By Nya Jade
Let me start of by saying wow. After reading the blurb I wasn’t too sure what to make of it. I thought Nya was trying to go overboard by throwing in the magic scene as well as a movie star, and I felt like it would all be a little too much. But boy was I wrong. The idea of it definitely caught my attention, and i wanted to see just how it played out. I read the sample first, as i do with essentially every book i read, and before we talk spoilers (which will be highlighted down below) I’m going to try and convince you that this is WORTHY BUY. Now for fans of fantasy books, this has it all. It has a little bit of a Vampire Academy vibe with the school and the secret from the human world, but minus the vampires. Instead it focuses on Phoebe Pope, who, having suffered loss throughout her lifetime, never seems to complain all that much. Now one of my biggest pet peeves is a Heroin who does nothing but whine and wait for someone to come a long and rescue her (Elena Gilbert, Cough – only on the screen though, Book Elena is a WHOLE other thing). The thing about Phoebe, is that she is incredibly independent. And rightfully so, considering the warnings of her father and the unknown future of her gift. And that’s where Hayley comes in. Now i love a good book that features a genuine girl/girl friendship and surprisingly, not many books actually manage to get it right. The Year of Four however, DOES. And i am here for it. Then you have Phoebe’s relationship with the other three, which Nya again seems to just get right. Now if you’re looking for a book that features a strong heroine, some godly boys and a true friendship – then this is the one for you. Might i also add there is no love triangle!!! Shocking, I know. But it really adds depth to the book, and means that the brilliance of the story can be shown without being interrupted by some soppy love tale. And even though I do love a good book about romance, it is totally true that you can have. too. much…
Okay, now for readers who actually intend to read the book – this is where you must exit. For those who fans of the series, or who just want to spoil it to get the guilty pleasure rather than sacrifice the time, then pull up a seat and grab some popcorn.
It’s SPOILER TIME.
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Okay, so you have decided to continue reading. Good. Now, before I go any further I must say that as of right now, I have just finished reading both books in extremely quick concession. This may mean I might get a few things muddled up but fingers crossed not too much.
So, lets start with the beginning. Most of the time I find books difficult to get a grasp on at first when talking about supernatural ideas – this unfortunately, was one of them. Nevertheless, it didn’t stop me from persevering and as we delved a few chapters in, things started to make sense. For all my VA fans out there, you were probably also rejoicing the fact that you get to feel like you’re in that same environment. I know I was!! So we have the Above, and we have the Below. Above housed all things normal and was the human side of the lifestyle they lived – a private boarding school that masked the fact that Shapers lived below. Now Shapers are essentially shape shifters, all with their own second animal skin. This came from the idea of having two hearts – one for each of their identities. Very clever, I thought. Despite the complex explanation and the catching up i had to do on understanding, the ease Nya explained it was really good. Now this is Phoebe’s first year at the school, where she’ll have her above ground studies and below ground studies. Now girl I don’t know where she thinks she has the TIME, I can’t even stick to my one schedule let alone double the work load. For that, I give these guys some serious ball points. Phoebe and her bestie Hayley, possibly my fave but haven’t quite decided, get reacquainted after a summer apart (I think???) and start talking all the hot dish.
Speaking of DISH, this is the name of a super popular magazine that essentially rivals Seventeen and what not. Now the main feature of this magazine (so special i see a religion forming) is the one and only COLTEN CHASE. And yes, i agree: pretty much every made up celebrity will feature the name Chase in it – first or last. Not that I’m complaining because it is saucy. Now, what I expected to have NO RELEVANCE AT ALL… was actually quite the opposite. The temptation to just rave about the second book is actually almost overwhelming but I am trying SO hard to keep it contained. Now, Colten, who took an immediate liking to Phoebe and knew her name even without giving it, was a mystery. And i think that’s what made him so sexy. But anyway, the role he plays in her own character development and the furthering of the plot is crucial, despite him hiding in the background. Now, although i could feel it coming and i even knew when it had arrived, NOTHING, i repeat, NOTHING, could’ve stopped me from practically falling out my chair at the discovery of him being Vigo. Colour me fucking shocked. But one thing I think Nya did incredibly well was show the necessity of Colten being a celeb. I mean, if he wasn’t where would we have got her little run away scene or the makeover or like any of the fancy stuff? Am i right or am i right. AND LET’S NOT EVEN GET INTO THE CINDERELLA ENDING. I’m serious. Let’s not. I don’t need to go sit in a corner and cry for the remainder of the day, sorry guyssssss.
But now that Colten Chase (insert heart eye emoji) is out the way with, let’s talk the prophecy of four. Mariko oh my goodness she is incredibly. I actually don’t know what i like about her so much to be honest, but there’s so much to her in her own character. Something a lot of authors often forget is to humanize the other characters outside of the current situation. Nya on the other hand, literally took this, ran away with it and rubbed it in everyone’s faces. I could literally write you a character profile on pretty much everyone. Now while Mariko is missing for half the book thanks to the work of you know who, it doesn’t stop her from being her sassy little self who doesn’t take anyone’s shit, especially the other two boys. Now Lewis. Lewis, Lewis, Lewis. What are we gonna do with you. You know, in another life time, one without the idea of Colten Chase (insert heart eye emoji) i think i could’ve seen myself with Lewis. There’s just something about the guitar and the kind words man. Like proper hipster I’m indie vibes, but he actually seems like her knows what he’s doing. Don’t wanna say too much about these two for fear i start spoiling the next one. And last but definitely not fucking least… Scott. I have never wanted to punch a character so violently in the face before. And this was one thing I definitely never saw coming. Looking back i think how the fuck did I miss the signs? I mean he literally couldn’t do magic at all. But yes, I was gobsmacked when he walked in the room with those keys. And oh boy did I wanna throttle him. The thing I’m most aggravated about, is that I could really see myself shipping the two of them. (Of course in a different life without Colten Chase heart eye emoji). I mean, what a bloody bitch. I sure convinced myself as well that he was just being forced to not unlock her just to torture her that little bit more but oh BOY when he turned that key. Shit kicked the fan I swear to god.
And then we come back to Colten – the savior who shE LEAVES BEHIND. I was actually sobbing. I was laughing so hard like yes girl I couldn’t even feel bad. But it’s Colten I knew he could handle himself. The best bit for me though was her facade – her he’s dead weight actually got me going. SEE? STRONG INDEPENDENT WOMAN RIGHT THERE. I swear to god any other character would be bawling by now. Not my Phoebe. And the way she practically dropped all the cubs? Too much even for me. I was so fidgety during this whole ordeal i was practically pacing my room and doing a little fist clench every time something badass happened.
Now let’s talk Blackcoats. Although I’m not entirely sure how old any of them are to be honest, I definitely have some feels for Afua and Yelena. They could literally be fifty and I’d still say it #noshame. I just need everyone to take a sec to appreciate the way they finessed Scott’s ass when he climbed up again. I was just sitting there with a smug look of my face and pride in my heart. Now I gotta be honest, I loved Scott. Even knowing he was a baddy. Honestly I think I loved him more BECAUSE of that. But still, I think he got what was coming for him and who am I to stand in the way of that? Now after that whole melodrama, real Scott comes home and boom the four are back together having survived the many kidnapping attempts and the torture. Props to them, aye. Now the ending had a few surprises. One being Afua and her admittance that the original threat was never a big deal because the world didn’t care about Hyphas. It actually warmed my heart to know that she was only ever really looking out for them, and again it’s the blackcoat thing. Gets to me. Another was the mention of the Crown wanting to meet the four hyphas. This really got me excited cos i knew we would finally be able to see the world outside of the school!!!! (Trust me, it’s worth it.) And last but not least, the Cinderella moment. I think we all know what happened their and the tears are brewing just thinking bout it so I’m gonna leave that one right there.
Okay so, although the shit sum up, I think I’ve covered some important parts in the first novel. But I’m also not saying the book is perfect. There are some times when too many things are going on at once, and some just feel underdeveloped and it can get confusing af. But if you’re reading this having just finished the book and are unsure on whether or not to continue, then just hear me out. The Year of Four was published back in 2012. Her next book, The Blood of Kings, came out in 2017. That’s a whole ass five years in which Nya has developed her writing and i can tell you IT SHOWS. The second book, i hesitate to say, I would consider to be better. Like it is SO INCREDIBLE IT HURTS AND SO MUCH STUFF HAPPENS AND MY EMOTIONS HAVE JUST BUILT UP SO MUCH I’M STILL IN DISTRESS. But i would definitely recommend giving it the chance. Although things do get weirder, it gets so much better.
Now before we go, I am open to taking recommendations (as in pls pls give me some I’m so lonely and have read like so many books I can no longer find the good ones.) I also plan on trying to review pretty much any book I’ve ever read, as I have a habit of rereading books several times. I also plan to do a review for The Blood of Kings so keep an eye out kids! As for right now, I am taking a well deserved break.
Until next time…
B x
Baillie Winters 