The Sunshine Court (All for the Game)

When I found out that a new AFTG book was going to be coming out, I was so intrigued by what Jean’s story would entail, and looking forward to seeing this universe from a new set of eyes. Any expectation I had for this book were blown out of the water for me. I know for many people, Jean being the main protagonist of this new book was a major let-down. I didn’t feel the same, and I think that having Jean as a new protagonist was an amazing decision. While I would love more from the Foxes, I think the original trilogy gives plenty to chew on, and I don’t know if I would’ve enjoyed new content from them after so long the way I did the original books. By having a side character now become the protagonist, we get someone who’s close to the Foxes while at the same time being able to take the story in a new direction and see the feelings of other people in this world, which I feel makes this world feel richer than another Fox book would have. I don’t personally understand the argument that, because Jean and Jeremy were just side characters in the original book there’s nothing interesting to do with these characters, but to each their own on that front I suppose. Jean’s story was absolutely heartwrenching to read, and seeing his slow growth throughout this book was beautiful. His journey is far from over (considering there is at least one more book in this new series, potentially two though I don’t know for sure) so this book was inevitably going to be setting up a lot of things and not a lot of satisfying conclusions. Despite this, I never found myself feeling bored. Nora’s writing is both simple and captivating. She has the ability to drop the most gut wrenching lines in the most mundane of places, and personally I think this is a real strength of her writing. Her more simple wording makes the text easy to speed through, while also being able to have a lot of emotional punch at the same time. Jean’s inner dialogue was written in a different way compared to Neil in the first book, and the way his anxiety/flashbacks/dissociative moments were conveyed was very well executed. The new characters were a wonderful addition. The main trio who bond with Jean are all wonderful and I’m really looking forward to see more of their dynamic in future books, as well as how Jean will eventually fit into this once he allows himself to truly trust and be vulnerable with them. I’m especially excited to see more of Jeremy! This book was truly JEAN’s book but there’s a lot of hints to Jeremy’s backstory throughout this book and I’m very intrigued by him and who he is beneath the mask he puts on as captain of the sunshine court (ha book title!). I also thought the further revelations into the Ravens’ and their psyches was interesting. We’ve learned about the Ravens from both Neil and Kevin previously, but Jean adds another layer to the Nest through the depravity he suffered there, as well as insights from other characters. Seeing what the consequences of their loss to the Foxes in TKM was cool (?) to see. I have small gripes with the ending, as the last chapter happens quite fast and its events feel a tad bit out of place in a book that was so focused on Jean’s internal struggles, but because this is the first book in a series I anticipate my lingering questions from this will be answered going forward and it will make more sense once the series continues. I wish it had been a bit better integrated in the last few chapters, but I’m not going to elaborate more as I don’t want to include spoilers! Just something I feel the new to mention as it did stick out to me and linger in my mind once I finished as something that left me not entirely satisfied. TLDR this book was an incredible addition to the original books that I’m very much looking for to continuing as the series is finished. It’s a beautiful tale of appreciating the small things in the everyday that make life worth surviving, and growing into your own person even through horrible circumstances. I’m glad this is the version of these books where Jean survives, and I hope that people who loved the original books (especially those who were really hoping for andreil content in particular) will still give this book a chance even though it’s not the series extension they originally wanted. I think they will be pleasantly surprised.

Spoilers ahead: I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting much from this one because I lowkey hated Jean for what he did to Neil and while I moved past it, it was more apathy. Like l understood that he was abused and being forced into it, but I didn't quite understand the extent. I also shipped Jeremy and Jean with a very passive "it would be cool, but surely not realistic" attitude. Still, as in avid fan of the series I bought and read it as fast as I could and it honestly blew me away. Jean is way less of a jerk than I thought and watching him grow into a new person is fascinating. I loved seeing Neil through his eyes - especially when Jean tries to protest that he is worthless because of his family name and Neil slams back by telling him to think of his sister next time he says that. I loved that Cat and Laila are so protective over him. I love the diversity and seeing people of all genders and races and faiths. I love that the R word wasn't used. My favorite thing though? Jeremy respecting Jean's boundaries. The second Jean says he feels unsafe, Jeremy backs off and it's so reminiscent of the way Andrew shouted no at Neil when Neil was trying to get him to stay to talk and Neil froze mid motion because he respected Andrew's no. The way consent and trust and boundaries are handled in this series is what made me fall in love with it. No is honored in a place where it's usually ignored (casual touch or talking about hard topics) instead of just in the bedroom and I adore that. Nora really knows how to create believable characters and make me have strong emotions about them.

I read this whole thing so fast. Some highlights of what I loved (spoilers): 1) The difference in narration between Jeremy and Jean is so cool. Seeing what the other looks like from the outside... Incredible. 2) Seeing Jean's struggle with his trauma, unlearning everything, coming to terms with his mistreatment and then also what that's doing to him. I don't think I ever had a real opinion about Jean from the other books, but seeing his whole thought process really makes him make sense. 3) Cat and Laila. Omg fantastic couple. Also, the protectiveness that they feel for Jean? The lengths they would be willing to go to to help him??? 4) Jean counting small miracles like Renee told him to, and the things he adds to that list. 5) A new perspective about Kevin... Very interesting to see the many facets of his character. 6) Always nice to see Neil. Very fun to see him from the outside. Also, the fact that Jean started referring to Neil as Neil once he promised him that Riko was dead? Very interesting. 6.5) Speaking of Neil, the kindness he showed Jean was incredible. I really like this platonic thing they've got going on. The only ones to truly understand each other. 7) Learning about the extent of abuse inside the Nest... Wack. 8) I really like that Jeremy is trying to help Jean and is using the only tactics he knows to work (that he got from Kevin). We gotta ease Jean through this. 9) More info about Jeremy... And interesting guy with some secrets. Can't wait to see where that goes too 10) LOVE the queer rep in the Trojans and how all the coaches are cool. V nice 11) It is SO interesting to see what Jean cares about and doesn't. Interesting parallel, I think, with how Neil didn't want anyone to see his scars and required complete privacy and then Jean out here shirt off, no concern. "Don't worry, they won't affect my playing." Wowza. 11.5) idk to me, Jean and Neil seem like two sides of the same coin. How interesting now to see Jean's perspective. 12) How both the Trojans and Ravens are physically close as teams, but the contrast between the physicality of interactions... How the Ravens were harsh and unrelenting and angry vs the Trojans' softer affection and respect for privacy. 13) Learning more about the paradox of how the close proximity of the Ravens all the time chafed yet how the Ravens don't know how to function alone. Jean being alone and not knowing what to do with it. How when both Kevin and Jean left the Nest, they immediately found someone to be their partner because they NEED one. I'm mostly rambling here, but I think this book is so cool and the character interactions are phenomenal. I'm very excited to see where Nora goes from here.

I loved this book. It had the right amount of call backs to the original AFTG to make it nostalgic but still a story that can stand on its own. Jean felt so real and genuine that I can't wait to see where this story goes. Despite having a much bigger roster the USC team still felt fairly fleshed out and left me wanting more. I'm so excited to learn more about the story after the end of TKM, and loved the opening chapters about everything through Jean's eyes. I love this book. I love Nora Sakavic. I love Jean Moreau.

Not sure where to start other than to say - what a treat. An unexpected one. Even though I have been a fan of AFTG series for a few years, I haven’t been obsessively checking for updates from Nora Sakavic because truthfully I did not expect another book. So when I realised book 4 was released I must have screamed with excitement. As expected, Jean’s story was as painful, if not more painful as Neil or Andrew’s. Without revealing the plot, there were many times during the book that I thought not only ‘how did he have such strength to go on’, but I was reminded about so many of other Nora’s characters who seem to have almost otherworldly strength to ‘endure, endure, endure’. The continuation was more than fantastic. Heart and chest clenching good. Classic Sakavic feels, tormented me almost beyond my own endurance levels to be able to imagine the events. So much so that it’s no wonder it took the author years since the last book to find the bravery to write this story. It’s got to take its toll and for that - we salute you Nora Sakavic. Congratulations on another fantastic and memorable novel. Goes into the very special list of books that left me gasping.

I didn't know this new book was coming, so I was 6 days late to the party. I didn't had any expectations, and not because I thought it was going to be bad, but I just didn't have an idea of what was going to happen (I've read sooo many Jerejan fics lmao, I'm not gonna hide it), so I went at it with an open mind and lots of excitement. It didn't disappoint. Jean's POV is heartbreaking, as we all expected. I loved that we could perceive the contradictions between wanting to survive and being stuck so deep in trauma (Riko has a place in hell with his name on it). We get to see that complex hate-love relationship with the Ravens and the Raven mentality/way of life. I'll stay positive that we're gonna have a next book soon because I need to know about Jeremy's family and all that drama that was hinted in the secod? part of the book. I honestly love it, and (spoiler ahead) the scenes with Neil are my favorites, especially the last part, he's a little AH but a protective one, just like Andrew.

Completely worth the wait!! After ten years Nora has picked up where she left us off with the Exy players and she has managed to portray them all so beautifully and perfectly.

I haven't even read it yet, and it's killing me softly, but I will be back with an actual review asap. (EDIT: Here is is - I knew, of course I knew, because this is Nora Sakavic, that this would devastate me. And no one, to this day, can quite break my heart the way she does. But she's also the best to put people back together piece by piece, so I have all the faith in you. As always. I have so many things to say, but I feel like I'll start crying again if I list them all, so I'll just say, merci encore une fois.) I simply wanted to shout the biggest thank you to Nora Sakavic, because you're the best. Coeur sur vous, et sur Jean. It's completely mind blowing to be here today, almost 10 years after reading the trilogy. Absolutely surreal, and the best thing - something you thought would never happen, does. Again, merci mille fois, NS.