Welcome to Story Deep Dive!
In this episode, hosts Dana and Rachel take listeners on an in-depth journey into the plot of Leigh Bardugo’s Ninth House.
Whether you're a writer, reader, or lover of intricate storytelling, you’ll gain valuable insights on crafting complex crime stories, weaving in supernatural elements, and using character transformation to enhance plot dynamics.
Please note that the audio in this episode may be slightly off from our usual standards. We’re aware of the issue and actively working to improve it. Thank you for your patience and continued support as we get everything sorted out! 😊
You can also watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube!
Estimate Timestamps
[0:00] – Introduction and Updates
Dana and Rachel introduce the podcast, sharing humorous personal updates. Rachel discusses the launch of her Complete Crime Writer’s Workbook, a resource for planning crime stories. The hosts also reflect on preparing for their analysis of Ninth House, years in the making.
[8:00] – Ninth House Summary and Plot Overview
Rachel provides a detailed overview of the book’s premise: Alex Stern, a young woman with the ability to see ghosts, is recruited to Yale's secret magical society. The story follows her investigation of a murder that intertwines with Yale’s mystical underworld.
[10:30] – Defining the Crime Plot
The hosts break down how the murder of Tara Hutchins anchors the story as a crime narrative despite its supernatural backdrop. They explain the structure of a crime story, including:
An inciting crime (the murder)
A protagonist’s journey of collecting clues
A climactic reveal of the truth
[16:00] – The Dante-Virgil Dynamic
Rachel explains the roles of Alex (Dante) and Darlington (Virgil) within the magical hierarchy. When Darlington disappears, Alex is forced into a leadership role despite being considered unqualified. The hosts explore how Alex’s street-smart resilience contrasts with Darlington’s polished academic persona.
[20:00] – Plot as a Catalyst for Character Growth
Dana and Rachel discuss how the investigation drives Alex’s internal transformation. The murder mystery forces her to question her self-worth and confront her past as a struggling outsider now navigating Yale’s elite and magical world.
[25:00] – Themes of Power and Injustice
Rachel highlights the story’s exploration of systemic power dynamics. Characters like Tara Hutchins, a marginalized victim, and Blake Keeley, a privileged antagonist, illustrate the unequal consequences of power and privilege.
[31:30] – Balancing Crime and Fantasy
The hosts reflect on how Bardugo seamlessly blends crime storytelling with rich supernatural world-building. The magic system and dual timelines are used to enhance the stakes of Alex’s investigation and character growth.
[35:00] – Romance Subtext: Alex and Darlington
Dana and Rachel speculate on the subtle hints of a potential slow-burn romance between Alex and Darlington. They discuss how their opposing backgrounds—Alex’s scrappy resilience and Darlington’s privileged brilliance—create compelling tension.
[40:30] – Advice for Writers: Creating Cohesive Crime Plots in Fantasy Stories
Rachel shares advice for writers combining crime and fantasy:
Anchor your plot: Identify the story’s central focus and build subplots around it.
Integrate world-building: Ensure the world’s rules and magic affect the plot and character decisions.
Dual timelines: If using flashbacks or alternating timelines, align the pacing so both arcs escalate in parallel.
Book Selection
Galaxy “Alex” Stern is the most unlikely member of Yale’s freshman class. Raised in the Los Angeles hinterlands by a hippie mom, Alex dropped out of school early and into a world of shady drug-dealer boyfriends, dead-end jobs, and much, much worse. In fact, by age twenty, she is the sole survivor of a horrific, unsolved multiple homicide. Some might say she’s thrown her life away. But at her hospital bed, Alex is offered a second chance: to attend one of the world’s most prestigious universities on a full ride. What’s the catch, and why her?
Still searching for answers, Alex arrives in New Haven tasked by her mysterious benefactors with monitoring the activities of Yale’s secret societies. Their eight windowless “tombs” are the well-known haunts of the rich and powerful, from high-ranking politicos to Wall Street’s biggest players. But their occult activities are more sinister and more extraordinary than any paranoid imagination might conceive. They tamper with forbidden magic. They raise the dead. And, sometimes, they prey on the living.
Where to Find the Book
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo is available in physical, ebook, and audiobook formats. It’s also widely available in libraries and online retailers. Details on the author’s website.
Next Episode
In the next episode, Dana and Rachel will explore Alex Stern’s character development and the relationships that shape her journey. Be sure to tune in for more insights on building complex protagonists!
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