Whereas the first two books in the All for the Game trilogy were mediocre, this one was good. Good enough to save the trilogy, in my eyes, and that’s so surprising to me.

The first half did feel somewhat repetitive, but it was still interesting. The second half took an awful turn I didn’t expect and got me fully invested in what was left of the story. Although I definitely could’ve done without the graphic gruesome scenes, I pushed through. The final chapters were so satisfying.

I love the Foxes, in all their disastrous glory. In the first book I thought they were bland, and the second book gave them more depth but still not enough to make me care. Here, though, I realized how great they are. They’re a bunch of hot messes, but they work so well together and their dynamics are brilliant. It warmed my heart to see how accepting they were of Neil, despite everything, and when they teased one another I laughed too. Their vacation was one of my favorite parts.

Now, about the romance. Before starting this last book I was unconvinced anything worth my time would develop, given how little time there was for anything to develop. I continued the trilogy after reading The Foxhole Court solely because I wanted to see if the alleged gay content was good. I’m happy to say that, although it took for-freaking-ever, it was. Neil and Andrew’s romance is different from others I’ve read in a way I can’t quite pinpoint, but it was great nonetheless. Equally great was the rest of the team figuring out they were a couple and freaking out. Quality content.

So, yeah. The King’s Men was a pleasant surprise. I liked it more than I thought I would, enough to decide that the All for the Game trilogy isn’t mediocre garbage after all.

CW: blood, violence, gore, mutilation, torture, death/murder, discussion of sexual assault & statutory rape