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infinite_mirrors's review
- 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
This book is every bit as dramatic and ridiculous as the other AFTG books, and I ate it up!! I love Jean, I love Jeremy, I love Cat and Laila, of course I love my feral son Neil whenever he shows up. This book also employs one of my absolute favorite, criminally underused tropes: when characters are introduced that are part of a group of some kind, such as a team, a religion, a species, etc.; and we assume their quirks and habits and way of life are just the standard for that group. Then, later, more characters from that same collective are introduced who are just. The most absurdly normal people. And we realize, oh, those other guys are just freaks!
We spent three books with the Foxes and Ravens, the most traumatized and maladjusted group of people you've ever seen in your life, who all speak in edgy Green Day lyrics and treat exy like it's their religion. And now, suddenly, we get an inside look into a third team, which is comprised of a bunch of normal college kids who play a sport; and we realize that most teams are comprised of normal people playing a sport, and no one actually knows just how co-dependent and cult-like an exy team can get. The Ravens and Foxes live in a completely different world than the rest of the exy players.
"He hasn't played a clean game in years," Kevin admitted, "but he knows how to follow orders. If you tell him to submit, he will."
"Literally the most awkward way you could've worded it," Jeremy said.
We're used to the dialogue being ultra dramatic and serious, but juxtaposed with a totally normal guy like Jeremy's reaction, it's hilarious. The stark contrast between their realities is jarring. In Jean's case, it's usually downright heart-breaking. But every now and then the humor pokes through, because we all know it's ridiculous, and now we finally have some other characters who can point out how ridiculous it is.
Ridiculous, but heartfelt. As with the rest of the books, the love the author has for this story shines through every page. Nora embraces the cringe and commits to it, and so it transcends cringe and becomes... kind of beautiful, actually. Outrageous and overly-dramatic and angst-ridden and tropey, and an absolute banger.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Violence, Bullying, Sexual harassment, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Alcohol, Self harm, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Physical abuse, and Cursing
flowerparrish's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Gaslighting, Grief, Confinement, Violence, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Bullying, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Slavery
Moderate: Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Drug abuse, Sexual harassment, Murder, Trafficking, Torture, Suicide, Medical content, Suicide attempt, and Stalking
Minor: Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Mental illness, Drug use, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
what_the_puck's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Self harm, Trafficking, Mental illness, Torture, Rape, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Grief, Cursing, Child death, Bullying, and Abandonment
_danika's review
- 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: Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Physical abuse, Self harm, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Torture, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Eating disorder, Vomit, Toxic friendship, Violence, Trafficking, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Bullying, Rape, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual assault
Consistent with the first three books. Be prepared for detailed descriptions of abuse.voidflowers's review
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Body shaming, Torture, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Suicide, Sexual content, Child death, Abandonment, Self harm, Forced institutionalization, and Alcohol