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trintrin's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Okay, let me get the things I didn't like out of the way first:
- There are a lot of unrealistic things like the yakuza, the government/judiciary system/or the lack of it?, Andrew's drugs and how they work, drugs in general tbh, the dialogue at times, that one live TV scene, all the violence, so many things about this made up sport, I could go on.
- Being info dump-y while somehow not dumping any info at all? Focussing on explaining the not-so-important parts (which I actually quite liked), but not properly explaining the things that really matter (which was annoying). I felt like a lot of names just sprang out of nowhere. Bless ebook search function for saving me multiple times.
- WHAT ARE THE RULES OF THIS GODFORSAKEN GAME? How do they play it? Why is it so violent? What is the shape and size of the ball? What is the shape and size of the goal? What is the shape and size of the racquet? How sturdy and how deep is the net, if they're meant to smack AND catch with it? How did it get so popular in such a short time? I can't visualise anything other than the court. Maybe it's the curse being non-American.
- There are quite a few clichés. Be it the personality of the characters, or their behaviour, or the plot.
- The writing did read like a fan fiction at times. I wasn't bothered by it as long as it didn't leave out necessary details and drove me crazy. Just a thing to note.
NOW THAT THAT'S OUT OF THE WAY
AHEM
THIS WAS SO FUN??
Like, I do realise that the way I fell in love at chapter 1 was most definitely due to seeing this series EVERYWHERE and growing fond of the characters before I knew anything about them. And the constant comparison to the sister fandoms that I am actively a part of — I'm talking about Tumblr's Holy Corvid Trinity, of course (Six of Crows, The Raven Cycle, and this one, if you didn't know). Plus, it's character driven + gay + dysfunctional + found family + sports + mafia. I mean, that's right up my alley.
Let's talk about the characters. NEIL JOSTEN, my love. I don't know what it is about him that captivated me from the beginning, but I absolutely adore him, he's my little pookie. Although, he's gotta have to sort his priorities out lmao (bro was more scared of Kevin potentially hating him than getting murdered by his mafia family, I gotta respect that). I hope one day my boy is able to live freely without being paranoid about every little thing.
I know, I listed a lot of gripes I had with Exy, but listen, IT'S A CO-ED SPORT!! I love the girls and I hope we get to see a lot more of them in the upcoming books. Renee Walker, I don't know anything about you, but I love you. Matt is an absolute sweetheart. So is Dan. I wish we got to see more of Allison and Seth. Coach Wymack, what a gigachad. I loved his dynamic with the kids, and loved the way he handles them. I need to see more of Betsy and Abby, as well.
Now moving on to Andrew's lot. For a good majority of the book, I didn't understand how I was supposed to believe that Neil is going to end up being friends — or, uhhh, lovers — with any of these people. Nicky, I have to admit, I didn't like him in the beginning, most definitely hated him in the middle, didn't like him in the end. Aaron is... just there, I guess? I forget he exists half of the time. Kevin reminds me of Rin Itoshi from Blue Lock, so I automatically like him. Andrew, well, sometimes I'm absolutely in love with him, sometimes I don't have an opinion on him, sometimes I flat out don't like him. This roller coaster is perfect to his character to a T, so kudos to that. I can smell the sibling angst coming up, and sibling angsts are always the death of me. Praying for my future self.
Random other things I liked: The last couple of chapters were WILD! I literally couldn't put the book down. A lot of messed up things happened. Almost all of the characters are clinically insane and need therapy. They hate each other, but if you try to hate them, they'll hate you more. All the little things Neil did out of paranoia (sitting in the back of the classroom where no one can approach from behind, or in the middle of the car where he could see both the driver and the passenger). The banter and the chemistry between the Foxes. The way the queer characters were represented. How funny a lot of the scenes were.
It doesn't matter if you like this book, or think it's trash. I think we all can agree that the Moriyamas have a special place in hell. And that chapter 7 was mega messed up.
TL;DR
This book is unhinged and definitely not for everyone. If you are willing to overlook certain aspects and just read for the fun it brings, go ahead. But, I strongly urge everyone to look up the content warnings before proceeding.
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Addiction, Alcoholism, Blood, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, Mental illness, Violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual harassment, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, Death of parent, and Torture
Minor: Rape, Ableism, Suicide, Vomit, Self harm, and Acephobia/Arophobia
I strongly urge everyone to take the content warning seriously as the book covers pretty dark topics. Additional tags include: Explicit descriptions of spiking drinks proceeded by non-consented kissing, rape jokes, overdosing, traumatic childhoods for almost all the characters.amoonymess's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Sexual assault, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Addiction, Blood, Cursing, Murder, Alcohol, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Violence, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Medical content, Alcoholism, Car accident, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Stalking, Torture, Violence, Child abuse, Death of parent, Vomit, Homophobia, and Gun violence
Minor: Medical trauma, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Gun violence, Stalking, Torture, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Sexism, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Gaslighting, Alcoholism, and Outing
soso_soor2389'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
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Blood, Emotional abuse, Grief, Violence, Addiction, Abandonment, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Murder, Car accident, Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, and Forced institutionalization
cait's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
Minor: Child abuse, Torture, Grief, Alcohol, Bullying, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Ableism, Addiction, Child death, Body horror, Classism, Death of parent, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Violence, and Vomit
sammymilfort's review against another edition
Graphic: Alcohol, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Ableism, Addiction, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Blood, Bullying, Cursing, and Grief
emmilus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Car accident, Child abuse, Death, Gaslighting, Violence, Vomit, Blood, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Sexual harassment
lets_cry_about_books's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Drug use, Grief, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Addiction, Death, Alcoholism, Bullying, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Torture, Toxic friendship, and Violence
infinite_helix's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
There’s something about seeing your ugly parts you’ve hidden being reflected so honestly in a book and being told you can still win and be a team and be a champion and leave the things you don’t want and move on and you don’t have to be soft, you can be ugly and callused and you’ll find your people who understand and know and are doing the same and they will love you and you will love them and that’s what it’s about.
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Addiction, Self harm, Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Stalking, Death, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Cursing, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Sexual harassment, Ableism, Torture, Toxic friendship, Violence, Bullying, Outing, Mental illness, Trafficking, Child abuse, and Murder
Literally so many horrible things propelling all of the characters and their relationships but the overarching plot is that they are all (except for Andrew) desperate to play this sport that consumes their lives and gives them purpose. To the point they’re willing to face off against gangs and their horrible pasts barreling towards them for the chance to make this team legendary. They are all deeply traumatized and have terrible coping mechanisms and take it out on each other frequently. But they are also a team, and they will not let one of their number be taken away.neoralisa22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Drug use
Moderate: Gaslighting and Hate crime
Minor: Toxic friendship, Medical trauma, Car accident, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
canadia_valentine's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Murder, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Rape, Death of parent, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt