Reviews

Dangerous Play by Emma Kress

lindsaysbookclub's review against another edition

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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!

ninawatches's review

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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.

lizreads05's review

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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

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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. 

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almckay's review

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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


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akacya's review against another edition

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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!

booktasticallyamazing's review

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4.0

Well, *intensely rubs eyes* well, well.

PARKOUR

I’m so sorry, I hate myself so much for saying that. Pfft. Oh dear, I’m wheezing. I’ll write a review when I can put into mature words what I felt for this ever so heartbreaking and renewing debut novel

PARKOUR

I can’t breathe

For background: My brain has been traumatized by sad books and sad movies so that’s me coming to terms that I have the humor of a toddler and I cannot delve into more serious topics because I’ll either get shattered or absolutely enraged.

nadel's review

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5.0

Dangerous Play is a multi-layered book full of heart. The author expertly manages the complexity of emotions for those sexually assaulted and most importantly, offers hope. Zoe's well-intentioned but misguided response to a world that doesn't believe girls' stories of assault is understandable and sets the stage for her transformation as she helps create a larger community who reject rape culture. The story is fast paced; the subplot around family dysfunction, winning states, and her love interest are just as exciting.

ave_s's review

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

3.0

domiri's review

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

3.0