Scan barcode
capriqueen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I can’t quite put my finger on why it’s so compelling. It’s got sports and murder and messed up characters, and many twists and turns. I couldn’t stop thinking about it, and I read it every moment that I could. Read this book!
Graphic: Drug use, Violence, and Alcohol
Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia
rose_reads_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Addiction, Violence, Sexual violence, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Murder, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Vomit
gracefully_jk'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
4.25
Graphic: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Violence, Bullying, Drug use, Medical content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Acephobia/Arophobia, Child abuse, Torture, and Vomit
fanboyriot's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Child abuse, Gore, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Grief, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, Cursing, Death, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Addiction and Abandonment
Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia, Murder, Religious bigotry, Hate crime, Misogyny, Rape, Vomit, Gun violence, and Pedophilia
natnat_7's review
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Death, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Alcoholism, Racism, Blood, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Suicide, Addiction, Drug use, Gaslighting, Gore, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Bullying, Stalking, Ableism, Grief, Violence, Homophobia, Acephobia/Arophobia, Medical content, Self harm, Sexism, Misogyny, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Body horror, Child abuse, Rape, Car accident, and Vomit
gobbleme's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Graphic: Abandonment, Acephobia/Arophobia, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Death of parent, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Torture, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexism, Self harm, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, Hate crime, and Grief
sanchita101's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Acephobia/Arophobia, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Hate crime
fiekesfiction's review
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I, once again, have mixed feelings.
The reason I read this is peer pressure and fomo (as always). And because I was interested in the “be gay do crime” and “found family” promise.
So did this meet those expectations?
In the foxhole court you follow Neil Josten. He plays the (fictional) sport Exy. Coach Whymarck recruits players to play in his team and live on campus. Specifically, he looks for young people in horrible family situations. When he asks Neil to join the team, it is the last thing Neil should do. He is the runaway son of a murderous crime lord. Getting involved in a high profile team and sports news broadcasting pictures of his face around the nation is dangerous and the truth will get him killed. But Neil’s not the only one on the team with secrets.
The idea of actually risking your life just to be able to sport is absolutely ridiculous to me. Also just playing such a violent sport. Also everything else that happened in this book. But it’s hard to not be interested in reading it.
My expectations were sort of met on the do crime part, yes. In fact, this book might present itself as being about sport but it’s mostly about maffia. It is insane and kind of unrealistic, but also really original and interesting. Part of the appeal of the story is the wild weirdness.
Unfortunately, part of the crimes were actually horrible and inexcusable and committed by characters who I think we’re supposed to like? Now that isn’t exactly sure, because the main character rightfully feels angry and (at least in this book) doesn’t forgive everyone easily.
It’s a complicated situation because we’re dealing with a bunch of very mentally unstable teenagers who are traumatised and also pretty terrible. Generally I feel like I might get over part of it (as the whole situation is insane and some of the flawed reasons are understandable) but I have a huge hatred towards Nicky and I will not get over it.
Then there’s the be gay part which…. Ehh I don’t see yet. But I feel okay because these people need more build up on their relationship and also their personality in general. (There’s just so many characters it’s hard to remember who everyone is.)
This obviously comes back in the found family theme. I like the moments where Neil reflects on how great it is to be part of a team and his jealousy and loneliness. Bút this is not the general happy lovely group of friends I expected. This is a bunch of horrible people who would probably die for each other but sometimes also would actually kill each other. They’re a mess and I love the idea, I think having fights within a friend group is normal and okay, but
So it is complicated. I will say that I see a lot of potential for this to be heartwarming. I like that there’s this set up of Neil being lonely and having no one, because I feel like it might develop into him being part of this group and it being cute.
In general I think Neil is sometimes extremely idiotic, but also nice as a main character. As you’re seeing things from his perspective his actions are slightly more understandable. However, emphasis on SLIGHTLY. Because he is basically risking his life because he just can’t give up this sport. It’s to hard for him not to play, no matter the fact that it will draw the attention of people who are actively trying to kill him.
If we would’ve gotten anyone else’s POV he would probably just look odd and suspicious, while in this POV he just looked like a very dramatic and lonely idiot.
The other characters were a lot harder to understand. Especially as you don’t know much about them and their backstories.
Generally I had some issues trying to remember everyone’s names because there’s like 10 people in the team and then even more other characters.
I specifically remember Nicky, because I hate him.
Kevin, because I respect his commitment to the sport especially his backstory. I like that we know more about him and everything you know about him makes sense with his behaviour. He is far from perfect and like everyone, he annoyed me at times, but I feel pretty positive towards him.
Matt, because I think he’s one of the most likeable ones. I liked his relationship with Neil and his vibe. So far he’s great.
Renee, because I want to know more about her (and about the other girls as well.)
Andrew, because I don’t like him. He was super annoying and weird a lot of times, straight up horrible at other times, but I just didn’t really get him. I hated the way his medications were handled because it did not seem like the author did any research on it at all. He is horrible to almost everyone, I didn’t like how possessive he was and generally… ugh. But I do want to know more about what’s going on with him and why.
Other than that I only have vague ideas who everyone is and what their story is. But I am curious about the rest.
This is like if teenwolf didn’t have supernatural stuff in it and was more dramatic.
This story is a great time if you want to read some INSANE INSANE things with a vague found family of horrible people. But if you’re looking for something happy or objectively “good” it’s not for you.
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Homophobia, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Death of parent, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Suicide, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Acephobia/Arophobia