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shakita45's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This story really highlights how far Nora's writing has come over the years, which allows Jean to be both a person who has had wrong done to him while also perpetuating wrongness to other characters. It never feels like we're trying to excuse Jean's exactions, but rather that we're looking into all the things that went into making him, HIM.
Jeremy Knox is also a stand-out as one of my favorite AFTG characters, if not my absolute favorite at this point. He's such a ray of sunshine, who we know battles his own demons, but he's such a rock in the storm that Jean is weathering, and we see how seriously he takes his position as captain, and how that extends to the care and consideration he gives all the other Trojans.
Jean is special to him, I think, but Jeremy's actions towards Jean AREN'T special; I firmly believe he would go this far for anyone who needed him to, and I think that makes him such a remarkable character. Neil and Andrew were both wounded animals, biting at each other and taking comfort in the only ways they know how, but Jean and Jeremy have such a KIND dynamic at the end of the day. I think more than anything, Jean wants to be kind, because no matter what he's suffered, he still pays such incredible attention to the people around him and tries to do right by them.
I'm going to be on absolute pins and needles while I wait for the next book, and I am positively frothing at the mouth to learn more about Jeremy's backstory.
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Torture, Blood, Rape, Suicide attempt, Bullying, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Sexual assault
As this is an AFTG book, there is an endless list of triggers, and I've tried to highlight as many as I can, but please exercise caution.wrongdecision's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I will try to summarise my love for this book in as few words as possible.
Jean was always a complicated character to me, someone who was difficult to love due to his complicity in Riko's violence until you really started thinking about his life and reasons.
I've read books 1 to 3 more times than I can count and the first two or three times I definitely did not like him.
This book perfectly lead us through what I started figuring out on my later rereads, fleshed out his person with his thoughts and struggles.
I adore Nora's writing and it was easy to love this book as well.
I loved all the Trojans we've met closer so far, Jeremy, Laila and Cat are a great addition to Jean as company and he will definitely not be able to escape their friendship and passion.
I can't wait to see how he grows after this.
I also am very curious to hear more about Jeremy's family life as we got a bunch of hints toward it already.
A little minus point to me, that isn't really one, was that Nora said she sees this as a stand alone, which it definitely is not.
I don't think anyone who starts with this book would understand what went on with the Ravens, the sport and the general idea behind everything early enough to keep reading.
Would not recommend this as a good start into the series, although I'm sure that wasn't what she intended for it to be anyways.
Seeing Neil come in at the end again brought me so much joy, btw.
I adore that man with every fibre of my being. He really is THE character of all time for me.
Love him.
Warning for everyone who is uncomfortable with cult recovery, sexual abuse and general abuse, torture and violence. There is a lot of hinted and some more graphic descriptions.
Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Torture, Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, Rape, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Grief, Blood, Murder, Death, and Vomit
sprinklesreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I can't wait for the second book.
❤️
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Self harm
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, and Torture
Minor: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Eating disorder
aarno97's review
- 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
Graphic: Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Blood, and Self harm
mellowreading's review
5.0
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Rape, Death, Sexual assault, Torture, Sexual violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Sexual harassment, Gaslighting, Violence, Self harm, Pedophilia, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Eating disorder, Child death, Adult/minor relationship, and Blood
Moderate: Homophobia
frantic_vampire'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Rape, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Self harm, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Medical trauma, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Homophobia, Vomit, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Biphobia, Medical content, Stalking, Body horror, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Trafficking, Child death, Gun violence, and Death
ra_venna's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Moderate: Child abuse, Blood, Torture, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness
Minor: Torture, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Suicide, Physical abuse, Rape, and Murder
aenor's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, Blood, and Vomit
Minor: Rape, Suicide, Death, Suicide attempt, Torture, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, and Sexual violence
iridaceae'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
3.5
“I hate them,” Jean said, and left. It was the cold hard truth; it was a blatant lie.
Graphic: Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Rape, and Blood
Moderate: Abandonment and Suicide attempt
katkan's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Jean is so easy to dislike at the beginning. We kind of know what happened to him, how much he suffered. But he’s a rude bastard. Throughout the book, like magic, you start to feel for and with him in ways so deep they almost take over.
I can’t believe this book is as incredible as it is. I am flayed open, in tears and so so so proud of Jean for where he is at the end of the book.
To have such an incredible support system after all he went through (also slay for Neil to be so comfortable with murdering abusers) is all anyone could ever wish for. I hope Jeremy Laila and cat only see sunny days for the rest of their lives. And that Jean will be there with them.
Happiness is far from this book, but the emotions you go through and the characters that travel with you are an incredible experience that makes waking up for another day worth it over and over again.
Thank you Nora, for sharing this story with us. It is worth everything to me.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Death, Violence, Emotional abuse, Grief, Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Blood, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide attempt, and Self harm