Scan barcode
ebiila's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- 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
If I would have read this in 2013 I would have been insufferable. It's a sports anime in book form. Meets a mafia anime? Haikyuu banana fish cross over I don't know I needed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Ableism, Drug abuse, and Sexual assault
Minor: Child abuse and Sexual assault
lithographic's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Edgy, violent boys. Improbable and wild events. It's giving problematic sports anime you keep watching despite literally everything about it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual harassment, Bullying, Homophobia, Drug abuse, Ableism, and Addiction
emintobooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- 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
Someone else's review said, "This was a mess I want more" and I'm on the opposite side. This was a mess, I don't want more.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Mental illness, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Blood, Death of parent, Ableism, and Drug use
Moderate: Domestic abuse
lani__'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
4.25
On a purely technical level was this all that great? No. But it was genuinely so entertaining I couldn't put it down. This is definitely not a book to go into thinking that it's going to be anything other than a fun time but honestly, that's what's so good about it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Drug use, Death, Alcohol, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse, Homophobia, and Ableism
Minor: Suicide attempt
sonderous's review against another edition
2.0
This book is bad and troubling in many ways and I can't recommend it but I had to know why everyone is so obsessed with it and I can definitely see why it's compelling....more thoughts to come
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Drug use, Sexual harassment, and Addiction
Moderate: Ableism
lucyyaga's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
slow-paced
- 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
1.0
One of the worsts things a book can be is boring, eliciting no emotional response or interest whatsoever, and it’s surprising a mafia sports romance struggled with that, but there we go.
I can definitely see why people like this though and we definitely need more trashy so-bad-it’s-good queer books asap
I can definitely see why people like this though and we definitely need more trashy so-bad-it’s-good queer books asap
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
lennie_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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
3.75
Did i understand Exy? No
Did i like the characters? I honestly don't know
Could i put it down? Also No
Something about this book dug its murderous lil fingers into my brain.
Think Haikyuu meets the Yakuza.
And for the love of god check the trigger warnings before reading this book because wow.
There are a lot of slurs used in the book, a lot of terrible things (past and present) that happen, a confusing made up sport and some very damaged and toxic characters but idk, something about it just makes me want to delve deeper into the story and characters.
I'm genuinely not sure of my rating for this and there were parts that were very uncomfortable for me to read.
CW: murder, physical abuse, child abuse, death, overdose, drug use, drug abuse, spiking, rape joke, use of the r slur and the f slur, death of a parent, burning a corpse, homophobia, violence, addiction, blood, injury, toxic relationship, mental illness,
state mandated drug use (this one is absolutely bizarre).
And probably more tbh
Did i like the characters? I honestly don't know
Could i put it down? Also No
Something about this book dug its murderous lil fingers into my brain.
Think Haikyuu meets the Yakuza.
And for the love of god check the trigger warnings before reading this book because wow.
There are a lot of slurs used in the book, a lot of terrible things (past and present) that happen, a confusing made up sport and some very damaged and toxic characters but idk, something about it just makes me want to delve deeper into the story and characters.
I'm genuinely not sure of my rating for this and there were parts that were very uncomfortable for me to read.
CW: murder, physical abuse, child abuse, death, overdose, drug use, drug abuse, spiking, rape joke, use of the r slur and the f slur, death of a parent, burning a corpse, homophobia, violence, addiction, blood, injury, toxic relationship, mental illness,
state mandated drug use (this one is absolutely bizarre).
And probably more tbh
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Death of parent, Violence, Alcohol, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Addiction, Blood, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Slavery and Sexual harassment
Minor: Biphobia, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Ableism
shivani_reads's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I'm not into sports AT ALL, and don't really care for mafia stories either, so I'm really not sure how I got here. But I already know I don't want to leave...
I read this within 24 hours and went straight on to the sequel. And no, I couldn't tell you why. Seriously.
This book is unhinged. The characters should all be in therapy, on a psych ward or in prison, there's literally no in-between.
The plot is outrageous and unrealistic on multiple levels, and boy is there some problematic stuff in here 😬
...And yet I could not put this down.
These broken young people and the DRAMA of it all. I have absolutely no clue what this sport is supposed to be that their lives all revolve around - I'm just here for these messy, fucked up dudes (and especially whatever the hell seems to be brewing between Neil and Andrew 👀)
This felt like an anime in all the best and worst ways. It's edgy, it's cringey, and it's objectively pretty bad in places... But I cannot get enough of it.
Do I recommend it? Absolutely not. But is it a new guilty pleasure that I'm about to make my whole personality? 100%.
[If you do venture into this chaos, PLEASE check the trigger warnings, because it is A LOT.]
I read this within 24 hours and went straight on to the sequel. And no, I couldn't tell you why. Seriously.
This book is unhinged. The characters should all be in therapy, on a psych ward or in prison, there's literally no in-between.
The plot is outrageous and unrealistic on multiple levels, and boy is there some problematic stuff in here 😬
...And yet I could not put this down.
These broken young people and the DRAMA of it all. I have absolutely no clue what this sport is supposed to be that their lives all revolve around - I'm just here for these messy, fucked up dudes (and especially whatever the hell seems to be brewing between Neil and Andrew 👀)
This felt like an anime in all the best and worst ways. It's edgy, it's cringey, and it's objectively pretty bad in places... But I cannot get enough of it.
Do I recommend it? Absolutely not. But is it a new guilty pleasure that I'm about to make my whole personality? 100%.
[If you do venture into this chaos, PLEASE check the trigger warnings, because it is A LOT.]
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Child abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Ableism, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Suicide, Cursing, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Murder
cait's review against another edition
challenging
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
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
jessthebesst's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
I was so confused by this book. I checked a few times to make sure this was the first one in the series ( it is). I don't even know what genre this book is. There's a ton of characters but they're not distinct enough for me to keep track of who is who. They give you nobody to root for, nothing really happens. The writing is not great. The audiobook narrator does his best with what he has. I cannot fault the audiobook narrator, all of these stars are for him doing his best with what he had.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Bullying, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Addiction, Drug use, Toxic friendship, Homophobia, Child abuse, Mental illness, Ableism, Alcohol, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Violence