Synopsis (for The King’s Men)

Neil Josten is out of time. He knew when he came to PSU he wouldn’t survive the year, but with his death right around the corner he’s got more reasons than ever to live.

Befriending the Foxes was inadvisable. Kissing one is unthinkable. Neil should know better than to get involved with anyone this close to the end, but Andrew’s never been the easiest person to walk away from. If they both say it doesn’t mean anything, maybe Neil won’t regret losing it, but the one person Neil can’t lie to is himself.

He’s got promises to keep and a team to get to championships if he can just outrun Riko a little longer, but Riko’s not the only monster in Neil’s life. The truth might get them all killed—or be Neil’s one shot at getting out of this alive.

 

Review

5 stars for the whole series!

“Fight because you don’t know how to die quietly. Win because you don’t know how to lose. This king’s ruled long enough it’s time to tear his castle down.”

Addictive, brilliant.

Why is the author so mysterious? I would have loved an epilogue or, for once in my life, a novella about “after” like Christmas 5 years after or …

And I NEVER read novellas so that tells you how much I loved this.

But the author erased her Instagram account, Twitter is dead, she is not on Goodreads really and her site has no fresh news for years.

The story is about a bunch of rejects. Every hero is flawed, some more than others. They are all about 18 to 21 and passionate about a sport: Exy.

The Foxes have always been the underdogs. In the Exy world they are at the bottom of the pond. They all had bad cards in life and they’ve been overlooked by all the other Exy teams. Mocked and shunned they are incredibly resilient.

They burn, they fight, they want to show what they are worth! That was one of their most inspiring trait!

And Neil’s addition will be the catalyst.

He was a loner who avoided any friendship so who could have guessed he’d become the glue, the inspiration, the rallying force of the foxes?

“You’re here tonight because you refused to give up and refused to give in. You’re here where they all said you’d never be, and no one can say you haven’t earned the right to play this game.”

Not only has this story amazingly unique characters and is a character driven story but there is also a plot! And twists! Lots of twists! The best of both worlds right?

Let’s delve into the characters:

Andrew is rumored to be a psychopath. We met him in the first book and he sometimes looks like the joker, oscillating between total indifference and maniacal laughter. At the beginning of the story, I was weary of him and had no idea how his character would evolve. I confess that I loved Kevin much much more but by the end of the series, Andrew became my boy, right alongside our mail hero: Neil. In these second and final books we learn more about his trauma and something horrifying will happen to him in Raven’s King. My heart broke for him.

Aaron is his twin. I never really warmed to Aaron as he seems dead set on resenting Andrew even if he’ll have a heroic intervention in Raven’s King that made me like him. But that kind of petered out.

Kevin is the prodigy. He lives, breathes, eats Exy. In the beginning of the series, I liked him and hoped he would be a worthy hero but now…not so much. His light paled in comparison to Neil’s and Andrew’s.  Terrorized by his old “Master” Andrew swore to protect him. But I wanted Kevin to fight! Not cower each and every time Roko’s name was mentioned! So yes, he disappointed me and his star lost its shine.

Dan was the perfect captain of their team. Level headed, practical and always ready to listen and support her Foxes. She is a strong girl, one you’ll admire and root for!

With Matt as a strong but calm force, they were made for each other.

Nicky is all butterfly, overenthusiastic and talking a mile an hour. He was the soft touch in this book.

Allison really surprised me. Proud, uncompromising she held her ground. Never going outside without wearing heels and makeup, she came from money but could fight like the bests! Her b!tchy side grew up on me. At least you always knew what she thought of you!

Renée was more complex than it seemed and she surprised me with her confiding in Neil. Under her angelic appearance and always peaceful attitude, she hid a street-smart girl, one that could rival with Andrew!

And Neil has one of the most an amazing character’s growths! From always running, never trusting, closed off and never bonding with anyone he came a long way! He stayed, chose to trust Andrew. He opened up to his Foxes and he became their glue, their driving force and inspiration. Not bad for an outsider right? He’ll also go through unfathomable pain and cruel circumstances in King’s men.

In these last two instalments, Neil made dangerous bargains with the mafia. He walks a tight rope but he has to face his fears head first because for the first time in his life, he has something to fight for, people to live for and he wants the hope, the life.

This story is also about friendship, about finding your family, someone who will have your back no matter what. And it’s also about finding love when you did not expect it, did not even think of it! That relationship was not perfect but it was real and it fit the characters perfectly!

I just wonder why I waited so long to read this series!!!

Have you read this series? Do you love flawed heroes?

Thanks for reading!

Sophie