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Four Darks
A cruel father, a twisted affair with an older man, a mysteriously missing mother - and a brutal winter... FOUR DARKS sends sixteen-year-old Jack on a fateful journey exploring obsession, the will to survive and the desperate wish to belong.
21st December: It's the darkest day of the year—and Jack's birthday. In an effort to escape his sadistic father, Jack wanders wintry London and encounters an intriguing stranger. The man feels like the perfect present, a glimmer of hope at just the right time. But as Jack falls for the much older James, a toxic game of courtship and rejection plunges him down a dangerous path.
21st December: It's the darkest day of the year—and Jack's birthday. In an effort to escape his sadistic father, Jack wanders wintry London and encounters an intriguing stranger. The man feels like the perfect present, a glimmer of hope at just the right time. But as Jack falls for the much older James, a toxic game of courtship and rejection plunges him down a dangerous path.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 3, 2020
14 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Alex Vogel
1 book22 followersAlex Vogel has a master's degree in psychology, communication science and American cultural history. He has worked as a radio DJ, was a freelancer for TV companies and TV-production companies, then became a journalist for print and online magazines and has now been working for close to a decade as a dubbing writer, editor and director for various TV-programmes and series.
FOUR DARKS is his first novel.
Alternate bio - for the sheer fun of it:
Alex has been writing books since round about first grade. Or rather - at that early stage - he drew and wrote books, as we are talking comic books here – consisting of a few sheets of paper stapled together. In third grade he started his first proper novel attempt on an old-timey typewriter – needless to say he also provided the illustrations.
Fast forward to adulthood (on paper) he did all sorts of things such as considering becoming a fine artist or an actor and writing scripts for audio plays to be aired on his university’s radio station (one character was notably called ‘Bread’, which cracks Alex up to this day). Drama school didn’t want him and advised him to rather consider becoming a comedian.
Instead, Alex went on to working as a professional radio host. Shortly before being booted from university (studying was mostly so tedious that he indulged in being a master procrastinator) he did earn his Master’s degree in American Cultural History (yes, this does indeed exist), Communication Science, as well as Psychology. This equipped him just masterfully to continue his path in the dubious world of entertainment media where he has done about everything from TV to print and online magazines which magically resulted in him becoming a dubbing author and director.
Behind the scenes though he has always been pursuing his own creative projects (in between bouts of artistic depression and despair). Such as not only starting several novels - but also at long last finishing his first one: FOUR DARKS - “known for its dark, violent, and disturbing content, which is balanced by moments of humor, sexiness, and compassion. The writing is captivating, powerful, emotional, and beautiful, with a focus on exploring the complexities of human experience.”
FOUR DARKS is his first novel.
Alternate bio - for the sheer fun of it:
Alex has been writing books since round about first grade. Or rather - at that early stage - he drew and wrote books, as we are talking comic books here – consisting of a few sheets of paper stapled together. In third grade he started his first proper novel attempt on an old-timey typewriter – needless to say he also provided the illustrations.
Fast forward to adulthood (on paper) he did all sorts of things such as considering becoming a fine artist or an actor and writing scripts for audio plays to be aired on his university’s radio station (one character was notably called ‘Bread’, which cracks Alex up to this day). Drama school didn’t want him and advised him to rather consider becoming a comedian.
Instead, Alex went on to working as a professional radio host. Shortly before being booted from university (studying was mostly so tedious that he indulged in being a master procrastinator) he did earn his Master’s degree in American Cultural History (yes, this does indeed exist), Communication Science, as well as Psychology. This equipped him just masterfully to continue his path in the dubious world of entertainment media where he has done about everything from TV to print and online magazines which magically resulted in him becoming a dubbing author and director.
Behind the scenes though he has always been pursuing his own creative projects (in between bouts of artistic depression and despair). Such as not only starting several novels - but also at long last finishing his first one: FOUR DARKS - “known for its dark, violent, and disturbing content, which is balanced by moments of humor, sexiness, and compassion. The writing is captivating, powerful, emotional, and beautiful, with a focus on exploring the complexities of human experience.”
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 10, 2023
3 " a difficult and complicated review to write" stars !!
Thank you to Book Sirens and the author for an ecopy. This was released November 2021. I am providing an honest review.
I am struggling very much with this review as one third was absolutely sublime and two thirds reads like mediocre angsty YA fiction. The genius sections are interspersed throughout a more pedestrian and frustrating longer narrative. There are also very graphic sex scenes that although very well done took me away from the overall melancholy and pathos.
I have decided to parse these strands apart as a way to better understand my own experience and hopefully provide a short helpful review.
Jack is sixteen, upper middle class and living in London. He is battered by his father, abandoned by his mother and is both sensitive and extremely lonely. This book takes us through an eventful week in his life where he discovers his first love affair with a much older man as well as increasingly risky behaviors to try and contend with internal turmoil.
The prose throughout is always excellent and at times sublime and literary. Heartachingly beautiful and affective. This is an extremely strong point.
The book suffers from characters that are too glib, too clever, too cruel, just too too too much. Violins are not only playing too loudly but with too much vibrato and out of sync. Very jarring and overconfident. There are two scenes -one at a gay Christmas dinner and another towards the end where an ex boyfriend disrupts that are so over the top camp that Liberace might have been in the corner tinkling his ivories. These detracted from an immensely moving story.
I believed in Jack in terms of his attachment injuries and his way of being in the world. I believed in his despair and longing. I did not believe in his inner voice that was overly clever, jaded. This might have been a voice of someone in their early thirties or later twenties at best.
However and I mean HOWEVER I know that this author can become truly great. There were a number to times I thought I might be reading Empress Yanagihara (no finer compliment from me)
These sections were so earthshattering beautiful and sad that I could not contain hot tears from flowing fiercely and sharply. These two sections include a day at the Tate Museum where Jack meets his older lover and towards the end where Jack (through his reveries) tells us about his mother and brother. So fucking impressive. Yes like the Empress Yanagihara !
I want to end by saying I am so very glad to have read this book and I so hope this author works on his consistency. Because when he is good...he is simply amazing.
Thank you to Book Sirens and the author for an ecopy. This was released November 2021. I am providing an honest review.
I am struggling very much with this review as one third was absolutely sublime and two thirds reads like mediocre angsty YA fiction. The genius sections are interspersed throughout a more pedestrian and frustrating longer narrative. There are also very graphic sex scenes that although very well done took me away from the overall melancholy and pathos.
I have decided to parse these strands apart as a way to better understand my own experience and hopefully provide a short helpful review.
Jack is sixteen, upper middle class and living in London. He is battered by his father, abandoned by his mother and is both sensitive and extremely lonely. This book takes us through an eventful week in his life where he discovers his first love affair with a much older man as well as increasingly risky behaviors to try and contend with internal turmoil.
The prose throughout is always excellent and at times sublime and literary. Heartachingly beautiful and affective. This is an extremely strong point.
The book suffers from characters that are too glib, too clever, too cruel, just too too too much. Violins are not only playing too loudly but with too much vibrato and out of sync. Very jarring and overconfident. There are two scenes -one at a gay Christmas dinner and another towards the end where an ex boyfriend disrupts that are so over the top camp that Liberace might have been in the corner tinkling his ivories. These detracted from an immensely moving story.
I believed in Jack in terms of his attachment injuries and his way of being in the world. I believed in his despair and longing. I did not believe in his inner voice that was overly clever, jaded. This might have been a voice of someone in their early thirties or later twenties at best.
However and I mean HOWEVER I know that this author can become truly great. There were a number to times I thought I might be reading Empress Yanagihara (no finer compliment from me)
These sections were so earthshattering beautiful and sad that I could not contain hot tears from flowing fiercely and sharply. These two sections include a day at the Tate Museum where Jack meets his older lover and towards the end where Jack (through his reveries) tells us about his mother and brother. So fucking impressive. Yes like the Empress Yanagihara !
I want to end by saying I am so very glad to have read this book and I so hope this author works on his consistency. Because when he is good...he is simply amazing.
May 28, 2023
Another highlight of 2022! Review written last year at time of reading:
Whilst it clearly states on the book cover that this is a novel, ‘Four Darks’ by Alex Vogel very much reads as a memoir, making you feel that there is personal experience/trauma contained within.
Though I do hope for the author’s sake that is not the case, as it is a very dark, violent and disturbing read… not least because the protagonist Jack is only 16 yrs old! That alone makes you hope this is solely nothing other than fiction!
Considering the content (warning, there are triggers aplenty in here!), it feels odd to write that I enjoyed reading it, but I was certainly drawn in to Jack’s story, constantly hoping things would improve for him.
This is a good read, if you can stomach the abuse and violence, which has definitely left me with grave concerns for Jack’s future!
An impressive debut novel. Buy the book, read it, support the author!
Whilst it clearly states on the book cover that this is a novel, ‘Four Darks’ by Alex Vogel very much reads as a memoir, making you feel that there is personal experience/trauma contained within.
Though I do hope for the author’s sake that is not the case, as it is a very dark, violent and disturbing read… not least because the protagonist Jack is only 16 yrs old! That alone makes you hope this is solely nothing other than fiction!
Considering the content (warning, there are triggers aplenty in here!), it feels odd to write that I enjoyed reading it, but I was certainly drawn in to Jack’s story, constantly hoping things would improve for him.
This is a good read, if you can stomach the abuse and violence, which has definitely left me with grave concerns for Jack’s future!
An impressive debut novel. Buy the book, read it, support the author!
April 2, 2023
Well, I wrote it - it's my favourite book of all time.
January 7, 2023
edit: since the author has been so kind to acknowledge my review and correct the remaining americanisms in the test, what's under the spoiler tag doesn't really apply to this book anymore. I've rounded up my rating accordingly, also.
Damn this book is difficult to rate. 4.5 stars, rounded up.
Is this book good? Very much so. Did I enjoy reading it? Meh, not so much. Will I ever read it again? Nope.
The writing pulled me in so quickly. I stayed up way past my bedtime to read, and considering that I have a small baby and a job, the fact that I've sacrificed hours of precious sleep to read this story I think tells quite a lot about how GOOD the prose is, and how enthralling the narrative. It was a little like watching a car crash, to be honest. I knew this was going to be a disaster, I knew somebody was going to get seriously hurt, but I couldn't stop looking. From the beginning, when Jack meets James, the whole situation was so... off, so predatorial, that everything in me wanted to scream RUN! to the poor boy. But of course, he didn't, and well. The story unfolds in a truly hopeless turn of events. And that's why I am giving it 4.5 stars, in the end. The ending is dramatically hopeless, for me. I couldn't root for Jack and James romantically (I would never), I couldn't be happy for Jack to end up once again in the hands of an abuser, just a charming, subtle one. The whole story was just so... sad. Bleak. And I understand why someone would want to tell such a story. But it left me heartbroken.
Anyway, give this a chance. It's the understated book you want to read this year, if you find yourself in a gloomy mood. I'm happy I've read it. But it was a bleak one.
Damn this book is difficult to rate. 4.5 stars, rounded up.
Is this book good? Very much so. Did I enjoy reading it? Meh, not so much. Will I ever read it again? Nope.
The writing pulled me in so quickly. I stayed up way past my bedtime to read, and considering that I have a small baby and a job, the fact that I've sacrificed hours of precious sleep to read this story I think tells quite a lot about how GOOD the prose is, and how enthralling the narrative. It was a little like watching a car crash, to be honest. I knew this was going to be a disaster, I knew somebody was going to get seriously hurt, but I couldn't stop looking. From the beginning, when Jack meets James, the whole situation was so... off, so predatorial, that everything in me wanted to scream RUN! to the poor boy. But of course, he didn't, and well. The story unfolds in a truly hopeless turn of events. And that's why I am giving it 4.5 stars, in the end. The ending is dramatically hopeless, for me. I couldn't root for Jack and James romantically (I would never), I couldn't be happy for Jack to end up once again in the hands of an abuser, just a charming, subtle one. The whole story was just so... sad. Bleak. And I understand why someone would want to tell such a story. But it left me heartbroken.
Anyway, give this a chance. It's the understated book you want to read this year, if you find yourself in a gloomy mood. I'm happy I've read it. But it was a bleak one.
February 28, 2021
“When I was born, winter arrived: 21st December, sixteen years ago to the day. Perhaps not the best time to enter the world.”
This is such an appropriate opening line. It foretells of the struggles Jack will have in the coming pages. The story does not disappoint. This moving novel examines the tribulations, loneliness and isolation Jack suffers as he tries to come to grips with newfound emotions.
While there are sexual encounters, the novel addresses homosexuality in a mature and intelligent manner without the often, over-the-top focus on sex.
The writing of Four Darks is so captivating that I found myself occasionally pausing to wonder just how Mr. Vogel captured so much meaning in a single sentence. He has a unique way of phrasing complex concepts in simple terms that apply to everyone in some context. It flowed seamlessly between the naivety of youth to the cynical nature of experience to the brutality of evil. Jack’s emotion and feelings, even when confused and conflicted, pours out.
There was a lot of sadness in the story complimented by characters who are fully fleshed out. Whether the characters were likable or not, (not all are likeable) they were portrayed exceptionally well by Vogel. Each character is sympathetic with personalities so real you want to hug them or slug them. The reader, despite one's sexual orientation, can identify with the confusion and challenges Jack experiences over the sexuality he is just beginning to explore.
This novel will make some cry, some may roll their eyes as they miss the meaning behind the story. Regardless, you will likely feel a suffocating weight as you turn the pages uncovering moment after moment of self-reflection.
I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who appreciates beautifully written, captivating plots with honest, appealing characters.
I’m looking forward to reading more of Jack’s story.
Read it now.
This is such an appropriate opening line. It foretells of the struggles Jack will have in the coming pages. The story does not disappoint. This moving novel examines the tribulations, loneliness and isolation Jack suffers as he tries to come to grips with newfound emotions.
While there are sexual encounters, the novel addresses homosexuality in a mature and intelligent manner without the often, over-the-top focus on sex.
The writing of Four Darks is so captivating that I found myself occasionally pausing to wonder just how Mr. Vogel captured so much meaning in a single sentence. He has a unique way of phrasing complex concepts in simple terms that apply to everyone in some context. It flowed seamlessly between the naivety of youth to the cynical nature of experience to the brutality of evil. Jack’s emotion and feelings, even when confused and conflicted, pours out.
There was a lot of sadness in the story complimented by characters who are fully fleshed out. Whether the characters were likable or not, (not all are likeable) they were portrayed exceptionally well by Vogel. Each character is sympathetic with personalities so real you want to hug them or slug them. The reader, despite one's sexual orientation, can identify with the confusion and challenges Jack experiences over the sexuality he is just beginning to explore.
This novel will make some cry, some may roll their eyes as they miss the meaning behind the story. Regardless, you will likely feel a suffocating weight as you turn the pages uncovering moment after moment of self-reflection.
I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who appreciates beautifully written, captivating plots with honest, appealing characters.
I’m looking forward to reading more of Jack’s story.
Read it now.
January 23, 2022
Loved it. While this book is marketed as a novel and not a memoir it reads so personal that it might as well be inspired by real events. That said, there is also something fairy-tale like about this story, which is hard to pinpoint, really, because then again, it has a very realistic and almost gritty vibe to it. It's a very straightforward on the one hand, on the other hand it has a metaphorical subtext to it, that I found quite intriguing. This book takes you straight into Jack's head as he tries to get away from his truly monstrous father and a traumatic past that involves the mysterious vanishing of his mother and older brother. Not too rarely in such cases a person in such a situation jumps out of the frying pan and into the fire - and this is, what happens to Jack. I was hooked the moment James appears on the scene at Tate Modern and could not stop reading until the - for me - unexpected but at the same time only logical ending. The writing draws you in, it's skilled and never distracting from the content. If you are into books, that tie up everything perfectly and leave no questions unanswered this is not for you. If, however you enjoy stories that raise questions rather than answering them, and if you are up for an emotional challenge then this book might very well be for you.
February 24, 2021
An excellent read! A multifaceted story and really exciting characters.
January 27, 2023
☆☆☆¼
Four Darks by Alex Vogel follows teenaged Jack as he wanders the streets of a snow-covered London in the lead up to Christmas and the new year. But don't be fooled—this definitely isn't a cosy festive read!
Over the course of roughly ten days, Jack plunges headfirst into a world of debauchery, as a chance meeting with an older man on his sixteenth birthday kicks off a string of questionable hook-ups, fuelled by alcohol, drugs, and violence, ultimately culminating in a disastrous New Year's Eve party.
This is not an easy read. It's full of a lot of potentially triggering material, not to mention the fact that Jack has only just turned sixteen which—whilst he is technically of age in the eyes of UK law—just made the graphic content that much more icky. However, I do respect the unadulterated lens through which Vogel writes. I can imagine a lot of people hating this book, but I think it serves as a gritty and unforgiving cautionary tale that speaks to one side of the gay experience. Whether it's looking for love in all the wrong places, being taken advantage of by older men, or finding escape in substance (ab)use, Jack's experiences are unfortunately not uncommon in the gay community.
I do wish the book was a bit more balanced in its characterisation, as Jack's potentially more positive relationships took a backseat in favour of a series of unlikeable characters. Lisa, for example, seemed like a sweet girl and their budding friendship could have been developed more. Jack's boxing coach could have been written as more of a supportive father figure but, instead, he kind of just disappears from the story. And whilst we have a touching depiction of Jack and his older brother, who he looks up to and misses greatly, we only learn about this relationship through flashbacks. By the end, I felt like there was a lot left unxplored and many questions unanswered. Do not expect a neat and tidy resolution but rather a snapshot into the struggles of a young man burdened by his identity. In many ways, this feels like merely the start of Jack's journey.
Four Darks is bound to be a divisive debut, but I do hope Vogel finds an audience, as he's clearly a skilled writer able to tackle tough subjects.
Many thanks to BookSirens and Alex Vogel for providing me with a free digital review copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Four Darks by Alex Vogel follows teenaged Jack as he wanders the streets of a snow-covered London in the lead up to Christmas and the new year. But don't be fooled—this definitely isn't a cosy festive read!
Over the course of roughly ten days, Jack plunges headfirst into a world of debauchery, as a chance meeting with an older man on his sixteenth birthday kicks off a string of questionable hook-ups, fuelled by alcohol, drugs, and violence, ultimately culminating in a disastrous New Year's Eve party.
This is not an easy read. It's full of a lot of potentially triggering material, not to mention the fact that Jack has only just turned sixteen which—whilst he is technically of age in the eyes of UK law—just made the graphic content that much more icky. However, I do respect the unadulterated lens through which Vogel writes. I can imagine a lot of people hating this book, but I think it serves as a gritty and unforgiving cautionary tale that speaks to one side of the gay experience. Whether it's looking for love in all the wrong places, being taken advantage of by older men, or finding escape in substance (ab)use, Jack's experiences are unfortunately not uncommon in the gay community.
I do wish the book was a bit more balanced in its characterisation, as Jack's potentially more positive relationships took a backseat in favour of a series of unlikeable characters. Lisa, for example, seemed like a sweet girl and their budding friendship could have been developed more. Jack's boxing coach could have been written as more of a supportive father figure but, instead, he kind of just disappears from the story. And whilst we have a touching depiction of Jack and his older brother, who he looks up to and misses greatly, we only learn about this relationship through flashbacks. By the end, I felt like there was a lot left unxplored and many questions unanswered. Do not expect a neat and tidy resolution but rather a snapshot into the struggles of a young man burdened by his identity. In many ways, this feels like merely the start of Jack's journey.
Four Darks is bound to be a divisive debut, but I do hope Vogel finds an audience, as he's clearly a skilled writer able to tackle tough subjects.
Many thanks to BookSirens and Alex Vogel for providing me with a free digital review copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 5, 2023
a horribly depressing novel about an underage boy who is drug into the depths of depravity by adult pedophiles. jack has known nothing but abuse and cannot protect himself from the dangerous desires of older men who seek to only please themselves with no regard for life.
“four darks” is incredibly dark as the title suggests. from the gratuitous rape scenes, to the negative inner dialogue jack has, to the detailed abuse, it is not for the feint of heart. as much as i can appreciate art, i felt this novel was too focused on graphic sex and rape. i would have liked to explore jack’s psyche more and got to know him as more than a object for sex and abuse.
thank you to book sirens and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
“four darks” is incredibly dark as the title suggests. from the gratuitous rape scenes, to the negative inner dialogue jack has, to the detailed abuse, it is not for the feint of heart. as much as i can appreciate art, i felt this novel was too focused on graphic sex and rape. i would have liked to explore jack’s psyche more and got to know him as more than a object for sex and abuse.
thank you to book sirens and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
February 20, 2022
Punched me in the stomach and hit me right in the heart.
Jack just turned 16 and he feels a stranger in his life, looking for a place where he fits in, and for people he can relate to and who appreciate and care about him. James, a sophisticated art dealer seems to intuitively know what Jack needs. Jack being an old soul on the one hand, is naive and inexperienced in regards to the intricacies of romanctic and sexual relations gets plunged in at the deep end. What ensues is heartbreaking and challenging, but Jack's sardonic and sharp wit keeps it from being depressing. The dialogue is sharp and clever, the characters are vivid and credible and the writing is skilled, effortless and beautiful.
Jack just turned 16 and he feels a stranger in his life, looking for a place where he fits in, and for people he can relate to and who appreciate and care about him. James, a sophisticated art dealer seems to intuitively know what Jack needs. Jack being an old soul on the one hand, is naive and inexperienced in regards to the intricacies of romanctic and sexual relations gets plunged in at the deep end. What ensues is heartbreaking and challenging, but Jack's sardonic and sharp wit keeps it from being depressing. The dialogue is sharp and clever, the characters are vivid and credible and the writing is skilled, effortless and beautiful.
January 24, 2023
Thank you to BookSirens and Alex Vogel for accepting me to be a pre-publication reviewer of this book. I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
In all honesty I’m quite conflicted on how to review this book. I will try to do it like normal so here goes.
Quick plot summary is we follow the main character Jack, starting on this 16th birthday on a freezing London day where he goes to the Tate Modern. An older man James sits next to him, gives a private tour then later go back to his because Jack has an abusive father that he doesn’t want to return to. This is one plot line, another deals with a fellow man at Jack’s gym: Marcus and a relationship of sorts. He is yearning for love and affection but is looking in all the wrong places, his vulnerability means people take advantage of him and it’s a very gritty and unpleasant read at times. The somewhat mysterious disappearance of his mother and older brother Thomas is something he’s dealing with too but this isn’t explored all that much.
From the start to about 30% in I was really invested with the story and our MC but it did lose me as the book developed. From page 1 I was totally hooked and Jack pulled on my heart, he seemed like a really interesting and likeable character that you just wanted good things to come his way. This does remain true for the most part and even when he does things that we know are not right for him or right in general, I still felt like he’s clearly messed up and in need of help - but some things were I dunno? I was less quick to jump to his defence as it progressed. I think this is because some of the bad things happening to Jack were repetitive and I wanted to be like ‘Jack just leave, don’t go there, turn around’ and when it keeps happening I did feel more removed and less emphatic towards him. This is especially the case in regards to drug and alcohol consumption. There is for sure ebbs and flows in how I viewed Jack but after a certain bit I couldn’t really get it back - this is when his dad makes a remark about his fiancée’s weight and then Jack repeatedly talks about a man in regards to his size and this fatphobia was really horrible to read in my opinion, I usually don’t mind as much if maybe things are being said to the MC or it’s dealt with well but when the MC is making the remarks and belittling someone it’s just… I dunno uncomfortable I guess and especially because we’re supposed to emphasise with Jack. He also shows some other hurtful traits further pushing me away.
All the characters, except for Jack, I did really really hate. There is development and some nuance - specifically with James (but nope, no way in hell could I forgive certain things), Lisa (goodish but ehh, couldn’t bring myself to like her), Marina (didn’t see that much of her, had potential but then again meh), Rob (he’s good but a certain viewpoint he holds means I can’t go further then alrightish) - that I did like. However some were rather shallow and extremely detestable like Gerald (ugh), Marcus (f you to hell! Nopeeeeeeeee!!!!!) and Jack’s dad (I hate you sooooo much) but you are meant to hate them. I’d say there was room for more complexity but they are done well and written quite realistic. The side characters were again quite shallow but it’s understandable given their limited exposure.
To follow on from the realistic-ness, this is don’t well in terms of the writing and gritty elements. It’s all rather real invoking a visceral sensation in the reader at points as it’s believable that these things are happening. It’s quite detailed, really allowing you to imagine the locations, characters and events taking place - something I highly commend Vogel on. But, this is somewhat at odds with the reality of certain things actually happening, just a few things I couldn’t quite rationalise which takes away from the effect the book has at times.
Like I said, the writing is very good and it’s for sure an intriguing read that pulls you along. I found it hard to put this down because I just wanted to read on and on, you’re left at end of chapter cliff hangers at times with no other choice but to turn the page. I appreciated how Vogel stayed true to the London setting with the references and lingo (at times some American words/phrases slipped in like sidewalk and shrink though). It stayed true to the grittyness and this book certainly delivers in this regard - it’s not an enjoyable read with multiple trigger warnings and uncomfortable parts, things I didn’t really like reading but even more so when you know it’s happening to a 16 year old, very unpleasant. I’d also add that the sex scenes are kind of written with nuance and blurring the line of consent where something might happen to Jack which he didn’t explicitly say yes or no to, he goes along and doesn’t mind or even enjoy it but we know it’s a very tricky situation - I guess this adds to the confusion Jack is feeling in this regard but maybe it’s not the best example of sexual assault as he doesn’t fully understand how he was used. Following on from this is that I don’t mind reading about mistreat in books but I always yearn for some form of justice and when I don’t see it explicitly it proves irksome to me.
The mysterious disappearance of Jack’s mum and brother Thomas I wish was maybe explored a bit more. I think my favourite parts of this book was him reminiscing about times with them and how they left. It’s touched on but definitely could have done with more attention as you’re left with quite a lot to the imagine as to how this plot line would wrap up.
Overall, this is a good book and is clearly written well. It’s a page turner and gripped me. But I do have my reservations too and as I went on I became less connected to the MC and the story. I’m glad I read it and would be interested in more of Vogel’s work so I do suggest supporting him. This is not like my usual 3 stars where I have limited interest neither good or bad as Four Darks has both in plenty but I would say they equal each other out. Would recommend but do check the trigger warnings and please don’t do anything these characters do.
In all honesty I’m quite conflicted on how to review this book. I will try to do it like normal so here goes.
Quick plot summary is we follow the main character Jack, starting on this 16th birthday on a freezing London day where he goes to the Tate Modern. An older man James sits next to him, gives a private tour then later go back to his because Jack has an abusive father that he doesn’t want to return to. This is one plot line, another deals with a fellow man at Jack’s gym: Marcus and a relationship of sorts. He is yearning for love and affection but is looking in all the wrong places, his vulnerability means people take advantage of him and it’s a very gritty and unpleasant read at times. The somewhat mysterious disappearance of his mother and older brother Thomas is something he’s dealing with too but this isn’t explored all that much.
From the start to about 30% in I was really invested with the story and our MC but it did lose me as the book developed. From page 1 I was totally hooked and Jack pulled on my heart, he seemed like a really interesting and likeable character that you just wanted good things to come his way. This does remain true for the most part and even when he does things that we know are not right for him or right in general, I still felt like he’s clearly messed up and in need of help - but some things were I dunno? I was less quick to jump to his defence as it progressed. I think this is because some of the bad things happening to Jack were repetitive and I wanted to be like ‘Jack just leave, don’t go there, turn around’ and when it keeps happening I did feel more removed and less emphatic towards him. This is especially the case in regards to drug and alcohol consumption. There is for sure ebbs and flows in how I viewed Jack but after a certain bit I couldn’t really get it back - this is when his dad makes a remark about his fiancée’s weight and then Jack repeatedly talks about a man in regards to his size and this fatphobia was really horrible to read in my opinion, I usually don’t mind as much if maybe things are being said to the MC or it’s dealt with well but when the MC is making the remarks and belittling someone it’s just… I dunno uncomfortable I guess and especially because we’re supposed to emphasise with Jack. He also shows some other hurtful traits further pushing me away.
All the characters, except for Jack, I did really really hate. There is development and some nuance - specifically with James (but nope, no way in hell could I forgive certain things), Lisa (goodish but ehh, couldn’t bring myself to like her), Marina (didn’t see that much of her, had potential but then again meh), Rob (he’s good but a certain viewpoint he holds means I can’t go further then alrightish) - that I did like. However some were rather shallow and extremely detestable like Gerald (ugh), Marcus (f you to hell! Nopeeeeeeeee!!!!!) and Jack’s dad (I hate you sooooo much) but you are meant to hate them. I’d say there was room for more complexity but they are done well and written quite realistic. The side characters were again quite shallow but it’s understandable given their limited exposure.
To follow on from the realistic-ness, this is don’t well in terms of the writing and gritty elements. It’s all rather real invoking a visceral sensation in the reader at points as it’s believable that these things are happening. It’s quite detailed, really allowing you to imagine the locations, characters and events taking place - something I highly commend Vogel on. But, this is somewhat at odds with the reality of certain things actually happening, just a few things I couldn’t quite rationalise which takes away from the effect the book has at times.
Like I said, the writing is very good and it’s for sure an intriguing read that pulls you along. I found it hard to put this down because I just wanted to read on and on, you’re left at end of chapter cliff hangers at times with no other choice but to turn the page. I appreciated how Vogel stayed true to the London setting with the references and lingo (at times some American words/phrases slipped in like sidewalk and shrink though). It stayed true to the grittyness and this book certainly delivers in this regard - it’s not an enjoyable read with multiple trigger warnings and uncomfortable parts, things I didn’t really like reading but even more so when you know it’s happening to a 16 year old, very unpleasant. I’d also add that the sex scenes are kind of written with nuance and blurring the line of consent where something might happen to Jack which he didn’t explicitly say yes or no to, he goes along and doesn’t mind or even enjoy it but we know it’s a very tricky situation - I guess this adds to the confusion Jack is feeling in this regard but maybe it’s not the best example of sexual assault as he doesn’t fully understand how he was used. Following on from this is that I don’t mind reading about mistreat in books but I always yearn for some form of justice and when I don’t see it explicitly it proves irksome to me.
The mysterious disappearance of Jack’s mum and brother Thomas I wish was maybe explored a bit more. I think my favourite parts of this book was him reminiscing about times with them and how they left. It’s touched on but definitely could have done with more attention as you’re left with quite a lot to the imagine as to how this plot line would wrap up.
Overall, this is a good book and is clearly written well. It’s a page turner and gripped me. But I do have my reservations too and as I went on I became less connected to the MC and the story. I’m glad I read it and would be interested in more of Vogel’s work so I do suggest supporting him. This is not like my usual 3 stars where I have limited interest neither good or bad as Four Darks has both in plenty but I would say they equal each other out. Would recommend but do check the trigger warnings and please don’t do anything these characters do.
January 21, 2022
I found myself relating to Jack at every turn of the page. So strange how that happens. I saw so much of myself in him, and in what he does. I’d recommend this to any gay kid who has ever felt like an outsider, who has ever spent too much time thinking and over thinking. I hope there’s more of Jack’s story to be told. And to the writer, Alex, if you read this, just know you’ve touched me with your writing.
February 16, 2023
The author mentioned that this was their first book. We'll, I was wowed by their talent. Four Darks was so profound. It was so beautifully written. Like poetic prose into the human soul and suffering. It was also so realistic in telling about Jack's painful life catapulting into adulthood. I'm definitely going to read more from this author.
May 11, 2023
When the protagonist, Jack, from whose point of view the story is told, meets James, an elderly man, in the Tate Modern and accompanies him home, the reader knows exactly what to expect. However, for the next 10% of the novel, Alex Vogel keeps us completely enthralled in the gradual seduction of the young man. Jack who has just turned 16, thinks it is a day to celebrate, the dawn of a new era, he has become a adult. He has been abandoned by his mother and his elder brother on whom he dotes and is left in the hands of a cruel and heartless father. He goes to the gym and builds up his body with the sole intention of taking revenge on this brutal beast of a father. His joy knows no end when the father abandons him and goes to St Moritz on a skiing holiday over Christmas and come back on crutches after an accident.
Jack meets Marcus at the gym and is obsessed by and sexually attracted to him. Though he is repeatedly warned by his coach to stay away from Marcus, Jack enters into a toxic relationship with him which almost parallels the relationship he has with his father. The sex with Marcus is brutal and upsetting.
His first night with James ends on a cold note with his being thrown out the next morning but gradually a mutual affection sets in and they come extremely close to each other. Then there is a Christmas party which James is throws to his “high class” friends which the reader is aware will spell disaster. Jack is looked down on as a money boy and is told in no uncertain terms by James’s ex-lover, Gerald, that he is not the first boy to be befriend by James. The party grows more sinister by the hour and ends in violence and total pandemonium.
The novel starts on the 21st December and ends on New Year’s day. Though it is a brief period of 10 days, Vogel packs in so much detail that it seems much longer. Readers complain about the repetition of violent sex scenes but I think they fulfils a purpose and reinforces the theme of the novel
What Vogel handles very well is the time scheme. One example is towards the end of the novel where he describes in detail what has happened to Jack, but what is not known till later is why this has happened. As also in the case of his missing mother and elder brother, we are told that they are not present but the reader’s suspense is heightened by the lack of knowledge for their absence from Jack’s life.
The description of the novel mentions that the relationship between Jack and the older James as “toxic” but I feel that his relationship with Marcus is the toxic one. His relationship with the older man has its ups and downs but I don’t think the right word to describe it is toxic.
Jack meets Marcus at the gym and is obsessed by and sexually attracted to him. Though he is repeatedly warned by his coach to stay away from Marcus, Jack enters into a toxic relationship with him which almost parallels the relationship he has with his father. The sex with Marcus is brutal and upsetting.
His first night with James ends on a cold note with his being thrown out the next morning but gradually a mutual affection sets in and they come extremely close to each other. Then there is a Christmas party which James is throws to his “high class” friends which the reader is aware will spell disaster. Jack is looked down on as a money boy and is told in no uncertain terms by James’s ex-lover, Gerald, that he is not the first boy to be befriend by James. The party grows more sinister by the hour and ends in violence and total pandemonium.
The novel starts on the 21st December and ends on New Year’s day. Though it is a brief period of 10 days, Vogel packs in so much detail that it seems much longer. Readers complain about the repetition of violent sex scenes but I think they fulfils a purpose and reinforces the theme of the novel
What Vogel handles very well is the time scheme. One example is towards the end of the novel where he describes in detail what has happened to Jack, but what is not known till later is why this has happened. As also in the case of his missing mother and elder brother, we are told that they are not present but the reader’s suspense is heightened by the lack of knowledge for their absence from Jack’s life.
The description of the novel mentions that the relationship between Jack and the older James as “toxic” but I feel that his relationship with Marcus is the toxic one. His relationship with the older man has its ups and downs but I don’t think the right word to describe it is toxic.
April 19, 2023
This book is incredibly difficult to review. Overall, it is a well-written and stark look at what can happen to a person who has no one to turn to, and the ways that one move can put you on a quick spiral into the dangerous and unknown. The moments I thought stood out in this novel were Jack's own inner turmoil, dealing with the thoughts of his family and its history around the holidays. I also felt like the author's writing did a great job at jumping from moment to moment in a way that felt very real for a teenager going through traumatic experiences.
That said, this book lingered a lot on the sex scenes in a way that made me deeply uncomfortable and often horrified. I understand that we are supposed to see Jack as a victim, but when we come back to the actual sex scenes again and again, it felt unnecessary and often felt like it was doing this for the sole reason of making us uncomfortable. That is fine, but I wanted a more internal dialogue or discussion of themes. We just didn't get that, and instead it often reinforced the relationship with a person who admits to not caring that Jack is barely legal (which in this book is only 16). I think there was intention, but sometimes it didn't feel quite right.
That said, this book lingered a lot on the sex scenes in a way that made me deeply uncomfortable and often horrified. I understand that we are supposed to see Jack as a victim, but when we come back to the actual sex scenes again and again, it felt unnecessary and often felt like it was doing this for the sole reason of making us uncomfortable. That is fine, but I wanted a more internal dialogue or discussion of themes. We just didn't get that, and instead it often reinforced the relationship with a person who admits to not caring that Jack is barely legal (which in this book is only 16). I think there was intention, but sometimes it didn't feel quite right.
February 22, 2023
Incredibly painful, but strangely hopeful at the same time.
Poor Jack is dealing with so much. He is freshly 16 years old with an abusive father and enough trauma baggage to fill a semi! We follow him through a couple weeks at the end of December and it’s just a nonstop shit show. He is forming this obsession with an older man, who seems to be just a different vein of abusive, and this push and pull he feels in the situation is caustic.
I absolutely fell hard for Jack. He was such a tender young character that you, as the reader, want to just scoop up and protect. So much happens in such a short span of time. The people he comes in contact with, the ways in which he is used and abused… but he is still someone you really and truly want to root for.
I really enjoyed this book but it was hard to read. The author captures obsession and pain so well. The cyclical pattern that one can find themselves in… really just a great, painful read.
Poor Jack is dealing with so much. He is freshly 16 years old with an abusive father and enough trauma baggage to fill a semi! We follow him through a couple weeks at the end of December and it’s just a nonstop shit show. He is forming this obsession with an older man, who seems to be just a different vein of abusive, and this push and pull he feels in the situation is caustic.
I absolutely fell hard for Jack. He was such a tender young character that you, as the reader, want to just scoop up and protect. So much happens in such a short span of time. The people he comes in contact with, the ways in which he is used and abused… but he is still someone you really and truly want to root for.
I really enjoyed this book but it was hard to read. The author captures obsession and pain so well. The cyclical pattern that one can find themselves in… really just a great, painful read.
March 21, 2023
3 / 5 ⭐️‘s
“Four Darks” by Alex Vogel
This was an intense read that follows sixteen-year-old Jack as he navigates a cruel winter in London. Jack's story is marked by a toxic relationship with an older man, a violent father, and a missing mother. As Jack seeks refuge from his abusive home life, he meets James, who seems to offer him hope and escape. However, their relationship soon becomes a dangerous game of courtship and rejection, leaving Jack on a path of self-destruction.
The book is narrated in first person, allowing the reader to connect with Jack on a personal level as he faces the challenges of adulthood. Vogel's writing is compassionate and humorous, yet unapologetically honest about the struggles that Jack faces. The story touches on heavy themes, such as the cycle of abuse and neglect that victims can fall into, but also offers a sense of hope through Jack's perseverance.
This ARC was provided by BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
“Four Darks” by Alex Vogel
This was an intense read that follows sixteen-year-old Jack as he navigates a cruel winter in London. Jack's story is marked by a toxic relationship with an older man, a violent father, and a missing mother. As Jack seeks refuge from his abusive home life, he meets James, who seems to offer him hope and escape. However, their relationship soon becomes a dangerous game of courtship and rejection, leaving Jack on a path of self-destruction.
The book is narrated in first person, allowing the reader to connect with Jack on a personal level as he faces the challenges of adulthood. Vogel's writing is compassionate and humorous, yet unapologetically honest about the struggles that Jack faces. The story touches on heavy themes, such as the cycle of abuse and neglect that victims can fall into, but also offers a sense of hope through Jack's perseverance.
This ARC was provided by BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
September 25, 2023
This one was a difficult one for me to read and I have to admit that I stopped reading it about 1/4 of the way in. The problem I had was the unnecessary detail of the sexual encounters that happened when the main character was underage. While I fully accept that situations like this arise, in particular for members of the queer community - I felt as though it was unnecessary for there to be such detail.
These encounters weren't relationships, they were an abuse of a minor. That left me in a position of not wanting to finish this book. I do not mean to imply that this book glorifies these relationships, but I was uncomfortable with the way the interactions were presented.
Thank you for giving me a chance to read it.
These encounters weren't relationships, they were an abuse of a minor. That left me in a position of not wanting to finish this book. I do not mean to imply that this book glorifies these relationships, but I was uncomfortable with the way the interactions were presented.
Thank you for giving me a chance to read it.
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