It’s always a shock when a series – be it book or movie – ends but we lose some much-loved characters as it does. Yet, we know that it was necessary for the plot, because without these events, the story wouldn’t have progressed. But what of when the author decides to do something about it by continuing the series? To give the reader hope that, oh, there is a possibility! That if the author has started on this path, then the characters will most likely be back? This is the case with the Frank Carter series by Yashesh Rathod. The third book in the series saw two important characters die. But with book 4, the author is putting the possibility of them coming back out there.
If you’d like to read my reviews of the first three books in this series before reading this review, here’s where you can: Book 1 | Book 2 | Book 3.
Plot
In Frank Carter 4, we see Frank Carter find out that he can bring back his friends Randolph and Athena to life. He sets out on this journey to the realm called Rethnia where the soul collector Dar resides. He must take the heart of a monster called Mrunna to Dar – one for each soul he wants to bring back. He will then be given the deceased’s souls in a jar, which he must take to their dead bodies to resurrect them. But doing all this isn’t easy. For he is about to be confronted with a gladiator-style battle, monsters coming alive in this realm at night, a world different but ideal, and concepts that he realizes the existence of but must be careful while handling. Will he be able to bring his friends back to life despite all of these ‘obstacles’?
What I Liked About It
The concept and the points that the author takes this story to are very interesting. He makes sure that Frank’s main goal is always in sight even while he’s saving people from night monsters. Be it the warrior he recognizes in the King’s ring or the realization he has about time and reality in the realm, there’s always a twist that you won’t see coming which will fit well into the story, even if it’s a little too fantastical to happen. Then again, this is a historical fantasy of sorts, so the surprise at these events is unfounded.
The book comes to a close just as you’re getting invested in the story because things have just gotten even more interesting. But it does so with the promise of returning soon and continuing the story. These are some of the parting words (from the book) by a woman Frank meets:
Your people think that without these works they can’t survive? Well, that’s wrong. You’re not supposed to do such petty tasks for your own survival. Parmatma has created ways to make us survive without doing a thing. All we have to do is perform the tasks we are entitled to do in return. … To protect the world and the universe with your vast, spiritual energy. Take out the sufferings of other inferior beings and keep the world a happy place to live in.
And although this is easier said than done, it makes you think about how we human beings have made lives easier for ourselves with all the technology, but in the larger picture, we’ve merely complicated our existence. There are millions of beautiful things we can enjoy but getting to them is such a complex web of obstacles that life seems better off not even trying for them. And isn’t that a shame? That’s the thing, too, that we’ve brought this upon ourselves in our quest for world domination. Frank Carter 4 through its simple, innocent storytelling gets to this point and makes it fabulously well.
Here’s another quote that I wholeheartedly agree with:
He says sleeping is a divine tool of gods that must be practised. 😉
What I Didn’t Like About It
There are, however, a few points that the book could be better at, as I’ve mentioned in my reviews of the previous books.
The characters try to be cool, which only backfires on the writing because such slang doesn’t fit into the whole picture this book presents. And that burden rests on the writing, something that, if improved by even 50%, could turn the book around fantastically well. I’ll tell you the problem I had with it:
The writing is innocent but childish in the sense that it describes every single action in excruciating, awkward detail. If you remove this along with the ill-fitting phrases and words, it will make the book into a crisper, better novella. I mean, you quickly understand what the author is saying, but semantics-wise, they aren’t a good fit at all. There’s a lot of room for improvement in all aspects. Given how interesting the plot is, this story could go places, if only there were more work done on the book.
Final Verdict
The emergence of this fourth book was a pleasant surprise, and it follows in the veins of the original trilogy. It raises pertinent questions and brings about interesting concepts, and for these, you can pick this book up. Of course, read the original trilogy before reading this one, and keep in mind the shortcomings I’ve mentioned before.
So, what did you think of this review? Did you like it? Did you not like it? Will you pick this series up after reading my review? Let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you! ❤
If you’d like to read my reviews of the first three books in this series, here’s where you can: Book 1 | Book 2 | Book 3.
And here’s where you can get the books in the Frank Carter series: Book 1 | Book 2 | Book 3
I’ll see you soon in a new blog post.
Until next time, keep reading and add melodrama to your life! 🙂
The Melodramatic Bookworm 
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