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ciuli'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? Yes
4.0
4/5
Weeeell, here I am again! I didn't know which audiobook to pick up next, and i told myself 'why not reading this book for the forth time?' lol
Have to say, I wasn't a big fan of the voice actor because he sounded too... 'american', if you know what I mean. I think it's because this voice is too 'big' for Neil, does this make any sense to anyone else other than me? (Lol). Neil is young, not a teenager but he's only 18, and he's almost pocket size, so giving him this strong, older voice doesn't really fit his character in my opinion.
But it's really nice to listen to this on audio, it kind of gives it a different perspective. And honestly? It's so good to listen to Neil roasting people left and right. It's so satisfying lol
_____
I honestly don't know how I feel about this book yet. 'The foxhole court' was basically an introduction to the series and nothing really happened in this first book. I also don't really understand the need to introduce a new sport, it felt kind of weird considering that everything else is set in the real world. And it felt kind of confusing to keep up with.
BUT anyway, the story is captivating and interesting to read otherwise I wouldn't have read the book in two days! All things considered, I couldn't put it down once I started it. I'm curious about how the plot is going to evolve in the following books.
PS. I feel like I should point this out because it was a real bummer for me. I knew before starting reading it that it was self-published, but I didn't think that the printed version would be so bad. The lines were too close to each other, the font too small and the pages were so white it hurt my eyes reading it? I'm saying this because other people might have the same problems as me as I'm very picky with books. I ended up downloading the ebook version in the end, and just so you know, the first book is free on the Amazon ebook store! Wished I'd known that earlier!
Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, and Domestic abuse
lidia138'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
3.75
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Addiction, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, and Physical abuse
malakelgindy'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Drug use, Drug abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse
josworld96's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Violence, Drug use, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
kcolt97's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Drug use
Moderate: Grief, Gun violence, Physical abuse, and Child abuse
Minor: Domestic abuse and Homophobia
allforevermore'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, and Death of parent
Moderate: Drug abuse, Vomit, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Murder, Alcohol, Death, Death of parent, and Addiction
archcon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, Drug abuse, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Alcohol, Drug use, Death, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Bullying
emintobooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I struggled with this one. I've wanted to read this series since it originally came out. Every few months, I'll put it on my to do list and just... not, because it's a bad habit I have. I recently saw a post online about it and got the e-book because it was on sale for free. Well. I'm glad I finally checked it off my to do list, but I won't be reading the others. This was a hot mess and not in a fun way.
I sent this message to my friend about it "This book is very 'this boy squad is edgy and dark. Their past is strewn with violence and drugs. Cigarettes are hot' " I stand by that, and on top of it, it was confusing. The whole time, I couldn't figure out what was going on. I felt like I was reading a prologue, and like I was expected to already know the characters. All of the main characters are different shades of the same color. They didn't feel distinct from each other. Honestly, they're all insufferable, and I found myself wondering if we were actually supposed to like them. The plot was very vague, and there are some major parts of the main character that are never explained, again, as if we should already know. When I reached the end of the book, there was a list of characters and what their roles are. Sure could have used that at the beginning.
Other issues: The characters are violent drug users, and that can totally have merit in a book. Here, it felt like there was no rhyme or reason for the violence or drug use.
[Spoiler] There also was a scene where one of the characters spikes the main character's drink. While he is drugged, another character forcefully kisses him without consent. When he tries to escape, the character does it again. Books can't always be roses and sunshine, but this was totally glossed over. We never even find out how the main character feels about this assault and drugging. [/Spoiler]
The story also involves a made up for the book sport, called Exy. Unlike other books I've read with made up sports, this really didn't explain the sport. By page 66, I know the game is called Exy, a racket is used, a court is played on, and offense and defense are terms used. There is a ball, but I don't know what size, shape, or color. I have no idea how the game is played. When the characters are practicing I have no clue what they are doing. Later, there is a game of Exy that goes on for pages, and I had *zero clue* what was happening. None. I didn't understand at all and couldn't wrap my brain around who was where and doing what and what is the goal of the game? Can you score? How do you win? What do the balls look like? ????
[Spoiler] There also is a scene where two of the characters are on a talk show and the dialogue was just... I had to suspend my disbelief for the thousandth time. [/Spoiler]
This book could have used a heavy dose of professional editing, though I suppose it's too late for that.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Mental illness, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Blood, Death of parent, Ableism, and Drug use
Moderate: Domestic abuse
katieo156'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
Graphic: Drug use, Murder, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, Violence, Toxic friendship, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Medical content, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Suicidal thoughts
aschuylerlizard'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
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Child abuse, and Cursing
Moderate: Vomit and Sexual assault
Minor: Murder and Homophobia