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infinite_helix'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
There’s something about seeing your ugly parts you’ve hidden being reflected so honestly in a book and being told you can still win and be a team and be a champion and leave the things you don’t want and move on and you don’t have to be soft, you can be ugly and callused and you’ll find your people who understand and know and are doing the same and they will love you and you will love them and that’s what it’s about.
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Outing, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Literally so many horrible things propelling all of the characters and their relationships but the overarching plot is that they are all (except for Andrew) desperate to play this sport that consumes their lives and gives them purpose. To the point they’re willing to face off against gangs and their horrible pasts barreling towards them for the chance to make this team legendary. They are all deeply traumatized and have terrible coping mechanisms and take it out on each other frequently. But they are also a team, and they will not let one of their number be taken away.lunar_lapis's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A friend recommended this book series as it's her favourite. I listened on Audible while also reading the physical book. Unrelated to the story, but my copy of the book is missing a few pages at the start of the book which was annoying. I'm also not a fan of the narrator on Audible.
Onto the actual review. I was intregued by Neil's backstory or lack thereof. Neil keeps his past secret and is always running away from it, until he meets the Palmetto State Foxes, an Exy team made up of misfits, druggies and second chance stories.
It took me a while to understand the many different characters intentions and how they interact with the world. This story is more "adult" than I was expecting and quite depressing from the main characters perspective, as Neil doesn't feel safe or interested in becoming close to his teammates.
Then towards the end of the book it sets up the next book, introducing Riko, a person from Neil and Kevin's past. The book ends on the death of a Foxes member and sets up the idea that Riko had something to do with it.
When I was midway through the book I considered leaving it unfinished, because I was quite numbed from all the hostility and fighting within the group (TW)
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Homophobia, Suicide, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape and Vomit
giou's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
3.5
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit
chibiii'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? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
moonlightamelia's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Drug use, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Violence, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia
foxfirepages's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Violence, Vomit, and Alcohol
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Suicide, Death of parent, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Homophobia
noxiousbook's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical trauma, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Toxic friendship
canadia_valentine's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Gaslighting
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: Addiction, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Stalking, Suicide attempt, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
piperclover's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Update: so its aug 10th 2022 rn and I'm relistening to this series for the 4 times and have listened to each book a combined 11 times. So my star rating is no longer accurate but for the sake of recording my immediate honest reaction, Ill leave everything the same. Just know that I have never loved a series so much despite the numerous blatant issues in it.
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Sexual harassment
Think of a trigger warning and this book probably has it