This book really gave me everything I love out of a sports anime and more. Rivals to lovers? Check. Interpersonal conflict between players with very different ideas of why they play hockey? Check. Internal conflict as one character tries to overcome their struggles alone? Check? The slow development of close-knit bonds between teammates that eventually allow our heroes to become their authentic selves? CHECK.
I am gonna be so honest, I don’t know anything about hockey, but I do know that I felt that this book was a really thoughtful handling of what I imagine to be issues within the world of hockey the same way it seems to be in many professional sports: a certain amount of baked-in homophobia, some fairly old-school attitudes towards mental health, etc. I liked Mickey’s character, I liked being inside his head as he struggled through these complicated feelings he has toward his dad’s legacy and the sport of hockey as a whole, and while from an outside lens I was able to say like “no dude you’re super overreacting just talk to him!” I could also understand why a depressed kid with a chip on his shoulder would have a hard time taking that advice.
Also, the day after reading this book I used the phrase “hat trick” in conversation and someone went “oh, do you like hockey?” so that was pretty neat.
Rating: ★★★★☆ – The book was great and I would recommend it to anyone who likes this subject or genre, and I am likely to re-read it at least once.