LoveReading Says
Magically imaginative, this smart action-packed modern fantasy novel spills into Chinese superstitions, customs, and traditional love stories, and Japanese anime and manga. Three young people find their lives twisted and corrupted by an influx of Hybrid Revenants who are hell-bent on killing humans. Author June CL Tan has written a cutting-edge story for older young adults, I didn’t even take into consideration the age range for this tale as I read, and feel that it could easily sit in YA and adult collections. Darker by Four is the first of two novels containing these characters and storyline. The plot hums with intensity, and feels wonderfully different as it coils among soul reapers, a supernatural virus, and an exorcist guild. The three main characters feel vibrantly alive as they ache for acceptance, love, and revenge. The blend of mythology and fiction feels seamless and has lead to me wanting to know more, to discover where the edges lie. I am so very glad that there is another novel to come, this is a story that is just begging to be continued. Exciting and fascinating, Darker by Four is a fabulously balanced fantasy tale of energy and darkness hand in hand with love and family.
Liz Robinson
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Fantasy
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June CL Tan Press Reviews
**PRAISE FOR DARKER BY FOUR** I adored this! Darker By Four is a rich and vividly drawn world of revenants, exorcists, death gods and stolen magic. Rui, Zizi, Yiran and Nikai will all be your new favorite characters in this thrilling new fantasy from June CL Tan. - Vanessa Len, internationally bestselling author of Only a Monster
June CL Tan excels at writing tactile worlds and ensemble casts, and nowhere is this more evident than in DARKER BY FOUR. If you ever wanted a book that reads like a comfort anime that also isn't afraid to skewer you with angst and explosive fight sequences, then look no further. - Joan He, New York Times bestselling author of The Ones We're Meant To Find
Darker by Four is a fresh and fast-paced fantasy that grabs you by the throat. Both ruthless and tender, this book leads you through a perilous world of death while grounding you in raw emotions - the desire to prove ourselves, protect those we love, and seek our destiny - Kylie Lee Baker, author of The Keeper of Night
You'll want to dive headfirst into Tan's world of bloodthirsty revenants and teen exorcists grappling with love, betrayal, and the relentless desire for revenge. With nods to dark fantasy anime and Chinese folklore, Darker By Four is the jaw-dropping start to a stunning new series - Axie Oh, New York Times bestselling author of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea and XOXO
A complete page-turner of a fantasy! Full of reapers and exorcists, family legacies and life-long grudges, readers will find it hard to decide who to root for. The full cast of beautifully dynamic characters with hidden pasts and dangerous secrets will keep you guessing until the end. Thrilling and Riveting! - Kat Cho, New York Times bestselling author of Wicked Fox and Once Upon a K-Prom
Tan expertly weaves together a world of darkly dangerous fantasy with achingly real friendships and a simmering romance in Darker by Four. Those who gravitate toward mythological twists and pulse-pounding action will surely enjoy this jewel of a book - Sophie Kim, author of Last of the Talons
With a brilliant mix of Chinese mythology, action, humor, and slow-burn romance, Darker By Four is a thrilling contemporary fantasy that breathes new life to the fantasy genre. If you're ready for an epic journey into a world where dark secrets unfold and the line between monsters and humanity blurs, Darker By Four awaits you! - Aiden Thomas, New York Times bestselling author of Cemetery Boys and The Sunbearer Trials
A thrilling urban fantasy set in an imaginative realm where the Chinese underworld crashes into a modern city. Darker By Four is an action-packed anime fever dream and I need the sequel now! - Judy I. Lin, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Magic Steeped in Poison
I was hooked from the first page! Mysterious, thrilling, and romantic, Darker By Four is a compelling fantasy you won't want to put down - Maiya Ibrahim, Sunday Times bestselling author of Spice Road
