Hey, how do I rate this 6 stars?
No, scratch that, this book deserves at least 10 stars. AT LEAST.

I don’t know where to start, you guys.
This book has WRECKED me, body and soul: I managed to inhale nearly 500 pages in just over 24 hours, no sleep to be had at all, and then I proceeded to re-read it all over again (and yeah, again, no sleep whatsoever: my brain has been officially taken over by Jean and Jeremy).
I’m not sure how I’m meant to wait for book three, except by re-reading it again (and again; and also by re-reading the previous book and the AFTG trilogy just for good measure) and by crying over how perfect this freaking sequel is. I think it might be my favourite Nora novel EVER (or at least, it’s on the same level of “The King’s Men”).

I fell in love with Jean and Jeremy all over again in “The Golden Raven”: I didn’t think it was possible to love them more than I already did, but yeah. I’m so obsessed with them it’s not even funny anymore: somebody PLEASE SEDATE ME.
This book begins soon after the events of book one (let me refresh your memory: we'd just left Neil causing havoc in LA and Jean breaking my heart all over again --> Friends.) and it’s a whole goddamn ride from start to finish. An emotional, gut-punching, soul-wrecking one at that, packed with revelations, shocking twists and surprises, heart-breaking discoveries and surprisingly (but actually not; this is Nora we’ll talking about) quite a lot of healing too (at least, for our Jean; Jeremy’s another story BUT WE’LL GET TO THAT). 

The Trojans (yes; every single one of them) stole the scene right from the start. When I started TSC, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to love a team as much as I do the Foxes, but I shouldn’t have doubted Nora. TGR confirms what I already knew: I’d die for every single one of the Trojans. They’re the absolute best. From Jeremy and Jean (but we’ll get there) to Laila and Cat (I’ll talk about them in a bit) and Cody (they’re my favourite, I think <3) and Ananya and Xavier and Patrick, and all of the newer teammates we get to meet properly (I’D LAY MY LIFE DOWN FOR DEREK AND DERRICK?????? I LOVE THEM). They brought so much light and so much joy, and I’ve never cackled this much in my life whilst reading. Nora’s writing has always been hilarious (when it’s not being heart-wrenching, of course) but she surpassed herself here. 
Laila and Cat stole the show EVEN MORE here: I didn’t think it was possible to love them more, but I DID. Cat’s an icon (I LOVE HER AND JEAN’S BOND SO MUCH) and Laila? What a delight Laila was here. She’s always been a bit more of a mystery then Cat, but we get so much Laila content here! She’s so clever and steadfast, and

seeing her suffer so much because of what happens to their house left me in so much pain.

Also: Laila and Jeremy’s bond? I cried. Big, fat, ugly tears. My babies. 
Of course, I also LOVED seeing some old faces too. No spoilers, but you’re in for a treat (and also, quite possibly, you’ll need to bill Nora for extra therapy sessions, because WHEW). The twists kept on coming, guys!

OKAY, ONE "LITTLE" SPOILER: THE RAVEN/FOXES RE-MATCH? ANDREW QUITTING SMOKING BECAUSE HE WASN’T FAST ENOUGH TO SAVE NEIL FROM BEING INJURED IN THE GAME? I WAS ON THE EDGE OF MY BED HYPERVENTILATING, I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE NORA WENT THERE.

Also:

Andrew’s unparalleled gaydar? I HOLLERED.

And yeah, Jean and Jeremy. 
They were the beating heart of this book: their slow-burn romance (yes, ‘cause it’s gonna be jerejean guys!!!!!!!!!!) had me gnawing on my fingers, squealing in my pillow, blushing and also screaming because I cannot deal with how PERFECT they are for one another. 
Again, I can’t delve to deep because SPOILERS, but oh my god. They make me seriously unwell. The parallels, the chin grabs, the gentle touches, the “look at me” and “you are my partner”? The fact that they’re so down bad for one another they cannot bear to look at each other too long? The jealousy and the protectiveness? UGH MY HEART.

I’ll be thinking about the fireworks and the hotel scene FOREVER AND EVER. Also: protective Jean? I NEED MORE OF THAT. I need him to body slam the whole of Jeremy’s family and all of his hook-ups ASAP.

Individually, they both went through a lot. 
I think, I THINK, Jean’s slowly starting to realize that what he went through at the Nest was monstrous: he’s slowly starting to heal and slowly starting to trust that the Trojans are his family, and that they would lay down their lives for him, no questions asked. Seeing him blossom throughout the book was a joy (okay, yes; of course, there were setbacks and we’re still missing a book). He obviously still broke my heart to bits (

the Rhemann scene? “Fathers”? UGH I SOBBED

), but I think he’s finally starting to see what he’s worth, at last. That what he deserves, what he wants (*wink wink*) IS valid. 
Also, I’ve never had more goosebumps from an Exy match in the whole 10 years I’ve been a fan of this series. It was glorious. I can’t wait for more Exy in the upcoming book.

And Jeremy. 
Jeremy, Jeremy, Jeremy.
I don’t know where to start. I’ve wanted a Jeremy backstory since the very first time we got to be in his head, all sunny and smiley and avoidant. I got my wish, BUT AT WHAT COST? I don’t want to spoil too much, and I’ll tag them when I do, but god. My heart.
SOME MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD --> 
His chapters filled me with so much dread and anguish. He’s such a complex character, and obviously his life doesn’t touch Neil or Jean’s levels of crazy mafia shenanigans, but god. He’s so lonely and so stuck and so desperately needs somebody to whisk him away from his godawful family. He reminded me so much of Neil in the AFTG trilogy at times, in the sense that both of them are practiced liars and both of them have no way out. Jean’s chapters in a way were easier to stomach. 

Also FUCK: Mathilda hiding his passport, his social security card AND his birth certificate? EVIL. Bryson and Warren (I’m not sure who’s worse; they all deserve to burn in hell though)? EVIL. All their homophobia and racism? The constant financial abuse? The fact that they have the gall to blame Jeremy for Noah’s death? DESPICABLE. No wonder Jeremy has so many bad coping mechanisms: the pills and cocaine at the time were bad enough, but the fact that he continues to disregard his safety with his reckless sleep schedule AND by hooking up with dickheads who only hurt him and humiliate him and insult him? Ugh. It breaks my heart that he thinks he doesn’t deserve better.

Okay, that’s enough Jeremy Knox for one review: I could go on and on and on though. He’s officially my top favourite AFTG character alongside Neil, and I can’t thank Nora enough for giving him the backstory and the character presence he so deserves. I adore him to absolute bits.

I loved reading this book so, so, so much. It gave me so much joy I really, desperately needed, and I cannot wait to get my grabby, greedy hands on book three. I’m so glad Nora decided to come back and give Jean his story and his (hopefully upcoming) happy ending. I’m glad she decided to keep writing, despite how toxic this fandom can (very often) be. I’m just so grateful we’re getting Jean and Jeremy’s story. 
Also,

I’M SO HAPPY NORA INCLUDED ANOTHER THEA SCENE DESPITE WHAT A MASSIVE BITCH PEOPLE WERE TO HER, THE AUTHOR, ABOUT IT. I’m a Thea defender now till death do me part from her iconic, harsh, rude, powerful self. She’s my number one girl and SHE IS Kevin’s soulmate, okay? OKAY.

TWs/CWs:

rape (past), extreme violence and torture (includes waterboarding) (past), abusive parents, death of a sibling, grief, suicide (on page, minor characters; past), suicide ideation and attempts (past), drug addiction, alcohol addiction, blackmailing attempt, non-con rough sex, financial abuse, emotional abuse by parents, homophobia and slurs, police brutality/abuse of power, racism and islamophobia, transphobia (mentioned), death, injury, instances of violence, disordered eating, arson, slut-shaming, sex/hook-ups as a means of self-harm (probably?), self-harm (past; briefly attempted on page).

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Pre-reading:

I WOULD SELL MY SOUL FOR THIS BOOK 


update: THREE BOOKS YES YES YES!!!!!!!! This has made my year 😭 (p.s. we better get the Jeremy Knox trauma backstory pls!!!!! 👋🏻🩷)