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A review by jamies_shelves
The Sunshine Court by Nora Sakavic
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I can't believe this is finally out in the world. And I'm so bitter I didn't realize it came out yesterday and I'm a day late. But yes I did finish this in one day. And it was perfection.
Spoilers below because this is just me loving everything and sharing my thoughts.
JEAN MOREAU YOU BEAUTIFUL SWEET MAN.
I loved Jean in AFTG, but I will be honest and say I didn't feel the same attachment many others did.
Reading a million fic definitely made me love him more, but wow did this book bring a WHOLE new appreciation.
Same with Jeremy. Especially since he was more different than I thought he'd be. (Especially the family life! What is that! I wish we got more!) And especially because of the natural brown hair that he THANK GOD dyed blonde, but we are going to pretend he didn't and it was just natural. K thanks.
This story started off right in the feels right away.
I love that the first 25% was the ending of The King's Men. It was so interesting to see it from Jean's POV and get into his mindset while everything was happening. And Jeremy's for the Trojan game!
And seeing Kevin and Neil from Jean's POV was fascinating. I love that we saw that he still loves Kevin, even if he holds resentment. And the resentment makes more sense now that we see what really happened from someone who was there in Kevin's final moments in the nest. Also the confirmation that Jean had a crush on Kevin back in the day!!! I figured, but still great.
And Jean just straight thinking Neil has a bit of psycho in him! I DIED! And seeing Nathan's smile on his face from someone else's perspective. Amazing.
It was so heartbreaking to see Jean's mindset during all of this and how he viewed himself as a captive with the foxes. And that he wasn't truly safe when Neil made the deal with Ichirou.
One thing I loved, and I'm so happy about, was Jean and Renee. I love them together. Yes, fandom in fic has made me love JereJean, but I will always love Renee and Jean. She got him out. He trusted her enough to talk and tell her what was happening. And I was nervous they'd just be brushed aside to give the fans what they want, but I'm so happy they weren't.
I love that he says Renee was the first beautiful thing he allowed himself to want in so long. That rainbows became something he thought of to recognize the good. That he took her picture. That he wore her necklace. That he thought of her warmth kissing his temple. That he allowed their friendship to continue and messaged her. That she told him that he was the right person but it was the wrong time and she didn't want to impede his healing. GOD I LOVE THEM. And I love it was left open ended. And that there is a chance they could find their way back to each other, but if not it's okay because they'll always know it's the right person, wrong time, and that their bond and relationship is real.
I LOVE that Jean was confirmed as bi (even though Lucas is wrong and a dick). So many people erase his identity in fandom and act like he never felt anything towards Renee and it pisses me off. He can love Jeremy or Kevin in the fic and be bi.
And speaking of relationships being open ended, I love that JereJean was too. I'm happy Jeremy was confirmed as gay and that it was clear they both felt attraction and feelings growing for each other. But I'm also happy nothing happened. This book was so much about Jean dealing with his trauma and he still has a LONGGGG way to go. Anything happening would've been way too soon. And I loved watching the trust and platonic love build for them.
I loved Jeremy as a character and getting to see him beyond just the smiley always happy guy. I wish we got to see more of his family because I am SO intrigued by this.
It was interesting to see Jeremy slowly learn some things about the nest, but also see his perspective as someone who doesn't know the truth. I wonder if Jean would ever get to a point where he feels he could tell him about the Moriama's or if that is something that could come between them.
I really liked Cat and Laila and I love that they were just as much there for Jean as Jeremy was. I especially loved Jean and Cat's bond!
Seeing Jean dealing with his trauma was gut wrenching. I knew what happened to him in the nest, but having the rape confirmed and the rapist (one at least) given a name was just devastating. And Grayson coming back! I knew it was going to happen, but when Lucas revealed he'd only talk to Jean. THE GASP I GASPED. Hand FLEW over my mouth. It was Drake all over again, but thankfully not as horrible of a result. And when he made the comment to Neil about guessing Drake doesn't bite. OMG. I know he was kind of out of it, but the fact he trusted Neil enough to say that to him. And Neil immediately knowing and then ordering a hit on him! I LOVE YOU NEIL! NEVER CHANGE. And the stuff with Jean's sister. God this boy has suffered so much.
All the cameos from Neil, Kevin, and Andrew (though those were sadly very small) were amazing! And Jean continuously calling him Nathaniel, but then the switch to Neil was brilliant. Neil being even sassier and more chaotic from other's POV is amazing.
It was wild to me how much Jean was like Neil. It makes sense because (as he said) Neil was his promised pair. They were both sold into this life, though one 'got away'. Jean immediately going to lies, trying to escape, hating Dobson on sight, thinking Aaron is uninteresting! He is so Neil coded. Except because he was forced to play exy, while Neil was forced not to, he grew to hate the game where Neil loved it. The ending being SO SIMILAR to Neil's thoughts, but the opposite. How Neil is HAPPY by the thought that his future was a deal where he gets to play a game he loves and be with his friends and he can't wait, to Jean being unsure that his future is deal to play a game he barely likes anymore, but that he has friends now and is willing to see where it goes.
I truly loved all aspects of this book and I'm so glad we got to see some of Jean's story, but that it's still so open to his healing and what the future holds.
Edit: SO FUNNY I THOUGHT THIS WAS A STANDALONE AND DIDN'T KNOW THERE WOULD BE (at least) ANOTHER BOOK! I'm going to leave my original review but so funny that I was loving the open endedness, when it won't be, but I'm so happy we will get more and get to see where it all goes!!
Spoilers below because this is just me loving everything and sharing my thoughts.
JEAN MOREAU YOU BEAUTIFUL SWEET MAN.
I loved Jean in AFTG, but I will be honest and say I didn't feel the same attachment many others did.
Reading a million fic definitely made me love him more, but wow did this book bring a WHOLE new appreciation.
Same with Jeremy. Especially since he was more different than I thought he'd be. (Especially the family life! What is that! I wish we got more!) And especially because of the natural brown hair that he THANK GOD dyed blonde, but we are going to pretend he didn't and it was just natural. K thanks.
This story started off right in the feels right away.
I love that the first 25% was the ending of The King's Men. It was so interesting to see it from Jean's POV and get into his mindset while everything was happening. And Jeremy's for the Trojan game!
And seeing Kevin and Neil from Jean's POV was fascinating. I love that we saw that he still loves Kevin, even if he holds resentment. And the resentment makes more sense now that we see what really happened from someone who was there in Kevin's final moments in the nest. Also the confirmation that Jean had a crush on Kevin back in the day!!! I figured, but still great.
And Jean just straight thinking Neil has a bit of psycho in him! I DIED! And seeing Nathan's smile on his face from someone else's perspective. Amazing.
It was so heartbreaking to see Jean's mindset during all of this and how he viewed himself as a captive with the foxes. And that he wasn't truly safe when Neil made the deal with Ichirou.
One thing I loved, and I'm so happy about, was Jean and Renee. I love them together. Yes, fandom in fic has made me love JereJean, but I will always love Renee and Jean. She got him out. He trusted her enough to talk and tell her what was happening. And I was nervous they'd just be brushed aside to give the fans what they want, but I'm so happy they weren't.
I love that he says Renee was the first beautiful thing he allowed himself to want in so long. That rainbows became something he thought of to recognize the good. That he took her picture. That he wore her necklace. That he thought of her warmth kissing his temple. That he allowed their friendship to continue and messaged her. That she told him that he was the right person but it was the wrong time and she didn't want to impede his healing. GOD I LOVE THEM. And I love it was left open ended. And that there is a chance they could find their way back to each other, but if not it's okay because they'll always know it's the right person, wrong time, and that their bond and relationship is real.
I LOVE that Jean was confirmed as bi (even though Lucas is wrong and a dick). So many people erase his identity in fandom and act like he never felt anything towards Renee and it pisses me off. He can love Jeremy or Kevin in the fic and be bi.
And speaking of relationships being open ended, I love that JereJean was too. I'm happy Jeremy was confirmed as gay and that it was clear they both felt attraction and feelings growing for each other. But I'm also happy nothing happened. This book was so much about Jean dealing with his trauma and he still has a LONGGGG way to go. Anything happening would've been way too soon. And I loved watching the trust and platonic love build for them.
I loved Jeremy as a character and getting to see him beyond just the smiley always happy guy. I wish we got to see more of his family because I am SO intrigued by this.
It was interesting to see Jeremy slowly learn some things about the nest, but also see his perspective as someone who doesn't know the truth. I wonder if Jean would ever get to a point where he feels he could tell him about the Moriama's or if that is something that could come between them.
I really liked Cat and Laila and I love that they were just as much there for Jean as Jeremy was. I especially loved Jean and Cat's bond!
Seeing Jean dealing with his trauma was gut wrenching. I knew what happened to him in the nest, but having the rape confirmed and the rapist (one at least) given a name was just devastating. And Grayson coming back! I knew it was going to happen, but when Lucas revealed he'd only talk to Jean. THE GASP I GASPED. Hand FLEW over my mouth. It was Drake all over again, but thankfully not as horrible of a result. And when he made the comment to Neil about guessing Drake doesn't bite. OMG. I know he was kind of out of it, but the fact he trusted Neil enough to say that to him. And Neil immediately knowing and then ordering a hit on him! I LOVE YOU NEIL! NEVER CHANGE. And the stuff with Jean's sister. God this boy has suffered so much.
All the cameos from Neil, Kevin, and Andrew (though those were sadly very small) were amazing! And Jean continuously calling him Nathaniel, but then the switch to Neil was brilliant. Neil being even sassier and more chaotic from other's POV is amazing.
It was wild to me how much Jean was like Neil. It makes sense because (as he said) Neil was his promised pair. They were both sold into this life, though one 'got away'. Jean immediately going to lies, trying to escape, hating Dobson on sight, thinking Aaron is uninteresting! He is so Neil coded. Except because he was forced to play exy, while Neil was forced not to, he grew to hate the game where Neil loved it. The ending being SO SIMILAR to Neil's thoughts, but the opposite. How Neil is HAPPY by the thought that his future was a deal where he gets to play a game he loves and be with his friends and he can't wait, to Jean being unsure that his future is deal to play a game he barely likes anymore, but that he has friends now and is willing to see where it goes.
I truly loved all aspects of this book and I'm so glad we got to see some of Jean's story, but that it's still so open to his healing and what the future holds.
Edit: SO FUNNY I THOUGHT THIS WAS A STANDALONE AND DIDN'T KNOW THERE WOULD BE (at least) ANOTHER BOOK! I'm going to leave my original review but so funny that I was loving the open endedness, when it won't be, but I'm so happy we will get more and get to see where it all goes!!