Brighter Than Nine

Darker by Four #2

by June C.L. Tan

The world has moved on. With the missing death god restored to the underworld, it appears that equilibrium has been regained. But the Nothing continues to threaten the underworld - and the mortal realm.

Trapped in Hell, Zizi fights the takeover of his soul by Four's. As he begins to access Four's memories, he discovers a tragic love story that could be the key to keeping the mortal realm safe. Now, Zizi must defy his fate and escape Hell once more.

On the surface, Rui's life has changed as she is hailed a hero by the Exorcist Guild. But she soon discovers the spell Zizi was forced to create is transforming innocent humans into vicious Hybrid Revenants. With the help of the other cadets, she vows to stop them.

Now magicless, Yiran watches, hungrier than ever, until he begins a dangerous dalliance with Yuki, hoping the Hybrid will recover Yiran's magic. And when he discovers a dark family secret, he must decide what he stands for - before it's too late.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Urban Fantasy, Fiction, Mythology, Romance, Romantasy

400 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 10, 2026

About the author

June CL Tan is the critically acclaimed and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of the Darker By Four duology and Jade Fire Gold. Her Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection books have garnered multiple starred reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, and BCCB, and she was also one of PW’s Flying Starts in 2021. A Singaporean raised on a diet of teh tarik, classic books, and wuxia movies, she enjoys telling stories that draw on both the traditional and modern to create something fresh to the eye, but familiar to the heart.

Reviews

[iris ᵕ̈]

i'm seated. the theater employees are scared and asking me to leave because it doesn't even have a title ok fine blurb release date yet. but i'm simply too seated.

[rina (hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

‎ ‎ ੭୧‎ ‎ 3 stars‎ ‎ . ۫

‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “ in all the worlds and all lifetimes, our souls are bound together. wherever you go, to the ends of this world or the next, i will follow. ”

when he says he loves me, but zizi searched for rui's soul, found her again after reincarnating, and chose her in every single lifetime, even when it cost him everything ☹

a solid sequel! loved it a little less than its predecessor, but loved it nevertheless!

thank you to the author and publisher for the arc!

CW: death, violence

⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆

finished: 01/31/26

pre read: 01/29/26
cannot wait to return to my comfort characters 🤭

[maria ₊˚ෆ]

was I absolutely disappointed by the first book? Yes 💔 will I eat this up when it comes out? YES 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️ march 2026 come faster 🙏🏼🙏🏼 I am going to read anything that gives K-pop demon hunters vibes 🥰🥰

[eve._.lyn reads]

the cover is so pretty

[carthi ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOAH THIS WAS INSANE!!! full rtc <3


⋆˙⟡ — 19/09/2025: ˙⊹

i have the arc. I HAVE THE ARC?!?! THANK YOU HARPER COLLINS GODS AND EDELWEISS FOR MAKING THIS DREAM COME TRUE 🥹🥹😭 going to buddy read with harkiti soon hehe <3

⋆˙⟡ — 26/06/2025: ˙⊹

AKSCJDCKDJCSSLSKDKLKJHNM we finally have a release date!!! MARCH 10, 2026!! only 257 days to go ₍₍⚞(˶˃ ᵕ ˂˶)⚟⁾⁾ thank you miss june for finally putting us all out of our misery 🥹 the cover is absolutely gorgeous ahhhhhhhhhhhhh (also shout out to nico for telling me the hot deets from miss june's book event at singapore last year hehe) now all i need is someone to drop an arc into my hands (๑>ᴗ<๑) and then i'll die in peace <3

[anni !]

PLEASE GIVE US AT LEAST A RELEASE DATE

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️

This book was everything! I originally picked up the first book in this duology last year when I was trying to fill the void left behind by Kpop Demon Hunters. I loved Darker By Four so much that I was counting down the days until the second book released.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an early copy of this book!

Let me start by saying that this had a very satisfying conclusion. My heart felt so full and even with a couple of things remaining a mystery I feel hopeful and so happy with where it all landed. The first book in this duology was about the magic and the monsters, but the second book was about the romance.

These characters are the type you feel deeply connected to. You root for them from the very beginning. And the relationships, both friendship and otherwise, are so beautiful 🥹 Rui and Zizi have my entire heart. Their lore is rooted in heartbreak yet holds so much hope and light. I could literally melt over how much I love them and their story. Another relationship that I could read a whole separate book about (I’m look at you June CL Tan) is Yuki and Yiran. Ahhh I loved how uncertain, slightly awkward yet wholesome their blossoming romance was and how they just understood one another on such a deep level.

I truly cannot say enough good things about this duology. It’s steeped in heavy folklore, high stakes, spirit magic, found family vibes with a romance that’ll sweep you off your feet. Please please PLEASE pick up this series and this book. I promise you won’t regret it.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The final part of this duology left me feeling a little cold. I really liked the first book and enjoyed this one for the same reasons, such as the world, the magic system and the relationships between the characters. However, I think many things remain unexplained, such as what happened to the kidnapped exorcists and what Rui's father was doing throughout the story. I was waiting for something to happen with him. I also felt that the evolution of Rui's feelings towards Zizi regressed in this book because of the plot. I really liked how she gradually realised that it was more than just friendship, so I was disappointed that it ended so quickly just because, in my opinion.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book and the author's writing style.

[Andi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like to thank Edelweiss and the publisher for allowing me to read / finish out the duology.

A lot of the feelings I had about characters (Four/Zizi) ended up being right. I rather liked his backstory and his reasons for doing what he did.

Unfortunately, this second book / conclusion felt muddled, too much going on and the fluidity was lost. The narrative and the looming threat of the blight and the creatures were explained but it felt so cheapened.

I can't point my finger on it all, but I think my issues come with the blight and the Four/Zizi story not really mixing together well and that both of them could be different books / different stories with adequate / proper time spent to link the two together the way the author wanted.

The other issue I have is that due to this, the world building suffers outside of the blight / supernatural aspect of it. I couldn't paint you a picture of the world because everything seemed to have a bland, grey background in my head as I pictured it. The only thing that had some sort of detail was the underworld (but not by much, that was pretty bleak too).

For a first book I enjoyed so heavily, to put this at a 3 was rather upsetting. Glad it was concluded but I wish it gave me more feeling when finished.

[Selene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I squeal when I got this early thanks to Netgalley the author and the publisher, yes! Did I stay up all night and forfeit sleep to finish this? Also a yes. Love an epic love story and a happy ending and this does not disappoint. Loved getting Zizi/fours back story and I am obsessed

[zai · Rating 5 out of 5]

i experienced like 500 emotions in the span of last few chapters

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am deceased

[Evita · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Thank you netgalley and hodder& stoughton for letting me read this book early!

After reading and LOVING Darker By Four last year I was so excited to pick up this sequel.

However, it did take me a while to get settled back into this world. For the first two thirds of the book it felt like I was reading something completely different and I just couldn’t find my groove with it. It made sense for the story, I just found myself missing the style of the first book.

Then something happened and the last third was exactly what I needed this book to be. Action packed, exciting and with all the characters engaging with each other and working together.

I think this duology is super unique and interesting and I’d recommend reading this series if you’re into:
✨Chinese underworld mythology
✨Urban fantasy
✨Friendships and love
✨Queer rep
✨Family dynamics

Brighter Than Nine is out March 12th 2026.

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books for the ARC!

Brighter Than Nine kicks off shortly after the eventful end of Darker by Four. Zizi and Rui are realms apart, facing their own individual challenges while trying to get back to each other. Yiran is navigating complex family dynamics along his feelings for Yuki. Ash is trying to keep his fellow exorcists alive and protect society from the increased threat of Hybrids.

This book is filled with action, suspense, and a side of romance. There is solid world-building and compelling character development. The additional POV of Zizi and Ash really round-out the storytelling. The queer representation is also lovely, I appreciate how normalized it is in this world. The plot wraps up nicely while leaving some things open for interpretation, which I liked. Overall this is a great duology and I look forward to reading more books by June C.L. Tan!

[Ati ୨୧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc. ♡

One of my favorite mythological concepts is the red string of fate that binds lovers for lifetimes. I also particularly enjoy when immortals get punished with either mortality or some form of servitude or imprisonment. I eat it up alwayyyyyys. June CL Tan created a perfect lush world of mortals and immortals that I thoroughly enjoyed. My adoration for Rui and Zizi increased in book 2, I LOVE them so much! All in all this was, to me, a near perfect conclusion to this duology. I spent much of this book theorizing different possibilities, and managed to guess so much which to me is a testament to how well the bread crumbs were laid throughout both books. (Although, a prior knowledge of Chinese mythology may have also played a hand.)
The side characters and their arcs were also engaging and at no point did I find myself bored of other POVs. Did I still want to slap Yiran? Yes, but only in the beginning. Even in the last book I understood why he acted the way he did but this book went more into depth with his story and relationships and omg??? UGH, I was so sad for him.

As for the ENDING????? WHAT DO YOU MEAN? THATS IT? YOU’RE JOKING??????

Now what? There was a moment at the very and that made me think there is a possibility of at least one spin-off.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC! This was one of my extremely anticipated releases this year, and it was an overall satisfying conclusion to the duology despite falling a bit short of expectations.

I wish this would've been a trilogy, because I feel like there was a lot of telling over showing done to tie up all the plot threads. I feel like these could've been fleshed out fully with more time, and I would have enjoyed going a bit deeper into some of the mythology. I also missed our trio's interactions together, since they're separated for about the first half of the book.

The plot was definitely slower in the first half, but then quickly picked up and towards the last 10-20% it felt like we were at breakneck speed getting to the conclusion. I still enjoyed the world and characters, and really liked the short chapters (~10 pages). Some of the plot twists were a bit predictable, but I was still surprised by others. Overall, a solid conclusion if a bit rushed.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
For the review in English, please scroll down.

Dopo il cliffhanger “illegale” con cui si chiude il primo volume, mi aspettavo che Brighter Than Nine partisse con tutt’altra energia. Invece il romanzo parte lento, forse troppo, e rimane tale per buona parte della prima metà. Dopo due anni di attesa, avrei sinceramente apprezzato un breve recap del libro precedente: mi sono sentita piuttosto disconnessa dai personaggi e dagli eventi, soprattutto all'inizio, nonostante riconosca che si tratti di un sequel solido.

Il punto di forza restano comunque i personaggi, anche se in modo sbilanciato. Zizi (Four) è senza dubbio quello con l’arco narrativo più interessante e sfaccettato, e l’aggiunta dei suoi POV è stata una delle scelte migliori del libro. Il suo percorso, seppur a tratti un po’ convoluto, è quello che regge maggiormente il peso emotivo della storia. Anche Rui mi è piaciuta molto come protagonista: coerente, determinata e profondamente legata a ciò in cui crede. Al contrario, Yiran è il personaggio che mi è piaciuto di meno in questo volume. L’ho trovato immaturo e troppo spesso irritante, e il suo sviluppo appare meno curato rispetto agli altri, nonostante il potenziale ci fosse.

Il worldbuilding, pur affascinante sulla carta, soprattutto per quanto riguarda l’oltretomba, il divino e le gerarchie di potere, rimane sottosviluppato anche in questo ultimo volume. Molti aspetti vengono solo accennati e non realmente spiegati o approfonditi.

Dal punto di vista del ritmo, il romanzo soffre di un forte squilibrio: come dicevo sopra, all’inizio la narrazione procede con estrema lentezza, poi a un certo punto accelera bi botto, con eventi che si susseguono in modo sempre più serrato. Questo crea tensione, sì, ma anche una sensazione di voler finire il prima possibile, con alcune risoluzioni che si concludono troppo velocemente. Il finale chiude la dilogia in modo soddisfacente, anche se non memorabile.

In conclusione, Brighter Than Nine è una buon finale per una dilogia YA che mescola mitologia cinese, atomsfere manga e romance, con personaggi interessanti e una scrittura solida. Tuttavia, da questo volume finale mi aspettavo qualcosa in più, soprattutto in termini di approfondimento del worldbuilding.

Thank you, Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for approving me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

After the rather “illegal” cliffhanger at the end of book one, I expected Brighter Than Nine to open with a completely different kind of energy. Instead, the novel starts slowly — perhaps too slowly — and remains that way for much of the first half. After a two-year wait, I would have genuinely appreciated a short recap of the previous book: I felt quite disconnected from the characters and the events at the beginning, even though I do recognize this as a solid sequel.
The characters remain the main strength of the story, albeit unevenly so. Zizi (Four) is, without a doubt, the most compelling and layered character, and the addition of his POV chapters was one of the best choices of this book. His arc, while occasionally a bit convoluted, carries most of the emotional weight of the narrative. I also really liked Rui as a protagonist: consistent, determined, and deeply committed to what she believes in. By contrast, Yiran was the character I struggled with the most in this volume. I found him immature and often irritating, and his development feels less polished than the others, despite his clear potential.

The worldbuilding, while fascinating on paper — especially when it comes to the underworld, the divine, and the power hierarchies — remains underdeveloped even in this final installment. Many elements are only hinted at and never fully explained or explored.

In terms of pacing, the novel suffers from a noticeable imbalance. As mentioned above, the beginning moves at a very slow pace, only for the story to suddenly accelerate, with events unfolding in rapid succession. While this does create tension, it also gives the impression that the book is rushing toward the finish line, with some resolutions wrapped up too quickly. The ending does close the duology in a satisfying, but not particularly memorable, way.

Overall, Brighter Than Nine is a solid conclusion to a YA duology that blends Chinese mythology, manga-inspired aesthetics, and romance, supported by engaging characters and competent writing. That said, I was hoping for more from this final volume, especially when it comes to the depth and exploration of the worldbuilding.

[Homlesreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

-----------------------------------------
♟️Rating:4.25/5⭐
-----------------------------------------
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review!

A year ago, I gave Ms June a Gojo cat pin and let’s just say it works a little too well. (Not in the Gege Akutami ending way but the angsty way) I was looking forward to the sequel and it didn’t disappoint! (Also, I read the second half after watching Zootopia 2, and my sequel streak stays winning!)

There’s a huge improvement in the writing style, and it’s a lot more fluid in the second book. Before reading BTN, I was doing a reread of DBF and my rereading of DBF allowed me to notice the subtle changes. The writing is a lot sharper and tighter in the sequel, and it’s less reliant on generic phrases. The comedic timing was also paced better, and I laughed so much at some parts. Moreover, the references didn’t feel like they were trying to compensate for the lack of something. Instead, it just added texture to the story that you’re already on board with, which is why this book was such a fun read.

Moving on, I think what this book excels at is that it has a very logical flow, with each scene tying up smoothly to the next scene. I didn’t feel like the scenes were wasted or filled with too many fillers that are not relevant to the story, which is the case for a lot of books out there. There are very clear incidents in this book that explain the character’s motivations and thoughts, which allow the readers to see and understand why they acted out in a certain manner, which leads to another incident. I think this is why I managed to finish this book way quicker than I had expected because of how nice it flows. It’s also why I didn’t feel that certain plot devices were used purely for the sake of shock factor. (A lot of anime/mangas do this, and it makes me frustrated.)

With that being said, I do feel that the pacing could ease off a little for the last 20% of the novel. Some of the minor conflicts in this book for the side characters weren't really addressed near the end and were quickly glanced over. Some of the side characters that were more prominent in book 1 weren’t really addressed as well, which made the conclusion not as satisfying as it could have been. I think this is partly because this book was more focused on the POV characters, which ultimately came at the cost of the other side characters.

Nonetheless, I still had a great time with the plot and themes in this book. It somehow reminded me a lot of one of my favourite manga, Chainsaw Man. This book clearly took a more depressed tone, which I welcome with open arms. It’s also a lot darker than I expected since it wasn’t that dark in the first book, despite being called Darker by Four. (Everyone please laugh now.)

Anyways, what I’m trying to say is that I enjoyed how this book tried to capture that sense of despair while working for a social cause. We get to see this through Ash as he tries to deal with this continuous cycle of tedium. He’s already on the brink of collapse, but there’s just so much destruction everywhere that his efforts just seem miniscule in comparison (think healthcare workers during the pandemic). Moreover, his frustration and internal conflict with his work were what made him such a compelling character to read (I think his arc might be my favourite out of all of the characters). And I think his conflict with the public opinion and society’s lack of trust in people who are qualified enough to do their job was such a great discussion on the ethical conflicts surrounding institutional betrayal and the lack of transparency. Anyways, Ash needs therapy.

Furthermore, I enjoyed how this book portrayed yuanfen. I think a lot of books or media in general only mention how yuanfen can only be used in a romantic and positive setting, which is not the case at all. After all, yuanfen can also incur negative karmic debt, which leads to a negative relationship in the future. So, the ‘twist’ in this book got me smiling a little when I realised what Ms June was trying to pull off.

I’m not going to say much about the characters since it will get spoilery, but damn, everyone here actually needs therapy. Yiran was my second favourite character to read about, and his relationship with Yuki reminded me of Angel and Aki. (Sighs…if you know, you know.) Yiran’s internal conflict for acceptance and him going down the wrong path because he was lost was just so heartbreaking to me.
All in all, this was a solid sequel even though there were some issues here and there with the pacing. But I still had such a great time reading it, and I’m feeling extra biased and generous for Zizi and Rui because of the unintentional (or maybe intentional) sly fox and dumb rabbit reference. So, I’m giving this book an extra 0.25 star!

Anyways, I’m going to tell my younger cousins to read this book (aka a less unhinged and more PG version of CSM) so that I can make them read CSM when they are older.

PS: The feature in the acknowledgements 🥹

[Glory · Rating 4 out of 5]

“In all the worlds and all lifetimes, our souls are bound together. Wherever you go, to the ends of this world or the next, I will follow.”
︵‿୨✧₊⊹☆⊹₊✧୧‿︵
~ 𝒇𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒔 ~
⚔️ Multi pov
🦋 Star-crossed Lovers
🌉 Past Lives
❤️ Red Thread of Fate
︵‿୨✧₊⊹☆⊹₊✧୧‿︵

3.5 ⭐ (rounded up)
~ 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 ~
After the ending of Darker by Four, I was really excited and intrigued to see where June CL Tan was going to take the story after that cliff-hanger. Now with the arrival of the sequel, I can't help but feel like it didn't quite live up fully to my expectations and it ended up being a bit more of a mixed bag.

So where did it go wrong? Well, Brighter than Nine was dragged down as a sequel with its pacing and was just trying to do too much both. It struggles to find its footing with most of the story feeling disjointed with sections of the book like the underworld and the mortal realm failing to blend together as seamlessly as it should. The Hell portions were far more engaging to read through while the mortal realm aspects were more of a drag. This is in large part due to Zizi being in the underworld so his storyline was far more gripping to me because of how compelling and charming he is as a character. I could read a whole separate book of just Zizi as a King of the underworld. That being said the book does infinitely get better by the third act with all the pieces starting to fall into place and the action scenes are ramped up.

There are two new points of views with Zizi and Ash, while I loved Zizi’s pov chapters, I don’t think in comparison Ash’s chapters really added anything and fragmented the story even further.

There are some aspects that worked really well, such as June CL Tan excelling at writing in a way that really makes me feel like I’m watching anime and it is such a love letter to anime in general. The action heavy scenes are where the book shines the most. The cast of characters still have great chemistry together and I really enjoyed the scenes where they all meet up again.

~ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 ~
The past scenes of Four (Zizi) and Lei Ying (Rui) were captivating, but the story desperately needed a bit more of them falling in love in those past scenes. I would have loved to have more of that section as a lover of the reincarnation trope. The build-up of their relationship with their present selves, was heart-aching at times with the ever present feeling of them being destined to meet but not fated to be together, looming over them. The tragic aspect really made certain moments more endearing due to the depth and the lifetime of feelings between the two of them, plus the banter between the two of them was just as fun and playful as in Darker by Four.

~ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 ~
While the journey was a bit rocky at times, the story itself ended on a strong note. It left me wanting more while also being satisfied. It hits all the right notes of being that perfect mix of being beautiful and charming with some sprinkling of humor added in. The story and character arcs are wrapped up so well that I don’t have any qualms about it. The ending is slightly reminiscent of a K-drama ending, with it being slightly bitter-sweet, but the characters do achieve some sense of happiness and it's slightly open-ended that I would argue it's still a happy ending.

- 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯'𝘴 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘤. -

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review: 4 stars

BT9 takes place just after the ramifications of DB4 where the story ends in somewhat of a cliffhanger. We finally get additional POVs from Zizi and Ash! I’m so excited to jump back into this duology and catch up with my favourite trio.

We started the novel where the trio left off: Zizi is trapped in Hell as he grapples with his past, Rui is recovered and trying to figure out how to get to Hell for Zizi’s help to destroy the talisman that the hybrids are using to turn humans into hybrids while Yiran is grappling his vague relationship with Yuki, and his complex family dynamics.

With the characters being at different pivotal points of their lives, we got to see multiple POVs in play as each story plot took place as multiple aspects throughout the novel with it coming together in the climax. It was great to see each of them getting their stories told.

Zizi and Rui spend almost half the book separated as they had to work through some of their current circumstances on their own as they finally reunited. This also means that their usual dynamic, banter and fun-ness was missing. It felt like their present relationship and romance took a back seat in this one but their past connection and history was explored and highlighted with some crazy reveals! I swear at some moments the author did push the limits of certain tropes that I wasn’t a fan of but it still worked out! The ending did tie everything into a neat bow but also leave it vague. Rui’s journey in hell was fun to read (not gonna lie but this one reads better than *coughsKatabasiscoughs*)

Poor Yiran, he went through a wringer through this book. He had to figure out his feelings with Yuki with the forbidden aspect tied in. On top of that, figuring out his complex family dynamics and some revelations came to light about his past, parental relationships and his lack of magic. His story was just sad and angsty but his character growth was phenomenal! I also love how it was revealed that he has a past history with Zizi and Rui explaining their connection as a trio together - it was so fun to see their banter when they reunited before the epic climax.

I find this book to be more introspective as the characters work through their character arc and development. Yiran has the strongest arc as he and his brother, Ash work through their complicated family entanglements and plot. Hence, the storyline did unfold slowly and it ramped up in the last 40% of the book as things started to fall into place and we get all those action scenes we are dying for!

June’s writing excels here and you can see influences of our beloved anime with some hints of JJK, FMA etc especially during the intense action scenes. She did a solid job wrapping up the story and the characters arc with a hint of K-drama present in the end with a slight open ending but I do wish we had a few more chapters to really flesh out the aftermath of that epic climax.

Overall, BT9 was a solid follow up to DB4 filled with our beloved trio with a satisfying conclusion to top it off!

[AK · Rating 4 out of 5]

We start the book of right where we ended off in DB4. The first half of the story is much more introspective - our characters are asking "Who am I?" and "Who are they to me?" and those are large overarching questions through the first half of the story. There a lot less action in this one, Rui only really gets into a couple fights, same with Yiran, so it's not as fast-paced as book one. There's a lot of self-discovery and a lot of thinking in the first part of this book.

Once we see some movement in the middle, a few big things happen plot-wise that start to push the book along. I found the twists equally as twisty as the first book, and the action sequences that follow big and chaotic and well written. Like I said though, they are farther and fewer between in this installment.

I did like delving into the characters' pasts and figuring out how fate has woven all their lives together through the past and present. I also really ended up liking Yiran and Yuki's mildly toxic friendship despite my initial misgivings. I found the characters and their heart to be a core part of why I love this series, and I'm glad we got to get deeper into their stories and their family history as well.

One thing I thought was off was the world building - the book felt like three distinct acts, and they don't speak to each other that well. I wish Zizi's story had been a bit more fleshed out (esp concerning some of his history) and there had been a bit more discussion around the implications of those past lives and how fate bound them all together. I also wanted a bit more detail on Yiran's side of things. Like what trouble was being stirred up while the exorcists were distracted? I feel like there were some holes in there that were never really addressed.

All that being said, I truly loved the end of the story, it really tied up the duology nicely, though I was left with a few questions. I think this was a really strong story, and I would love a novella or two to fill in some of my knowledge gaps, just saying. I think this series is a lot of fun though and really gives those C-Drama vibes that I think the author was going for. In the end, a solid finale!

TW: death, murder, blood, injury details, imprisonment, mutilation, gore; mentions death of parent

Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 5/5
World Building: 3.5/5
Writing: 5/5
Pacing: 3.5/5
Overall: 4/5

eARC gifted via Edelweiss by Storytide via HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review.

[Athena Freya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. - Freya, arc & monthly book box pick reviewer (on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/athenafreya... )

Initial thoughts: Chinese underworld, immortals and exorcists, conspiracies, and fabulous queer representation, this duology means the world to me.

About the book:
Rui is back at the academy, praised as the hero and torn because she knows the truth: that the underworld AND hybrid revenants exist...

Zizi is in the underworld, chained in isolation as they try to bring Four back to the surface.

Yiran is magicless again and when he discovers the truth about his past and his family, the truth about himself, he will need to make decisions...

What I liked 🤩: ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING! THIS IS MY HEART'S MASTERPIECE! Character development: heartbreakingly beautiful. Worldbuilding: endlessly cool. Prose: as compelling as ramyeon.

I really have no words. This book was everything! Yiran, sweet baby Yiran, grew so much in this book. He discovered himself and embraced himself with all his flaws and desires. Zizi also reunited with his true self, his misconceptions and his pain but also his family who love him. Rui was the bad@ss who kept the boys going, the consistent and loyal person they needed in their lives.

The plot had so many twists and turns, I just held onto my bed and kept hoping that it would work out for my three beloveds. I don't usually bond to more than one or two characters in one book, but this author has probably descended from the Celestial realm or something, because my love for Rui, Yiran, and Zizi knows no bounds. I would go to the underworld for them, too.

The worldbuilding was so rich and expansive. The author took what we loved in book 1 and put even more of it in this book. I feel like this author wrote this book for me and others like me: queer Asia enthusiasts.

I miss them already, and I will go cry now...

Overall: I sincerely hope we get a spin-off about Yiran or even someone else in this universe. Rui, Yiran, and Zizi own my heart and my soul, and I am heartbroken that this duology is now over.

Rui may be Zizi's everything, but these characters are my literary everything. Perfection, from the first word in the first book to the last word of this book.

SE info: There is Fairyloot edition.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The brilliant and marvelous June CL Tan returns with the stunning and long-awaited sequel to Darker by Four...

Rui is now a hero to the Exorcist Guild. She seemingly has her life back together.... destined to become a captain of the Exorcist Guild... but she harbors dark secrets and the knowledge of Hybrid Revenants...and that they are planning something big.

Zizi is now trapped in the Underworld, trapped in a deteriorating state where his mortal body is giving out, and yet he is getting more and more access to the one known as Four. The Fourth King of Hell... his memories... his old love for the girl that Rui once was... and realizing that he alone may hold the key that keeps the mortal world from crumbling...
But first, he must escape the Underworld... must escape his brethren and break the rules that were set for them.

Yiran no longer has the magic that he once possessed. He's returned to life as he once knew it, and back to a school among mortals. He watches from the shadows as his friends at Xingshan Academy learn to embrace their magic.. learn to fight those that would harm mortals like him. When a dark family secret comes to life... and his desire for power urges him to betray those he once called his friends.... he must decide who he is... and what he wants to stand for once and for all.

If I wasn't already nursing a book hangover, I most definitely am now. Fast-paced, full of interesting mythology and of course, the continuation of Rui's unlikely love story... the tale of the three bound together by the threads of fate...and yet full of the most unlikely twists and turns.... this is an absolute masterpiece of Chinese mythology, blended with elements of Shadowhunters...

Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books, Storytide, and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and the rest of my reviews can be found at: https://littlereapling.wixsite.com/fa....

[Sara. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley & Storytide for the ARC. Gosh June CL Tan knows how to weave a story. Much as I am a character-driven reader, I truly appreciate it when a series is able to hook me with its strong plot in terms of character history, lore expansion, twisty revelations, and immensely satisfying resolution. I'm also pleased with this duology's consistency; I don't feel there's a dip in quality from its predecessor.

While Rui & Zizi were the highlights of DB4 for me, BT9 is Yiran's time to shine. He really developed from the character I was most frustrated with to the standout in this sequel. I felt he had the most interesting and dynamic character arc out of the three; growing from a privileged & entitled Rich Boy to an empathetic and self-sacrificing figure. It also helped that I was much, much more intrigued by the plot of the Hybrids-transforming-humans-into-more-Hybrids + the Mastermind Reveal, of which Yiran was largely involved in. So much so that when the chapters switch to the underworld side-plot involving Rui & Zizi, I had to resist the temptation to speed those through so I could get back to Yiran.

It's no surprise then that the 'weakest' part of the book for me was neither of the main romances (Rui/Zizi, Yiran/Yuki) really gripping me; an issue I also had with DB4. I say it's a 'weakness' insofar that I'm merely indifferent towards the romantic outcomes, compared to the other aspects of the novel that I enjoyed much more. That said, the romance didn't negatively affect my reading experience at all, which is a relief given how pivotal the love story between Rui & Zizi (and their past lives) is to the plot. IMO it helps that Tan infuses patience & thoughtfulness in the romantic instances, as opposed to certain romances in other books where one or both parties are complete assholes to the other.

I have to give a shoutout to the side characters, because Tan utilised them so well. Ash grew on me way more quickly in this book, because I'm a sucker for Understanding, Ride-or-Die Older Siblings. Nikai's backstory was fleshed out in a way that made him an even more pivotal character, and I LOVE the reveal of his connection to Zizi/Four. I didn't think Rui's dad would be important given how he's pretty much a non-character in DB4, but like many other instances in BT9, Tan had multiple surprises in store for us.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I read this book in like four hours, so needless to say, I really enjoyed this book, which I happy about since lately nothing's really held my interest long enough to finish. But this book kept my attention and I probably enjoyed it even more than the first book, which is why I'm having a hard time giving a star rating. I gave the last book four stars, but I'm not quite sure that this is a five star---it's probably more of a 4.5, but sense they don't do half star rating, I'll have to pick one or the other.

I love Zizi. I admit that I was a little concerned that him regaining his memories of who he really was worried me. I didn't want him to lose what had made me love him in the first place, but I can safely say that he was still the same ZIzi that I loved reading about in the first book. There was one line where Rui commented on him needing to find an axe that I found hilarious because there was absolutely no context for it. There was also another line about him coming bearing wit, charm, and impending doom, which seemed like peak Zizi to me.

I also really enjoyed Zizi and Rui's relationship. It's really well written in my opinion, and I could definitely tell that those two loved each other, and sometimes it's hard to know that even when you're told that they love each other.

Now, Yiran . . . that poor boy. Ash is probably the only one that really cares about him---family wise, that is, and Yiran doesn't even think that Ash cares. There was one plot twist that I never would have saw coming, but I guess what they say is true: no body, no crime. In any case, Yiran was put through the paces in this book, but I was happy to see things turn out alright for him in the end, even if it maybe wasn't how he would have wanted originally.

All in all, this was a great book, and I cannot recommend this duology enough,

[Svea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I genuinely enjoyed the first book in this duology and was really excited to see how it would all end. And Brighter Than Nine does prove itself to be a solid final book. It's well-written - no surprise here - and fun while also poking some more serious themes, though admittedly never exploring them in a deep way. The characters are as loveable as they were before, with both Rui and Yiran as absolutely great protagonists. This time around, Zizi/Four gets his own pov chapters which I really enjoyed, though I did feel his personality arc was a bit convoluted at times.
Which honestly fits the overall storytelling in this one - it's a bit all over the place, wanting too much at the same time. Mind you, it's still very engaging all the way through and the manga-esque vibes are great. The romances are endearing and dramatic, with Rui and Zizi taking center stage obviously. I genuinely really liked the development of their relationship and how they end up. Yiran and Yuki are cute as well, though they very much felt underdeveloped compared to the central couple. I did love what was there, though.
The ending is also not quite as perfectly cute and kitschy as I secretly expected it to be, which I actually really liked. Yes, some of the more dire consequences of the plot were more or less negated immediately in order to provide a happier ending, but it's YA so I don't mind. It's cute, it's bittersweet and it makes sense, so I enjoyed it.
Also just genuinely really intrigued by the world building surrounding the underworld and the divine so I would have loooooved to explore it more.

All in all I didn't have quite the blast with this one that I had with book 1, but it's a solid, fun conclusion. Overall, this duology was a bit of a surprise hit for me despite not being part of the target audience, and I so love when that happens.

Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for the arc!

[nihaarika · Rating 5 out of 5]

i 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 so love that.

brighter than nine was simply amazing, and i cannot wait to have the physical book in my hands!

thank you hodderscape for sending me an e-arc!

[cl.library · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Emily Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to June CL Tan, HarperCollins Children's Books | Storytide, and NetGalley for giving me an eARC of Brighter Than Nine in exchange for my honest review.

Brighter Than Nine is the conclusion to Tan's Darker By Four Duology. This book takes place several months after the conclusion of Darker By Four. At the start of the book all of the characters are still trying to mentally deal with the fallout from how the last book ended. Each are trying to do whatever they can to find some semblance of peace or happiness, depending on which one we are talking about. This is not a book that can be summarized without spoiling the ending of the first book. However, I will say that I appreciated how Zizi, Yiran, and Rui all of their own character arcs/subplots that they are working through while there is a overarching main plot that is also being figured out. It is a tricky balance to play, having there be good character arcs running alongside a fast-moving plot but this book managers to do it. This book kept me hooked from the very start. I was invested in Zizi, Rui, and Yiran's growth and I wanted to know how the story would end. There were plot twists along the way that I was not expecting, which is always a pleasant surprise. This is a four start book for me, but I don't have a great reason for why it is not a five-star. It was a fun read and I enjoyed it. In fact, I even have preordered an edition of this book so that I can have the complete set. It is just not a book I am absolutely head over heals in love with, and those are the books that I typically give five starts to. That does not mean I did not love this book or that I won't be recommending this book to others. It just means that I read over 200 books a year and I am a bit picky with my five star ratings these days. But high four stars for sure.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my most highly anticipated reads of 2026 (so much so that when I found out the hardcover I preordered wouldn’t be here in time I got an ebook copy that I promptly devoured like I was starving to death and it was the first meal I’d had in weeks) and it did NOT disappoint.

First off, thank you June CL Tan for not pulling a Gege Akutami (iykyk). You’re right; Gojo did not deserve *that.* Thank you for not making me go through it again.

This book was just so good. I honestly liked the first one a teeeeeeeeensy sliver more, but that isn’t to say this one lacked in anything (I just REALLY love Zizi. Top Five Fictional Man right there. Four-Zizi was good, too, but I missed my pajama wearing weirdo lol). There were tons of plot twists that I didn’t catch until right before the reveal. Lots of high stakes drama that reminded me of KPDH’s love child with Tokyo Ghoul. And the ROMANCE. UGH. The yearning. The pining. The heartache. I loved the characters. I loved the love between the characters. I want a prequel (about a certain king and his love interest. No spoilers here) STAT. And the ENDING. My poor heart. My poor eyeliner because I am in tears. I wish it hurt more (I’m a reading sadist, what can I say?) but this is YA so I think the hurt was just the right amount. Also I have so many theories and I want to yap about them right now.

June CL Tan is honestly such an underrated author and I will pray to all the gods that this book series blows up. I need a manga-to-anime adaptation of it right now (Natsuki Hanae for Zizi please and thank you). (Am I allowed to declare myself the Number One Zizi Fan? Because I will).