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a_reader_obsessed's review against another edition
3.0
3 Stars
Granted, it’s been awhile since I read [b:Tigerland|15841201|Tigerland (Tigers and Devils, #2)|Sean Kennedy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1345642409l/15841201._SX50_.jpg|21582793], and it was a bit rough getting back into the groove of things. Rest assured though, that Simon is still his snarky, cynical self who is often his own worst enemy (he even knows this cold hard fact) but still can’t get out of his way, and thus plenty of shenanigans ensue.
This time around, Simon’s arch nemesis resurfaces in all the worst ways. Ever by his side is Declan, who really never does any wrong and is forever enduring Simon’s antics like only a saint can.
Overall, I liked revisiting these two but the conflicts presented in the form of said enemy and a troubled LGBT teen just wasn’t my thing, as it brought lots and lots of frustration and thus, less enjoyment. Also for me, the humor wasn’t as spot on as before, but I really enjoyed besties Fran and Roger, who were just lovely bringing their own special kind of crazy and neurotic.
Regardless, it’s heartwarming to see how Simon and Declan’s relationship has strengthened, how they do cherish one another and support the other through thick and thin, and in the end that’s what counts!
Granted, it’s been awhile since I read [b:Tigerland|15841201|Tigerland (Tigers and Devils, #2)|Sean Kennedy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1345642409l/15841201._SX50_.jpg|21582793], and it was a bit rough getting back into the groove of things. Rest assured though, that Simon is still his snarky, cynical self who is often his own worst enemy (he even knows this cold hard fact) but still can’t get out of his way, and thus plenty of shenanigans ensue.
This time around, Simon’s arch nemesis resurfaces in all the worst ways. Ever by his side is Declan, who really never does any wrong and is forever enduring Simon’s antics like only a saint can.
Overall, I liked revisiting these two but the conflicts presented in the form of said enemy and a troubled LGBT teen just wasn’t my thing, as it brought lots and lots of frustration and thus, less enjoyment. Also for me, the humor wasn’t as spot on as before, but I really enjoyed besties Fran and Roger, who were just lovely bringing their own special kind of crazy and neurotic.
Regardless, it’s heartwarming to see how Simon and Declan’s relationship has strengthened, how they do cherish one another and support the other through thick and thin, and in the end that’s what counts!
raynebair's review against another edition
5.0
I'm sure the folks in my office were wondering what I was reading, because this book had me laughing out loud. I love Simon and Declan so it was fun to see what these two were up to. And blasted, what a way to end the book!
fireth's review against another edition
4.0
This is one series which I really like and read several times cos it's so quirky that made me literally LOL. Hope the next one doesn't take long.
leeraiii's review against another edition
5.0
Let me start by saying that I first read this last November of 2015 and since then I think I’ve lost count of just how much I reread the shit out of the entire Tigers and Devils series. That’s how much I love it.
This series is so rich! Rich characters, rich writing, rich dialogue and rich experiences.
I know this may sound cheesy but this series feels like a dear friend. After I read the last page of the last chapter, I came out of it feeling like I just hung out with the best people, like I went on an adventure with the most amazing individuals.
There’s just so much to love about this but I especially loved the characters the most. Fran and Roger are amazing and they are the perfect example of friends who take none of your shit but love you nonetheless and they’ll make you do the most crazy shit but it’ll all be absolutely worth it. That shit’s so heart -warming.
Declan is so sweet and funny and just absolutely wonderful with Simon and they make SO MUCH SENSE together. I’m so glad they found each other when they did. They found the best and worst parts of each other and burrowed themselves in it.
I loved how the two of them are a team. How they learn and grow together and how they support each other. It’s what a partnership should be. To quote Coby: ‘You two are like my role models for a stable gay relationship to aspire to.” And he’s absolutely right. They’re absolutely amazing together and I want to see them grow old and live their best lives together.
But what I loved the most out of all these wonderful things is of course our lovely narrator, Simon Murray. He has a special place in my heart. He’s powered on snark and his inner monologue is absolutely hilarious. I’ve reread this series so many times but Simon’s voice always gets a loud laugh out of me.
I loved Simon as the narrator. His voice is so solid, so entertaining and so relatable. I remember staying up all night, just inhaling this entire series and when I reached the end of Book 3 all I could think about was how if he asked me, I would be 100% willing to go on an epic quest to destroy a ring of power with him and his gang. I’d be like like shit yes, where do I sign, Mr. Murray?
Not that it’d be a very smart thing to follow Simon Murray into the fires of Mordor but still. I think it would be an absolute blast, you know?
He’s so brave and so full of love and yet so — not unwilling, I don’t think. Just.. very hesitant. He’s just so used to what coping mechanisms he had in the past. It worked for him then but now it quickly becomes an uphill battle for him to unlearn all of that shit, now that he realizes it’s absolutely alright to show affection (crucial even!! ) and that he cares a whole lot for the people around him. I relate to that so so much. Which is why I love him like this. He’s so genuine, and real and so human and I’m glad I found this book at the time I did.
I hope Book 4 comes out soon and I hope Sean Kennedy is having a great time and is healthy and happy and never has to deal with uneven table legs that wobble or aborted sneezes or rude people. I hope he’s surrounded by the most lovely people in the world because the world is a brighter place for me because of Tiger and Devils. I’m 100% serious. This is my favorite book series and I’ll read it again and again and again and never get tired.
TL;DR Please read Tigers and Devils. It is absolutely worth it.
Thank you. (bows)
This series is so rich! Rich characters, rich writing, rich dialogue and rich experiences.
I know this may sound cheesy but this series feels like a dear friend. After I read the last page of the last chapter, I came out of it feeling like I just hung out with the best people, like I went on an adventure with the most amazing individuals.
There’s just so much to love about this but I especially loved the characters the most. Fran and Roger are amazing and they are the perfect example of friends who take none of your shit but love you nonetheless and they’ll make you do the most crazy shit but it’ll all be absolutely worth it. That shit’s so heart -warming.
Declan is so sweet and funny and just absolutely wonderful with Simon and they make SO MUCH SENSE together. I’m so glad they found each other when they did. They found the best and worst parts of each other and burrowed themselves in it.
I loved how the two of them are a team. How they learn and grow together and how they support each other. It’s what a partnership should be. To quote Coby: ‘You two are like my role models for a stable gay relationship to aspire to.” And he’s absolutely right. They’re absolutely amazing together and I want to see them grow old and live their best lives together.
But what I loved the most out of all these wonderful things is of course our lovely narrator, Simon Murray. He has a special place in my heart. He’s powered on snark and his inner monologue is absolutely hilarious. I’ve reread this series so many times but Simon’s voice always gets a loud laugh out of me.
I loved Simon as the narrator. His voice is so solid, so entertaining and so relatable. I remember staying up all night, just inhaling this entire series and when I reached the end of Book 3 all I could think about was how if he asked me, I would be 100% willing to go on an epic quest to destroy a ring of power with him and his gang. I’d be like like shit yes, where do I sign, Mr. Murray?
Not that it’d be a very smart thing to follow Simon Murray into the fires of Mordor but still. I think it would be an absolute blast, you know?
He’s so brave and so full of love and yet so — not unwilling, I don’t think. Just.. very hesitant. He’s just so used to what coping mechanisms he had in the past. It worked for him then but now it quickly becomes an uphill battle for him to unlearn all of that shit, now that he realizes it’s absolutely alright to show affection (crucial even!! ) and that he cares a whole lot for the people around him. I relate to that so so much. Which is why I love him like this. He’s so genuine, and real and so human and I’m glad I found this book at the time I did.
I hope Book 4 comes out soon and I hope Sean Kennedy is having a great time and is healthy and happy and never has to deal with uneven table legs that wobble or aborted sneezes or rude people. I hope he’s surrounded by the most lovely people in the world because the world is a brighter place for me because of Tiger and Devils. I’m 100% serious. This is my favorite book series and I’ll read it again and again and again and never get tired.
TL;DR Please read Tigers and Devils. It is absolutely worth it.
Thank you. (bows)
skye16's review
3.0
Jasper f*cking Brunswick. Even I am sick of that guy. Coby, how could you? Like just no. The book shines a light that same-sex marriage was not legal in Australia yet. This makes the coming out of Declan in the first book as a professional football player (still not sure if it was soccer or American football, the book doesn't care too much either) even a bigger deal.
sonni89's review
5.0
I really, really liked the last installment of this series. I mean, it wasn't perfect, so this is more like a 4.25-star read that I decided to upgrade because I was harsher on the other two books than I needed to be and because this just really worked for me on an emotional level. Basically, I love everyone in this bar!!!! Simon and Dec were just SO SOLID and great in this and I love them a lot to a point where when I visited Melbourne, I specifically sought out places that were mentioned in the previous two books. I just really took to these characters, they were so realistic and well written and I really liked the conclusion to the whole story.
karlijnmerle's review
4.0
Dec and Simon are back! And how?! Holy amazeballs, this was, like the other times, a great and also hilarious book. I love them. Corny I know, but they finish each others puzzles. Yeah, I know, sorry for that one. But is is true!
So give me the next and I will shut up ;)
“So, I just want to say, I love you, Declan Tyler, and when we can, I can't wait to destroy the sanctity of marriage with you.”
So give me the next and I will shut up ;)
“So, I just want to say, I love you, Declan Tyler, and when we can, I can't wait to destroy the sanctity of marriage with you.”
stevia333k's review
5.0
I'm 8% through & I felt like I was getting back into an old glove at like 3% or 4%. something that feels comfortable with estranged familiarity, but also snug like a new pair of boxer briefs (cuz the balls like the boobs need support ;-) ).
I'm 100% done now. i finished the last half of the book in the mornings waiting for physical therapy at a bagel shop which a bag of chips & water. it was a beautiful reunion of the past. there was a cliffhanger at the end, soab. (oh, i use that acronym now). but yeah, i rejoice in knowing that back in December 2017 Australia finally got same-sex/gender-neutral marriage!
I'm 100% done now. i finished the last half of the book in the mornings waiting for physical therapy at a bagel shop which a bag of chips & water. it was a beautiful reunion of the past. there was a cliffhanger at the end, soab. (oh, i use that acronym now). but yeah, i rejoice in knowing that back in December 2017 Australia finally got same-sex/gender-neutral marriage!
suze_1624's review against another edition
5.0
Much more Dec and Simon! From the blurb I was expecting them to be secondary characters in this book but I am happy that they were once again front and central in the story.
Micah is there in all his teenage angst and I could feel for him - teenage years can be a trauma anyway and add in coming out and high profile sports and it is a powder keg. He wasn't totally sympathetic, doing or saying the stupid. But then with Simon as a role model, what hope is there. Just as I was thinking he was a Simon mini-me, so did Simon!
There is some growing up by Simon - and Dec does lighten up a bit and also fall off his pedestal at times. Simon and Jasper still annoy, though it did add to the growth process.
Add in a 'yum' epilogue and a 'what!?!' epilogue and there has to be a book 4 - can't wait!
Micah is there in all his teenage angst and I could feel for him - teenage years can be a trauma anyway and add in coming out and high profile sports and it is a powder keg. He wasn't totally sympathetic, doing or saying the stupid. But then with Simon as a role model, what hope is there. Just as I was thinking he was a Simon mini-me, so did Simon!
There is some growing up by Simon - and Dec does lighten up a bit and also fall off his pedestal at times. Simon and Jasper still annoy, though it did add to the growth process.
Add in a 'yum' epilogue and a 'what!?!' epilogue and there has to be a book 4 - can't wait!