The Golden Raven by Nora Sakavic or when the “found family” vibe is strong!

Synopsis

I do not care what they think of me. I can’t. It only matters that I play.

Jeremy Knox is no stranger to damage control, but his last season on an Exy court is off to a disastrous start. The relentless crusade against his newest teammate threatens the haven he and his friends have worked so hard to build. He promised Jean a fun senior year, but tragedy and ugly truths make every step forward an uphill fight.

Jean Moreau promised the USC Trojans a championship trophy, and he intends to deliver. Granted, it would be significantly easier if they’d slide off their high horses and throw a few elbows on the court. Their steadfast refusal to do things his way is nearly as aggravating as their unwanted affection, but maybe they’re not the ones that need to change.

With so many ready to drag him down, how can he learn to fly?

Review

4,5 stars

Format of the book : Ebook

• Genre : unique
• Subgenre : LGBTQ sport fiction mixed with mafia and romance
• Tropes: found family! Overcoming trauma.

This is the fifth book in the series and the second one about Jean Moreau after he joined the Trojan alias the Golden Court. We follow Jean’s journey towards healing but it’s more of a roller coaster than an easy ride. Jeremy is battling his own demons too and we will learn more about his despicable family.

We could also call the book “How the mighty have fallen” because the Ravens are unravelling. They die one after another. And if what they did was despicable, I still hurt for them as they had all been abused and brainwashed. Nobody was there to save them. As Cat said, what did their parents do? And Jean replied: Ravens do not have families.

Still it was horrifying to read about all these deaths!

The beginning of the book was relatively slow with Jeremy and Jean dancing around each other. Jean also needed time to deal with his many issues and triggers. He still is far from our of the wood but he begins to see the light and to think he deserves to be happy. Nora Sakavic wrote a splendid healing journey. Walking us through Jean’s trauma and through his slow realization that he indeed was changing and that there was something else than abuse for him.

“I don’t want you to be like Zane,” Jean said, slow as he tried piecing it together. “I don’t want Coach to be like the master. I don’t want to teach Tanner contrition when he continuously fails my drills or to break my racquet over Cat’s back if I think she should have performed better. I don’t ever want to go back to how things were. Maybe you are fools, and I am the biggest fool for indulging you, but better to be reckless fools than Ravens.”​He held the nickel out toward Jeremy. “We will do it your way, and we will win anyway.””

I honestly don’t know how Nora Sakavic did it, find the right pace and the small touches to lead us slowly towards healing. She didn’t rush it or it wouldn’t have felt believable.

I also had to laugh at Jean’s outrage when his teammates dared to have fun on the court. He was brisk and gruff but nothing deterred the Trojans to have a good time and to include Jean in it. His cutting comments were priceless and made me laugh so many time!

“That malfunctioning cretin existed to cause trouble for everyone in a thousand-mile radius,”

What stole my heart were the many little things that Jeremy, Cat and Layla did to help Jean, to make him feel like family.

“I’m glad you’re alive,” she said. “I’m so happy you’re here with us, and I hope you’re happy, too. I hope you tell us when you’re not so we can help you. You’re our friend, and we love you.”

The found family trope is extremely strong and just perfect!

I need the sequel. I need to see if Jeremy will finally be free from his toxic family. If someone will finally help the Ravens to heal as well as they all seem to me like victims of a cruel and insufferable war.

Thanks for reading.

Sophie