ghost Ops Operative Cade Winters has stayed away from his family for years. When he makes his yearly call to the only family member he gives a crap about, his sister Veronica, he finds out she's i
Cindy Barton
Jan 26, 2016
Cades Story
I have to admit that when I first met Cade Winters, I didn't like him too much. He managed to redeem himself pretty quickly when I started reading Hell Bent. I liked Cee Cee Logan also. I loved this book because of one main reason, it follows a story line that is actually happening; human trafficking. Such a disgusting reality needs to be stopped. So many young women, an boys, are being lured and taken from their families and forced into prostitution all around the world. The fact that it exists here in the United States totally disgusts me. I wish there were really people like Cade tha
Colorado Avid Reader
Feb 7, 2016
A fight for right in the face of might
Cade is a man's man, protector of the disenfranchised, independent contractor to the CIA, and the love of Cee Cee's life. She is an Army veteran, daughter, sister, secretary and sometime field agent for Deep Six, and the love of Cade's life. Their relationship had been rife with miscommunication and misunderstandings. Of late, family issues have come to the forefront for both of them endangering loved ones in the current mission. This is a story about family in all its good and bad permutations. It's also the story of two strong individuals trying to find themselves while compensating for the
Ellen Anderson
Mar 19, 2016
Best One Yet!!!
I have read all of the Deep Six Security books and loved them all. There is definitely something special about Hell Bent though. Cade and Cecelia's story isn't the typical type book. Most seem to have where at the end everything comes out great for all of the good guys, and this one had some twists and shocks for me that only seemed to make it better while breaking my heart at the same time. Becky McGraw has always been able to pull me in to any of her stories but this one is top of the line awesome!
K J Green
Mar 28, 2016
HANG ON! HELL BENT IS WILD RIDE!
Ms. McGraw has outdone herself with HELL BENT . It is Cade and Cecelia's story that leads to a roller coaster of intrigue , suspense , mixed up families , action , and steamy sex ! It was not what I expected but more with the storyline which I won't spoil . Hang on extra making point
