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The Shadow of the Four
After the death of her mother, “Girl” wants nothing more than to fade into obscurity behind the clandestine walls of the Faith of the Four Spirits Monastery. As an exceedingly rare magic wielder who possesses the ability to manipulate all four elements, Girl is worshipped as a divine being but forced to train the very power responsible for her mother's murder.
Girl is resigned to an isolated existence until a stranger appears on the Monastery doorstep in the middle of the night, revealing that Girl may not be as alone as she was led to believe. Determined to uncover the truth, Girl embarks into a world of concealed identities and elaborate deceptions where she learns the leader of the Monastery may have more sinister plans for her followers than mere education.
Girl must decide if her newly forged friendships are worth facing the destructive truth of what she is training to become, or whether she is destined to succumb to the darkness that feeds her.
Girl is resigned to an isolated existence until a stranger appears on the Monastery doorstep in the middle of the night, revealing that Girl may not be as alone as she was led to believe. Determined to uncover the truth, Girl embarks into a world of concealed identities and elaborate deceptions where she learns the leader of the Monastery may have more sinister plans for her followers than mere education.
Girl must decide if her newly forged friendships are worth facing the destructive truth of what she is training to become, or whether she is destined to succumb to the darkness that feeds her.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 22, 2025
9 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 16, 2025
“You are transcendently blessed. That makes you worthy of worship, but also a target of hostility from those who fear your power."
3.5 stars rounded up. (blah blah disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a honest review.)
Girl's only memory is of the life she now knows, raised under the care of The Matron in a monastery, trying to learn to use and control the gift she is blessed with. She is secluded and sheltered, set apart and above as special because of her gift. Girl's gift is unique because she doesn't just possess one gift but four. She can call upon the four spirits and wield all their power: controlling air, fire, water and earth. However, she struggles, and is persecuted for it by The Matron and the other girls who live and learn at the monastery.
This story is a medieval low fantasy, sword and sorcery type setting. Girl is 18. And we follow her as she struggles with her day to day life. We are dropped into this world without much set up and the world building is slow and requires patience. Why? Because we have a imperfect narrator who is struggling to learn and understand her magic. It takes a while to get an idea of how things actually work. Girl is naïve and frustrating to follow at times because of this, but her life has been tightly controlled and the reader is with her as she starts to realize nothing is what she thought.
“That’s why it’s so hard when someone disappoints you, because you also need to face the truth that your internal compass pointed you in the wrong direction."
My only complaint was I did feel there was too much telling and not enough showing for my liking. There is character building, and relationship building among 3rd party characters, that is told to us rather than shown some of the time. However, for a debut author this covers quite a bit of ground, and I think if done differently it would have felt like a giant info dump. For me, this very much read like a prequel.
I was really impressed with Melanie Vandonk's beautifully descriptive prose. She does a great job of showing the setting and also has some really hard hitting insights along the way. It gives the world a very rich feeling.
"[...]the darkness around us steal[s] away any awkwardness as we sit with our own thoughts. It’s funny how the night can do that, like the quiet presence of the stars alleviates the obligation of conversation."
The Shadow of the Four is book 1 of a fantasy YA quartet, a lot of questions are asked and we only begin to see the world for what it is. Once I reached the last 3rd of this book I really started to get excited to see where things would go. I think we are in for a wild ride in book 2!
Yes, there is a cliffhanger but take heart! There is the very hint of a slow burn romance for those like me who find a book completely unrealistic and a waste of time if no one falls in love during the story! I think YA readers are going to like this one.
Being alone can often feel like strength when you use it to protect yourself, but don’t be surprised when that armor you’ve built starts to weigh you down. It can pull you under the water, and if you aren’t careful, there might not be anyone around to pull you back out.”
3.5 stars rounded up. (blah blah disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a honest review.)
Girl's only memory is of the life she now knows, raised under the care of The Matron in a monastery, trying to learn to use and control the gift she is blessed with. She is secluded and sheltered, set apart and above as special because of her gift. Girl's gift is unique because she doesn't just possess one gift but four. She can call upon the four spirits and wield all their power: controlling air, fire, water and earth. However, she struggles, and is persecuted for it by The Matron and the other girls who live and learn at the monastery.
This story is a medieval low fantasy, sword and sorcery type setting. Girl is 18. And we follow her as she struggles with her day to day life. We are dropped into this world without much set up and the world building is slow and requires patience. Why? Because we have a imperfect narrator who is struggling to learn and understand her magic. It takes a while to get an idea of how things actually work. Girl is naïve and frustrating to follow at times because of this, but her life has been tightly controlled and the reader is with her as she starts to realize nothing is what she thought.
“That’s why it’s so hard when someone disappoints you, because you also need to face the truth that your internal compass pointed you in the wrong direction."
My only complaint was I did feel there was too much telling and not enough showing for my liking. There is character building, and relationship building among 3rd party characters, that is told to us rather than shown some of the time. However, for a debut author this covers quite a bit of ground, and I think if done differently it would have felt like a giant info dump. For me, this very much read like a prequel.
I was really impressed with Melanie Vandonk's beautifully descriptive prose. She does a great job of showing the setting and also has some really hard hitting insights along the way. It gives the world a very rich feeling.
"[...]the darkness around us steal[s] away any awkwardness as we sit with our own thoughts. It’s funny how the night can do that, like the quiet presence of the stars alleviates the obligation of conversation."
The Shadow of the Four is book 1 of a fantasy YA quartet, a lot of questions are asked and we only begin to see the world for what it is. Once I reached the last 3rd of this book I really started to get excited to see where things would go. I think we are in for a wild ride in book 2!
Yes, there is a cliffhanger but take heart! There is the very hint of a slow burn romance for those like me who find a book completely unrealistic and a waste of time if no one falls in love during the story! I think YA readers are going to like this one.
Being alone can often feel like strength when you use it to protect yourself, but don’t be surprised when that armor you’ve built starts to weigh you down. It can pull you under the water, and if you aren’t careful, there might not be anyone around to pull you back out.”
Read
June 3, 2025A moody book to read with tea when it’s raining out. I loved the medieval references to medicine and the elemental magic. The MC struggles with trust in a way that makes her friendships a cornerstone of the book. A rewarding feeling to watch her develop throughout story.
(ARC read disclaimer :)
(ARC read disclaimer :)
June 27, 2025
I received this book as an ARC. The Shadow of the Four is an engaging YA fantasy with beautiful prose and an intriguing mystery at its core.
The story follows the nameless protagonist, Girl, as she goes through the motions of her life as a manipulator of the elements, being trained within an isolated monastery by a cold and demanding teacher, Matron.
At the outset of the story, Girl is cut off from others and from her own emotions. As the story progresses, a mysterious visitor ignites a curiosity in Girl. One that leads her to open herself up to the world and the people around her, but is not without consequences. I found this story to be a great exploration of what can happen when a person goes along with the status quo without ever questioning the motivations of those in positions of power.
I enjoyed following along with the unfolding of Girl’s story. The author created well-rounded, believable characters and an interesting, magic-filled world. The ending left me wanting more and I can’t wait to read book two!
The story follows the nameless protagonist, Girl, as she goes through the motions of her life as a manipulator of the elements, being trained within an isolated monastery by a cold and demanding teacher, Matron.
At the outset of the story, Girl is cut off from others and from her own emotions. As the story progresses, a mysterious visitor ignites a curiosity in Girl. One that leads her to open herself up to the world and the people around her, but is not without consequences. I found this story to be a great exploration of what can happen when a person goes along with the status quo without ever questioning the motivations of those in positions of power.
I enjoyed following along with the unfolding of Girl’s story. The author created well-rounded, believable characters and an interesting, magic-filled world. The ending left me wanting more and I can’t wait to read book two!
June 17, 2025
When I beta read TSOTF, I was immediately drawn to the protagonist “Girl,” and her nameless, cloistered life, kept hidden away from the rest of the world and practically (imo totally) punished by her elders for just being a kid with insane powers. The universe the author built is excellently structured. And the plot proceeds at a perfect clip. The magic is very cool and the secondary characters are fleshed out even if they’re only on page briefly. And Girl? Girl is a triumph. The story and everything around Girl is top notch! The sentence to sentence writing is top notch. I’m never gonna recover from loving Girl as much as I do.
This book is the perfect example of how young adult books can still impact grown-up readers. There was a sensitivity in the main character and a purpose in her journey that I identified with, even though I’m 38 years old. It’s because it’s a human story. I know. I say that like most books aren’t about human beings. But SPECIFICALLY it addresses something primal and real and profound that is a part of our emotional DNA. The heart does not stop beating and feeling just because you’re no longer a teenager. It continues to beat and reminds us that we’re alive and that a “coming-of-age“ is not a one time thing. I wish I could say more without spoiling it, but consider adding this to your TBR. Even if you are not a young adult reader or a young adult fantasy reader.
This book is the perfect example of how young adult books can still impact grown-up readers. There was a sensitivity in the main character and a purpose in her journey that I identified with, even though I’m 38 years old. It’s because it’s a human story. I know. I say that like most books aren’t about human beings. But SPECIFICALLY it addresses something primal and real and profound that is a part of our emotional DNA. The heart does not stop beating and feeling just because you’re no longer a teenager. It continues to beat and reminds us that we’re alive and that a “coming-of-age“ is not a one time thing. I wish I could say more without spoiling it, but consider adding this to your TBR. Even if you are not a young adult reader or a young adult fantasy reader.
July 24, 2025
From the first page, I knew this would be a new favourite novel. I was immediately drawn in to the world of the monastery, where Girl wrestles with her blessing, those around her, and herself. It's a coming of age tale with dark twists and turns that takes place in a beautiful and ethereal setting, yet there's an unsettling current that runs underneath the surface, slowly weaving everything together. The magic in this story is found in its balance of innocence and pain, simplicity and chaos. It's an incredibly special book, and I can't wait for the sequel.
January 9, 2026
Wow! This story was absolutely stunning from the first page. This is a YA fantasy in which we follow Girl, a sheltered “chosen one” who has been cloistered away from the real world due to her unique magical gifts, granted to her by the four gods that this religion revolves around.
Refreshingly original, with prose that absolutely sing.
A beautifully haunting book about accepting yourself as you are and discovering who you are truly meant to be.
Please hurry up and give us the next one ❤️
Refreshingly original, with prose that absolutely sing.
A beautifully haunting book about accepting yourself as you are and discovering who you are truly meant to be.
Please hurry up and give us the next one ❤️
July 31, 2025
I loved this. Vandonk’s writing is lovely: clear and lyrical, with great interiority and psychological acuity. The protagonist immediately feels real and complex, and the setting is quite dark and moody, which works really well as a backdrop to the growing, uneasy sense that all in Girl’s world is not as it has always seemed. It’s not an action-heavy book, but the pacing is done so artfully, with little curiosity seeds sprinkled in so intriguingly, that it lures you in from the start. I read the whole thing in two days. The ending sets things up for the world to expand in a big way and I will definitely be reading the next one as soon as it’s available.
May 19, 2025
I received an ARC of this book.
“Girl” is an exceedingly rare magic wielder who possesses the ability to manipulate all four elements. At the Faith of the Four Spirits Monastery, she is worshipped as divine, but forced to train with the very power responsible for her mother’s death.
Her only friends are her two Minders (Janika is the BEST, so kind and supportive), whose life source she must draw from in order to use her power, and Matron, the woman who took her in as a child and is in charge of her training.
With Girl’s isolation and her curiosity about the outside world (piqued by a stranger showing up at the monastery’s door), Matron and Girl very much gave me Rapunzel and Mother Gothel vibes (but like...way darker).
Watching her relationships develop with these three, as well as the friends she makes on the outside, was my favorite part of this book. And it’s all backlit by this creeping knowledge that there’s something far more sinister going on at the monastery than she’s ever been told. It makes for a difficult, complex, wonderful character arc.
Girl is dealing with a lot of heavy emotions and themes (grief, not feeling worthy of love and kindness, shaping her own identity amid the lies she’s been told), but Vandonk’s writing delivered these things to me so smoothly that I never felt overwhelmed by them. I devoured this book because everything flowed together so well, and I desperately wanted to see how Girl’s journey would progress. I think both teens and adults will find pieces of themselves in this book. And the ending promises many more lies to be unraveled in the sequel!!
“Girl” is an exceedingly rare magic wielder who possesses the ability to manipulate all four elements. At the Faith of the Four Spirits Monastery, she is worshipped as divine, but forced to train with the very power responsible for her mother’s death.
Her only friends are her two Minders (Janika is the BEST, so kind and supportive), whose life source she must draw from in order to use her power, and Matron, the woman who took her in as a child and is in charge of her training.
With Girl’s isolation and her curiosity about the outside world (piqued by a stranger showing up at the monastery’s door), Matron and Girl very much gave me Rapunzel and Mother Gothel vibes (but like...way darker).
Watching her relationships develop with these three, as well as the friends she makes on the outside, was my favorite part of this book. And it’s all backlit by this creeping knowledge that there’s something far more sinister going on at the monastery than she’s ever been told. It makes for a difficult, complex, wonderful character arc.
Girl is dealing with a lot of heavy emotions and themes (grief, not feeling worthy of love and kindness, shaping her own identity amid the lies she’s been told), but Vandonk’s writing delivered these things to me so smoothly that I never felt overwhelmed by them. I devoured this book because everything flowed together so well, and I desperately wanted to see how Girl’s journey would progress. I think both teens and adults will find pieces of themselves in this book. And the ending promises many more lies to be unraveled in the sequel!!
July 4, 2025
The Shadow of the Four is an enticing fantasy novel with a wonderfully crafted world, and a likable reluctant chosen one as protagonist who is absolutely adorable.
I loved Girl. I loved how she isn’t just accepting her life because she believes that what she had been taught is right, but only because she cares deeply about the people around her. She isn’t reluctant because she has doubts. She is reluctant because she loves, fiercely, and has one deep desire that I believe everyone would relate to: to be accepted as she is, without having to prove to be worthy of love and kindness.
And, oh, the way the characters around her feed this narrative! I was overwhelmed with the amount of fierce yet gentle spirits Girl was surrounded by. Truly, the thing I loved the most about this book were the characters: they are not loud fighters, but quiet warriors, a way of being that fits perfectly with this fantasy world.
Beware, if you are in for loads of action, you will be disappointed: while this book had many moments of tension, action is not something that happens often and, honestly, I think it fits the story pretty well.
The magic system isn’t flashed out much, leaving a good chunk of it under a veil of mystery, but, again, it all fits well within the narrative of the book, since, apparently, nobody really knows much about it anyway.
I loved it. I can’t wait for the sequel, also because the ending left on a huge cliffhanger and I don’t think I’ll be able to get it out of my mind for a while.
I loved Girl. I loved how she isn’t just accepting her life because she believes that what she had been taught is right, but only because she cares deeply about the people around her. She isn’t reluctant because she has doubts. She is reluctant because she loves, fiercely, and has one deep desire that I believe everyone would relate to: to be accepted as she is, without having to prove to be worthy of love and kindness.
And, oh, the way the characters around her feed this narrative! I was overwhelmed with the amount of fierce yet gentle spirits Girl was surrounded by. Truly, the thing I loved the most about this book were the characters: they are not loud fighters, but quiet warriors, a way of being that fits perfectly with this fantasy world.
Beware, if you are in for loads of action, you will be disappointed: while this book had many moments of tension, action is not something that happens often and, honestly, I think it fits the story pretty well.
The magic system isn’t flashed out much, leaving a good chunk of it under a veil of mystery, but, again, it all fits well within the narrative of the book, since, apparently, nobody really knows much about it anyway.
I loved it. I can’t wait for the sequel, also because the ending left on a huge cliffhanger and I don’t think I’ll be able to get it out of my mind for a while.
June 7, 2025
I received this an ARC of this book and once I started, I couldn't stop.
Girl, the main character of the book, received special treatment at the Monestary she calls home due to her unique gifts over the elements. She's a unique protagonist, both in-universe and from a meta-level, as she grapples with the exclusion that comes with her elevated, nearly religious, role.
In many ways, Girl's gifts isolate her, which make the overarching theme of friendship and belonging hit hard. And speaking of her friends, I want to give a big shoutout to Melanie Vandonk for how she writes the relationships between these characters. They feel like real people, with real relationships and histories. It makes meeting and learning about these characters alongside Girl feel equally rewarding and intriguing.
Vandonk implies a wide, expansive world outside the walls of the Monastary, but by design, the reader's perspective is limited to the very few people and places that Girl has permission to explore. In this way, the reader is riding right alongside Girl on her journey of exploration, and I'll be more than happy to tag along for future installments.
Girl, the main character of the book, received special treatment at the Monestary she calls home due to her unique gifts over the elements. She's a unique protagonist, both in-universe and from a meta-level, as she grapples with the exclusion that comes with her elevated, nearly religious, role.
In many ways, Girl's gifts isolate her, which make the overarching theme of friendship and belonging hit hard. And speaking of her friends, I want to give a big shoutout to Melanie Vandonk for how she writes the relationships between these characters. They feel like real people, with real relationships and histories. It makes meeting and learning about these characters alongside Girl feel equally rewarding and intriguing.
Vandonk implies a wide, expansive world outside the walls of the Monastary, but by design, the reader's perspective is limited to the very few people and places that Girl has permission to explore. In this way, the reader is riding right alongside Girl on her journey of exploration, and I'll be more than happy to tag along for future installments.
July 20, 2025
From the first line, this book immersed me in its world. Girl is a protagonist with a richly layered characterization, that gets peeled back slowly through her forays outside of her repressive home. She meets new (cute boy) friends, explores the world she has been rigidly shielded from, and comes into her own as a young, powerful woman.
This gave me Avatar The Last Airbender vibes, specifically if the whole story took place at the air temple, and over the course of the book I became so attached to Girl and her temple friends (shout out to Janika) and the friends she makes in the outside world (shout out to Caleb — our sensitive, medicine making king).
This is a beautifully written YA fantasy and the beginning of an enchanting series. I want to especially call out Vandonk’s mastery of writing a YA story with age-appropriate themes that at the same time can be enjoyed as an adult because of her beautiful writing style. So if you (or a young adult in your life) is looking for your next sweet, tender fantasy read, check out The Shadow of the Four!
This gave me Avatar The Last Airbender vibes, specifically if the whole story took place at the air temple, and over the course of the book I became so attached to Girl and her temple friends (shout out to Janika) and the friends she makes in the outside world (shout out to Caleb — our sensitive, medicine making king).
This is a beautifully written YA fantasy and the beginning of an enchanting series. I want to especially call out Vandonk’s mastery of writing a YA story with age-appropriate themes that at the same time can be enjoyed as an adult because of her beautiful writing style. So if you (or a young adult in your life) is looking for your next sweet, tender fantasy read, check out The Shadow of the Four!
June 27, 2025
I received an ARC copy of this book and it is a MUST READ.
From page one, the mystery of the magic system and those tied to it unravels at the perfect pace to keep your fingers itching to turn the page. The plot will snare your mind and the characters will win your heart. This book has the type of writing you will want to highlight and re-read over and over again. It is worth every gasp of surprise, squeeze of your heart and second of your time.
If you are looking for fantasy that can sweep you away with an amazing story until you simply MUST finish the last chapter, this book will not disappoint!
From page one, the mystery of the magic system and those tied to it unravels at the perfect pace to keep your fingers itching to turn the page. The plot will snare your mind and the characters will win your heart. This book has the type of writing you will want to highlight and re-read over and over again. It is worth every gasp of surprise, squeeze of your heart and second of your time.
If you are looking for fantasy that can sweep you away with an amazing story until you simply MUST finish the last chapter, this book will not disappoint!
June 9, 2025
Thank you to Melanie Vandonk for the opportunity to read and review The Shadow of Four prior to release.
The thing I love most about this book is the uniqueness. The story is different, the magic is different, and the plotlines and relationships/friendships are often unexpected. The cliffhanger at the end is brutal though so be prepared to pine for book 2!
The thing I love most about this book is the uniqueness. The story is different, the magic is different, and the plotlines and relationships/friendships are often unexpected. The cliffhanger at the end is brutal though so be prepared to pine for book 2!
Read
January 2, 2026Really enjoyed this story, especially the end where several new mysteries are unveiled. I immediately need book two! We're left on the doorstep of an adventure I'm keen to read
November 17, 2025
I got an ARC of this book.
This beautiful, heart-wrenching debut novel is everything YA Fantasy needs right now! I felt Girl’s inner turmoil in my bones. She spoke to me in a way I didn’t realize I needed, and her struggle between what she has been told all her life, and the moral and ethical beliefs she holds in her core is *chef’s kiss*. The found family? Gimme more. The exploration of truth? Perfection. All served with a heaping dose of self-loathing, slow burn tension, and the kind of magic that makes you shiver with horror. Do yourself a favor and do not miss out on this book!
This beautiful, heart-wrenching debut novel is everything YA Fantasy needs right now! I felt Girl’s inner turmoil in my bones. She spoke to me in a way I didn’t realize I needed, and her struggle between what she has been told all her life, and the moral and ethical beliefs she holds in her core is *chef’s kiss*. The found family? Gimme more. The exploration of truth? Perfection. All served with a heaping dose of self-loathing, slow burn tension, and the kind of magic that makes you shiver with horror. Do yourself a favor and do not miss out on this book!
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