Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

The Sunshine Court by Nora Sakavic

177 reviews

dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This book took me apart. I thought I was ready for what’s coming after reading Neil’s story, but oh boy I didn’t know what kind of storm was coming. 
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. 

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dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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: Yes

The newest novel in the All for the Game series focus on former Raven, marked #3 for the Perfect Court, Jean Moreau and his transfer to USC. The book delves into Jean’s past, and his treatment under Riko, Coach Moriyama, and the Ravens. Chapters switch POVs between Jean, and captain of USC’s Exy team (the Trojans), Jeremy Knox. 

Sakavic’s writing and character development remain as strong as they were in previous installments, but with a bit more depth into the plot set up in earlier books—Jean’s perspective is a welcome puzzle piece to help fill in the universe Sakavic has created. 

Definitely looking foreword to where Jean’s story goes. 

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challenging dark emotional hopeful slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

TL;DR: if you have read* and liked** the All For The Game series you HAVE TO read this.
  *) if not, go do that now! (check trigger warnings.) **) if not, don't read TSC!😅🙈 
It is always difficult going into a book with high expectations. In this case it was both from loving the first series so much (which was published 10 years ago!!) a series driven so much by the characters and their interactions and (lack of 😅) development as well when the new book focuses on new people! (plus seeing many other people rate it 5 stars). The first third of the book then starts by retelling the second half of The King's Men from a different perspective (always difficult to pull of in a way that doesn't seem repetitive) and mostly from the POV of a character that wasn't that likeable in the original books (Jean Moreau, "third best player" in the fictional sport of Exy) even though the characters were all quite the grumpy, dysfunctional, traumatised bunch. So he fits right in there. 😅  and I wend from grudging acdeptance to "DON'T TOUCH MY BABY"🥺
As told in book 3, Jean has escaped the toxic team, The Ravens after a particularly vicious attack by his team's captain, Riko, and has signed with the Trojans, a team who are famous for their cheery disposition and friendly, sportsmanlike behaviour during games. Their Captain, Jeremy takes Jean under his wing. Jeremy gives off massive Golden Retriever energy. Such a happy, good boy and always at Jean's side, looking out for him and trying to be his friend and to protect him... he tries to get Jean to open up about his past and to show him he deserves happiness. 🥺🥺🥺
this was the kind of book where I dreaded the end and that rumor has it there will be only one more book. I need about 15 more! 
The book does not work as a standalone and the list of trigger warnings is almost as long for this one as it was for the other three books.


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dark emotional sad 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: Yes

nora sakavic is both my enemy and someone i admired beyond belief. let me wipe my tears. a truly amazing story, with everything i loved about the foxes and more. i can barely put into words how much this book means to me, if i could give more than 5 stars i would. that rating seems insufficient when i reflect on the masterpiece i just read. 

jean yves-moreau holds a very special place in my heart, one that now houses my beloved foxes and the trojans. if he doesn't get every single thing he deserves, i will be rioting. the glimpses of the foxes we got i inhaled and i need more of them. the descriptions of andrew and neil made my little heart sing and neil in the final chapter??? he knows he is THAT bitch and seeing him from an outside pov is exhilarating and i crave more. 

sakavic writes found family masterfully and creates incredibly complex characters that i have rarely come across. cat and laila are just amazing, refreshing characters and the need i have for them to hang out with dan, allison, matt and renee is unreal. jeremy is such an exciting character to read, he's got so much depth that is slowly being explored and his story is one i can't wait to read.

i am hoping for more books with the trojans, especially about jeremy and his relationship with his family. also more exy games, i adored the game scenes with the foxes and would love to see the behind the scenes of trojans playing against other teams. an utter masterpiece that i will never forget, right there with the foxes. 🦊🦊🦊

(lucas and graysen?? it's on SIGHT. i truly don't give a shit is lucas apologised, i will put him down.)

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Nora girl you have done it again ❤️  don’t think I’ll ever have the words to describe what this series means to me. I’ve been rereading this series for around 10 years now, and it has such a big piece of my heart. I’m so glad that the series is continuing, especially with such a beloved character 😭
When I first read this series, I was obsessed with the idea of Renee and Jean being a couple. I knew going into this that it would likely go in a direction towards Jeremy and Jean, but I had some hope that Renee would be the one Jean’s heart belonged to. I understand now that even though they very well could have made each other happy, and they still may be soulmates on some level, it was important for Jean to leave and I’m really excited to see what happens between him and Jeremy.
This series makes me feel crazy and sane at the same time and I think it’s such an important series to exist. Jean’s brainwashing and defending of those who hurt him really reminds me of me two years ago when I first started therapy. God I love these fucking books

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challenging dark emotional tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark funny mysterious sad 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: Complicated

my eyes stung, my chest collapsed and my head hurt from the never-ending emotional rollercoaster of crying, laughter and frustration . jean is an angel and jeremy is a prince . i can't wait for the second part!!!!

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional funny tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings