Take a photo of a barcode or cover
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racism, Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death, Physical abuse
Minor: Eating disorder
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
LOVED LOVED LOVED
Definitely carry on with this series, going to buy the physical copies at some point
Definitely carry on with this series, going to buy the physical copies at some point
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use
Minor: Death
ugh dnf. this reads like fan fiction and not in a fun way
_________________
EDIT DEC 2023
I did it. I read the unhinged fake lacrosse yakuza book. Someone on tumblr said this is a sports anime in book form and it clicked (particularly the psychotic love interest, who speaks and behaves like one of the twins from Ouran). I don't know if I like it exactly but it is for sure entertaining. Check those content warnings -- impossible for it to not be entertaining.
_________________
EDIT DEC 2023
I did it. I read the unhinged fake lacrosse yakuza book. Someone on tumblr said this is a sports anime in book form and it clicked (particularly the psychotic love interest, who speaks and behaves like one of the twins from Ouran). I don't know if I like it exactly but it is for sure entertaining. Check those content warnings -- impossible for it to not be entertaining.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Vomit
dark
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Violence
Moderate: Drug use, Suicide
Minor: Ableism, Death, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Blood, Vomit
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well, this was a surprise. I read this book for the first time in January 2018 and remember being very disappointed, but still curious enough to want to read the rest. But those plans didn't get concrete until recently, when I bought the entire trilogy in paperback off Ricardo (a Swiss website similar to Depop and such). And while five years ago, it was a 2 stars for me, it suddenly became a 4 stars.
If I had to guess, I'd say that had mostly to do with two factors: One, in 2018, I'd gone into it with huge expectations - probably too huge, considering this isn't exactly meaningful literature, so I was bound to be disappointed. And two, as a consequence, my expectations this time around were pretty much infinitesimal.
Of course, there were still a lot of things that I didn't like and that explained why a lot of people I know nowadays call it a "guilty pleasure". Some things were harmless. For example, I wasn't the biggest fan of the writing. It read very much like a self-published work, even if it did have one or two lines that hit the mark for me. And the beginning was pretty abrupt - you were dropped a bit unceremoniously into the story, and it took me a moment to orient myself. Plus, there was sometimes a bit too much repetition for my liking, especially at the beginning. There were only so many times I could read about Neil's worry that Kevin would recognise him before I lost my mind.
Secondly, the sport itself was confusing. It was a bit unhinged of Sakavic to invent an entirely new sport that doesn't actually exist instead of using one that already does - though since the invention of Exy and its creator played a big role, it was, admittedly, justified. It just made it hard for me to properly picture game scenes, because telling me that it was similar to lacrosse didn't help at all; I've never played or watched a game of lacrosse, either. Certain things also felt a bit unrealistic. Seeing a bunch of college kids on national TV just for playing some sport? Is that a thing that Americans do?
Something I criticised on my first read was that nothing really happened and that I was bored out of my mind. I still understand where I was coming from - a lot was more talked about than shown, and time jumped in segments a bit too far apart for my liking. Sometimes, I was a bit too much on the outside, so that even when Neil had been with the Foxes for weeks, I had no feel for their relationships or dynamics. However, I wasn't really bored upon rereading this, and I did think that there was more happening than I'd given it credit for in 2018.
I hated the characters five years ago, and now I kind of feel like the point flew over my head. Because I doubt anyone in their right mind reads this book and roots for any of the Foxes from the start. Andrew was deranged, and Kevin an absolute gigantic twat. (In 2018, I merely called him boring, which he was - more on that later -, but now I mostly picked up on how horribly he treated others, especially Neil.) I'd honestly be worried if anyone actually is into Andrew from the start, to be honest.
And while Neil was a bit too passive and his tendency to be pushed around like a marionette was supremely annoying at times - especially for someone who'd supposedly been on the run for ages; you'd think he'd know how to defend himself -, I didn't hate him, nor did I think he faded into the background too much. Plus, I did really live for the way Neil could verbally eviscerate others. 'I have a bit of an attitude problem', indeed, and it was absolutely iconic.
What I did find a bit ridiculous was part of Neil's backstory, though. That's the part that made me suspect that Sakavic was talking out of her arse a lot. His mother deadass drove them for hours with a literal stab (or gun shot?) wound in her stomach and only died once it was plot-convenient.
And while I understood that Neil loved Exy so much that he was willing to literally put his life at risk for the chance to play it one more time, it did make me feel slightly crazy sometimes. The guy was literally hiding from people intend on torturing and murdering him, and yet he went and publicly antagonised Riko ? He made himself a target of the Japanese mafia in a way that seemed completely at odds with how he was suppoesd to act like. Over the course of the book, Neil kept saying he’d leave before October, but I never quite understood how he planned to pull it off without drawing attention to himself. Being on the run was easy when no one knew you. But being an integral part of the Foxes just made him a sitting duck.
One thing I noticed this time around was how some characters barely say a word in the entire series, despite being present the entire time. Let's take Kevin as an example. Neil talked about how he acted as a coach - which is to say, like a nightmare -, and you got to see how others perceived him. But he very rarely said anything in dialogue, he was mostly just talked about instead of actually talking himself. All of that made Kevin incredibly one-dimensional and lacking any personality. He was supposed to be so important to Neil’s past and famous too, and none of that ever came across very well. I also would’ve liked to see his relationship with the Terrible Threesome (Andrew, Nicky, Aaron), especially Andrew, explored more.
This passiveness applied to other characters as well. It actually took me until almost the end of the book to realise that Aaron had said something out loud only about three times in total. Out of all the Foxes, he felt the least developed, and considering he was Andrew's twin and part of his group, that was astounding. So a lot of the side characters were somehow simultaneously very important and present, and yet not three-dimensional at all.
Those were my criticisms that were more or less harmless. Now, there were also a couple that felt downright offensive.
One of those was Nicky's portrayal. He was the only one who was gay - at least in this book; I don't know yet about the others -, and Sakavic wrote him as very predatory. He kept making advances and comments that he knew weren't welcome, and the way the others sometimes talked about him made him sound like he was two steps removed from being a literal rapist. I remember liking Nicky the most, and I do still think he was one of the funniest and most fleshed-out ones (which was a bit bizarre, considering he was neither the main character nor a potential love interest). He brought a bit of lightheartedness to the story that it otherwise lacked. But why he had to be so rape-y and boundary-ignoring was beyond me.
Secondly, the villains were specifically from the Japanese mafia, yet the only one who tried to get away from them - who therefore was not a "bad guy" intent on torture and murder - was if not white (I am a bit fuzzy on character descriptions), then at least the only one with a non-Japanese name. I didn't like that; it felt a bit racially motivated.
Lastly, I didn't like all the slurs being used. There was a character on the team, Seth, whose animosity and douchebaggery was shown a lot through his use of slurs - be it ableist ones or calling Nicky the f-slur every time Nicky said something that sounded even remotely gay. I'm not a fan of unlikeable characters' vitriol being shown solely through their use of horrible insults - Seth was pretty much a one-trick-bigot in that aspect -, you should be able to show they're shitty without resorting to cheap personality traits like that.
Overall, though, I was surprised by how much I liked it this time around! Definitely had a lot to do with me generously ignoring the more ridiculous parts of it, but eh. I'm still thrilled that I had a better time than five years ago, and I cannot wait to continue with the rest!
OLD REVIEW:
This was SO disappointing! I’ve had high hopes for it, since most people seem to absolutely adore it, but it just wasn’t for me.
+ I didn’t like any of the characters. I mean, yes, most of them seem to be more antiheroes than anything else, so maybe I wasn’t even supposed to like them. But Andrew was psychotic and awful and so unpredictable I’m still not entirely sure what to make of him. Kevin was always described in a way that made me feel like I had to be somewhat intrigued by him, but he was about as interesting as a brick wall. (Plus, this is a personal preference, but I have a hard time taking guys named Kevin seriously. I grew up with a Kevin, and he’s a goofball.)
Neil is extremely passive and only steps a little further into the spotlight towards the end of the book (like, the last 80% or so). The only character I liked a little bit - if we ignore his inability to say no to Andrew and his habit of kiss-drugging incompliant men - was Nicky. He sometimes felt like he would feel right at home with the Dregs.
+ the story was sooo boring! Nothing interesting happened. No, scratch that. Nothing happened, period. It was honestly more talk than show, and it drove me crazy.
+ there was way too much description. You don’t have to describe every single person in detail, honestly. I do have some imagination. Also, I’m pretty sure some of the characters were described several times?
+ I did not understand how Exy works. I think it’s a little bit like lacrosse, but that’s about it. I really did not like all the sports talk (although that one’s probably on me. I mean, it is a book involving sports. You’re allowed to go into detail in novels like that).
I’m still going to read the sequel(s), simply because I want to know what happens. And because I’d like to know if any ship sails, because there wasn’t any romance in here. Which, admittedly, wasn’t that disappointing because I’m not even sure for whom I was supposed to be rooting for.
If I had to guess, I'd say that had mostly to do with two factors: One, in 2018, I'd gone into it with huge expectations - probably too huge, considering this isn't exactly meaningful literature, so I was bound to be disappointed. And two, as a consequence, my expectations this time around were pretty much infinitesimal.
Of course, there were still a lot of things that I didn't like and that explained why a lot of people I know nowadays call it a "guilty pleasure". Some things were harmless. For example, I wasn't the biggest fan of the writing. It read very much like a self-published work, even if it did have one or two lines that hit the mark for me. And the beginning was pretty abrupt - you were dropped a bit unceremoniously into the story, and it took me a moment to orient myself. Plus, there was sometimes a bit too much repetition for my liking, especially at the beginning. There were only so many times I could read about Neil's worry that Kevin would recognise him before I lost my mind.
Secondly, the sport itself was confusing. It was a bit unhinged of Sakavic to invent an entirely new sport that doesn't actually exist instead of using one that already does - though since the invention of Exy and its creator played a big role, it was, admittedly, justified. It just made it hard for me to properly picture game scenes, because telling me that it was similar to lacrosse didn't help at all; I've never played or watched a game of lacrosse, either. Certain things also felt a bit unrealistic. Seeing a bunch of college kids on national TV just for playing some sport? Is that a thing that Americans do?
Something I criticised on my first read was that nothing really happened and that I was bored out of my mind. I still understand where I was coming from - a lot was more talked about than shown, and time jumped in segments a bit too far apart for my liking. Sometimes, I was a bit too much on the outside, so that even when Neil had been with the Foxes for weeks, I had no feel for their relationships or dynamics. However, I wasn't really bored upon rereading this, and I did think that there was more happening than I'd given it credit for in 2018.
I hated the characters five years ago, and now I kind of feel like the point flew over my head. Because I doubt anyone in their right mind reads this book and roots for any of the Foxes from the start. Andrew was deranged, and Kevin an absolute gigantic twat. (In 2018, I merely called him boring, which he was - more on that later -, but now I mostly picked up on how horribly he treated others, especially Neil.) I'd honestly be worried if anyone actually is into Andrew from the start, to be honest.
And while Neil was a bit too passive and his tendency to be pushed around like a marionette was supremely annoying at times - especially for someone who'd supposedly been on the run for ages; you'd think he'd know how to defend himself -, I didn't hate him, nor did I think he faded into the background too much. Plus, I did really live for the way Neil could verbally eviscerate others. 'I have a bit of an attitude problem', indeed, and it was absolutely iconic.
What I did find a bit ridiculous was part of Neil's backstory, though. That's the part that made me suspect that Sakavic was talking out of her arse a lot.
And while I understood that Neil loved Exy so much that he was willing to literally put his life at risk for the chance to play it one more time, it did make me feel slightly crazy sometimes. The guy was literally hiding from people intend on torturing and murdering him, and yet he went and publicly antagonised
One thing I noticed this time around was how some characters barely say a word in the entire series, despite being present the entire time. Let's take Kevin as an example. Neil talked about how he acted as a coach - which is to say, like a nightmare -, and you got to see how others perceived him. But he very rarely said anything in dialogue, he was mostly just talked about instead of actually talking himself. All of that made Kevin incredibly one-dimensional and lacking any personality. He was supposed to be so important to Neil’s past and famous too, and none of that ever came across very well. I also would’ve liked to see his relationship with the Terrible Threesome (Andrew, Nicky, Aaron), especially Andrew, explored more.
This passiveness applied to other characters as well. It actually took me until almost the end of the book to realise that Aaron had said something out loud only about three times in total. Out of all the Foxes, he felt the least developed, and considering he was Andrew's twin and part of his group, that was astounding. So a lot of the side characters were somehow simultaneously very important and present, and yet not three-dimensional at all.
Those were my criticisms that were more or less harmless. Now, there were also a couple that felt downright offensive.
One of those was Nicky's portrayal. He was the only one who was gay - at least in this book; I don't know yet about the others -, and Sakavic wrote him as very predatory. He kept making advances and comments that he knew weren't welcome, and the way the others sometimes talked about him made him sound like he was two steps removed from being a literal rapist. I remember liking Nicky the most, and I do still think he was one of the funniest and most fleshed-out ones (which was a bit bizarre, considering he was neither the main character nor a potential love interest). He brought a bit of lightheartedness to the story that it otherwise lacked. But why he had to be so rape-y and boundary-ignoring was beyond me.
Secondly, the villains were specifically from the Japanese mafia, yet the only one who tried to get away from them - who therefore was not a "bad guy" intent on torture and murder - was if not white (I am a bit fuzzy on character descriptions), then at least the only one with a non-Japanese name. I didn't like that; it felt a bit racially motivated.
Lastly, I didn't like all the slurs being used. There was a character on the team, Seth, whose animosity and douchebaggery was shown a lot through his use of slurs - be it ableist ones or calling Nicky the f-slur every time Nicky said something that sounded even remotely gay. I'm not a fan of unlikeable characters' vitriol being shown solely through their use of horrible insults - Seth was pretty much a one-trick-bigot in that aspect -, you should be able to show they're shitty without resorting to cheap personality traits like that.
Overall, though, I was surprised by how much I liked it this time around! Definitely had a lot to do with me generously ignoring the more ridiculous parts of it, but eh. I'm still thrilled that I had a better time than five years ago, and I cannot wait to continue with the rest!
OLD REVIEW:
This was SO disappointing! I’ve had high hopes for it, since most people seem to absolutely adore it, but it just wasn’t for me.
+ I didn’t like any of the characters. I mean, yes, most of them seem to be more antiheroes than anything else, so maybe I wasn’t even supposed to like them. But Andrew was psychotic and awful and so unpredictable I’m still not entirely sure what to make of him. Kevin was always described in a way that made me feel like I had to be somewhat intrigued by him, but he was about as interesting as a brick wall. (Plus, this is a personal preference, but I have a hard time taking guys named Kevin seriously. I grew up with a Kevin, and he’s a goofball.)
Neil is extremely passive and only steps a little further into the spotlight towards the end of the book (like, the last 80% or so). The only character I liked a little bit - if we ignore his inability to say no to Andrew and his habit of kiss-drugging incompliant men - was Nicky. He sometimes felt like he would feel right at home with the Dregs.
+ the story was sooo boring! Nothing interesting happened. No, scratch that. Nothing happened, period. It was honestly more talk than show, and it drove me crazy.
+ there was way too much description. You don’t have to describe every single person in detail, honestly. I do have some imagination. Also, I’m pretty sure some of the characters were described several times?
+ I did not understand how Exy works. I think it’s a little bit like lacrosse, but that’s about it. I really did not like all the sports talk (although that one’s probably on me. I mean, it is a book involving sports. You’re allowed to go into detail in novels like that).
I’m still going to read the sequel(s), simply because I want to know what happens. And because I’d like to know if any ship sails, because there wasn’t any romance in here. Which, admittedly, wasn’t that disappointing because I’m not even sure for whom I was supposed to be rooting for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Homophobia, Physical abuse
Use of the f-slur + ableist slurs
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Rating: 5 stars
It’s not the world that’s cruel. It’s the people in it.
Did I seriously just finish this book in 5 hours? I was so totally engrossed in the storyline that I couldn't even be bothered to change into pjs. The pages kept flipping, and all I could think was "one...more...chapter..." I love, love, love these characters so much, with all their messed-up priorities and crazy addictions and even insane violent tendencies. I don't know how it happened, but somehow I grew to love them despite all their flaws.
As he slipped the lock into place again he realized his hand was trembling. He held up his shaky fingers where he could see them better and wondered at the equally weak flutter in his chest. Hope was a dangerous, disquieting thing, but he thought perhaps he liked it.
Especially Neil, Andrew, and Kevin. Neil is my baby, he must be protected at all costs and sohelpmegods I will force him to find a home with these boys if it kills me. His obvious desperation that grew into a quiet confidence, and even a little hope, was everything. Kevin grew from stay-away-from-me-I'm-untouchable to I-have-such-a-tragic-past-and-I-need-love so quick I didn't realize what hit me. And Andrew. How can you not adore Andrew and everything he does for the people he cares about?! The supporting characters were equally as interesting, though I hated Nicky a bit by the end there. Ah well, all a part of the game ;) I don't want to make too many Raven Cycle parallels here, but Ronan is Andrew no questions asked; Adam is Neil (blooming romance included); and Kevin is undoubtedly Gansey. I could write a freaking essay about the similarities between each respective character, but needless to say I can see why people would recommend this series for fans of [b:The Raven Boys|17675462|The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle, #1)|Maggie Stiefvater|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1477103737s/17675462.jpg|18970934] - and I say the same.
Exy was a bastard sport, an evolved sort of lacrosse on a soccer-sized court with the violence of ice hockey, and Neil loved every part of it.
Exy is such a fantastic game to read about, and I loved the passion these characters have for it. I'm a huge sports fan, so the sports scenes were engrossing to me. Nevertheless, I could see how it could become really confusing for someone who didn't understand the basics of lacrosse; the explanations and play-by-plays were clear enough to me, but I could see how they could become confusing to others. As for me, I frequently found myself gritting my teeth in frustration during the game against Breckenridge, and cheering on little ol' Neil and a perfectly cocky Andrew. Seriously, I was so into these games that when the plot twist happened at the end all I could think (please don't judge) was "great, this will help the team mesh better and go on to win it all!"
It sounded like a dream; it tasted like damnation.
The plot was totally unbelievable..........but who freaking cares?! Call me crazy, but I had so much fun with gangs and murder and drugs and sneaking out and punching everyone left and right. Every single oh-so-sincere "I hate you" or not-so-sincere sarcastic remark was said in such a way that I basically cracked up. I don't know, it was just something about this book that I absolutely loved, and which spoke to me on an entertainment level that ended up getting me way too invested in these characters and this outrageous plot. Whoops :)
Keys meant Neil had explicit permission to be here and do what he liked. They meant he belonged.
Despite my obvious new obsession with this book, it certainly had its flaws. The plot didn't seem to have much structure, and I wouldn't be surprised to find out the author wrote a whole giant book and then was asked to cut it up into three parts. That means I am really looking forward to the next book, but it also just shows the lack of structure here. The author also had a bit of an odd writing style, mostly in terms of grammar. It's hard to explain, but sometimes the characters' names were mentioned a ton in a couple sentences, while it wouldn't have been confusing to just use "he" once in a while. There were copy editing mistakes as well, which aren't much of a problem but can become a nuisance to some people. Some of the plot points were also pretty hard to follow, such as the specifics of Kevin's, Andrew/Aaron's, and Neil's pasts, respectively. I'm hoping this issue, at least, is fixed up a bit in the next books.
Welcome to the Foxhole Court.
As you can see, I am not way too invested in these insane, violent characters and the brutal game they love. I need the next books in my hands, asap!
Note: this was probably not a coherent review, because I honestly just wanted to get my thoughts down and forget about having it make sense in any way - sorry!
Bonus quote for my Andrew x Neil loving heart: It's fine, Coach," Andrew said, catching up to them. He touched Neil's back on his way by, fingers light enough to give Neil goose bumps, but didn't slow on his way to Kevin's side.
Reread August 2019
Am I too obsessed with these characters? Definitely not. Never.
This is a perfect series to reread, because once you’ve seen how everything plays out a reread will show how many little details and signs are hidden in the first book. I LOVE IT. I LOVE THESE CHARACTERS!
Reread October 2019
I am such FREAKING TRASH FOR THIS SERIES.
The dark humor gets to me every time. Seriously, I crack up. I also want to cry half the time, and the other half I’m smiling at these insane characters. These are my children, okay? Andrew and Neil deserve the ENTIRE WORLD. And, okay, Kevin too.
So, um, yeah. I’m trash and I’m okay with it.
Reread September 2020
Hope was a dangerous, disquieting thing, but he thought perhaps he liked it.
It's been over a year, and I'm STILL so freaking OBSESSED with these characters and their stories that it's actually becoming a problem. I'm always gasping and laughing out loud throughout the book, even the fourth (!!!) time through. I just keep saying the same things over and over in these reviews, but what else is there to say? I can't seem to find any other words; all I can say is that you need to read this book, because I'm addicted. Oh well.
*note: I typed that quote up there from memory. if that doesn't tell you something...
Reread November 2022
Damn, I just can’t get enough of this story. It gets funnier and darker and more engrossing the more I read it. I just tried to explain why I loved it to my mom, and woo boy my ramblings made absolutely no sense. Guess I’m a bit messed in the head, but at this point I’m too far gone to care.
Reread June 2023
Reading this book literally evokes shrieks and laughter and physical reactions from me, I can’t help it. I’m so attached to these characters it’s not even funny. I’m almost resentful of the library books I have to read now because I want to start The Raven King so freaking badly. Oh well, guess I’ll just have to give this one another looksie when I get there…
Reread January 2025
Another reread in preparation to finally get to The Sunshine Court! I hope I never get tired of this crazy book and its insane characters, because my life would be duller without it.
It’s not the world that’s cruel. It’s the people in it.
Did I seriously just finish this book in 5 hours? I was so totally engrossed in the storyline that I couldn't even be bothered to change into pjs. The pages kept flipping, and all I could think was "one...more...chapter..." I love, love, love these characters so much, with all their messed-up priorities and crazy addictions and even insane violent tendencies. I don't know how it happened, but somehow I grew to love them despite all their flaws.
As he slipped the lock into place again he realized his hand was trembling. He held up his shaky fingers where he could see them better and wondered at the equally weak flutter in his chest. Hope was a dangerous, disquieting thing, but he thought perhaps he liked it.
Especially Neil, Andrew, and Kevin. Neil is my baby, he must be protected at all costs and sohelpmegods I will force him to find a home with these boys if it kills me. His obvious desperation that grew into a quiet confidence, and even a little hope, was everything. Kevin grew from stay-away-from-me-I'm-untouchable to I-have-such-a-tragic-past-and-I-need-love so quick I didn't realize what hit me. And Andrew. How can you not adore Andrew and everything he does for the people he cares about?! The supporting characters were equally as interesting, though I hated Nicky a bit by the end there. Ah well, all a part of the game ;) I don't want to make too many Raven Cycle parallels here, but Ronan is Andrew no questions asked; Adam is Neil (blooming romance included); and Kevin is undoubtedly Gansey. I could write a freaking essay about the similarities between each respective character, but needless to say I can see why people would recommend this series for fans of [b:The Raven Boys|17675462|The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle, #1)|Maggie Stiefvater|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1477103737s/17675462.jpg|18970934] - and I say the same.
Exy was a bastard sport, an evolved sort of lacrosse on a soccer-sized court with the violence of ice hockey, and Neil loved every part of it.
Exy is such a fantastic game to read about, and I loved the passion these characters have for it. I'm a huge sports fan, so the sports scenes were engrossing to me. Nevertheless, I could see how it could become really confusing for someone who didn't understand the basics of lacrosse; the explanations and play-by-plays were clear enough to me, but I could see how they could become confusing to others. As for me, I frequently found myself gritting my teeth in frustration during the game against Breckenridge, and cheering on little ol' Neil and a perfectly cocky Andrew. Seriously, I was so into these games that when the plot twist happened at the end all I could think (please don't judge) was "great, this will help the team mesh better and go on to win it all!"
It sounded like a dream; it tasted like damnation.
The plot was totally unbelievable..........but who freaking cares?! Call me crazy, but I had so much fun with gangs and murder and drugs and sneaking out and punching everyone left and right. Every single oh-so-sincere "I hate you" or not-so-sincere sarcastic remark was said in such a way that I basically cracked up. I don't know, it was just something about this book that I absolutely loved, and which spoke to me on an entertainment level that ended up getting me way too invested in these characters and this outrageous plot. Whoops :)
Keys meant Neil had explicit permission to be here and do what he liked. They meant he belonged.
Despite my obvious new obsession with this book, it certainly had its flaws. The plot didn't seem to have much structure, and I wouldn't be surprised to find out the author wrote a whole giant book and then was asked to cut it up into three parts. That means I am really looking forward to the next book, but it also just shows the lack of structure here. The author also had a bit of an odd writing style, mostly in terms of grammar. It's hard to explain, but sometimes the characters' names were mentioned a ton in a couple sentences, while it wouldn't have been confusing to just use "he" once in a while. There were copy editing mistakes as well, which aren't much of a problem but can become a nuisance to some people. Some of the plot points were also pretty hard to follow, such as the specifics of Kevin's, Andrew/Aaron's, and Neil's pasts, respectively. I'm hoping this issue, at least, is fixed up a bit in the next books.
Welcome to the Foxhole Court.
As you can see, I am not way too invested in these insane, violent characters and the brutal game they love. I need the next books in my hands, asap!
Note: this was probably not a coherent review, because I honestly just wanted to get my thoughts down and forget about having it make sense in any way - sorry!
Bonus quote for my Andrew x Neil loving heart: It's fine, Coach," Andrew said, catching up to them. He touched Neil's back on his way by, fingers light enough to give Neil goose bumps, but didn't slow on his way to Kevin's side.
Reread August 2019
Am I too obsessed with these characters? Definitely not. Never.
This is a perfect series to reread, because once you’ve seen how everything plays out a reread will show how many little details and signs are hidden in the first book. I LOVE IT. I LOVE THESE CHARACTERS!
Reread October 2019
I am such FREAKING TRASH FOR THIS SERIES.
The dark humor gets to me every time. Seriously, I crack up. I also want to cry half the time, and the other half I’m smiling at these insane characters. These are my children, okay? Andrew and Neil deserve the ENTIRE WORLD. And, okay, Kevin too.
So, um, yeah. I’m trash and I’m okay with it.
Reread September 2020
Hope was a dangerous, disquieting thing, but he thought perhaps he liked it.
It's been over a year, and I'm STILL so freaking OBSESSED with these characters and their stories that it's actually becoming a problem. I'm always gasping and laughing out loud throughout the book, even the fourth (!!!) time through. I just keep saying the same things over and over in these reviews, but what else is there to say? I can't seem to find any other words; all I can say is that you need to read this book, because I'm addicted. Oh well.
*note: I typed that quote up there from memory. if that doesn't tell you something...
Reread November 2022
Damn, I just can’t get enough of this story. It gets funnier and darker and more engrossing the more I read it. I just tried to explain why I loved it to my mom, and woo boy my ramblings made absolutely no sense. Guess I’m a bit messed in the head, but at this point I’m too far gone to care.
Reread June 2023
Reading this book literally evokes shrieks and laughter and physical reactions from me, I can’t help it. I’m so attached to these characters it’s not even funny. I’m almost resentful of the library books I have to read now because I want to start The Raven King so freaking badly. Oh well, guess I’ll just have to give this one another looksie when I get there…
Reread January 2025
Another reread in preparation to finally get to The Sunshine Court! I hope I never get tired of this crazy book and its insane characters, because my life would be duller without it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Vomit, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Rape, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Car accident