The King's Men: Volume 3 (All for the Game)

So. I finished it. This was by far the best of the series. We finally get lose ends tied, conclusions to major plot lines, and so much more depth and character development. I was so excited to get more information on Neil's backstory, and the shock of what happened was crazy. I can remember putting the book down and just staring at the wall when Neil got that call. I also really, truly loved seeing Kevin finally break free from the Ravens, or I suppose begin his journey of breaking free. Obviously I can't not comment on the relationship between Andrew and Neil. Honestly I relate heavily to Neil's queerness and Andrew's difficulty with relationships, so seeing them grow together made my heart happy. I also love, love, love how it was much more subtle than I was expecting. We still see the passion and the love but it didn't feel over the top or forced. I think I'd have liked maybe a bit more of deeper exploration of their relationship but I also fully realise that's not really what this series is about. Besides, that's what fanfic is for. I have some maybe unpopular opinions about how things ended, and I think the last handful of chapters weren't fleshed out enough. But I don't think it really detracts from the whole. I don't really know if I'll ever be able to articulate how this series made me feel, it's been a real journey and I can't really believe it's over. I'm so amazed I'd never even heard of this series before this year, and yet very quickly it grabbed me and is never letting go. Go, Foxes! Edit: Now I've had a minute and got over my intial reaction I honestly have to say I feel the same way about this as I do whenever I finish a series that hit me pretty hard, and that's unfortunately sort of disappointed? And reading some of the extras actually didn't help, they sort of ruined things a bit for me by building up these futures into canon that I don't really like. I'm left just thinking about all the things I wish had been different. I don't think I'll read Book 4, but I'll see what the fics have to offer.

I am a broken woman. I don't know how to describe exactly how this series made me feel. Is it cause I binged it in an entire weekend? Immersed myself so fully in Foxhole Court world that when my hands were pried from it I didn't want to let go? Didn't want to leave my precious broken characters behind? This series is so beautifully done I know that Neil, Andrew and crew have carved themselves a little space in my black heart and they won't be leaving. The handling of trauma, of mental illness and of LGBT+ representation for me was fantastic. You could look at this series and view it as a simple sport contemporary with dark themes but honestly it is so much more than that. Though full credit to Nora, she's made me want to play Exy (an entirely made up game) and I'm really not much of a sportsperson - I much prefer a punchbag to team sports if you know what I mean. This is due to the excitement of how she writes the games, the passion you feel from the characters in your bones and you tell me who doesn't secretly love an underdog story? My favourite part of this series though through all the crazy action, sport excitement and wild plot points? The relationships. The relationships in this book go from the very conventional (dad figure Coach) to the highly unconventional and I adore it. Throw a bunch of misfits from sketchy backgrounds together and you are sure to get all types of connections under the sun and this is what really carried the series from page 1 to the end. The slow burn in this one is so slow I didn't even see the couple coming until end of book 1 but it's perfect that way. I'm normally not one for slow burns, I'm a secret marshmallow that needs romance but any other way for these characters would of be disingenuous - excuse me now while I go to Nora's Tumblr to stalk all of the extra content and look into the Foxes future because I don't know when to let go.

The third in the All for the Game series for me, was by far the best in the trilogy. Not only are the Foxes in on Neil's secrets and most of each other's, they are more of a team than ever. Yet, more and more and more is thrown into their paths. I sobbed reading about Andrew and what happens to him, which then causes a domino effect on the other team members. This book is also the main element of the M/M romance that is hinted at and alluded to in the previous two. It's a real slow burn and almost a fight to actually be considered a romance. What it is tough, is a natural progression of these characters and I found myself internally cheering for them. Finally, Wymack steps up and fights for his team and shows the respect he has for each member and I can now understand why he seems as hands off as he has been in the previous books. In fact, the adults are all a lot more 'responsible' in this last book and feel like they are doing the jobs they're employed to do. This book is the ultimate culmination of what Sakavic has set up in the first two books. Speaking to other people have read this trilogy, I found that they've had the same kind of reactions to me in different parts of this book. I cried, I laughed, I smiled, and I cheered as each of the characters matured and dealt with the things in their past that was holding them back. As a team, they are working together and fighting for what they want and deserve. Neil and Kevin especially, deal with some horrible things in a way that I would never have imagined from the way they behave in the first book. The character progression for these characters is brilliantly done and I applaud Nora Sakavic for this. Trying not to give spoilers, I think the ending was perfect. Anything more 'pretty' or 'neat' would have been a disservice to these characters, but I also feel as she's left it open a little to maybe, possibly write more about The Foxes. I wouldn't be averse to this idea.

Item arrived, all good,

As a passionate person, I have the utmost respect for an author who can pull all levels of passion and emotion out of me throughout a book or series. And Nora has managed to blow even my feelings out of the water. This novel is raw. It's ugly and honest and in your face. The author builds and builds and she never backed down from the situations the characters found themselves in. And beyond that, the characters always stayed 100% truthful to them in every situation they were in. There is something huge to be said about this because authors don't always let the characters do what they need but what the author wants and Nora clearly let her characters react how they wanted to and they developed accordingly. I cannot say enough about how great this book is and how wonderful the trilogy is all around. The growth in the characters is fantastically done and the story moves and twists and turns and takes your breath away in both delightful and terrifying ways. I never wanted to put this book down, not even after I finished and there was nothing left to read. These books and characters have found their way deep into my heart and deeper. I love the characters fiercely and would fight for them as if they were real and that cannot be something faked or forced in books. I can happily say that these novels are amongst my favorites now and ones that I will go back to time and time again. These books push the boundaries of both the characters and the reader in a way that so many seem afraid of doing. And that is something everyone should hold in much higher regard.

THIS WAS SO GOOD! 👏🏻I binge read the trilogy this weekend and am now feeling completely bereft🥺Why do I always do that?! Such a brilliant conclusion to the series though - passion, heartbreak, blood, guts and glory - I loved it all. I always have a soft spot for a tortured anti-hero and Andrew is all that and more. And Neil - seriously how did he survive everything that came his way?! 💔 Such great characters and honestly why isn’t exy an actual sport?! Missing my Foxes already 🦊🦊🦊 Five ‘you must read this’ stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This has to be my favourite book of the series yet. The complexity of every single character and the loyalty they show towards each other is unmatched. I love how Neil slowly comes to terms with his past, his present, and how everyone in it has become important to him—something he has never been able to experience before. Sakavic has to have created some of the most complex and interesting characters who each have something to add to the story of equal importance. Possibly what striked me the most is how Andrew and Neil come to terms with their trust and feelings towards each other. They are so different, yet so similar and Andrew's ability to protect and ground Neil when necessary is—again—amazing and beautiful. Nora Sakavic has written yet another beautiful book, and I am sad to have only just found out about the series. Sakavic has a genious mind for fitting each segment and character into the story and I never once lost interest throughout the book. 5/5, would definitely recommend. I hope All for the Game receives the recognition it deserves!

Personnellement une de mes séries préférée. L'intrigue est riche, les personnages et les relations qui les unissent d'une complexité à couper le souffle. Une fois que j'ai commencé la série, je n'ai pas réussi à la lâcher jusqu'à la fin du 3ème tome. En bref une série qui nuit à votre temps de sommeil et qui ne vous lâche pas même une fois le livre refermé. Un seul regret pour moi, c'est qu'il n'y ait pas encore de suite à l'histoire des Foxes. A acheter absolument !