Welcome to this week’s installment of Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week, wherein we shine a spotlight on strong women who inspire us. These ladies are a prime example of female empowerment and how crucial it is for youth to have said example to follow.
DISCLAIMER: The following article contains spoilers for Ninth House and Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo.
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Galaxy “Alex” Stern
Fast Facts
Thanks to her latent supernatural abilities, Galaxy “Alex” Stern begins to perceive ghosts, or “Grays,” as a child. However, she swiftly learns from the disbelief and judgment of authority figures that she must keep this truth hidden inside. While Alex’s mother has the best intentions, she isn’t equipped to help Alex navigate this difficult situation.
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As Alex gets older, the situation is exacerbated. On one occasion as a young teen, a Gray even attacks her. Unable to seek assistance from the skeptical adults around her she turns to substance abuse and a morally questionable group of friends for support.
However, when Alex is the sole survivor of a brutal beating at her and her late boyfriend’s apartment, it seems that she may have reached a dead end. But from her hospital bed, she’s given the dubious opportunity to join the Ninth House.
Alex and the Ninth House
The Ninth House is charged with monitoring the magical activities of Yale’s secret societies. As Alex discovers upon her unlikely matriculation as part of Yale’s freshman class, magic is real. But just like any other kind of power in our world, it’s controlled, manipulated and meted out by a select and privileged few. These systems are monitored and maintained by the Ninth House.
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Others in the Ninth House can achieve the ability to see Grays. However, this is only if they consume a potentially lethal substance. For this reason, Alex’s latent perception of Grays attracts the attention of the organization. Over the course of Ninth House, it is revealed that Alex’s perception is related to her status as a “Wheelwalker.” This also allows her to harness the strength of Grays by taking them into herself.
But Wheelwalkers also possess the potential to become immensely powerful and dangerous entities. At the climax of Ninth House, Alex must confront a centuries-old Wheelwalker who has extended her life by stealing it from others. But is the abuse of a Wheelwalker’s power really so different from those who abuse systemic power from within the secret societies?
The Real Deal:
Alex is the real deal. In fact, her latent ability is so impressive, that it even makes her mentor in Ninth House, Daniel “Darlington” Arlington, envious. Darlington lacks latent magical power but is fascinated with the magical world. As a child, he even flirts with death attempting to achieve the perception of Grays that Alex possesses by default.
During the events of Ninth House, Darlington falls into a portal that takes him to an underworld. While Alex does manage to rescue him during the events of Hell Bent, he has been transformed during his tenure down below. Now possessing magical demonic abilities (and occasionally the aesthetic to match), the “Gentleman Demon” Darlington swears fealty to Alex at the conclusion of Hell Bent.
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While she may discover that the Ninth House is more morally ambiguous than you might expect from a nominally authoritative organization, it nevertheless connects Alex with several essential allies. Along with Darlington, she also meets Pamela Dawes, Ninth House’s “girl in the chair.” While Dawes may not be as battle-ready as Alex, her knowledge of the arcane is an invaluable asset. Plus, when pressed, Dawes displays courage and a willingness to fight.
And while Detective Abel Turner might not be a fully willing ally to Ninth House, he becomes a loyal asset to Alex once he learns her motivation is pure. Finally, over the course of Hell Bent, Alex even forms an unlikely alliance with the frat boy Tripp Helmuth. Eventually, Tripp becomes a vampire. But while we’ll have to wait for book three to be sure, Tripp seems to remain an ally of Alex in spite of this.
Why She Matters:
Why does Alex matter? She shows us that sometimes our latent characteristics draw the wrong kind of attention. Nevertheless, she shows we can reclaim and redirect that power for ourselves. Alex demonstrates that we can form alliances with individuals who have previously been entrenched in terminally privileged institutions. And she reminds us that no matter how many seemingly unstoppable authority figures are lined up against us, we still have the obligation to stand up… Not to mention the opportunity to prevail.
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So, be like Alex. Don’t stop looking for the next path to escape, even if it isn’t pristine. Recognize that working with an immoral organization doesn’t necessarily mean you have to become corrupt yourself. Accept new and promising opportunities, but always remember where you came from. And never forget: “Girls survive together or they become ghosts.”
Ninth House and Hell Bent are available at your local bookstore and/or public library now.
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