The Raven King (All for the Game)

WARNING: This book deserves multiple trigger warnings for domestic abuse, drugs, rape, blood, homophobia, death, etc. I don't really need these, but it still would have been nice to know going in because that's how much this book affects you.

I really don't know where to start with this book.

This book fucking ripped me apart. I am not joking; I was an emotional wreck after the last few scenes and I had to take a breather before I could even think about going back to the series. (Although of course I came back, because you can't just stop at this.)

I could write a long paragraph on how much better this book is just writing-wise than the first one, but that wouldn't really capture it. The characters are more developed, writing is more honed onto important things, etc. etc. If that's what it takes to make you read this, I promise you it exists.

But beyond everything is how suddenly and ferociously the book twists into darkness, dragging out the characters' backstories and leaving them hanging on by threads while everything crumbles. This book has stakes. This book matters. Everything in it, from the tough decisions the characters have to make, to the way they take hits from all directions over and over again just makes it so real and so unforgettable.

I saw someone calling this "emotional torture" on Twitter and I couldn't agree more. You're forced to watch as these college kids, who've suddenly made it to the highest level of acceptance you have, are tossed around and abused and broken and put back together, and you just have to hope and love and pray that they get a happy ending because you can't imagine anything else. And you know, but can't do anything about the fact that Neil is this close to danger at all times and is basically a dead man walking; Andrew's just trying his fucking best goddamnit why won't anyone leave him a l o n e; Nicky is the sweetest child who deserves all the love and attention in the World; the Foxes are fractured and broken but they're still fighting for all they're worth; and you just end up loving them so, so much.

There isn't really anything else I can say to convince you to read this. This book is worth it. You may feel wrecked afterwards, but it's worth it.

just because I have to, I will say my one and only problem with these books.
they are way too short.
everything that happens is so intense, so good, so hype, i wish I could have at least five different povs and three interludes for each event. angles, commentary, etc.
in fact, I will say it now, with yet one more book ahead. I want three novellas for each fox before being a fox, two more after they are foxes before Neil joins, and two books on the protags's childhoods, plus a companion about Exy's History and a lexicon with facts about each character.
now, I want it now.
but first I want the next book :'D

i thought neil josten was the only real bitch in this house but it turns out there might be a few