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allforevermore's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, and Death of parent
Moderate: Drug abuse, Vomit, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Murder, Alcohol, Death, Death of parent, and Addiction
archcon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, Drug abuse, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Alcohol, Drug use, Death, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Bullying
emintobooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I struggled with this one. I've wanted to read this series since it originally came out. Every few months, I'll put it on my to do list and just... not, because it's a bad habit I have. I recently saw a post online about it and got the e-book because it was on sale for free. Well. I'm glad I finally checked it off my to do list, but I won't be reading the others. This was a hot mess and not in a fun way.
I sent this message to my friend about it "This book is very 'this boy squad is edgy and dark. Their past is strewn with violence and drugs. Cigarettes are hot' " I stand by that, and on top of it, it was confusing. The whole time, I couldn't figure out what was going on. I felt like I was reading a prologue, and like I was expected to already know the characters. All of the main characters are different shades of the same color. They didn't feel distinct from each other. Honestly, they're all insufferable, and I found myself wondering if we were actually supposed to like them. The plot was very vague, and there are some major parts of the main character that are never explained, again, as if we should already know. When I reached the end of the book, there was a list of characters and what their roles are. Sure could have used that at the beginning.
Other issues: The characters are violent drug users, and that can totally have merit in a book. Here, it felt like there was no rhyme or reason for the violence or drug use.
[Spoiler] There also was a scene where one of the characters spikes the main character's drink. While he is drugged, another character forcefully kisses him without consent. When he tries to escape, the character does it again. Books can't always be roses and sunshine, but this was totally glossed over. We never even find out how the main character feels about this assault and drugging. [/Spoiler]
The story also involves a made up for the book sport, called Exy. Unlike other books I've read with made up sports, this really didn't explain the sport. By page 66, I know the game is called Exy, a racket is used, a court is played on, and offense and defense are terms used. There is a ball, but I don't know what size, shape, or color. I have no idea how the game is played. When the characters are practicing I have no clue what they are doing. Later, there is a game of Exy that goes on for pages, and I had *zero clue* what was happening. None. I didn't understand at all and couldn't wrap my brain around who was where and doing what and what is the goal of the game? Can you score? How do you win? What do the balls look like? ????
[Spoiler] There also is a scene where two of the characters are on a talk show and the dialogue was just... I had to suspend my disbelief for the thousandth time. [/Spoiler]
This book could have used a heavy dose of professional editing, though I suppose it's too late for that.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Mental illness, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Blood, Death of parent, Ableism, and Drug use
Moderate: Domestic abuse
katieo156's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Drug use, Murder, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Violence, Toxic friendship, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Medical content, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Suicidal thoughts
aschuylerlizard's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Child abuse, and Cursing
Moderate: Vomit and Sexual assault
Minor: Murder and Homophobia
lennie_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Did i like the characters? I honestly don't know
Could i put it down? Also No
Something about this book dug its murderous lil fingers into my brain.
Think Haikyuu meets the Yakuza.
And for the love of god check the trigger warnings before reading this book because wow.
There are a lot of slurs used in the book, a lot of terrible things (past and present) that happen, a confusing made up sport and some very damaged and toxic characters but idk, something about it just makes me want to delve deeper into the story and characters.
I'm genuinely not sure of my rating for this and there were parts that were very uncomfortable for me to read.
CW: murder, physical abuse, child abuse, death, overdose, drug use, drug abuse, spiking, rape joke, use of the r slur and the f slur, death of a parent, burning a corpse, homophobia, violence, addiction, blood, injury, toxic relationship, mental illness,
state mandated drug use (this one is absolutely bizarre).
And probably more tbh
Graphic: Drug abuse, Death of parent, Violence, Alcohol, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Addiction, Blood, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Slavery and Sexual harassment
Minor: Biphobia, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Ableism
soso_soor2389's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Blood, Emotional abuse, Grief, Violence, Addiction, Abandonment, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Murder, Car accident, Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, and Forced institutionalization
cait's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Minor: Child abuse, Torture, Grief, Alcohol, Bullying, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Ableism, Addiction, Child death, Body horror, Classism, Death of parent, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Violence, and Vomit
jessthebesst's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Bullying, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Addiction, Drug use, Toxic friendship, Homophobia, Child abuse, Mental illness, Ableism, Alcohol, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Violence
joseph_al's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Death of parent, Alcoholism, Blood, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Alcohol, Physical abuse, Addiction, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Death, Drug abuse, and Drug use