Ninth House Paperback
Ninth House Paperback
Our readers rate this: 2 peppers. Here’s why:
This one is dark academic fantasy with adult themes, not a spice-forward romantasy. There is sexual content, but it’s sparse, non-romantic, and often tied to power, trauma, or plot rather than chemistry. The heat is minimal; the darkness, however, is very real. Think discomfort and tension over desire.
✨ Expect:
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Dark academia with secret societies and occult magic
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Adult themes and morally gray characters
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Very limited sexual content (not romantic, not frequent)
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Heavy atmosphere, mystery, and psychological tension
🔥 Perfect for readers who want vibes over heat. If you’re here for eerie rituals, Yale’s shadowy underbelly, and a fiercely resilient FMC navigating power structures stacked against her—this earns its two peppers for content, not romance.
📖 Book Description
Galaxy “Alex” Stern is the sole survivor of a horrific, unsolved multiple homicide. During her hospital stay, she’s offered a second chance at life: a full ride to Yale University. The catch? She’s been recruited into Ninth House, a secret society tasked with monitoring the university’s eight occult societies—organizations that dabble in rituals far darker and more dangerous than the public realizes.
Thrown into a world of arcane magic, privilege, and power, Alex must navigate the elite corridors of Yale while uncovering the truth behind mysterious deaths, hidden crimes, and the dangerous cost of magic wielded by those who believe themselves untouchable. As secrets unravel, Alex is forced to confront her past and decide how far she’s willing to go to survive—and protect others—from forces both human and supernatural.
Dark, gritty, and atmospheric, Ninth House blends fantasy, mystery, and horror into a sharp exploration of power, trauma, and justice.
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SPICE SCALE
SPICE SCALE
🌶️ 1 Pepper — Barely a Spark
What to expect:
- Subtle romantic tension
- Hand brushes, lingering looks, emotional connection
- Fade-to-black moments or implied affection
Perfect for:
Fantasy lovers who want plot-first stories with just a whisper of romance.
🌶️🌶️ 2 Peppers — Soft Heat
What to expect:
- Kissing, yearning, and physical closeness
- Romance takes center stage, but details stay gentle
- Intimacy is suggested rather than shown
Perfect for:
Readers who enjoy romance but prefer things cozy, sweet, and low-heat.
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 Peppers — Noticeably Spicy
What to expect:
- On-page intimate scenes with moderate detail
- A balance of story, emotion, and physical connection
- Heat that feels intentional, not overwhelming
Perfect for:
Romantasy readers who want chemistry you can feel without it taking over the plot.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4 Peppers — High Heat
What to expect:
- Frequent and detailed intimate scenes
- Strong physical tension woven throughout the story
- Desire, attraction, and connection are front and center
Perfect for:
Readers who like their fantasy rich with passion and aren’t afraid of intensity.
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 5 Peppers — Extra Spicy
What to expect:
- Explicit, on-page intimacy with vivid detail
- Multiple scenes and sustained heat
- The spice is a major element of the reading experience. May include some considered taboo elements.
Perfect for:
Seasoned spice lovers who want maximum heat alongside their magic, monsters, or morally grey love interests.
✨ Important Nox & Novel Notes
Because transparency is kind of our thing:
- 🌶️ Ratings reflect on-page detail and frequency, not just vibes
- 🌶️ Emotional intensity ≠ spice (but we’ll tell you when both show up)
- 🌶️ Trope-heavy books may feel hotter—this scale keeps it honest
- 🌶️ When in doubt, we round up, never down
SPICE & CONTENT NOTE
SPICE & CONTENT NOTE
Books listed outside of our mystery selections are not guaranteed to be low-spice. While we do our best to curate with care, spice levels can vary by author, genre, and reader interpretation.
If spice level is something you’re concerned about, we strongly recommend checking reviews or spice guides (shoutout to Google & BookTok ) prior to purchasing.
As always, books may contain profanity, mature themes, and descriptive or explicit content. Reader discretion is advised, and we recommend these titles for readers 18+.
ABOUT US
ABOUT US
Nox & Novel is a fantasy book subscription created by readers, for readers. Each box is thoughtfully curated with immersive stories and elevated bookish goods designed to slow you down and pull you into another world. We focus on plot-driven, low-spice fantasy that values storytelling, atmosphere, and the quiet magic found between pages.
Every box is an invitation to escape—intentionally, beautifully, and without overwhelm.
RETURNS/EXCHANGES
RETURNS/EXCHANGES
Due to the curated and limited nature of our subscription boxes and add-ons, all sales are final. We do not accept returns or exchanges.
Additionally, some books may be titles you’ve already read, as we have no way of tracking individual reading histories. This is not considered a defect or eligible for return.
If your box arrives damaged, please contact us within 7 days of delivery, and we’ll be happy to assist.
For title known books and merch orders, please submit a return request within 7 days of delivery and we will assist you if your items are eligible for return!
