God this book was infuriating! Firstly, it was wayyyy to goddamn long. Why, when the first 2 books of this series were a huge success, would he double the length for the 3rd book? It was so unnecessary. I love a long book I can get lost in, but half of this book was not needed. Backman added like 10 new characters and spent too many pages introducing them. Backman is a character builder, it's what he does best. His characters are all complicated and unique and you fall in love with them all always. But part of that strength in this series, has been his ability to prolong the love we have for these characters through 3 books. I was distracted by the new characters and less invested and while they were good characters, they couldn't even begin to live up to the other characters. They just felt like side characters, when Backman intended for them to be new main ones. Also, every hundred pages he added what felt like a new plot point, when the core of the book/series is already so amazing and strong. He didn't need to do that.

The ending, it was worst than the Killing Eve finale. Benji is the best character of the series. He's also the only gay one. And he killed him off. And I know it was meant to be heroic and be the biggest end to the biggest series, but it really just came off homophobic in the same way Villanelle's death did. To be honest, it felt lazy. Backman spent 3 amazing books culminating to the death of his best character. Similarly, there were stories I was so excited for Backman to explore from Us Against You that he didn't- namely the girls team. Alicia was barely mentioned until the last 25% of the book, but she was who I was most looking forward to reading about. This also felt lazy.

I know I just spent 2 paragraphs complaining, but my god Backman's writing is my favorite. Which totally redeems the book. That and the fact that he didn't have to try very hard given the fact that I am utterly obsessed with Beartown and Us Against You. Every sentence I feel like my heart is getting ripped out of my chest. I learn something new about people and life and friendship and parenthood in every paragraph and he does it in a way that is just, simply beautiful. I'm so sad this series is over. I read Beartown for the first time a few months ago, spent the law few months anticipating this book, and I'm sad to see an end of Maya and Ana and Amat and Benji and Bobo's special lives. I love these characters so so much and everything I learned about and from them in this book, I will carry with me. They're flawed, but some of the best characters anyone has ever created. 4 stars because despite my complaints, I can't bare to give these people anything less. If you love Beartown, whether it be the team, the town, or the book, you should read it. You might be frustrated, but you will love it just the same.