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Galactic Football League #4
The MVP
Galactic Football League (GFL) Book THE ROOKIE -- Book THE STARTER -- Book THE ALL-PRO -- Book THE MVP -- Book V (Fall 2014) GFL THE REPORTER - THE DETECTIVE - TITLE FIGHT - THE RIDER (Fall, 2013) - THE GANGSTER (Spring, 2014) THE BOOK “In the Galactic Football League, wars are no longer fought in space, but on the gridiron. If you like aliens and football then I suspect you're unlikely to find a better combination than than THE GFL.” — Phil Plait, Discover Magazine THE MVP is the fourth book in the Galactic Football League series, following on THE ROOKIE, THE STARTER and THE ALL-PRO. Set in a lethal American professional football league seven centuries in the future, THE MVP puts huge humans on the field with four alien races, creating a game that is faster, stronger and deadlier than anything we know today. Star quarterback Quentin Barnes has spent three seasons putting together a hard-hitting, hard-fighting team that combines rookies, rejects, discarded free agents and seasoned veterans from all five species. He has fought against racism and bound his team together through shared sacrifice, blood, tragedy and victory. But this season, Quentin faces the biggest challenge yet — the deadly threat of the mysterious Prawatt, who seized the ship carrying Quentin and his teammates. As THE MVP begins, the Ionath Krakens face certain death at the hands of this unknown race.
538 pages, Hardcover
First published September 4, 2012
26 people are currently reading
405 people want to read
About the author
Scott Sigler
132 books4,335 followersTHE CRYPT: SHAKEDOWN is Book I of a new five-book series. It’s out October 3, 2023 in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook narrated by Ray Porter.
iTunes by subscribing to his podcast.
#1 New York Times best-selling author Scott Sigler is the creator of fifteen novels, six novellas and dozens of short stories. He gives away his stories as weekly, serialized, audiobooks, with over 40 million episodes downloaded.
Scott launched his career by releasing his novels as author-read podcasts. His rabid fans were so hungry for each week’s episode that they dubbed themselves the “Junkies.” The first hit is always free …
He is also is a co-founder of Empty Set Entertainment, which publishes his Galactic Football League series. He lives in San Diego, CA, with his wife and wee little Dogs of Døøm.
iTunes by subscribing to his podcast. #1 New York Times best-selling author Scott Sigler is the creator of fifteen novels, six novellas and dozens of short stories. He gives away his stories as weekly, serialized, audiobooks, with over 40 million episodes downloaded.
Scott launched his career by releasing his novels as author-read podcasts. His rabid fans were so hungry for each week’s episode that they dubbed themselves the “Junkies.” The first hit is always free …
He is also is a co-founder of Empty Set Entertainment, which publishes his Galactic Football League series. He lives in San Diego, CA, with his wife and wee little Dogs of Døøm.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
October 29, 2014
Marvelous and Touching
It is rather unusual that I would choose such a title for a review about a science fiction book, but this is a rather unusual book. I truly could not put it down. I have been working very long days recently and had little free time, but most of the time I did have was spent reading this book. "The MVP" is a wonderful blend of science fiction, politics, religion, love, loss, triumph and tragedy. In choosing football, a sport he obviously knows well, Scott Sigler has crafted a work which is simultaneously fantastic and believable. His twist on the familiar sport of football is gripping, as are his treatments of religion, race, and politics. I highly recommend this book for both sports fans and lovers of suspense, in addition to science fiction fans.
Check out the other books in the series:
The Rookie
The Starter
The All-Pro
It is rather unusual that I would choose such a title for a review about a science fiction book, but this is a rather unusual book. I truly could not put it down. I have been working very long days recently and had little free time, but most of the time I did have was spent reading this book. "The MVP" is a wonderful blend of science fiction, politics, religion, love, loss, triumph and tragedy. In choosing football, a sport he obviously knows well, Scott Sigler has crafted a work which is simultaneously fantastic and believable. His twist on the familiar sport of football is gripping, as are his treatments of religion, race, and politics. I highly recommend this book for both sports fans and lovers of suspense, in addition to science fiction fans.
Check out the other books in the series:
The Rookie
The Starter
The All-Pro
September 18, 2012
I don't like football. I'd rather stand in the middle of thousands of screaming 12 yr. old girls at an 8 hour Justin Bieber concert than watch a football game. But I love Sigler's GFL series. I listen to the podcasts. I buy the books. What accounts for this contradiction? Scott is a terrific story teller and his science fiction and horror stories have interesting, compelling plots that are fresh and creative. I think using the Earth game of football to bring alien races together is genius. You can't accuse him of writing tired themes. His characters are compelling and never more than in the GFL novels. These are guys (and girls) that would have stuffed me in my locker and given me toilet bowl swirlies in high school but I would still like to meet them all. Without being heavy-handed about it, Sigler shows that race, nationality even sexual orientation don't mater, it is all about the character of the being. If you read the entire series, you see how Sigler takes Barnes from a xenophobic and brutal culture to the leader of a team composed of alien races he was trained to kill. Good stuff.
Book four opens where book three ended. The team ship, Touchback, fleeing pirates, has entered Prawatt space and is about to be boarded. What happens is too good to spoil but star quarterback Quentin Barnes' naivete, fierce loyalty, confidence, and courage have interesting outcomes. Back home, the Krakens are facing their toughest season yet. The team roster has serious holes and the Krakens have to pull it together or face relegation back to tier 2. This is a fast paced, fun read that saw me blasting through the 538 pages in two days. Scott continues to grow our knowledge of the GFL universe. The big revelation here is the nature of the Prawatt and the book ends with a set-up for an equally big revelation in book five.
The GFL series is appropriate for young readers as well as adults. I'd have no problem recommending it to a 10 yr old. I think it would grab an young sports fan and be a gateway book to reading. Given the strong female characters I wouldn't limit my recommendation to males.
Book four opens where book three ended. The team ship, Touchback, fleeing pirates, has entered Prawatt space and is about to be boarded. What happens is too good to spoil but star quarterback Quentin Barnes' naivete, fierce loyalty, confidence, and courage have interesting outcomes. Back home, the Krakens are facing their toughest season yet. The team roster has serious holes and the Krakens have to pull it together or face relegation back to tier 2. This is a fast paced, fun read that saw me blasting through the 538 pages in two days. Scott continues to grow our knowledge of the GFL universe. The big revelation here is the nature of the Prawatt and the book ends with a set-up for an equally big revelation in book five.
The GFL series is appropriate for young readers as well as adults. I'd have no problem recommending it to a 10 yr old. I think it would grab an young sports fan and be a gateway book to reading. Given the strong female characters I wouldn't limit my recommendation to males.
November 29, 2012
It's no exaggeration for me to say this author has more than captured my imagination on more than one occasion in more than one book. The style of writing, the attention to sci-fi detail and a constant stream of characters that leap from the page are hallmarks of Scott. This novel was anticipated by me as being a potential classic in the GFL (Galactic Football League) series and it did not disappoint.
I was moved to audibly sigh and laugh out loud many times throughout the book. I was shocked at the ferocity of The Game and the worthwhile effort to draw to a close the loose plot threads carefully woven in the previous three novels. Continuity is as important as character development and Scott again excelled at that. When a character dies in most horror/shock genre books, there's little concern for the NPC (D&D players will know that acronym) who wore the dreaded red shirt in his landing party. But Scott doesn't destroy any character in his novels without first building up the character as a fully fledged out sentient. This is especially notable as that's not a typical detail in books now. Usually it's seen in classic Asian horror and art house media. Bravo Scott.
This is the closest I've ever come to enjoying a book that is so closely written with sports and mafia as a part of the storyline. Most I've not enjoyed. This book and, more generally this series, blows that dislike away.
I recommend this novel for any and all. Not just because of the terrific writing, but also because the novel has zero curse words. Quite important for parents who want to share a book with our kids.
Spread the word. This book is great as a stand alone or taken in series but however you digest it: read it. Then tell someone else about it too. Yes. It's just that good.
I was moved to audibly sigh and laugh out loud many times throughout the book. I was shocked at the ferocity of The Game and the worthwhile effort to draw to a close the loose plot threads carefully woven in the previous three novels. Continuity is as important as character development and Scott again excelled at that. When a character dies in most horror/shock genre books, there's little concern for the NPC (D&D players will know that acronym) who wore the dreaded red shirt in his landing party. But Scott doesn't destroy any character in his novels without first building up the character as a fully fledged out sentient. This is especially notable as that's not a typical detail in books now. Usually it's seen in classic Asian horror and art house media. Bravo Scott.
This is the closest I've ever come to enjoying a book that is so closely written with sports and mafia as a part of the storyline. Most I've not enjoyed. This book and, more generally this series, blows that dislike away.
I recommend this novel for any and all. Not just because of the terrific writing, but also because the novel has zero curse words. Quite important for parents who want to share a book with our kids.
Spread the word. This book is great as a stand alone or taken in series but however you digest it: read it. Then tell someone else about it too. Yes. It's just that good.
March 24, 2018
The passion for sports makes this book enjoyable but I had a lot of issues with the ridiculous drama in the story. Somehow this gangster owner has let his quarterback take over the team and muscle his way around him with no consequences. Gredok became such a flat background character that all his parts felt like we were just glancing him over as he never reacted to any of Qs brattish behavior.
I was on the side of the critics who said it was cheating to bring in another species to the sport in the middle of a season. How the commissioner allowed this to pass was not explained and we were expected to just accept.
The description of uniform colors became very redundant and unnecessary in this book. We get it, different teams, different colors. If you're not going to introduce differently don't just repeat this mundane information. Way to geeky.
Qs relationships with females also felt forced in the story. Somehow he has a girlfriend he doesn't stay in touch with, his long lost sister isn't sure she wants him in her life and Becca is unauthentically falling in love with him.
With all this my biggest problem with the book was how somehow Quentin is the final word on all trade decisions, to the point where every insane trade idea he comes up with comes through without contest. I get he's captain of the team but this author is a bit off in the difference between a captain's influence and decision making in a professional team. It made me not like main character in this story.
I was on the side of the critics who said it was cheating to bring in another species to the sport in the middle of a season. How the commissioner allowed this to pass was not explained and we were expected to just accept.
The description of uniform colors became very redundant and unnecessary in this book. We get it, different teams, different colors. If you're not going to introduce differently don't just repeat this mundane information. Way to geeky.
Qs relationships with females also felt forced in the story. Somehow he has a girlfriend he doesn't stay in touch with, his long lost sister isn't sure she wants him in her life and Becca is unauthentically falling in love with him.
With all this my biggest problem with the book was how somehow Quentin is the final word on all trade decisions, to the point where every insane trade idea he comes up with comes through without contest. I get he's captain of the team but this author is a bit off in the difference between a captain's influence and decision making in a professional team. It made me not like main character in this story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 27, 2018
This is part of a series and the others must be read before reading this entry. This one starts up right where the last book ended. The Krakens are being attacked before the season starts. If the Krakens can escape, they are loaded with talent and are serious contenders for a championship.
If I found actual football to be as half entertaining as this series is I would be a football fan. I don't know how Scott Sigler makes me care about a futuristic football team when I could care less about the teams that play now. I cheer when they win and get frustrated when they lose. Even though football is the main aspect of these books, it all comes down to the characters and their story. The characters are terrific whether it is an alien species or the main character of Quentin Barnes. His story throughout this series is compelling as we see him mature from a brash, narrow view kid to his mature self and in this book to a leader. I have enjoyed reading about his character growth along with the excitement of the football games.
One does not need to be a serious football fan to enjoy this series. Sure, there is a lot of football jargon and action but these books are about the characters and the commitment in working together and achieving a goal. There hasn't been a bad book in this series and I am glad I gave this series a read even though I dislike football.
If I found actual football to be as half entertaining as this series is I would be a football fan. I don't know how Scott Sigler makes me care about a futuristic football team when I could care less about the teams that play now. I cheer when they win and get frustrated when they lose. Even though football is the main aspect of these books, it all comes down to the characters and their story. The characters are terrific whether it is an alien species or the main character of Quentin Barnes. His story throughout this series is compelling as we see him mature from a brash, narrow view kid to his mature self and in this book to a leader. I have enjoyed reading about his character growth along with the excitement of the football games.
One does not need to be a serious football fan to enjoy this series. Sure, there is a lot of football jargon and action but these books are about the characters and the commitment in working together and achieving a goal. There hasn't been a bad book in this series and I am glad I gave this series a read even though I dislike football.
June 29, 2021
Another fun one in the series. Loved it, cannot put these books down! With that said waiting on #5 and 6 lol. And #7 is coming out in 2022 so I guess I can slow down on these haha. Just so much fun, and more than football going on. Sure, that's a large part, but there is more in these books. Love the descriptions of players/planets.
June 14, 2024
Q finally gets his head out of his butt when it comes to his feelings.
October 5, 2021
Another fun book in the series.
July 8, 2020
This series has yet to let me down. Sure sometimes plot lines go away and come back far later and yes, sometime Sigler's audio choices are funny (His Danny sounds straight from South Park) or annoying (like his bad Star Trek voices for Porthath) But all together this mix of science fiction, family, religion, and self discovery works. This is a tremendous series and I am glad to have pick this up.
May 11, 2017
Book Four of the Galactic Football League series picks up right where Book Three, The All-Pro, left off. Having narrowly escaped attack by pirates while on their way to watch Galaxy Bowl XXVI, the Ionath Krakens have fled into Prawatt Jihad territory, encountering a massive enemy warship.
The MVP picks up the story from there, and details the goings-on of the next season of the GFL, which will go on with or without one of their missing teams. Along the way, more relationships are forged, damaged or strengthened as quarterback Quentin Barnes unwillingly strives to become more than just his team's leader.
This book has great action scenes as well as well-thought and intriguing football games. I've never read football games before this series, but Scott Sigler's love for the game shows through in his passionate retelling of the week-by-week action. Balanced with as-it-happens action, the outcome of various games are told using a number of different methods, from live broadcasting to articles written by the Krakens' home press, and even newspaper-style weekly roundups. The updates are varied enough that they all feel fresh, and it doesn't get old as you read week after week after week of football updates.
This is book four in a planned series of seven, and each book seems less to stand on its own than its predecessor. With the announcement of no book five in 2013, the cliffhangery-ness of the ending to THE MVP cuts that much deeper, but you can bet I'll be chomping at the bit when the as-yet-unnamed book five comes out.
The MVP picks up the story from there, and details the goings-on of the next season of the GFL, which will go on with or without one of their missing teams. Along the way, more relationships are forged, damaged or strengthened as quarterback Quentin Barnes unwillingly strives to become more than just his team's leader.
This book has great action scenes as well as well-thought and intriguing football games. I've never read football games before this series, but Scott Sigler's love for the game shows through in his passionate retelling of the week-by-week action. Balanced with as-it-happens action, the outcome of various games are told using a number of different methods, from live broadcasting to articles written by the Krakens' home press, and even newspaper-style weekly roundups. The updates are varied enough that they all feel fresh, and it doesn't get old as you read week after week after week of football updates.
This is book four in a planned series of seven, and each book seems less to stand on its own than its predecessor. With the announcement of no book five in 2013, the cliffhangery-ness of the ending to THE MVP cuts that much deeper, but you can bet I'll be chomping at the bit when the as-yet-unnamed book five comes out.
July 1, 2013
As a long time fan of both Sigler and the GFL, I have been having a lot of fun listening to the podcast edition of this, the fourth book in the Galactic Football League series.
The story follows Quentin Barnes and the Ionath Krakens as they overcome obstacles of all shapes and sizes, from war-mongering aliens to love triangles while chasing Galactic Championship rings.
Sigler's writing is, as usual, fast, descriptive, funny, action packed, and appropriately vivid.
In other words, it's a good book. It's also worth noting that this is an all-ages appropriate book (the first volume, The Rookie, has a non-kid friendly version); Scott Sigler and his staff are actively chasing the educational market, hoping to put this book in the hands of kids who might not otherwise be into reading, which, in itself, makes this a worthwhile book.
The story follows Quentin Barnes and the Ionath Krakens as they overcome obstacles of all shapes and sizes, from war-mongering aliens to love triangles while chasing Galactic Championship rings.
Sigler's writing is, as usual, fast, descriptive, funny, action packed, and appropriately vivid.
In other words, it's a good book. It's also worth noting that this is an all-ages appropriate book (the first volume, The Rookie, has a non-kid friendly version); Scott Sigler and his staff are actively chasing the educational market, hoping to put this book in the hands of kids who might not otherwise be into reading, which, in itself, makes this a worthwhile book.
July 5, 2019
*SPOILERS AHEAD*
I’ve been loving the series so far and I will continue on to read The Champion, but this was the worst book of the series so far. The Krakens are having a disaster of a season. Then, two alien races that have been fighting for centuries do a hand holding exercise and now all of a sudden they can beat anyone including “the greatest team ever assembled in GFL history”? There’s practically zero adversity faced in the second half of the book, everything just goes the way it’s supposed to. Again, love the series and I definitely will finish it. I have confidence that book 5 will leave me loving the complete series.
I’ve been loving the series so far and I will continue on to read The Champion, but this was the worst book of the series so far. The Krakens are having a disaster of a season. Then, two alien races that have been fighting for centuries do a hand holding exercise and now all of a sudden they can beat anyone including “the greatest team ever assembled in GFL history”? There’s practically zero adversity faced in the second half of the book, everything just goes the way it’s supposed to. Again, love the series and I definitely will finish it. I have confidence that book 5 will leave me loving the complete series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2013
I've been a fan of Scott Sigler since I first found his podcast of Infected. His early works are solid horror, mixed with humor. This series is PG, as Sigler has decided that the best way to develop/market these books are as a YA series. Still, the story has stayed interesting and entertaining. Another quick, fun read.
July 8, 2013
I enjoyed the new alien species, but there is too much gridiron in the book. Intriguing cliffhanger though. Hopefully they'll miss the next season and meet a score of new civilizations in the next installment.
January 15, 2016
Very good book to end the series. Or did it...the ending left a little speculation that maybe it would not end. Team battled through much adversity and I did like adding the Prawatt to the team. Didn't like all the losses--would've like them to keep on the playoff fringe throughout the season.
July 1, 2013
Another great book of the series. Love this series largely because it is so unique. A sports/scifi series. Love this series, loved this book. Please people read it.
March 5, 2014
American Football in space. Sci Fi with low barriers to entry, for those moments when you want it low brow.
January 13, 2022
Very good and continuing the upward trend of the series. Hope John and Quentin mend their rift! Can't wait to dive into the next one.
March 23, 2023
At the end of The All-Pro we left The Ionath Krakens about to encounter the Galaxies boogiemen - The Prawatt.
Well, things take a sporty turn (shock horror). Can the Krakens and Quentin end the season how they want. Is it only a matter of time before the Krakens are on a Collison course to be Galactic champions?
Can Quentin get past his hatred of Gredok? Will Don Pine still be on the roster by the end of the season? Will Becca and John's romance last? Will Soud get drunk and make bets?(well of course he will!).
We have all our favs back, Mum-O-Killwe, Crazy George, Tara the Freak, Choto the Bright, John and Ju Tweedy, Denver and Millford and of course Becca the Wrecka. But we also have Comorant Bumberpuff, a genius name and a genius character.
As always a Sporting and Action Based story, which goes beyond the game and takes us into the lives of the players but with a special action twist.
Well, things take a sporty turn (shock horror). Can the Krakens and Quentin end the season how they want. Is it only a matter of time before the Krakens are on a Collison course to be Galactic champions?
Can Quentin get past his hatred of Gredok? Will Don Pine still be on the roster by the end of the season? Will Becca and John's romance last? Will Soud get drunk and make bets?(well of course he will!).
We have all our favs back, Mum-O-Killwe, Crazy George, Tara the Freak, Choto the Bright, John and Ju Tweedy, Denver and Millford and of course Becca the Wrecka. But we also have Comorant Bumberpuff, a genius name and a genius character.
As always a Sporting and Action Based story, which goes beyond the game and takes us into the lives of the players but with a special action twist.
November 28, 2016
What did I just read?
Seriously this book was insane. I can't even. I really REALLY cannot even.
Basically all the beefs I had with the previous books, things like not being able to follow the action or clunky predictable plots or shameless cliffhangers that messed with pacing--it all comes together for this book.
The only issue I have is the whole Becca-Q-Uncle John love triangle thing, mainly because I Feel like it comes out of nowhere. BUT the books ARE told from Q's perspective, and he's basically an emotional coconut, so I guess it's OK. I'm SO GLAD THE NEXT BOOK IS AVAILABLE.
Seriously this book was insane. I can't even. I really REALLY cannot even.
Basically all the beefs I had with the previous books, things like not being able to follow the action or clunky predictable plots or shameless cliffhangers that messed with pacing--it all comes together for this book.
The only issue I have is the whole Becca-Q-Uncle John love triangle thing, mainly because I Feel like it comes out of nowhere. BUT the books ARE told from Q's perspective, and he's basically an emotional coconut, so I guess it's OK. I'm SO GLAD THE NEXT BOOK IS AVAILABLE.
April 15, 2022
This is still a good series, but some of the luster is coming off four books in. I still love the football and gangster elements. The love triangle isn't needed, nor written well. The improbable lucky breaks with the Prawatt made me roll my eyes. I'm reading book five now, but my expectations are starting to dip. Knowing there are at least three more books in the main storyline (plus spinoffs) makes me wonder if the story overstayed its welcome.
September 18, 2018
Scott Sigler the MVP
As always, Scott delivers an amazing story in the 4th novel in the GFL series. If you have read the first three, you will continue to fall in love with the characters and the new twists that pop up in this novel!!
As always, Scott delivers an amazing story in the 4th novel in the GFL series. If you have read the first three, you will continue to fall in love with the characters and the new twists that pop up in this novel!!
June 11, 2023
A fantastic read again but as Sigler himself says, you only get one chance to read a book for the first time, so I am keeping this review fully spoiler free and saying nothing of the book other than that it is worth the read.
August 14, 2017
Another excellent book in this series! If you love football and you like a good story, then this book/series is for you. It's just a whole lot of fun!
July 4, 2018
QuentinBarnesQuentinBarnesQuentinBARNES
November 20, 2020
Each one better than the last. Great book. Great series. Nothing more to say.
December 7, 2022
Awfully similar to book three. And book two. And book one.
June 14, 2025
The prose is pretty YA, but I think it has to do with the fact that the main character is himself so immature. This makes sense: he grew up with religious lies, and is now an isolated individual. So, naivete makes sense, even as he ages.
In this one, the elements of the plot outside of the football actually become more interesting than the football itself, which elevates the whole thing.
Even if the romance is a little unearned...well, that bit at the end...
Anyway, despite the clumsy prose, the creativity and imagination still remain. There so much going on in such a rich setting, the rest matters less.
In this one, the elements of the plot outside of the football actually become more interesting than the football itself, which elevates the whole thing.
Even if the romance is a little unearned...well, that bit at the end...
Anyway, despite the clumsy prose, the creativity and imagination still remain. There so much going on in such a rich setting, the rest matters less.
March 24, 2022
In this fourth installment in Sigler's GFL series, Ionath Krakens team ship, the Touchback, has breached the territory of the Prawatt race in an attempt to escape pirates. They are captured by the Prawatt and are facing execution for trespassing in the Prawatt territory. Quentin manages to maneuver his way out of that one by staging a- well, no surprise here- football game. He also discovers that the Prawatt would make excellent football players. And the Kraken need help this season. They have some key player roles to fill, and some of the team relationships are not at their strongest. The Krakens are facing at tough season, and they can easily make the championship or be relegated back to tier 2. Add in the usual political, social, and personal twists, and this is another fine installment in the GFL series.
Okay, as I have said in reviews of the previous books, I like football. American football, that is. And this imagining of what football could be in a future of alien races is spot on. Sigler knows and loves football and it shows in the way he morphs the game to incorporate a multitude of species with completely different physiologies and philosophies. The GFL game is faster, bloodier, and yes, sometimes fatal, but it is still football. The gangster angle in team ownership seems pretty plausible to me, too. Just sayin'. The worldbuilding is good, and never takes over the story, but there is enough to give a sense of the futuristic worlds here. There is a good range of characters here, from the determined and talented but still sometimes naïve Quentin Barnes to the shady, always looking at the money end of things team owner Greedok to the cast of alien and human players and support people. One of my favorites is Ma Tweedy, biological mother to the twin Tweedy Kraken players, but in many ways, mother to the whole team, especially Quentin. But she's no sweet, kindly grandmom type. She's no-nonsense and is as willing to physically slap some sense into "her boys" as she is to cook them a meal. (Though I still say I'll put my tuna casserole up against hers any day!) The action moves along well, both on the field and off. Even the breaks between sections that recap the games or follow a popular sports talk show don't slow the plot much, and serve to fill in some blanks in a clever way that tracks with the sports-oriented slant of the whole series.
If you like football and science fiction, you probably should check these out. And if you like science fiction with lots of action, interesting alien species, characters who grow along with the stories, and some political and social plot elements, you might like them, too. And they may just turn you into a football fan!
Okay, as I have said in reviews of the previous books, I like football. American football, that is. And this imagining of what football could be in a future of alien races is spot on. Sigler knows and loves football and it shows in the way he morphs the game to incorporate a multitude of species with completely different physiologies and philosophies. The GFL game is faster, bloodier, and yes, sometimes fatal, but it is still football. The gangster angle in team ownership seems pretty plausible to me, too. Just sayin'. The worldbuilding is good, and never takes over the story, but there is enough to give a sense of the futuristic worlds here. There is a good range of characters here, from the determined and talented but still sometimes naïve Quentin Barnes to the shady, always looking at the money end of things team owner Greedok to the cast of alien and human players and support people. One of my favorites is Ma Tweedy, biological mother to the twin Tweedy Kraken players, but in many ways, mother to the whole team, especially Quentin. But she's no sweet, kindly grandmom type. She's no-nonsense and is as willing to physically slap some sense into "her boys" as she is to cook them a meal. (Though I still say I'll put my tuna casserole up against hers any day!) The action moves along well, both on the field and off. Even the breaks between sections that recap the games or follow a popular sports talk show don't slow the plot much, and serve to fill in some blanks in a clever way that tracks with the sports-oriented slant of the whole series.
If you like football and science fiction, you probably should check these out. And if you like science fiction with lots of action, interesting alien species, characters who grow along with the stories, and some political and social plot elements, you might like them, too. And they may just turn you into a football fan!
February 20, 2017
Best one yet. I wasn't sure if the author could continue this series without being repetitive - but each one is great and exciting.
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