I remember reading Darker by four, and the start of it was quite difficult for me, it was summer and reading fantasies in summer can be challenging (often actually), but few friends told me to keep going, that I would love it and I did! It was one of my favorite reads last year and I recommended it to my best friends since, and it always delivers: they love it too!

I couldn't wait to read Brighter than nine, since the end of DB4 was so dramatic? huge? overwhelming? The minute I saw my request was accepted I wanted to drop everything and dive in, and that's almost what I did (with a delay of few days). I couldn't put the book done, the pacing is perfect, the chapters are quite small and having multi povs help too! The author is so great to end a chapter on a cliffhanger and going next chapter on an another character. So you will adore June as much as you will hate her for that!

The first book was mostly centered on Rui (my opinion only), but this one is mostly focused on Zizi, the underworld, his past and his character grows a lot here. I already loved his devotion and loyalty in book one, and discovering how much he can love and how smart he is was one of the best part of this sequel! I could tell you all that I have loved here but I wouldn't shut up between the world building, the characters, the plots, the tropes, the twists etc.

I am not so much in ya theses days, but DB4 and BT9 are not so much ya on how the characters are, act and think. Another bonus point to convince you to read this duology! This is a must read for me, propaganda incoming!

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the opportunity to read this one early, and thank you June for this beautiful piece of work, it was the sequel I wanted the most and I enjoyed every word of this second book! I'm already missing Rui and Zizi so much!

OMG JUNE WHEN I CATCH YOU !!
my review is purely emotion because that what i was while reading this book, VERY EMOTIONAL, happy, sad, confused, shocked; look up every emotion in the history and dictionary of emotion and i felt that while reading it, when i read darker by four i quickly got attached to the character. the world and specially to my trio (rui, ziz and yiran) and everything june made these babies go through in this book was BRUTAL!! i was holding onto dear life always fearing something would happen to any one of them, and oh that last 5 chapters, please never do that to me ever again; 5/5 stars.

also i was in the acknowledgements ????? yo i was sobbing at the end and then i flip to the last page and i see myself (@deadbookishsociety) being thanked and i was like HOLD UP PAUSE ?!?!?!?!? anyway i love june, i will miss this world and the trio and ash, nikai, yuki, ada :(((( please bring them back someday

A sequel to the highly enjoyable Darker by Four, Brighter than Nine carries on the story of Zizi/Four, Rui, Ash and Yiran as they navigate a world where everything is no longer quite what they thought. With Zizi trapped in Hell and Rui in the human world dealing with the consequences of the events of DB4 it seems like they will never see each other again. But nothing is ever as it seems.

A tightly plotted book, filled with mythology, action and romance, this duology has something for everyone. The representation is good and I'd recommend it for the YA age range.

simply cannot believe that this incredible duology has now come to an end. And it has wrapped up in the most incredible fashion. Brighter Than Nine builds up on where we left off in DB4, and the stakes are so much higher. Every chapter felt like watching an episode of a shonen anime, and honestly, I would pay good money for an animated adaptation, from either Mappa or Kyoto Animation.

The plot threads that began in book 1 come to their fruition, as the story unravels and we learn more secrets about the Blight and the Nothing. The world-building adds on to what we know and takes us to expansive new locations, and all the different courts of hell. There is an air of mystery around the underworld, but it has a much bigger role in this book, and I loved that we get to see more courtly machinations and hellish bargains.

Not to spoil anything, but Rui, Zizi and Yiran have such incredible character development in this book. Their character arcs are so well-crafted, and neatly wrap up all plot threads from book 1. We see them all dealing with the effects of what happens in book 1 on divergent paths, but when they finally found themselves together, it’s the dream team. I may have gotten a little emotional at their reunion.

I’ve always enjoyed June CL Tan’s writing and this book is no different. Her way with words, and ability to pack an emotional punch in a sentence is soo good. Her descriptions are simply amazing, and so immersive, and like I said, makes the book feel like an anime. The pacing was literally perfect, with the quiet moments interspersed between action packed scenes. And the climax plus that ending? I think we’ve got the most amazing end we could have gotten and I’m so incredibly happy. Also lowkey feels like the ending leaves room for a spin off, and I would not mind that.

Brighter Than Nine was simply amazing, and I cannot wait to have the physical book in my hands!

*I received an ARC via Netgalley*
I am incredibly sad that this is over, but what a fantastic ending to an incredible story.
It has been a while since I read the first book so I was slightly worried about not remembering enough to easily dive into this. Within the first few chapters everything came flooding back, and there are some great reminders of previous events that make it easy to follow the story.
I absolutely loved the multi pov in this book. Ash, Yiran, and Rui's chapters were fantastic, but much like the first book I enjoyed Zizi's best.
The pacing of this book was fast and consistent throughout. The secrets revealed in this blew my mind. I tried to savour this book knowing it is the conclusion, but I just couldn't put it down. I think I actually enjoyed this even more than the first book. I was laughing one moment and crying the next.
The ending wrapped everything up really well, and while I'm sad it's over this was a satisfying ending. I'm sure this is a duology that I will read again and again.

I don’t regret waiting 2 years for this sequel to one of my favourite urban fantasies, Darker by Four. Brighter Than Nine truly did NOT disappoint, and it was such a perfect continuation of DB4 and a lovely conclusion to the duology.

Following that INSANE cliffhanger in DB4, I just had to dive right in. I didn’t reread DB4 before this, but I feel like I got through BT9 just fine. It was a little like riding a bike after not cycling for a long time. You’ll find your balance in no time. And so I did with BT9.

The multi-POV really helped keep a good pace. I always thought DB4 was more of Rui and ZiZi’s story, but I am so happy that we had more “airtime” for Yiran and Yuki in BT9. Every POV has its own plotline, and each chapter cleverly ended on mini cliffhangers. I am starting to nickname June CL Tan the Queen of Cliffhangers. This just had me hooked. Overall, the chapters served to answer all the questions we had from the first book. We learned more about the Nothing and the Blight, the hybrids, and ZiZi and Rui’s past. Although I have to say, if you know me, I am not the biggest fan of clichés like “the red thread of fate” because of how OVERUSED this trope is. I am just glad that it was just a “thread” here and not specifically the “red thread of fate”. I’ll take that AJBNSJFBSV. I really appreciated the heavier focus on ZiZi’s backstory. To prevent giving anything away, let me just say that I was gooped and GAGGEDDD. Y’all will just have to read and find out for yourselves!

AHHHHHHHH also, Yiran and Yuki!! THE ANGST!! THE YEARNING!! THE ANGSTTTTT. Okay, I know most readers will probably be more invested in Rui and ZiZi’s relationship, but I, however, am OBSESSED WITH YIRAN X YUKI. I mean, who on earth doesn’t like a good enemies to lovers with a serving of forbidden love (wink wink). I literally teared up at the end. June CL Tan, you will pay for my emotional trauma. And oh my god, I just need a spinoff with just Yiran and Yuki GAHHHHHHHHHH.

In BT9, we got to know more of June CL Tan’s take on the Chinese underworld. I especially loved that we got to know more of the other Kings of the underworld, as well as their “parents”, and it was super interesting to read. I truly enjoyed and appreciated June’s creative interpretation of the Chinese underworld.

“Life would lose its vibrancy without death, and death has no weight without life.”

I love June CL Tan’s writing. I don’t watch anime, but from other reviewers who do, they say that this book, as with DB4, reminds them of JJK and Bleach. Honestly, it also reminds me of KPOP Demon Hunters. The writing is so humorous, especially the occasional banter, and easy to follow.

Overall, I adored BT9. That ending?? My god, it had me thinking about it for days. And omg, okay SPOILER AHEAD, but justice for Yiran and Yuki!!!

Genuinely a wonderful YA fantasy duology. You’re missing out if you’ve never read it fr.

“In all the worlds and all lifetimes, our souls are bound together.”

Genuinely loved the sequel to Darker by Four but it is bittersweet as I am just not ready for our time in the world June CL. Tan created to be over.

There was a lot of additions to this sequel that really helped with my understanding from the first book. Things I didn't realise I was missing until I read them.
I really enjoyed the flashes of the past life of the characters as it shows a lot of Four's motivations in both books.

The revelation with Yiran, I feel shouldn't have been a revelation as it makes perfect sense but then again I didn't see it coming. Yuki grew on me, and I ended up loving him by the end.

100% this duology is such a vibe!

After a string of mediocre reads Brighter Than Nine was a breath of fresh air!

I absolutely adored Darker By Four – the characters and the world had me enraptured. Ever since finishing it, I have been eagerly awaiting the sequel, which did not disappoint.

Brighter Than Nine picks up not long after the events of Darker By Four, and you’re immediately swept back into the world and the continuing story. It keeps the multi-POV format, with POVs from Rui, Yiran, Zizi and Ash.

I loved being reunited with these characters, especially Rui. She has absolutely become one of my favourite characters. She is strong, determined, resourceful, and utterly brilliant. One of the elements I really appreciated, was the strong bonds she has with her friends and how she brings them into the fold. She isn’t a secretive character and wants to maintain those connections.

Zizi was a standout character for me in Darker By Four, and he continued to be in Brighter Than Nine. I adore the story between him and Rui, and it was great to see more of him in the new setting.

The plot went in a direction I was completely not expecting, there were reveals that took me by surprise. Even when you thought you knew something, it got flipped on its head – especially when it came to Yiran (the poor guy really when through the wringer). It was a wonderful conclusion to the story, even though I am sad to leave them all behind – I’d happily spend forever in this world.

Everytime I think about the ending it brings tears to my eyes. It was perfection (for me).