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A review by bannerheldhigh
The Four by Ellie Keel
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Writing this review immediately after finishing this book probably isn't my best idea but on we go.
If you crossed the the pomp and ceremony of a place like Hogwarts with the cliques and self centeredness of Mean Girls, you'd probably be on the right lines.
Marta has streamed of coming to High Realms; it's both an escape and her future. An opportunity to study at one of the most prestigious schools in the country. The only problem is, she doesn't fit in and not fitting it at High Realms can be dangerous. Her three friends, Rose, Lloyd and Sami try to help her fit in and just get along but Marta is unshakeably Marta. One day, events take a sudden, tragic turn and the friends struggle to protect their troubled school mate with horrific consequences.
This book is dark and sad and also at times infuriating being that it's told through the eyes of Rose in retrospect. You watch teenagers trying to grapple with issues well beyond them and continuing to fail as they do their best. You want to scream what they should do but you're ultimately stuck riding out the ever more troubling story to it's end.
If you crossed the the pomp and ceremony of a place like Hogwarts with the cliques and self centeredness of Mean Girls, you'd probably be on the right lines.
Marta has streamed of coming to High Realms; it's both an escape and her future. An opportunity to study at one of the most prestigious schools in the country. The only problem is, she doesn't fit in and not fitting it at High Realms can be dangerous. Her three friends, Rose, Lloyd and Sami try to help her fit in and just get along but Marta is unshakeably Marta. One day, events take a sudden, tragic turn and the friends struggle to protect their troubled school mate with horrific consequences.
This book is dark and sad and also at times infuriating being that it's told through the eyes of Rose in retrospect. You watch teenagers trying to grapple with issues well beyond them and continuing to fail as they do their best. You want to scream what they should do but you're ultimately stuck riding out the ever more troubling story to it's end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicide
Moderate: Self harm