3.5 stars.

Book was more enjoyable than most three star books. I love seeing personality to male characters that make them more than just a stereotype. Didn't enjoy it overall as much as Lev: Shotcallers. Curious about whether the older smiling Lev with a heavy Russian accent, is meant to be the same young, struggles showing emotion, American accented Lev we see in Shotcallers. From the mention of the dad/uncle I think so, but not sure.

I loved seeing the importance of friendship in this book as well. The friends were characters, not just there as plot points and to make the main character more real. They truly felt like a family.