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3.37 AVERAGE
3.37 AVERAGE
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
One of the worst books I’ve ever read.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
ABANDONADO al 50%.
Muy a mi pesar este libro me estaba haciendo entrar en bloqueo lector…
1. No he conectado con los personajes ni la pluma de la autora. No consigo empatizar y la ambientación se me ha quedado pobre.
2. La trama no tiene sentido. Las decisiones de los personajes no son creíbles ni tienen justificación. No me creo la historia.
3. Es predecible. Al principio te prometen grandes revelaciones y cosas turbias… y aunque pasan te las ves venir y no molan.
Tenía muchas ganas de este libro, pero no tiene ni el contenido ni la forma y si no me dan algo yo no puedo seguir. Parece un «Todos somos villanos» que quiso, pero no fue.
Muy a mi pesar este libro me estaba haciendo entrar en bloqueo lector…
1. No he conectado con los personajes ni la pluma de la autora. No consigo empatizar y la ambientación se me ha quedado pobre.
2. La trama no tiene sentido. Las decisiones de los personajes no son creíbles ni tienen justificación. No me creo la historia.
3. Es predecible. Al principio te prometen grandes revelaciones y cosas turbias… y aunque pasan te las ves venir y no molan.
Tenía muchas ganas de este libro, pero no tiene ni el contenido ni la forma y si no me dan algo yo no puedo seguir. Parece un «Todos somos villanos» que quiso, pero no fue.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Well-written and well-plotted dark academia about four scholarship students attending an elite and highly toxic private boarding school. I struggled at first to get into the story but it did succeed in pulling me in. The school setting was well-drawn but felt a little too Hogwarts to be completely credible and the characters had a similar caricature feel to them. Despite the frank approach to some dark themes, I never quite believed this story but perhaps it is intended for a younger reader.
challenging
dark
emotional
I truly do not know why this book is not being talked about. This book is haunting and tragic. It’s not for the faint of heart. And please do check the trigger warnings.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Truly stunning in every way. I felt immersed in the Hugh Realms world and locations, and even in the students classes. The traumatic events are second to the characters growth and feeling, and a steady plot that rarely deviates from its main oath made this a brilliant read. No doubt about the sadness and trauma in its subject matter, but the rich world and beautifully fragile characters are what will stick with me the longest
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Self harm
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Rape, Suicide
I was instantly engulfed in the world of ‘High Realms’ and its students. The Four seemed so much different to their peers and it was interesting following them as they settled in to the school.
The first part was my favourite, especially getting to know the friendships that were developing or not in a majority of cases! The teachers were awful, the reputation of the school came at the expense of the pupils and the cover ups that occurred.
For me, I feel it was a bit too long, mainly as I struggled with how much time was spent on Martha and getting away with that particular part of the plot. The scholarship at the end was heartwarming and being able to see a glimpse of life after the events.
The first part was my favourite, especially getting to know the friendships that were developing or not in a majority of cases! The teachers were awful, the reputation of the school came at the expense of the pupils and the cover ups that occurred.
For me, I feel it was a bit too long, mainly as I struggled with how much time was spent on Martha and getting away with that particular part of the plot. The scholarship at the end was heartwarming and being able to see a glimpse of life after the events.
This book left me speechless when I finished it.
At first, it was a bit slow for me, I think the amount of explanations about the boarding school, the system of the school itself, was a bit too slow for me so I couldn’t immediately get into the story. But then I sit and let myself focus and continued reading. Let me tell you, at about 40% of the book, it starts to get so good that I couldn’t put this book down and finished it in one sitting.
Initially, I was so skeptical about the characters’ moral, I feel like they all have their own reasonings behind the actions that they did and then I honestly find myself being able to justify their actions. Because if I positioned myself as one of them in their place, I probably would did the same thing.
It’s twisted, complex, and I feel like such an important story for anyone to read. The importance of having someone to talk to, to confide in, and to rely on, I feel like this book portrays that aspect very well. I do think it is IMPERATIVE for you to look up any trigger warnings when reading this book.
Overall, I really recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a compelling dark academia book, with complex characters.
Thank you so much @hqstories for sending me a copy of this book, I am so so grateful.
At first, it was a bit slow for me, I think the amount of explanations about the boarding school, the system of the school itself, was a bit too slow for me so I couldn’t immediately get into the story. But then I sit and let myself focus and continued reading. Let me tell you, at about 40% of the book, it starts to get so good that I couldn’t put this book down and finished it in one sitting.
Initially, I was so skeptical about the characters’ moral, I feel like they all have their own reasonings behind the actions that they did and then I honestly find myself being able to justify their actions. Because if I positioned myself as one of them in their place, I probably would did the same thing.
It’s twisted, complex, and I feel like such an important story for anyone to read. The importance of having someone to talk to, to confide in, and to rely on, I feel like this book portrays that aspect very well. I do think it is IMPERATIVE for you to look up any trigger warnings when reading this book.
Overall, I really recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a compelling dark academia book, with complex characters.
Thank you so much @hqstories for sending me a copy of this book, I am so so grateful.
The Four was exactly what I needed for a change of genre and pace.
Firstly there are some Trigger warnings: bullying, self harm, rape, suicide.
The first chapter is like a slap of cold water in the face and it gives a good indication of what the rest of the book is going to be like. We meet Marta, Rose, Sami and Lloyd and the story is told from Rose's POV.
The four of them are scholarship students amongst the rich and elite. Definitely out of their depths at High Realms (sounds magical doesn't it...but don't let it fool you) "it's a world whose understanding of good and evil was entirely and terrifyingly its own".
The story only starts finding its feet a couple of chapters in and then starts picking up pace by the 4th quarter. I read this book in 5 days. I had to read it in bits as it was quite rough on your emotions. ...be warned! It has some light hearted moments, but those are very few and far between.
As the scholarship four try to find their way in this new environment, instead of being made to feel welcome, they are met with hostility, cruelty and derision. Its all uncalled for and just seems to be because they are poor/ scholarship kids. Marta is the main focus of alot of this as she is different. She doesn't conform to the norm and this poses a threat to the ones who feel they have the power at the school. Then when a huge accident occurs, it throws everything off balance and now the four need to work together now more than ever to save one of their own.
We had alot of discussions on what we thought was going on, some were spot on and others were abit off. I can't say I loved it, but what it is, is different. I wish the author had perhaps done a character note with their school grading and position so we could understand better as it was very confusing for me. Although she did include a stunning pic of the school map.
Firstly there are some Trigger warnings: bullying, self harm, rape, suicide.
The first chapter is like a slap of cold water in the face and it gives a good indication of what the rest of the book is going to be like. We meet Marta, Rose, Sami and Lloyd and the story is told from Rose's POV.
The four of them are scholarship students amongst the rich and elite. Definitely out of their depths at High Realms (sounds magical doesn't it...but don't let it fool you) "it's a world whose understanding of good and evil was entirely and terrifyingly its own".
The story only starts finding its feet a couple of chapters in and then starts picking up pace by the 4th quarter. I read this book in 5 days. I had to read it in bits as it was quite rough on your emotions. ...be warned! It has some light hearted moments, but those are very few and far between.
As the scholarship four try to find their way in this new environment, instead of being made to feel welcome, they are met with hostility, cruelty and derision. Its all uncalled for and just seems to be because they are poor/ scholarship kids. Marta is the main focus of alot of this as she is different. She doesn't conform to the norm and this poses a threat to the ones who feel they have the power at the school. Then when a huge accident occurs, it throws everything off balance and now the four need to work together now more than ever to save one of their own.
We had alot of discussions on what we thought was going on, some were spot on and others were abit off. I can't say I loved it, but what it is, is different. I wish the author had perhaps done a character note with their school grading and position so we could understand better as it was very confusing for me. Although she did include a stunning pic of the school map.