"The Four" by Ellie Keel is a novel that left me with a mix of emotions, making it difficult to pinpoint exactly how I feel about it. It seemed to be striving to achieve a dark and mysterious ambiance, and while the setting exuded a sense of eeriness and mystery, the academic aspects and the camaraderie among the main group of friends fell a bit short for me. In the dark academia subgenre, a toxic and tightly-knit bond between the friends is crucial, but here, they seemed like disconnected entities rather than deeply intertwined characters.

However, despite these reservations, I must admit that the book is undeniably vivid, visceral, and relentlessly addictive. I was so engrossed in the story that I read it in one sitting over just a few hours, leaving me feeling emotionally drained and suffering from a book hangover afterward. The hype and praises are well-deserved. The novel delivers sharpness, power, and tragedy, exploring the best and worst aspects of human nature. It captivates with its poignant and cruel moments, reminding us of the complexities that make us human.

"The Four" may have its imperfections, particularly in the portrayal of the main characters' friendship and academic aspects, but its strengths lie in its haunting and addictive storytelling. Keel's ability to evoke emotions and create a vivid, mysterious atmosphere is commendable. If you enjoy stories with complex characters and a dark, tragic undertone, this book will leave a lasting impression on you.

I really enjoyed the Four by Ellie Keel. It was gripping read. It had many twists and turns which had me racing through it could not put it down.

4 friends are accepted in the a prestigious school on a full scholarship. The four are bullied by their fellow students. Which had brought the 4 closer together. The situation then takes a dark turn how far are these 4 willing to go to protect each other.

I would highly recommend this really enjoyable read which will have you hooked from the very first page. My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

This novel is vivid, visceral and unrelentingly addictive. I read it all in one sitting over a few hours and was left exhausted, melancholy and book hungover.

I mean really, what more can you ask of a book than it pulling you in, making you think, taking you through the full gamut of emotional range then dumping you out the other side with characters and events you'll never forget.

The writing is IMMENSE, heart wrenching and complex and this should be a HUGE hit in '24.

Pitch perfect thought provoking brilliance