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heresmika's review against another edition
4.0
(3.75/5)
I started reading this book and I enjoyed it so much that I was ready to slap the 5/5 rating immediately. Unfortunately, the book went downhill afterward.
In short, why should you read this book?
- The main characters are a team of badass girls that play field hockey. They are all fierce and interesting and protect each other
- The book focuses on the effects of sexual assault and the girls that try to make their school a safer place
- The writing style was so good. I don't know what stood out to me, but I'll add the first paragraph of the book just so you could see: "The air feels different out here - wilder, freer. In a few minutes, our girls will jump out of windows and leap off roofs all over town. Ava already has. I could leap off this roof, swing around the elm branch, and let go into a tight flip before landing on the ground. It would totally get a 10 from the German judge. But the soles of my shoes stick to my bedroom floor, and my hands hold tight to the window frame. I'm not Ava." —- just look at that, it's so exciting and descriptive and great.
I really liked the premise of the book. Following the captain of the girls' hockey team after she had been assaulted and see her try to defy the current problems in her town and help others. The way I thought it will happen is through protest or a movement or forming a group with other people in a similar situation. But, the book was a lot more violent than that. I could somewhat understand what lead the main character to act this way, but she just threw rationality out of the window and ignored what her friends said.
Not only that, but the team really wanted the people that harmed them to pay for that, but when they did something horrible they didn't get consequences.
I think my main problem is that the plot went in a really weird direction. It was still interesting and I wanted to see what happened next, but there were times when I just wanted to leave the book.
Another part that I didn't enjoy was the way the parents treated the main character after she said that she felt like she is working/doing more than she needs to.
I did like how the author managed to still focus on the hockey games and showed them practicing. There were a lot of interesting parts that I didn’t see in any other book; the team learned how to parkour and played during the night with glow-in-the-dark gear. It was done in a really nice way :) I also liked the friendship between the teammates and the romance was really cute.
Overall, I really enjoyed the beginning and ending of the book. The relationships in the book were meaningful and made me smile. Something just didn’t work for me with some of the plot lines but it was still enjoyable !
I started reading this book and I enjoyed it so much that I was ready to slap the 5/5 rating immediately. Unfortunately, the book went downhill afterward.
In short, why should you read this book?
- The main characters are a team of badass girls that play field hockey. They are all fierce and interesting and protect each other
- The book focuses on the effects of sexual assault and the girls that try to make their school a safer place
- The writing style was so good. I don't know what stood out to me, but I'll add the first paragraph of the book just so you could see: "The air feels different out here - wilder, freer. In a few minutes, our girls will jump out of windows and leap off roofs all over town. Ava already has. I could leap off this roof, swing around the elm branch, and let go into a tight flip before landing on the ground. It would totally get a 10 from the German judge. But the soles of my shoes stick to my bedroom floor, and my hands hold tight to the window frame. I'm not Ava." —- just look at that, it's so exciting and descriptive and great.
I really liked the premise of the book. Following the captain of the girls' hockey team after she had been assaulted and see her try to defy the current problems in her town and help others. The way I thought it will happen is through protest or a movement or forming a group with other people in a similar situation. But, the book was a lot more violent than that. I could somewhat understand what lead the main character to act this way, but she just threw rationality out of the window and ignored what her friends said.
Spoiler
3 girls from the team got guns and kidnapped one of the guys that harmed them. One of them shot him, and although it was okay in the end, it was still so fucked up.Not only that, but the team really wanted the people that harmed them to pay for that, but when they did something horrible they didn't get consequences.
I think my main problem is that the plot went in a really weird direction. It was still interesting and I wanted to see what happened next, but there were times when I just wanted to leave the book.
Another part that I didn't enjoy was the way the parents treated the main character after she said that she felt like she is working/doing more than she needs to.
Spoiler
the main character's dad had an accident and he couldn't move. The girl felt like her mom didn't help at all and instead the girl had to take care of her dad + do a lot of chores by herself. The parents made her feel like everything is her fault instead of thanking her for everything that she does but also showing her why she is incorrect. "All this time I've been the one holding him back. I've been the one making their lives harder" (page 250). And this theme repeats itself - even if she misjudged the situation, she still did a lot and her parents shouldn't make her feel this way.I did like how the author managed to still focus on the hockey games and showed them practicing. There were a lot of interesting parts that I didn’t see in any other book; the team learned how to parkour and played during the night with glow-in-the-dark gear. It was done in a really nice way :) I also liked the friendship between the teammates and the romance was really cute.
Overall, I really enjoyed the beginning and ending of the book. The relationships in the book were meaningful and made me smile. Something just didn’t work for me with some of the plot lines but it was still enjoyable !
jenn_sveda's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this one! I think the characters were believable, relatable, and empathetic. Sometimes it was hard to keep all the members of the team straight - I sometimes confused Liv and Ava, or forgot who the triplets were when they weren't mentioned by name. The story felt real and heartbreaking without being hopeless.
The story constantly surprised me, in all the best ways. There were many times where I felt the narrative was trending towards being too sympathetic to the sex offenders, and I thought "Here we go with the 'not all men' caveat," only for the characters and the narrative to affirm that yes, sexual assault is systemic, cultural issue that impacts everyone. I thought the message was clear without feeling preachy, and the solution that the team eventually arrived at was realistic and touching. As much as I loved the hooded vigilante angle, I think it was more meaningful and impactful to have the characters heal through sharing stories and building support networks instead, because that's a solution that we as readers can mirror.
Overall, I think this was a great YA book, and definitely something I would recommend for anyone looking for grounded, moving stories of combatting rape culture without leaning too hard into glamorizing trauma.
The story constantly surprised me, in all the best ways. There were many times where I felt the narrative was trending towards being too sympathetic to the sex offenders, and I thought "Here we go with the 'not all men' caveat," only for the characters and the narrative to affirm that yes, sexual assault is systemic, cultural issue that impacts everyone. I thought the message was clear without feeling preachy, and the solution that the team eventually arrived at was realistic and touching. As much as I loved the hooded vigilante angle, I think it was more meaningful and impactful to have the characters heal through sharing stories and building support networks instead, because that's a solution that we as readers can mirror.
Overall, I think this was a great YA book, and definitely something I would recommend for anyone looking for grounded, moving stories of combatting rape culture without leaning too hard into glamorizing trauma.
mckaylarose99's review against another edition
3.0
Not the best, not the worst?
I was so into it until the part where they pull the guns on Kupp. He absolutely was an asshole, but also just kind of made me feel like the author was trying to cram in so much more than was possible. Like, there was so much happening with so many characters I feel like I don’t know anything about any of them. And what I did know I didn’t necessarily like.
I don’t regret reading it, but don’t know if I would die on the hill that is this book.
I was so into it until the part where they pull the guns on Kupp. He absolutely was an asshole, but also just kind of made me feel like the author was trying to cram in so much more than was possible. Like, there was so much happening with so many characters I feel like I don’t know anything about any of them. And what I did know I didn’t necessarily like.
I don’t regret reading it, but don’t know if I would die on the hill that is this book.
lindsaysbookclub's review against another edition
5.0
5 Stars
This book was everything I needed and more. It was absolutely amazing! To start with the long list of the things I loved is the characters. The characters for me really stood out they were all very well developed and were so easy to relate to. I was so connected to this story I found myself laughing out loud and getting nervous for the characters. Another really well done thing is incorporating the issues of sexual assault. The topic was well covered and shined a light on how many women go through this and the struggles that come after. I think the author truly did a great job with that. The romance in the story was another thing I absolutely loved. I was jumping up down for them and was so happy with the ending. Overall this book was amazing and I cannot wait until it is fully released!
This book was everything I needed and more. It was absolutely amazing! To start with the long list of the things I loved is the characters. The characters for me really stood out they were all very well developed and were so easy to relate to. I was so connected to this story I found myself laughing out loud and getting nervous for the characters. Another really well done thing is incorporating the issues of sexual assault. The topic was well covered and shined a light on how many women go through this and the struggles that come after. I think the author truly did a great job with that. The romance in the story was another thing I absolutely loved. I was jumping up down for them and was so happy with the ending. Overall this book was amazing and I cannot wait until it is fully released!
ninawatches's review against another edition
4.0
I love powerful girl stories where they've got an amazing bond of a team that's more like a family.
It was hard to read what was done to them, and I found myself just as angry and vengeful as Zoe was. I'm glad that things ended the way they did, but I'm so angry for all the shit that happened to her.
It was hard to read what was done to them, and I found myself just as angry and vengeful as Zoe was. I'm glad that things ended the way they did, but I'm so angry for all the shit that happened to her.
lizreads05's review against another edition
4.0
This is such a great contemporary ya novel! it was my first Emma Kress novel. And i loved it it was a grate girl power novel
krysley's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
One of my favorite tropes in YA is teenage girls who are involved in athletics fighting back against some type of injustice, and this book delivers on that in so many ways. It is a book full of pain and rage and a whole mishmash of emotions that I think will appeal to YA readers of all ages.
In fact, this book does not shy away from the harsh realities of what young women have to deal with on a daily basis. Instead, it dons the mantle of female rage, sees how far that rage can be pushed, and the consequences of actions. It is just a phenomenal YA book, though I felt there were a few unresolved storylines.
Narrator Rachel Jacobs gives an excellent performance, especially with the number of characters she has to handle.
Thank you to NetGalley and OrangeSky Audio for allowing me to listen to this audiobook in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.
In fact, this book does not shy away from the harsh realities of what young women have to deal with on a daily basis. Instead, it dons the mantle of female rage, sees how far that rage can be pushed, and the consequences of actions. It is just a phenomenal YA book, though I felt there were a few unresolved storylines.
Narrator Rachel Jacobs gives an excellent performance, especially with the number of characters she has to handle.
Thank you to NetGalley and OrangeSky Audio for allowing me to listen to this audiobook in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Rape
almckay's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Rape
Moderate: Sexual harassment
akacya's review against another edition
5.0
content warnings (my review contains mentions of some of these): sexual assault, rape, sexual harassment, sexism, violence
zoe is a high schooler determined to get her field hockey team, for which she is a co-captain, to the state championships so that her dream school will offer her a full-ride. after being sexually assaulted at a party, she finds a new goal: she, with the help of her teammates, will make sure no girl ever feels unsafe again. the girls become vigilantes, hunting these predators at night and getting them away from their victims. one night, though, they may go too far, as the police become involved and their team is at risk.
first, i just want to shout out the audiobook narrator, rachel l. jacobs, because she did an amazing job! she conveyed so much emotion just through her voice which was perfect for this book.
i was drawn to this book because of the synopsis. a team of girls kicking ass on a hockey field and in real life? count me in! and the book really did not disappoint and exceeded my expectations!
this book was not 100% about zoe’s sexual assault. we can see even before the assault that zoe is also struggling with some things at home, as her dad was in an accident and now can hardly leave his bed, whereas her mom is often gone, for which zoe resents her. i really liked how zoe’s relationship with her parents developed over the course of the book…that’s all i’ll say so i don’t spoil too much though!
i appreciated the female characters and friendships depicted. they weren’t perfect, but that just made them more realistic! they all felt like real high school girls and real high school friendships.
overall, this book was emotional yet beautiful, and if the synopsis intrigues you, i’d recommend giving it a try!
zoe is a high schooler determined to get her field hockey team, for which she is a co-captain, to the state championships so that her dream school will offer her a full-ride. after being sexually assaulted at a party, she finds a new goal: she, with the help of her teammates, will make sure no girl ever feels unsafe again. the girls become vigilantes, hunting these predators at night and getting them away from their victims. one night, though, they may go too far, as the police become involved and their team is at risk.
first, i just want to shout out the audiobook narrator, rachel l. jacobs, because she did an amazing job! she conveyed so much emotion just through her voice which was perfect for this book.
i was drawn to this book because of the synopsis. a team of girls kicking ass on a hockey field and in real life? count me in! and the book really did not disappoint and exceeded my expectations!
this book was not 100% about zoe’s sexual assault. we can see even before the assault that zoe is also struggling with some things at home, as her dad was in an accident and now can hardly leave his bed, whereas her mom is often gone, for which zoe resents her. i really liked how zoe’s relationship with her parents developed over the course of the book…that’s all i’ll say so i don’t spoil too much though!
i appreciated the female characters and friendships depicted. they weren’t perfect, but that just made them more realistic! they all felt like real high school girls and real high school friendships.
overall, this book was emotional yet beautiful, and if the synopsis intrigues you, i’d recommend giving it a try!