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wynterymess'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
Graphic: Abandonment, Acephobia/Arophobia, Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Alcoholism, Body horror, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Body shaming, Child abuse, Cursing, Murder, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Violence, Gun violence, and Panic attacks/disorders
vpiuke'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
even if the plot themes might be controversial, something that can't be denied is how well-written the story is. the writing style is very similar to maggie stiefvater's in 'the raven cycle' books, so if you're a fan of those, i'd give this one a shot :)
i did enjoy the story itself. it is well structured and it evolves at a good pace, never too obvious but hinting at what's coming next. the characters are original and come in nicely together, as a group they're very well balanced and developed. the sport side of the story is a clever counterpoint to the other sub plots, and i personally really enjoy how it compliments all the drama that the characters inherently carry with them. it lets the story breathe while also keeping a steady pace.
this is a very violent story though. maybe not that much in this first book, but it gets heavier as the plot progresses in the next ones. there's trauma, there's physical, sexual and emotional abuse, there's guns and knives and torture and self harm. if you're ok with these and are up for a dense, emotional tale, then you found the one.
Graphic: Hate crime, Mental illness, Torture, Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Kidnapping, Murder, Toxic friendship, Violence, Medical trauma, Toxic relationship, Blood, Child abuse, Cursing, Death of parent, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Death, Emotional abuse, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual assault, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Physical abuse, and Self harm
beckx'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Abandonment, Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicide, Alcohol, Addiction, Child abuse, Death of parent, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Homophobia and Vomit
bugcollector's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Addiction, Child abuse, Cursing, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Torture, Violence, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Sexual harassment, and Abandonment
elliiecrne22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Car accident, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Torture, Drug use, Grief, Homophobia, Racism, Self harm, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Ableism, Abandonment, Addiction, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Violence
the author is shit and uses the worst plot points imaginable for shock value. she's also just fucked in the head. this whole series is fucked up.evicteline'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Suicide, Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Car accident, Cursing, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, and Self harm
Minor: Vomit
gracefully_jk'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 of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Violence, Bullying, Drug use, Medical content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Acephobia/Arophobia, Child abuse, Torture, and Vomit
diana314's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I…. I should have read the trigger warnings beforehand, so I wouldn’t be surprised, that’s on me 😬😬
But… like… Neil is… he just needs to be protected, and the foxes are built different. That’s a compliment (I think).
The development that the relationship between Neil and the foxes,
The ending is weird… like, the last chapter didn’t felt like a last chapter, the only thing it felt like an ending was the final quote (which, cute), but I strongly recommend having the second book at hand to start immediately after finishing this one.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Violence, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Death, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child death, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Rape, and Suicide
fanboyriot'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, Child abuse, Gore, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Grief, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, Cursing, Death, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Addiction and Abandonment
Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia, Murder, Religious bigotry, Hate crime, Misogyny, Rape, Vomit, Gun violence, and Pedophilia
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