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capriqueen 's review for:
The Sunshine Court
by Nora Sakavic
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2024 initial read:
The first third covered about half of The King’s Men from Jean’s perspective. It was interesting but felt very slow
Once we got to new events it picked up for me. The juxtaposition of Jean’s view of life vs the Trojans’ was consistently sad and jarring throughout and I really look forward to Jean learning how to be a person
Jeremy’s perspective was nice. I really love the Trojan team and found them very fun
2025 reread:
Jean’s psyche is as fascinating as it is heart-wrenching. Comparing him to Neil is interesting too. Both him and Neil had fucked up lives, but where Neil is concerned he at least has an awareness of what normal is and how his life was messed up. Jean on the other hand knows certain bits were fucked up (like Riko’s abuse) even if he’s convinced himself he deserved it. But the other parts (like the Ravens isolation from society, the staff controlling every aspect of their lives, the violence) are so normal to him he expects everyone else to function the same way, including the Trojans. My heart broke every time he expected the Trojan coaches to hit him
I reread this right after rereading 1-3, whereas last time there were several months in between. I’m not sure if that helped or knowing what to expect going in helped, but regardless this actually got bumped from a 4 to a 4.5 for me. The characters really pulled on my heartstrings, and Jean is such an entertaining sassy little bitch when he’s not being a sad kicked puppy
The pacing overall is fine, but I think the story structure lacks a bit. I felt this the first time too. It’s like it just kind of ends. We get theGrayson confrontation, then the FBI randomly show up and then it ends. Just felt kind of quick, like Nora just needed to pick a spot to cut off book one (four)
The first third covered about half of The King’s Men from Jean’s perspective. It was interesting but felt very slow
Once we got to new events it picked up for me. The juxtaposition of Jean’s view of life vs the Trojans’ was consistently sad and jarring throughout and I really look forward to Jean learning how to be a person
Jeremy’s perspective was nice. I really love the Trojan team and found them very fun
2025 reread:
Jean’s psyche is as fascinating as it is heart-wrenching. Comparing him to Neil is interesting too. Both him and Neil had fucked up lives, but where Neil is concerned he at least has an awareness of what normal is and how his life was messed up. Jean on the other hand knows certain bits were fucked up (like Riko’s abuse) even if he’s convinced himself he deserved it. But the other parts (like the Ravens isolation from society, the staff controlling every aspect of their lives, the violence) are so normal to him he expects everyone else to function the same way, including the Trojans. My heart broke every time he expected the Trojan coaches to hit him
I reread this right after rereading 1-3, whereas last time there were several months in between. I’m not sure if that helped or knowing what to expect going in helped, but regardless this actually got bumped from a 4 to a 4.5 for me. The characters really pulled on my heartstrings, and Jean is such an entertaining sassy little bitch when he’s not being a sad kicked puppy
The pacing overall is fine, but I think the story structure lacks a bit. I felt this the first time too. It’s like it just kind of ends. We get the
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Rape