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, Queer

Hardcover

Expected publication 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 · 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!

੭୧ㆍcontent warnings: 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 🥰🥰

[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

[*]

the cover is so pretty

[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.

[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.

[Ati ୨୧]

Stalked the authors website and ig; still no release date. AHHHHHHHHH

[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!

[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....

[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!

[ThatReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7
If a xianxia CDrama, a supernatural KDrama and a Japanese Anime had a love child, this duology might just be it.
That said, I was SUPER eager for this book because I loved, loved, loved Darker by Four. Unfortunately, Brighter than Nine failed to live up to the epic level I was expecting, and though I did really enjoy it, I was left with a little bit of a bitter aftertaste. This should have been 3 books instead of one, as far too much was packed into the final instalment and it became muddled, too crowded, and some of the storylines did not get the attention they deserved - Song patriarch, for instance, I feel there was so much to say there. Anyway, I love the anime vibes and how i can actually picture those characters and some of the events and locations. There's something of Tokyo Ghoul and Jujutsu Kaisen about it, and if this was turned into an anime, i would watch it FOR SURE!
As before, Yiran remained my favourite character, with Ash coming right behind, surprisingly. The Song brothers were really cool, and I wish there'd been more about them. I enjoyed the ending and at the same time, feel robbed of all the heartache I was expecting - but I would have thrown a fit if it came through, so, dear June, thank you for not breaking your readers' hearts in the most excruciating manner possible - I'm with June where it comes to Satoru, btw.
Thank you netGalley for providing me with an ARC.

[acourtofbooksandchocolate II Giulia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brighter was a good conclusion to the Darker by Four duology. The story picks up were Darker by Four left and our favorite trio is separated. There are some new POVs in this one and I found them very interesting. Zizi, Rui and Yiran journeys are not easy ones. They all have to overcome different obstacles.
Zizi's journey and growth was my favorite and he is still my favorite character in the series! It was interesting seeing the dynamic with his siblings and understand more how the 10 courts of hell work and we finally learn more about his past.
Rui...I just wanted to hug her for most of the book, her resilience was admirable and she was willing to sacrifice everything for the people she loved.
And Yiran was definitely a wild card in this one! Through out their journey we discover why their lives have always been intertwined.
Overall I enjoyed this conclusion ( even if the first book is still my favorite) and I found my self glued to the pages, the magic system is still very interesting and the characters personalities elevated the story. The author manages to write gut wrenching moments ( I did cry a bunch of times) while still maintaining a certain amount of humor, plus there are many easter eggs!

"In all the worlds and lifetimes, our souls are bound together. Wherever you go, to the ends of this world or the next, I will follow."

Thank you netgalley and hodderscape for the arc

[Chii ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5
rounded down for goodreads

14.11.2025: JUNE CL TAN. EXCUSE ME!!!!!!!!!! I HAVE COMPLETED THIS DUOLOGY
24.11.2025: review added

—“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.”

After being completely destroyed and needing more when I finished Darker by Four in October of 2024, I knew I needed to have my closure for Brighter Than Nine.

I will say it again, and louder for the people in the back.

FOUR, I LOVE YOU.
. . .

Brighter Than Nine picks up with Rui, Zizi and Yiran all in their separate ways dealing with the aftermath of the events in Darker By Four, with the addition of a new POV, Ash bless you, I needed you and saying goodbye to Nikai’s POV (I wanted more of him honestly) In the more recent anime-esque fashion, it is fast paced with many events leading to the end. June CL Tan did not fail to bring those vibes here again for the end of this duology.

Although there were some points that failed to keep me interested, there were others that still made the novel enjoyable. I will admit that there were scenes and events that felt jumbled together but many other scenes that broke my heart, and left me continuously loving the characters (Four, I'm talking about you.)

I enjoyed getting the backstory of our beloved Four in the form of flashbacks, but I'm also a sucker for the red string of fate + reincarnation stories /ugly sob. Meeting the rest of the Kings of Hell was on my list which I was blessed with and the ending left me content, despite wanting more. I went through about 500 different emotions those last few chapters but hey, I survived. It feels bittersweet for me but I'm satisfied.

I'm asking for extra goodies, POVs, Epilogues & Artworks when you're able June CL Tan. I'M BEGGING ACTUALLY.

Once again, highly recommend to fans of anime & manga (JJK/Bleach) who want to get into reading, along with our newer Kpop Demon Hunter fans needing more than just a film.

Thank you to Netgalley, HarperCollins & June CL Tan for giving me the opportunity to read the e-arc & uncorrected proof of Brighter Than Nine. I can't wait to have the Fairyloot edition in my hands come Spring 2026 and to re-read the finalized version. I look forward to June CL Tan’s next works!

[Beloved · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the second book of June CL Tan's Darker by Four duology, the underworld and the human realm continue to be threatened, even after the missing death god has been restored.

​Trapped in Hell, Zizi uncovers a tragic ancient love story that may hold the key to keeping the mortal realm safe. Meanwhile, in the human realm, Rui discovers that the spell Zizi was forced to create is transforming innocent people into vicious creatures. Elsewhere, Yiran begins a dangerous alliance with the enemy.

​​Brighter than Nine introduces additional character POVs and is structured into two parallel storylines that converge at the end to conclude the duology. This structural choice, combined with the way the fated, star-crossed lovers aspect of Zizi and Rui's relationship surged to the forefront, created a significant shift in the narrative tone. It made me feel like I was reading an entirely new book rather than a direct continuation of the story that began in Darker by Four. In that sense, the duology feels less cohesive and more like a serialized weekly manga.

​That said, I was completely invested in Yiran and Yuki's relationship. Their dynamic was the driving force that made me devour this book with the itty-bitty hope that their story wouldn't end exactly how I was expecting it to.

​Recommend for fans of C-dramas and Cardcaptor Sakura.

[Asma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Firstly, thank you June for not Gege Akutami-ing your characters (Gojo is still alive and no one can convince me otherwise 😭). I have waited ages for this book so i had fun diving straight back into the world and re-uniting with the characters (Zizi supremacy ✊️). Again, i love the anime and badass vibes of these books. It's always so action-packed and keeps me on my toes. Yes June, i saw numerous kpop and anime references and kept giggling to myself so thank you for that (does Gojo's Café really exist and will he be there? Asking for a friend). Yiran using sarcasm as a coping mechanism instead of talking about his emotions? Such a mood. Totally get that.

I liked how the past between certain characters were explored and how it all linked together. The writing was beautiful once again, painting beautiful sceneries in my mind. I was able to fly through this book and i'm a little sad it's over now. Can i have more from the gang? *inserts oliver twist-please sir, can i have some more scene* ok! I won't get greedy but... i mean, if you want to do some sharing is caring, i'll take whatever scraps i can get.

Overall, i had a great time reading it and i can't wait to see what other projects June comes out with next. Thank you Hodder Books and Netgalley for allowing me to read an e-arc for an honest review.

[Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you HarperCollins and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. Loved this! After the events of Darker By Four Rui had her life back together, she’s finally on her way to becoming an important member of the Exorcist Guild, like she wanted. But she knows the Hybrid Revenants are still out there, biding their time, planning something big. Zizi is trapped in the underworld and as his mortal body deteriorates he realizes that the memories of the fourth king may just be the key to keeping the mortal realm safe. To save the girl he loves he’ll have to escape hell and defy fate. Yiran is magicless once again. As he discovers a dark family secret that will turn his world upside down and change everything he thought he knew. But his hunger for power will tempt him towards a betrayal and he’ll have to decided once and for all wha he stands for. As the past wreaks havoc on the present, these three tied together, must weave news destinies for themselves and the realms. But will the succeed? I couldn’t put this one down! I loved being back in June CL Tan’s world with Rui, Zizi, and Yiran! Great character development, love the complicated relationship dynamics, both in friendships and romantic! I loved the world building and the action, definitely a wonderful follow up to Darker Bu Four that blew my mind!

[rayreads.fantasy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brighter Than Nine
by: June CL Tan

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The sequel to Darker by Four, this book I picks up right where we left off. Told primarily from the perspective of Zizi, Rui, and Yiran, this story is just as twisty and turney as Darker by Four was.

Zizi is trapped in Hell, with Four’s soul trying to takeover his. We see Four’s history through a series of memories and being to understand more about Four and his mysterious actions.

Meanwhile, Rui is on the surface, now hailed as a hero by the Exorcist Guild. She is navigating knowing the dark secrets about hybrid revenants and trying to save her best friend.

Yiran is hungrier than ever for power and forms a dangerous alliance with Yuki to try and get his magic back. The results in him finding a lot of trouble while spending time with a hybrid revenant who he can’t trust.

This was a fast paced sequel that left me feeling satisfied with the character’s journeys. Tan wove the past beautifully with the present and I found the ending to be very well done!

This book is a must read if you like:
⚔️ Multi POV
🩸KPop Demon Hunters
⚔️ Chinese Mythology
🩸 Demons
⚔️ Action packed fight scenes
🩸Star crossed romance

Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.