Ninth House
Alex Stern delves into Yale’s dark underbelly of magic and murder.
Summary of 6 Key Points
Key Points
- Galaxy ‘Alex’ Stern’s Freshman Year at Yale
- Secret and Occult Societies
- A Murder Mystery
- Supernatural Abilities and Dark Past
- Intrigue and Power Struggles
- The Role of Privilege and Magic
key point 1 of 6
Galaxy ‘Alex’ Stern’s Freshman Year at Yale
Galaxy ‘Alex’ Stern’s freshman year at Yale is far from a typical undergraduate experience. As the sole survivor of a horrific, unsolved multiple homicide, Alex is unexpectedly granted a full ride to Yale by mysterious benefactors. Her admission is not for academic prowess but for her unique ability to see ghosts, or ‘Grays’ as they are known in the novel. Rather than attending lectures and writing papers, Alex’s primary role at Yale is to monitor the activities of the university’s secret societies, which practice magic and rituals that frequently interact with the supernatural realm…Read&Listen More
key point 2 of 6
Secret and Occult Societies
In the world of Ninth House, secret and occult societies are deeply embedded into the fabric of Yale University. These societies, known as the Ancient Eight, are shrouded in mystery and exclusivity, with a long history of influence and power that extends beyond the campus to the upper echelons of society. Each society has its own unique focus and area of occult practice that grants them various supernatural abilities. For example, one society specializes in predicting stock market trends, while another has the power to peer into the innermost thoughts and secrets of others through invasive magic…Read&Listen More
key point 3 of 6
A Murder Mystery
In the novel, the murder mystery is intricately woven with the supernatural elements of the story. The protagonist, Galaxy ‘Alex’ Stern, is a member of Lethe, a secret society at Yale University that oversees the activities of the other secret societies. Her world is turned upside down when a town girl is found murdered on campus. The mystery deepens when it’s discovered that the victim was connected to the secret societies that practice arcane magic…Read&Listen More
key point 4 of 6
Supernatural Abilities and Dark Past
In ‘Ninth House’, supernatural abilities are central to the story, woven intricately into the fabric of the narrative. Characters are members of secret societies at Yale, each with its own set of mystical powers that are harnessed through rituals and ancient artifacts. The protagonist, Galaxy ‘Alex’ Stern, possesses a rare ability to see ‘Grays’, the ghosts that linger around New Haven and the Yale campus. Her power is highly coveted and becomes the main reason she is recruited into Lethe House – the ninth house tasked with overseeing the activities of the other eight. This power allows Alex to interact with the supernatural in ways others cannot, giving her an edge in the dark landscape she navigates…Read&Listen More
key point 5 of 6
Intrigue and Power Struggles
In ‘Ninth House’, intrigue and power struggles are central themes that drive the narrative. The story is set at Yale University, where the protagonist, Galaxy ‘Alex’ Stern, becomes enmeshed in the clandestine activities of the university’s secret societies. These societies are not merely social clubs; they wield supernatural powers and are involved in arcane rituals. The members of these societies are typically the elite of the elite, comprising wealthy and influential individuals who are willing to go to great lengths to maintain and enhance their power…Read&Listen More
key point 6 of 6
The Role of Privilege and Magic
In ‘Ninth House’, the concept of privilege is intricately tied to the practice of magic and the secret societies that wield it. The protagonist, Galaxy ‘Alex’ Stern, is an outlier in the elite environment of Yale University, where she has been given a second chance after a troubled past. This background gives her a unique perspective on the inequality and entitlement that permeates the university. The members of the secret societies, mostly from affluent backgrounds, take magic for granted as part of their heritage and stature. This contrasts starkly with Alex’s own experiences, where every opportunity and second chance is hard-won…Read&Listen More