claudcloud's Reviews (310)

The premise of this sounded really fun, but in the end it was very middle-of-the-road for me. I did enjoy Mina's character a lot - though I wish everyone would have been a bit more rounded-out!

Oh Ronan Lynch I missed you so............... 

I've genuinely been procrastinating this series ever since it came out just because of how much I adored TRC - but I shouldn't have worried. Being back in this world, with these people, in this story, felt like coming home.

I didn't connect with this as much as I hoped I would, but the D&D vibes were sorely needed and appreciated! I might give the anime a go - I have a feeling I'll like that way more!

How do I even begin to accurately write about and summarize what reading this series did to me? I genuinely think I'll never be able to do it justice, or have the right words to convey what I'm feeling right now. But here goes.

I've been taken on the wildest, most batshit insane ride of my entire life. I've watched these kids get tortured, murdered, abused, and traumatized in almost every single way imaginable. I fell for a sport that doesn't even make any sense, but is so, so real to me now. I had to deal with a plot fraying at the edges and innumerable plot twists that just made me continuously scream inside. I rooted for the mafia kid that had to burn and bury his own mother.

But I also adore the Foxes like they're my own now. I was stunned by the way they show up and care for each other, the way they adapt to the others' needs, how fiercely protective they are of every single member of their family (because they are a family, no matter what a certain Twinyard would have to say to the contrary), and I watched this nobody from Baltimore bumfuck Arizona find them and be more loved than he could have ever imagined or hoped for. I watched him find his rock and finally stop running. I watched him open up for the first time in his life and start to process his trauma - which is exactly what the others needed, even if they didn't know it. I watched as the light went out of Nathaniel's eyes, and I also watched as Neil fought with everything he had to bring it back, because he finally, finally had something (someone) to fight for.

It's fucking terrible. And it changed my life for the better. PSU Foxes forever 🦊

I still don't know how to feel about this because the emotional roller-coaster was?!??!?! Literally insane!??!??! And the events in this left me absolutely reeling?!??!?!?

That being said - damn it all to hell, I got attached to these kids, and I'm now absolutely invested in their well-being to the point that I'm starting the next book... right now, immediately. I also want Riko Moriyama's head on a goddamn spike. That's all.

No words. No words!!! I shouldn't have loved this as much as I did (because it absolutely has its issues), but I am officially and fully on board of this train??!?!?!?

Neil Josten I will protect you with my life!

I wanted more!!! This is always my main problem with graphic novels, since I barely get into the story and the characters before it's over - but that being said, this was so, so sweet and I really liked our two main characters and their dynamic!

YA contemporary that is queer and heartfelt and full of love is still my very favorite 🥺

I was talking to my mom about this book as I was reading it, and told her, 'this is the kind of book where you finish it, and then you go and look up video essays/reviews/blog posts on it because you have absolutely no idea what's just happened and what you just read'. I firmly stand on that statement.

4 stars!!!!!