The Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic
Book Review By Gemma E McLaughlin
This week my review is a little unusual, not quite because of the style of the book I’ve chosen but because it is, as of now, only available as an iBook. The book is completely free to download on Amazon, iBooks and other such places. The other two books need to be paid for but after reading The Foxhole Court, I will most certainly be downloading them. I was excited for this novel as it was recommended to me by a friend, and I am pleased to report that although some aspects of this review are mixed, my utmost respect for my friend’s taste has been upheld.
The story is that of our main character Neil Josten, however as we discover soon enough, this is not his real name. Neil has been on the run almost his whole life from the crimes and dangers of both sides of his mysterious family. When the story starts he is living in the locker room of his high school team for a sport by the name of Exy, when he is found and recruited to play for a real team. What is unique about The Foxes, is that all of their players are recruited from dangerous situations, almost like a home, somewhere safe, but for Neil it could be anything but safe when he sees that a familiar face from his past is in the lineup.
I enjoyed the distinct mystery in this book. We were uncovering something new about Neil and his past at every turn but there was also that sense that every other character had a unique story to tell, the reason that they’re there. My favourite part, however was the companionship between the players, there were many arguments, physical fights and moments where flaws were revealed in each of them but there was a certain bond. The Foxes knew each other without even having to speak, they knew what questions not to ask and there was a surprising and heartwarming safety they found in each other. I think what disappointed me a little was the lack of something to really grab me. I enjoyed the mystery of Neil’s character but I would have liked to learn a little more about him, I think if I had felt a little more connected I would have been able to get into The Foxhole Court more.
Despite my lack of interest at some points, I found this novel to be an intriguing and fun read with well-developed and interestingly written characters. For me, I find myself able to stick through any book of which the characters make me feel like I can hear their voices as though I know them myself, and sympathise with them at every turn. I would absolutely recommend The Foxhole Court to anyone who loves fantastic characters, mystery, and just a little bit of crime.
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