“To the Nines” is the third book in Kes Trester’s “The Nine” series. The novel follows college student Blake Wilder as she learns secrets about her family’s surprising connection to The Nine, causing her to question everything that she thought she knew about the mysterious organization. With her loyalties tested and her friendships pushed to the limit, Blake must decide where she fits in, all while trying to fend off a dangerous new threat. I received an advanced reader copy of “To the Nines,” and I’m glad that I did because this book blew my mind.
“To the Nines” picks up where “Alder House” left off.
In “To the Nines” Blake learns that her father is not just a Nine, but also that he used to be the Prime Sentinel, one of the most powerful Nines in the world. When she discovers that Henry Thorne excommunicated her father, she takes it upon herself to try and learn the truth behind the day that her father’s best friend, the former Chancellor of The Nine, died. Blake also begins receiving strange threats that eventually escalate, and they put her friends and family in jeopardy.
When Blake’s boyfriend, Nicholas, returns to California and invites Blake to To the Nines, a sanctuary for members of The Nine, Blake finds herself caught up in a whirlwind of death and deceit as she tries to balance her tenuous relationship with Nicholas and her loyalty to her friends and family. This book focuses on her inner conflict as she wonders if she’s put her trust in the right people.
“To the Nines” is my favorite of the the “The Nine” series thus far.
Whereas “Alder House” focused on fleshing out the world of The Nine, “To the Nines” centers on Blake’s family’s ties to The Nine. In “To the Nines,” we learn about the day that Blake’s father became a Shadow Nine, which puts his actions from the previous two books into perspective. The book also takes a great approach to Blake’s dad’s interactions with other members of The Nine. The sentinels treat him with respect, which shows just how little we know about him. By the end of the book, he was one of my favorite characters, and I can’t wait to see more of him in future books.
Blake is a delight of a protagonist.
“To the Nines” gives a much more tangible reason for Blake to be involved in the story. The book contains two mysteries that are central to the plot, and she has stakes in both of them. This allows us to see Blake pushed to her limits, so we get to explore sides of her that we only got glimpses of in previous books. Seeing her begin to embrace her powers and use them to achieve her goals is a natural continuation of Blake’s character arc from the previous books.
The love triangle between Blake, Nicholas, and Jessie also becomes more complex because Jessie has a new girlfriend, Amani. Blake doesn’t trust Amani, and she can’t pinpoint why, but her mistrust forces her to recognize her growing feelings for Jessie. At the same time, she finds herself growing more distant from Nicholas due to the secrets that they’re forced to keep from each other. I’m curious to see how these relationships progress in the next book.
Like “Alder House,” “To the Nines” has two plot lines, but this time, they’re less clunky.
Each plot has ample time to build and have its own payoffs, but the novel only resolves one plot. The other plot will leave you with unanswered questions that will make you want to pick up the next book. Additionally, “To the Nines” has higher stakes than its predecessors — the book contains character deaths that shake the core of the story. The book left me gasping in surprise, which rarely ever happens when I read.
Overall, I enjoyed “To the Nines,” especially as a compelling continuation of the series’ previous books. It managed to hit the right balance of fun, mystery, and emotion, all in under 300 pages. I’m excited to read future books in the series! Are you excited for “To the Nines?” Let us know in the comments below!
Featured Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash.
