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koicow's review against another edition
3.5
This book isn't without it's flaws, but who isn't?
(I'm trying to put into words my thoughts, but my main takeaway is that this books lacks any descriptive depth to paint a pretty picture, instead has strength in focusing on on our main character Neil, and what he thinking and experiencing. To put it simply, I can't tell if this is badly written or if it's because Neil doesn't have time to care about a pretty picture, when there's more important things to think about.
I think the main appeal of this is that it focuses on a group of misfits, with dark past, coming together through this sport - which makes you have hope that things will work out for them all. It makes you root for Neil, it makes you want to uncover people's past, and it makes you invested in seeing how the games play out.
That being said, is it wrong for me to have wanted more? I imagine that in the later books there will be more of an emotional impact, as this was just the set up, but I think this could've been brilliant if they had built up more tension. No spoilers, but there's almost two parts to the ending? Which indicates to me what the author wants the importance of the story to be, whilst I just want the plot to thicken. I feel like there's a battle of focus, where neither is really fully shining. This could've easily been the first part of a book, so I will probably judge the series as a whole, but for now this first one didn't give me enough.
Also, that one scene wasn't it. I understand that these are all hurting people and the pain isn't anything, and it's insignificant to the things that they want or care about. But it really hilters any trust that is already built up, with no consequences what so ever.
Overall, I wish the writing was pulled a little more tighter, then I think this would've been great - I get the hype to some extent, I just don't feel satisfied with this one book.
I will edit my thoughts later to be more consise. Right now, it's onto the next book! I do really like whats going on, I just think it needs more of an edit, as I feel like I have to figure things out at points. For example, it took me a good few pages to realise Nicholas and Nicky were the same person, as no-one ever mentioned the nickname, and so I thought it could be another cousin. At the time I thought "wow there's lots of cousins" lmao. Plus, I sometimes found it hard to know who was talking, as there's no context for anything, so I have to reread at times. Anyways, more thoughts later)
(I'm trying to put into words my thoughts, but my main takeaway is that this books lacks any descriptive depth to paint a pretty picture, instead has strength in focusing on on our main character Neil, and what he thinking and experiencing. To put it simply, I can't tell if this is badly written or if it's because Neil doesn't have time to care about a pretty picture, when there's more important things to think about.
I think the main appeal of this is that it focuses on a group of misfits, with dark past, coming together through this sport - which makes you have hope that things will work out for them all. It makes you root for Neil, it makes you want to uncover people's past, and it makes you invested in seeing how the games play out.
That being said, is it wrong for me to have wanted more? I imagine that in the later books there will be more of an emotional impact, as this was just the set up, but I think this could've been brilliant if they had built up more tension. No spoilers, but there's almost two parts to the ending? Which indicates to me what the author wants the importance of the story to be, whilst I just want the plot to thicken. I feel like there's a battle of focus, where neither is really fully shining. This could've easily been the first part of a book, so I will probably judge the series as a whole, but for now this first one didn't give me enough.
Also, that one scene wasn't it. I understand that these are all hurting people and the pain isn't anything, and it's insignificant to the things that they want or care about. But it really hilters any trust that is already built up, with no consequences what so ever.
Overall, I wish the writing was pulled a little more tighter, then I think this would've been great - I get the hype to some extent, I just don't feel satisfied with this one book.
I will edit my thoughts later to be more consise. Right now, it's onto the next book! I do really like whats going on, I just think it needs more of an edit, as I feel like I have to figure things out at points. For example, it took me a good few pages to realise Nicholas and Nicky were the same person, as no-one ever mentioned the nickname, and so I thought it could be another cousin. At the time I thought "wow there's lots of cousins" lmao. Plus, I sometimes found it hard to know who was talking, as there's no context for anything, so I have to reread at times. Anyways, more thoughts later)
moonspluvia's review against another edition
4.0
Wow!! This is my 3rd time reading this book and my first time annotating it!! I had such a fun time and I fell even more in love with this book and the characters. I think the best way to write this review is to do a pros and cons list because although I absolutely loved this book, there are some flaws:
Let’s start with the pros:
* The characterization. This is probably my favorite part of these books; the characters. The author does an AMAZING job making each and every character distinct and unique. There are so many character moments that are small but add so much to their characters (Kevin being a super heavy sleeper, Dan checking up on Matt mid game, literally when each fox enters the lounge for the first time). I think that’s why fans love these characters so much, because of how much personality they have even when they only say one line.
* Showing w/ the characters and not telling. This kinda goes with my first point. The author does a good job having the characters show who they are rather than just tell us. We actually see Dan being made of sterner stuff, we see Andrew be super perceptive and smart, we literally see Neil connect the dots when he figures something out and we see him be cunning yet outspoken. It makes the characters super solid and gives them a lot of depth, which I absolute love.
* The writing, pacing and tone!! I wish the fandom would take the books a bit more seriously tbh. The writing was pretty good despite some bumps. The pacing was pretty good too, but what stands out is the tone. The whole vibe of the book is there from beginning to end and it is delivered well. I really like the serious tone this book has, and I completely forgot about it because of how the fandom has portrayed the characters online. It’s very interesting to see imo, but I wish there wasn’t so much of a dissonance.
* The aesthetics of the book. This is only for me ngl because how I see aftg in my head is so specific. Think about an A24 coming of age films or like an HBO series, that’s how I see this book. WALK WITH ME HERE. Imagine the first scene is like focused on Neil’s hand with the cigarette watching the sun going down on the bleachers. Maybe the show could have like the same color grading as The Florida project (vibrant colors to contrast the heavy subject matter) or something like Sharp objects or even the Ditto music video!!! With that camera work too OUUUU STAY WITH ME!! Idk it makes sense to me like I have the look of the trilogy DOWN and for some reason I thought the books didn’t give that but they do!! At least this one does. It gave me a character study of a man who doesn’t belong anywhere trying to find something to hold onto after losing everything and having to adjust to people who are rough like him. I went on a ramble sorry but I am right I know it.
Now, for the cons:
* Chapter 7. I really liked the first half of the chapter, but the 2nd half was completely unnecessary. I wish more people talked about it instead of ignore it, mush like the books ignored it after it happened. Neil was literally ASSAULTED by Nicky TWICE and nothing came of that?? Especially with what happens to Andrew. These books to a good job of having graphic scenes that aren’t for shock value, but this scene wasn’t one of them. This scene was completely unnecessary and I am struggling to see its relevance. Oh right- it doesn’t have relevance!! AT ALL. Book 2 & 3 Nicky is so completely detached from book 1 Nicky it’s wild. Because of this scene I cannot give this book 5 stars sorry not sorry!!
* Some choice of words. Wymack uses the r slur a couple of times and it wasn’t necessary. I don’t care what the time period was! I don’t care if it was ‘in character’! I didn’t like it and I wished other words were used. Wymack has a colorful vocabulary I’m sure there are other words he could use. And the word ‘cripple’ was used is an awful way as well. Use other words PLEASE.
* There were also some things said by Nicky that were so gross like stop being a WEIRDO NICKY GOD
Anyways!! Despite the cons I genuinely love this book. At most I would give it a 4.5 because it truly is a good book that gave me everything I wanted!! I can’t describe it but there’s a certain vibe I want from the aftg trilogy and I thought the books didn’t have it but this one does!! The bleakness, the melancholy, the harshness of the sport, the hope, the family dynamics, the rumination of thoughts like it’s all there!!! The aesthetic and everything too like wow why did I underestimate this book I’ve literally read it twice before lol. Idk if I’m making sense lol. Anyways I had a great time and can’t wait to read the next books and see what I missed.
Let’s start with the pros:
* The characterization. This is probably my favorite part of these books; the characters. The author does an AMAZING job making each and every character distinct and unique. There are so many character moments that are small but add so much to their characters (Kevin being a super heavy sleeper, Dan checking up on Matt mid game, literally when each fox enters the lounge for the first time). I think that’s why fans love these characters so much, because of how much personality they have even when they only say one line.
* Showing w/ the characters and not telling. This kinda goes with my first point. The author does a good job having the characters show who they are rather than just tell us. We actually see Dan being made of sterner stuff, we see Andrew be super perceptive and smart, we literally see Neil connect the dots when he figures something out and we see him be cunning yet outspoken. It makes the characters super solid and gives them a lot of depth, which I absolute love.
* The writing, pacing and tone!! I wish the fandom would take the books a bit more seriously tbh. The writing was pretty good despite some bumps. The pacing was pretty good too, but what stands out is the tone. The whole vibe of the book is there from beginning to end and it is delivered well. I really like the serious tone this book has, and I completely forgot about it because of how the fandom has portrayed the characters online. It’s very interesting to see imo, but I wish there wasn’t so much of a dissonance.
* The aesthetics of the book. This is only for me ngl because how I see aftg in my head is so specific. Think about an A24 coming of age films or like an HBO series, that’s how I see this book. WALK WITH ME HERE. Imagine the first scene is like focused on Neil’s hand with the cigarette watching the sun going down on the bleachers. Maybe the show could have like the same color grading as The Florida project (vibrant colors to contrast the heavy subject matter) or something like Sharp objects or even the Ditto music video!!! With that camera work too OUUUU STAY WITH ME!! Idk it makes sense to me like I have the look of the trilogy DOWN and for some reason I thought the books didn’t give that but they do!! At least this one does. It gave me a character study of a man who doesn’t belong anywhere trying to find something to hold onto after losing everything and having to adjust to people who are rough like him. I went on a ramble sorry but I am right I know it.
Now, for the cons:
* Chapter 7. I really liked the first half of the chapter, but the 2nd half was completely unnecessary. I wish more people talked about it instead of ignore it, mush like the books ignored it after it happened. Neil was literally ASSAULTED by Nicky TWICE and nothing came of that?? Especially with what happens to Andrew. These books to a good job of having graphic scenes that aren’t for shock value, but this scene wasn’t one of them. This scene was completely unnecessary and I am struggling to see its relevance. Oh right- it doesn’t have relevance!! AT ALL. Book 2 & 3 Nicky is so completely detached from book 1 Nicky it’s wild. Because of this scene I cannot give this book 5 stars sorry not sorry!!
* Some choice of words. Wymack uses the r slur a couple of times and it wasn’t necessary. I don’t care what the time period was! I don’t care if it was ‘in character’! I didn’t like it and I wished other words were used. Wymack has a colorful vocabulary I’m sure there are other words he could use. And the word ‘cripple’ was used is an awful way as well. Use other words PLEASE.
* There were also some things said by Nicky that were so gross like stop being a WEIRDO NICKY GOD
Anyways!! Despite the cons I genuinely love this book. At most I would give it a 4.5 because it truly is a good book that gave me everything I wanted!! I can’t describe it but there’s a certain vibe I want from the aftg trilogy and I thought the books didn’t have it but this one does!! The bleakness, the melancholy, the harshness of the sport, the hope, the family dynamics, the rumination of thoughts like it’s all there!!! The aesthetic and everything too like wow why did I underestimate this book I’ve literally read it twice before lol. Idk if I’m making sense lol. Anyways I had a great time and can’t wait to read the next books and see what I missed.
cami_06's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
justcaitlind's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
liv7's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
hannaheliza93's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sofia_pinho'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
minjeongie101's review against another edition
3.5
This book is so fucking wild
At first going into this book i got Haikyuu vibes yk the sports boys book with orange jerseys
But it turns out this book got more of Prince of Tennis vibes without the tennis, if you watch POT yk what i talking about sports boy book with mafia plot? That some shit POT would pull if they set in collage
It's wild and idk if i could call it bad or good it's just wild... Also the bad guy gives of literal anime villain lol i'm here for the vibes ig
At first going into this book i got Haikyuu vibes yk the sports boys book with orange jerseys
But it turns out this book got more of Prince of Tennis vibes without the tennis, if you watch POT yk what i talking about sports boy book with mafia plot? That some shit POT would pull if they set in collage
It's wild and idk if i could call it bad or good it's just wild... Also the bad guy gives of literal anime villain lol i'm here for the vibes ig
thejestess's review against another edition
3.0
I have no idea what I just read. I appreciate the true sportsboy intensity, but the rest of the story requires so much work on my part to suspend my disbelief and also has so many themes/topics I'm not generally a fan of that I can't just enjoy it as brain candy? And the characters are so... that I don't think I actually like them much, except maybe some of the adults, who are also questionable. But a friend wants to talk about them, so read the next two I will!
One of the secondary characters is just straight up murdered by a different secondary character???? And there are no consequences??? Truly wild