From the first page I was instantly hooked and loved the world that had been created. It’s not often an urban fantasy can grip me from the start as usually it takes a while to get into the world building but I didn’t find that with this book as it was so easy to understand.

I loved the three different POVs we are given, usually more character POVs we have you sometimes feel like you don’t connect with the characters but I didn’t find that the case and really enjoyed each one.

I really liked the writing style and the way it is detailed enough in a simple and direct way that keeps you engaged to keep turning the page. I’m really looking forward to seeing what’s to come next after the reveals at the end!

I will admit that I don't pick up as many Chinese or Asian inspired fantasies, and that's to my detriment really. I really enjoyed this one, having not been a huge fan of Jade, Fire, Gold by the same author. I will be looking forward to the sequel!

“You want to save the world and the innumerable fools in it, whether they deserve a chance or not. But I— I would give up this entire world for a single breath to leave your lips again. And I don’t need you to feel the same way about me to do it. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

This was an intensely complex paranormal fantasy that included a need for revenge and the need to prove oneself to be more than what they are thought to be. The worldbuilding is slow and deliberate as it needs to be, to explain the intricacies of of Hell, their kings and the human realm. You meet determined teenagers Rui and Yiran, and Nikai who is willing to do anything to get back his friend. However as he uncovers more, more questions are raised.

The tension in this story is palpable from the chemistry between the main characters, the secrets that cannot be shared to the motives of the Xingshan, the academy where the young magicians are trained. I absolutely adored Zizi and his quirkiness and his incredibly sweet and caring side.

The only issue I had with the worldbuilding, was that it had somewhat dragged down the pace of the story, which I struggled with, particularly in the first half. However the ending, raised more questions that it answered and has me desperately needing the sequel urgently to see where the story goes.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

I liked this book: full of interesting worldbuilding, mystery and action. The plot was fast developing, and I actually liked the romance subplot (I thought that the author would go another way, so I was pleasantly surprised). I only wished we would have gotten more from the afterlife side: Nikai only had a couple of POV chapters and the main plot was set in the living world. But the book left enough intrigue, that I cannot wait for the sequel!

4.5 stars

Loved loved loved this book.

From the very first page I was attached to the pages.
I couldn’t put it down.
Any book this woman writes is a must for me and never disappoint

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodderscape for my digital review copy.

I really enjoyed this book.

Usually, I hate the trope when the female main character looses any power they have (this is usually beacuse it comes as a cost to the character at the end of the arc), so it was refreshing to see it happen right at the beginning as we get introduced to the main character. And it was very interesting reading to see how Rui adapted to this change and being alongside her as she tried to solve the mystery of "Why?".

I was intregued by the world and the kings of hell and how they interract with the modern city and I would have loved to see more of the Kings of Hell and see them interract more with the main cast of characters and I'm excited to see what will happen in the sequel.

The fight scenes were incredibly dynamic and I would have liked more of them. I would have liked more magic too, but given the premise of the story, I understand why we didn't get much magic and got more of a mystery.

I loved reading about the characters and their dynamics and seeing how they changed throughout the course of the book and after the endong, I cannot wait to see what happens next.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton | Hodderscape for providing me this book in exchange for an honest review*

OH MY GOD! This Book! I adore everything that June CL Tan writes but oh man this book was EVERYTHING! Excellent world building and amazing characters who immerse you to the story! I loved it!

Enjoyed the writing, the story line and loved the main characters, but it took me almost half of the book to actually get into the story. There’s some chapters that felt empty in my opinion. But the last half ,I really loved it ,how slowly we started to get answers about Rui and Zizi connection. Loved that we could see more the siblings (Ash and Yiran) relationship, didn’t expect to actual “villain” and the romance was slow but felt real and cute. Can’t wait to see how June finishes the story, I hope we can enjoy the trio working all together again… I know Yiran is sad and angry but please don’t make him follow Yuki hahahaha I can’t

I really enjoyed this book. It’s my first from June CL Tan and I’d heard some good things about her previous book, so I’m definitely gonna to read that one soon.

The characters were the best thing about this book. I really loved Zizi and his pyjamas. He was the sort of quirky that I really like to see in a book. I also enjoyed a couple of the gods of hell. They all had distinct personalities that made it fun to read.

I also liked Tan’s depiction of the Chinese underworld and the use of Chinese numbers in the book. There were things I recognised from other books that have shown the Chinese underworld and there were also new things that brought some freshness to it.

I’m really looking forward to the next book and finding out what happens next.

Darker by for is something which i felt captured gothic and thriller while also being fantasy at the same time. i is defiantly a genre i don't reach for but i loved Jade Fire Gold i knew i had to pick this up i am incredibly grateful to have received an ARC for this June CL Tan is a fav of mine know and can't wait to see any new books by them. I loved these characters sm and the cover art is beautiful i actually printed it off to display on my bedroom wall. I was the escape i needed during university exams. Lovely written YA standalone.

5 stars

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

Darker by Four by June CL Tan is a first book in what I'm sure will be a fantastic duology.
This YA urban fantasy incorporates magic with mythology, faith and cultural elements of China and Southeast Asia seamlessly, to create one of the most interesting settings I have seen. I was gripped from page one and could not stop!

Everything about this book was simply perfect in my opinion.
The characters were beautifully written and I cannot wait to read continue with their stories.
This story is full of friendship, love, family trouble, and emotion. The way author writes about the loneliness and angst and love and betrayal is simply amazing.

If you love urban fantsy, definitely give it a go!

[ARC provided by NetGalley and Hodderscape. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review Darker by Four.]

Rating: 5/5

Darker by Four is my newest obsession! I had a feeling going into this that I would end up loving it and I’m so happy that I was right. This is a book packed with mystery and intrigue that will keep you gripped until the very last page. Featuring cultural elements from China and Southeast Asia, this young adult urban fantasy delves into an exciting underworld that reads like your favourite action packed anime combined with books like Shadowhunters. Darker by Four is a fantastic introduction to what I’m sure will be an outstanding duology.

In this story we follow several characters all linked by the same mystery. There’s Rui, a trainee exorcist who wants nothing more than to avenge the death of her mother. There’s also Yiran, the black sheep of an extraordinary family that he barely fits in with due to not sharing their gift of magic. And when an accident causes Rui’s power to transfer to Yiran, the pair are thrust into a whirlwind chain of events where their actions may as well be written in the stars.

There’s also Zizi, a character that I grew to love so much as the book went on. His relationship with Rui was tender and sweet but also fun and familiar in a way that made them seem so well suited to each other. In fact, all of the friendships and relationships shown are so authentic and real and I can’t wait to see how they develop in the next book.

Some other highlights for me include the pacing which worked well and the mythology that was really interesting to get stuck into. Without giving too much away, there’s a certain character that I can’t wait to find out more about, especially their past because I have a lot of questions following on from that ending!

If you love young adult urban fantasy's steeped in mythology, mystery and romance, then you need to check out Darker by Four asap. This has quickly become a new favourite for me and I really can’t wait to see where the story goes.

Eighteen year old Rui is training to be an exorcist. At the top of her class, she’s not just training to take down revenants, but the one who murdered her mother right in front of her.

Yiran carries the Song name, but he’s nothing but a disappointment to his grandfather. Born with no magic, Yiran feels he can never compare to his older half-brother, who’s continuing on the Song legacy of extraordinary exorcists within the Guild.

Blue haired Reaper Nikai serves the Fourth King of Hell. Well, he did, until Four went missing, leaving Hell in a disarray that if Four isn’t found will begin to effect the human realm.

Amongst this, an accident occurs where Rui and Yiran are drawn together. Rui’s power now flows through Yiran, giving him what he’s yearned for, but leaves Rui feeling empty and lost, now unable to deliver her vengeance. Desperate to get her magic back, another King of Hell offers her a deal – find Four before it’s too late and she can get her magic back. Knowing how dangerous it is to make deals, and unsure of how to find a King of Hell who doesn’t want to be found, Rui accepts, continuing on a path that could see the end of not just Hell, but everything.

From the moment I read the synopsis, I hoped this was going to be a good book. It wasn’t. It was an amazing book that from the very first page had me hooked. From the magic system, which is perfectly explained, the world building, the characters, and the Chinese folklore and legends that inspired the story (I definitely recommend reading the author’s note at the end, or reading it on the author’s website here).

The characters were easy for me to love and understand, and I loved the multiple POV’s. The pacing was quite quick, but not too quick for it to feel rushed, and even though I guessed some of the ending, it wasn’t a downside due to how everything is revealed.

The romance is definitely slow burn, but it’s so sweet and beautiful, that when the moment happened, I couldn’t help but smile like I was watching one of my friends find their happiness.

All in all, this has left me wanting more from the characters, the world, and the author. I need that sequel, but as I begin my wait for it, I’ll be adding the author’s debut to my TBR to tide me over. Expect to see Darker By Four on my end of year favourites, because this book is going to stick with me for a long time.



Did I like the book? Yes!

Did I love it? Yes!

Would I recommend it? 100%. Devious Kings of Hell, a Reaper desperately searching for his master, a vengeful young woman, and a young man who suddenly has magic, it’s a great book that will satisfy any YA paranormal romance lovers.

Thanks to netgalley and the author for the review copy of the book.

Wasnt expecting to enjoy this as much as I did and was actually contemplating skipping the subscription box it was included in but as I read, I was hooked.
It drew me in so easily and alough a YA book, I don't think it felt OVERLY YA like some books.

Warning: I have only read half the book. Due to the high volume of work and my studies, I could not finish the book before release date, but I felt like I needed to post something for its release. The review might be edited once I have finished

Magic. Mythology. Immortals. Deathly bargains. Of course I had to read it.

Even if the story is what drew me in, I was really intrigued by the characters, especially after the author released some info about them and the dynamics from the book.

The world building is simple yet interesting enough to catch your attention, by which I mean that it is a world quite similar to ours, which makes it easy to understand, yet with some fantastic and eerie twists, hence the intriguing part. There was an element that I kept wondering how it would connnect, making me guess and wonder throughout. Information was revealed and shared in due time, so it was easy to follow what was going on.

I liked Rui’s might and strength, and her introduction to the other characters was great, especially to Yiran. For some reason, I thought the trio already knew each other before the start of the book, but they didn’t, so when Rui and Yiran met for the first time, it was both surprising and fun for me. That dynamic, along with Zizi, is what made the book so enjoyable; their scenes together were amazing and I wanted them to keep interacting. My guess is that we are not supposed to like Yiran from the get go, but he called to me even from the beginning.

I was not sure how the predicament mentioned in the synopsis would happen, but I enjoy the dynamics that were brought up by it, as well as its circumstances. Following Rui throughout that process and seeing her discover more of her world and mythology was quite the journey. After all, normally main characters get the powers, not lose them, so it was a rather interesting twist.

Happy Publication Day!


3.5


From the outset, "Darker by Four" is set in present-day China, which is haunted by Revenants — souls afflicted by a supernatural plague that transforms them into monsters. Exorcists, equipped with spiritual energy and special weapons, fight these creatures under the leadership of the Exorcists Guild, with the aspiring exorcists being trained at the Xingshan Academy. Although the plot seems simple, it develops into various subplots that intertwine as the story progresses. In addition to the human world, the story also takes place in the underworld, which is ruled by ten kings whose job it is to maintain the balance between the two worlds. However, this balance is upset when a king disappears, leading to chaos between the two worlds.

The author's storytelling is straightforward and captivating from the start. However, I found it lacked depth at some crucial moments, as some scenes seemed forced instead of flowing naturally. I also feel that some parts could have been developed further to create a more significant impact. Given the numerous subplots, it's understandable that some situations may not receive adequate attention due to the narrative's need to focus on other elements.

The world-building is basic, but the author skillfully manipulates it to her advantage. I was pleasantly surprised by the plot twists in the finale, which enriched the story. The story and world-building, with references to Chinese mythology and numerous adds to anime and kdrama are the strengths of "The Darker by Four." The inclusion of Chinese wordplay could have been more frequent to enhance the story's uniqueness.

However, I found the characters and their relationships unconvincing. Perhaps it's just my impression, but despite their distinct goals, fears, and different situations, I didn't feel connected to any of them. Maybe Zizi is the only exception. It seemed like the characters needed more development and hadn't reached their full potential yet. Even though Rui is portrayed as the heroine seeking revenge for her mother, she still seems far from her goal. It’s like she’s overwhelmed by the situations that present themselves without being able to prioritize what she wants, including the quest for revenge against her mother. My thoughts are that if Rui knows there’s a Hybrid, but she doesn’t have proof why she didn’t go looking for them in the black market? She could use Zizi’s shophouse as a base so she wouldn’t get caught by the Academy, considering she’s already working with him. I know her goal is to become a captain so she can operate freely, but it would have been nice to see Rui seize every opportunity to obtain advance information to achieve her goals.

I can see that the author wanted to create a found family between Rui, Zizi, and Yiran, but their interactions were so few that I thought a love triangle would form instead, especially since there were more moments where Rui was alone with one of them. However, I didn’t feel the development of the relationship between Rui and Zizi, which is a shame. What I didn't like was the sudden introduction of a second love interest, which felt forced and unprepared. I hope the author delves into this aspect in the next volume because it doesn't make sense at the moment.

The ending was bittersweet due to the events and the final plot twist, which I adored. However, I didn't expect Yiran's negative attitude towards Rui. Why blame her when you knew from the beginning that things would eventually return to normal? I was perplexed by his behavior, especially considering Rui's situation. Yiran loses 100 points of respect from me.

Overall, I've to say that I was pleasantly surprised by my first book by this author. Although the ending and some of the details didn't quite captivate me, the story had potential. This book fits its audience very well, and that might be why some parts of the story didn't quite resonate with me. I hope that in the next book, the author continues to expand the world she has created and have some more scene in the Underworld. I can't wait to read the sequel and see what it brings.


Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

It’s PUB day! A big thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an e arc in exchange for an honest review.
Chinese mythology doesn’t hold a big my interest as much but I was pleasantly surprised. The plot was a bit on the safe side and slightly predictable. The characters were out of my zone and I couldn’t really connect with them. However I liked the story enough to finish and I will be continuing the series!

Darker by Four was so much more than I expected.
It had action, angst, love, betrayal, and loneliness. It was just so cram packed with emotion.
I knew it was going to be one I would enjoy, but it blew me away.
I loved it, and Zizi is my favourite 😍 he drew me in straight away!
Yiran grew on me as the story unfolded. Rui too, but I felt like she didn't need to as much as Yiran.
I wish we got to know Nikai and Yuki better but hopefully we do in a future book.
I need to know what happens next, and I need to know ASAP.

Thank you so much for allowing me to read an early copy of this incredible book ❤️

Rating: 4.5
I loved this book SO much! It was such a hidden gem - I haven’t seen much hype for it yet but I’m excited to see everyone enjoying it when it’s published!

This book really has everything. It’s the first book in a gripping urban duology with monsters, secrets, the underworld, epic fight scenes, bubble tea-drinking kings of hell, anime and kpop references, a beautifully heartbreaking romance, and queer rep!! Genuinely so enjoyable!

Rui is an aspiring exorcist and a badass out for vengeance! She’s on a mission to avenge her mother, honing her powers to be ready to deliver justice to the monster responsible. A spanner is thrown in the works when she loses her powers in a magical accident! I really enjoyed watching her deal with this unfortunate situation and overcome it!

Yiran is a powerless boy in a powerful and prosperous exorcist family with grandaddy issues. He is desperate for his family’s approval but constantly feels like a disappointment. Chaos ensues when he runs into Rui…

I’m obsessed with Zizi. He’s charming, disarming, and permanently in PJs. I literally love him. If Zizi has no fans I am unalived. Think Howl from Howl’s moving castle but with snazzy pyjamas! AND he has a cat.

The pacing was amazing! There were lots of unexpected twists and turns that kept me guessing! I truly wasn’t ready for it to end and I haven’t felt that way about a book for a while. I’m unbelievably excited for news on book 2!

*Actual rating is 4.5 stars*

Darker by Four is the kind of book that you want to finish in one sitting, or read back to back. Because the characters and questions of what’s to come lived rent-free in my head when I wasn’t reading.

While it started out a bit slow for me, and there were aspects of the Blight that I never felt got explained, the writing and the charming characters made up for it. The story mainly focuses on the trio of badass exorcists in training Rui, her mage friend Zizi and the magicless family failure Yiran.The chemistry and interactions between the three of them was the real highlight of the book, even if I wasn’t completely sold on the romance.

This is a book full of mysteries, of non-human monsters and gods affecting the lives of the humans. There’s constantly new things that keep things interesting. I don’t read a lot of urban fantasy, or am very familiar with the east asian media that have influenced the story, but I still really enjoyed this book.