Reviews with content warning for Blood - The Foxhole Court

Someone else's review said, "This was a mess I want more" and I'm on the opposite side. This was a mess, I don't want more.

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.

Content Warnings

marimaia's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

hope was a dangerous, disquieting thing, but he thought perhaps he liked.

Foi muito estranho ler a tradução pt-br pela primeira vez, e não posso dizer que foi uma experiência boa nesse ponto. Tem erros mas, principalmente, muitas traduções não fizeram sentido, algumas por serem frases extremamente toscas (quando no original são frases bem mais sensíveis e importantes), enquanto outras por serem palavras que ninguém nunca fala ou sequer sabe o significado.
De resto, continua sendo meu livro queridinho. Não tem palavras que expliquem como eu amo essa história e como ela é importante pra mim, e cada vez que leio fico mais grata de ter os foxes na minha vida.

Content Warnings

katieo156's review

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dark emotional sad tense fast-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

You just had to be there (tumblr 2013). I can't rate it or defend the absolute nonsense within it, but I also have reread it 3 times. At its core, there is a small, traumatized man whose ranks a fictional, uber-violent version of lacrosse over his own life. Check trigger warnings because too many apply! This author has never read the DSM and it shows, so take it all with a grain of salt and turn your brain off.

Content Warnings

abelh's review

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dark emotional sad fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

Content Warnings

addssubract's review

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emotional funny informative mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Content Warnings

lennie_reads's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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 understand Exy? No
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

Content Warnings

rafacolog's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

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