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illgiveyouahint'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
4.0
I really love Neil as a character. I like that despite being so careful and running on survival for so long, there's this thread of oh he wants people to care for him and wants to have somewhere to call home and wants to have friends and just wants to stop running and have a life. And it's not too pronounced since his issues are too big (especially at the start of it) to allow too much of it, but it's there.
I really enjoy Wymack and Neil's relationship. I mean Wymack is fun with all the Foxes 'cause he's just the tired older fatherly figure to them, but he's just so goddamn tired of Neil's whole thing. Like you can tell that at any given moment he just wants to scream at the kid "Let me love you and care for you and give you home and safety, you goddamn idiot!"
Also the slowburn of Andrew and Neil is also fun of course. Like you don't realise it on the first read but it's so clear on the second read how much Neil is focused on Andrew. And not just because Andrew causes him most trouble in the first part of the book, but he's already so attuned to Andrew.
The Neil and Kevin relationship is an interesting one. Kevin being so determined to make Neil into a champion but having only the Raven's way of leadership to go on, Neil on one hand wanting it so bad but on the other hand knowing it can never be.
Oh, and I'm also taking note of the Kevin & Andrew relationship that is fascinating in a different way. Kevin knows where to push Neil but he knows he can't move Andrew unless he gives him good enough incentive.
Point is there's a lot of good dynamics to look at.
With all of that being said, there's some issues I am gonna continue being uncomfortable with. The villains of the books being Japanese is just :// Nicky's 'I'm gonna flirt with any boy within vicinity" also bothers me a lot 'cause it's such a stereotype. I'm not sure about how the portrayal of Andrew's psychological problems and the effect of his medication is making me feel.
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual harassment, Stalking, Toxic friendship, Vomit, and Suicide
Minor: Car accident, Homophobia, Misogyny, Murder, Outing, Rape, and Toxic relationship
natnat_7's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Alcoholism, Racism, Blood, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Suicide, Addiction, Drug use, Gaslighting, Gore, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Bullying, Stalking, Ableism, Grief, Violence, Homophobia, Acephobia/Arophobia, Medical content, Self harm, Sexism, Misogyny, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Body horror, Child abuse, Rape, Car accident, and Vomit
bookphenomena_micky's review against another edition
3.5
Buckle up for the ride
More questions than answers
Brutal and raw
I don't even know how to process my feelings on this one. It was a completely wild ride and although I'd heard 'things' about this book, nothing prepared me for the raw and brutal story. It was violent, abusive and certainly a strange way to envisage any sporting team. There are simply so many triggers in this book, so go look for those before reading if you need to.
Despite my reservations about what I found between these pages, there was much to draw me in. Neil as an MC was such a compelling character, all his past, present and potential future had you literally willing things to work out for him. What Neil found with the foxes was not pleasant with bullying to a degree that was unfathomable, hazing like could not be believed, to the point that I hate-read one chapter; it was tough reading.
Yet, saying all that, I am invested in this odd and messed up crew. The backstories were particularly confusing relating to Neil/Kevin/Riko and their familial connections and businesses. I didn't really find myself enlightened by the end but that's also a part of why I'm invested. I pretty much hate Andrew, I don't understand his illness, I don't understand how his psyche works and I don't understand his connection with Kevin. I find myself drawn to Kevin and really want to know more about him.
Important note: I have deducted half a star from this read because the author used the 'r' word twice in a totally unnecessary, off the cuff way. There really is not any necessary use of this word which should be expunged from the vocabulary of all folks. It is utterly disrespectful to any person with learning difficulties or disabilities.
Stray into this series if you are brave enough. I'm not a brave reader but I find myself here anyway.
Thank you lovely Tara for holding my hand.
Graphic: Abandonment, Bullying, Violence, Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, Homophobia, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Mental illness
galpalkirk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Important: Do NOT take this as me recommending the series. Unless you’re my friend and you’re funny.
Graphic: Ableism, Alcohol, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Drug use, Hate crime, Self harm, Vomit, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Alcoholism, Death, Cursing, Death of parent, Drug abuse, and Emotional abuse
gobbleme's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
1.75
Graphic: Abandonment, Acephobia/Arophobia, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Death of parent, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Torture, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexism, Self harm, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, Hate crime, and Grief
tnbeena's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Death of parent, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
bee_a_boo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Child abuse, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Addiction
Moderate: Murder, Violence, and Homophobia
Minor: Toxic friendship and Bullying
shaylee_reads's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Note: this book is VERY, VERY dark!! Please look at the content warnings because this book deals with a lot of triggers and trama.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Abandonment, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Racial slurs, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Torture, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Violence
smolbeez'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
Graphic: Alcohol, Drug abuse, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Car accident, Child abuse, Murder, Mental illness, Homophobia, Hate crime, and Death of parent
justreaditem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I think Coach is my favourite character. Although I feel like he's constantly pinching his nose in exasperation at all these delinquent boys, he cares so much about them all despite his words, he's there for each and every one of them.
There's much LGBTQ+ representation in this book but it's not in your face. You also have mental health, crime, family and team work.
Each character was honest and different in every way, including the girls on the team. They weren't weak or meek. And the BANTER! Oh my days, I found myself laughing out loud constantly.
Don't get me wrong, a lot of it was unrealistic. I mean, somehow they're part of a gang or something? But all in all, it's a good read. I can't wait to finish the series off.
Graphic: Violence, Sexual violence, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship