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3.38 AVERAGE
3.38 AVERAGE
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Marketing this as a mystery or thriller is a bizarre choice -- what would be the climactic act of a thriller happens near the end of part one of the book's four parts. So you think to yourself "WOW, if that happened in the first quarter of the book, what kind of wild ride am I in for with the rest of it???"
Joke's on you! Nothing wild ever happens again. The remaining three quarters of the book is a Victorian gothic as written by an Emo teen. One hundred pages of promising Dark Academia set up gives way to three hundred pages of Sad Kids smuggling supplies to the Saddest Kid Of Them All, who gradually goes full Madwoman in the Attic on them.
And so much about this was utterly implausible and incomplete -- I don't just mean that their stupid plan worked as long as it did (including over two weeks of Christmas break and ten days of "house arrest"), but the fact that Marta's missing famous feminist playwright mom never shows up? Even after all the news and publicity and. . .everything? I thought the twist was going to be that either Marta or her dad had actually murdered her, but it's just like "welp, she left and was never seen again!" Aren't these kids supposed to be smart?
Joke's on you! Nothing wild ever happens again. The remaining three quarters of the book is a Victorian gothic as written by an Emo teen. One hundred pages of promising Dark Academia set up gives way to three hundred pages of Sad Kids smuggling supplies to the Saddest Kid Of Them All, who gradually goes full Madwoman in the Attic on them.
And so much about this was utterly implausible and incomplete -- I don't just mean that their stupid plan worked as long as it did (including over two weeks of Christmas break and ten days of "house arrest"), but the fact that Marta's missing famous feminist playwright mom never shows up? Even after all the news and publicity and. . .everything? I thought the twist was going to be that either Marta or her dad had actually murdered her, but it's just like "welp, she left and was never seen again!" Aren't these kids supposed to be smart?
"The Four" is a dark and atmospheric journey that delves deep into the psyche of its characters and the environment that shapes them.
From the very first line, Keel sets the stage for a story that is as moody as it is atmospheric. The setting, a private and elite school, is more than just a setting; it’s a character. The ivy-covered walls and hallowed halls are steeped in secrets, and Keel uses vivid descriptions to bring this secluded world to life. The imagery is so powerful that you can almost feel the chill of the stone and the weight of the silence that pervades the grounds.
The narrative is tense, each chapter tightening the knot of suspense. Keel’s writing is a masterclass in building tension, with a sense of foreboding that is omnipresent. The relationships between the characters are messy and fraught with complexity. These are not the sanitized, idealized friendships of typical school tales; they are raw, messy, and real. Loyalty, guilt, and toxic relationships interlink, driving the characters to actions that are as shocking as they are inevitable.
There is no relief from the bleakness in “The Four.” It’s relentlessly dark, with a narrative that doesn’t shy away from the brutal realities of bullying, cruelty, elitism, and privilege. The story is addictive, pulling you into its depths even as you wish you could look away. Driven by Keel’s talent for creating a complex plot, you’re compelled to read on.
While “The Four” might be set in the sacred grounds of an educational institution, it’s more thriller than dark academia. The stakes are high, and the consequences are devastating. Keel explores themes of loyalty, guilt, and toxic friendship with masterful skill, ensuring that the novel is as thought-provoking as it is thrilling.
This is not a book for the faint of heart. The content is graphic, and the emotional impact is intense. The author does not hold back in depicting violence and the darker aspects of human nature. Readers should be aware of the potential triggers and approach this book with caution if they are sensitive to such content.
One of the most striking aspects of “The Four” is its exploration of vulnerability. It’s a poignant reminder of the impact our actions can have on others, particularly those who are still finding their way in the world.
Ellie Keel’s writing is nothing short of brilliant. She captures the essence of apprehension and tension with every word, beautiful and haunting.
In conclusion, “The Four” is an impressive, evocative novel that offers a stark look at the complexities of human relationships. It’s a journey worth taking, but one that must be approached with eyes wide open.
Thank you to Jonathan Ball Publishers for this ARC copy.
From the very first line, Keel sets the stage for a story that is as moody as it is atmospheric. The setting, a private and elite school, is more than just a setting; it’s a character. The ivy-covered walls and hallowed halls are steeped in secrets, and Keel uses vivid descriptions to bring this secluded world to life. The imagery is so powerful that you can almost feel the chill of the stone and the weight of the silence that pervades the grounds.
The narrative is tense, each chapter tightening the knot of suspense. Keel’s writing is a masterclass in building tension, with a sense of foreboding that is omnipresent. The relationships between the characters are messy and fraught with complexity. These are not the sanitized, idealized friendships of typical school tales; they are raw, messy, and real. Loyalty, guilt, and toxic relationships interlink, driving the characters to actions that are as shocking as they are inevitable.
There is no relief from the bleakness in “The Four.” It’s relentlessly dark, with a narrative that doesn’t shy away from the brutal realities of bullying, cruelty, elitism, and privilege. The story is addictive, pulling you into its depths even as you wish you could look away. Driven by Keel’s talent for creating a complex plot, you’re compelled to read on.
While “The Four” might be set in the sacred grounds of an educational institution, it’s more thriller than dark academia. The stakes are high, and the consequences are devastating. Keel explores themes of loyalty, guilt, and toxic friendship with masterful skill, ensuring that the novel is as thought-provoking as it is thrilling.
This is not a book for the faint of heart. The content is graphic, and the emotional impact is intense. The author does not hold back in depicting violence and the darker aspects of human nature. Readers should be aware of the potential triggers and approach this book with caution if they are sensitive to such content.
One of the most striking aspects of “The Four” is its exploration of vulnerability. It’s a poignant reminder of the impact our actions can have on others, particularly those who are still finding their way in the world.
Ellie Keel’s writing is nothing short of brilliant. She captures the essence of apprehension and tension with every word, beautiful and haunting.
In conclusion, “The Four” is an impressive, evocative novel that offers a stark look at the complexities of human relationships. It’s a journey worth taking, but one that must be approached with eyes wide open.
Thank you to Jonathan Ball Publishers for this ARC copy.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A very good read.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Free ARC from NetGalley. This sounded like my type of book. I’m a sucker for private school/college friends drama, but this….was not really that. It made me uncomfortable the whole time.
Rose and Marta are roommates and Sami and Lloyd are roommates. They are pretty much forced to be friends because they’re the four scholarship kids at this ritzy private boarding school.
Mean girls Genevieve and Sylvia rule the school. Gen’s bf, Max, takes Lloyd under his wing, which allows all four a little protection. Lots of nothing happens — I started skimming heavily around 30%. The mean girls are mean and the poor kids are poor. It was a little too disturbing hearing of some of the mean things that happened.
Blah blah blah……
The *thing* that’s been hinted at since the first chapter finally happens. Genevieve falls off the grand staircase. People who were around m say Marta pushed her but Marta says she slapped her. Marta runs away, making her look super suspicious. The other three find her in the clock tower room and DECIDE TO HIDE HER UP THERE for SIX MONTHS.
SIX. MONTHS.
that’s how long until Marta turns 18 and won’t have to do what her horrible dad says. He killed her mom (maybe?) and abused Marta. Now that Genevieve has fallen she knows she’s going to be taken back home, so she opts to LIVE IN THE CLOCK TOWER. For SIX MONTHS.
more blah blah blah like three weeks before her birthday she agrees to let Dr Reza take her to the hospital. When Dr R leaves, Marta wakes and panics and kills herself. I mean, c’mon. She was three weeks from freedom. And Genevieve lives and is returning to school so no big deal. AND her awful dad died after a second stroke so she doesn’t even have to worry about him anymore.
I super heavily skimmed the very last part but there was something about a court case accusing Rose of killing Marta? But Sylvia’s mom represents Rose and everything is ok because mean girl Sylvia loves Rose. I’m not sure what happens to Max and Genevieve? Or Lloyd? Sami gets engaged. Yay. The end.
Rose and Marta are roommates and Sami and Lloyd are roommates. They are pretty much forced to be friends because they’re the four scholarship kids at this ritzy private boarding school.
Mean girls Genevieve and Sylvia rule the school. Gen’s bf, Max, takes Lloyd under his wing, which allows all four a little protection. Lots of nothing happens — I started skimming heavily around 30%. The mean girls are mean and the poor kids are poor. It was a little too disturbing hearing of some of the mean things that happened.
Blah blah blah……
The *thing* that’s been hinted at since the first chapter finally happens. Genevieve falls off the grand staircase. People who were around m say Marta pushed her but Marta says she slapped her. Marta runs away, making her look super suspicious. The other three find her in the clock tower room and DECIDE TO HIDE HER UP THERE for SIX MONTHS.
SIX. MONTHS.
that’s how long until Marta turns 18 and won’t have to do what her horrible dad says. He killed her mom (maybe?) and abused Marta. Now that Genevieve has fallen she knows she’s going to be taken back home, so she opts to LIVE IN THE CLOCK TOWER. For SIX MONTHS.
more blah blah blah like three weeks before her birthday she agrees to let Dr Reza take her to the hospital. When Dr R leaves, Marta wakes and panics and kills herself. I mean, c’mon. She was three weeks from freedom. And Genevieve lives and is returning to school so no big deal. AND her awful dad died after a second stroke so she doesn’t even have to worry about him anymore.
I super heavily skimmed the very last part but there was something about a court case accusing Rose of killing Marta? But Sylvia’s mom represents Rose and everything is ok because mean girl Sylvia loves Rose. I’m not sure what happens to Max and Genevieve? Or Lloyd? Sami gets engaged. Yay. The end.