Fence Book One

by C.S. Pacat, Johanna the Mad (Illustrator)

Queer sports drama meets elite private school stakes in this critically acclaimed series!

Scrappy fencer Nicholas Cox has big dreams of following in the footsteps of the father he’s never known, but when he’s accepted into the elite King’s Row private school, he’s thrust into a world of cutthroat competition. Facing down privileged rivals, grueling tryouts, and the seemingly unbeatable Seiji Katayama, Nicholas discovers that it will take more than determination to prove himself worthy of a place on the team.

Experience the first three volumes of the breakout hit series written by bestselling author C.S. Pacat and brought to life by fan-favorite artist Johanna the Mad!

Collects Fence #1-12.

Genres: Young Adult, Graphic Novels, Sports, Contemporary, Romance, LGBT, M M Romance

336 pages, Paperback

Expected publication September 1, 2026

About the author

C.S. Pacat is the USA-Today best-selling author of Dark Rise, the Captive Prince trilogy, and the GLAAD-nominated graphic novels Fence.

Born in Australia and educated at the University of Melbourne, C.S. Pacat has lived in a number of cities, including Tokyo and Perugia, and currently resides and writes in Melbourne.

Reviews

[Ricarda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gay sports romance is undoubtedly having a big moment this year, so it just makes sense that the queer fencing boys are back too. I've read volume one before, and to this day I don't know if Nicholas Cox and Seiji Katayama's (the cover characters) relationship will ever be romantic or not. This omnibus now includes the first three volumes, and so far they were rivals and roommates (OMG, they were roommates!). But when I look at some of the other covers of this series, there is just no heterosexual explanation for their poses. Like, what is going on on the volume seven cover, please? I need to find out. There are multiple queer side characters, so this comic book series ultimately does fit both the sports and lgbtq tags. So far the focus is definitely on the sports side of things, though. I think that fencing is quite an unusual sport, so it was interesting to learn a little bit about it. This series mainly explores the characters' relationships with the sport and it's great how there is quite a big cast with everyone having different backgrounds and personalities. I think this will work even better in future volumes when all the fencing boys of the school become a team and learn about each other's strengths and weaknesses. Mainly it will be Nicholas' journey, though. He is the son of a dead-beat star fencer father who picked up fencing out of spite, really. He's ambitious and can be considered something like an underdog, but he is far away from elite fencers like his father. Or like Seiji Katayama who is the same age as Nicholas and easily wins every tournament. They have a bit of a rivalry going on even though there is quite the difference in their athletic abilities, and the whole prodigy / underdog dynamic reminded me a lot of Hinata and Kageyama from Haikyu. The way the story really takes its time with building the characters and the team was similar too. I almost would like it better in manga form, if I'm honest. The art is easy to look at, but not super special for me and I think we would get volumes faster if it was all in black and white. But I'm not complaining. It's such a good series that feels unusual and fresh in the comic book format. It's its own thing entirely and I wholeheartedly appreciate it.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and BOOM!Box for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

[sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I seriously just grab an arc from one of my favorite authors? 🥺

I’ve read this series before and it’s still the ultimate comfort read. I forgot just how much I adored these characters! Of course, this is the slowest of slow burns, a staple of C.S. Pacat, and I hate how much I love it.

It’s an all-boy school setting and the characters are so diverse and well-developed. Aiden and Captain? Possibly my favorite couple. I love them so much.

The fencing plot is great, but it’s the relationships and interactions that make this story so addictive. Everything about the dynamics at Kings Row just hits perfectly.

⬫ ⬪ ⬫
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

[Jessi ❤️ H. Vojsk [if villain, why hot?] · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard so many good things about this series over the years on Goodreads and all of you were right:
This series is so good.

It reminded me a bit of the Foxhole court series.
I loved the friendships and little crushes throughout volume one.
Can’t wait for the next one!

[Monica (switching platforms)]

I had been seeing Fence everywhere for quite a while, so when I spotted it among the available titles on NetGalley, I didn’t waste a second before downloading it, and I’m so glad I did because this graphic novel completely exceeded my expectations! This was such a fun and addictive reading experience, and honestly, I loved pretty much everything about it: the artwork, the story, the characters, and especially the relationships between them.

C.S. Pacat is one of those authors I’ve only ever seen praised with enthusiasm by readers, and now I can absolutely understand why after reading this graphic novel. Even within this format, you can already catch a glimpse of the incredible storytelling and character work that makes their writing so beloved.

Each character has a distinct personality, motivation, and emotional depth that makes the cast feel incredibly alive and memorable. Watching these boys slowly build friendships, rivalries, and trust throughout the story was honestly one of my favorite aspects of the graphic novel. The all-boys private school setting, combined with the intense competitive atmosphere of fencing, worked surprisingly well and gave the story both tension and heart.

What surprised me most was how perfectly balanced the story feels. The fencing element is not just a backdrop for romance or drama, it genuinely matters. You can tell Pacat has done research and cares about the sport itself, which made the competitions exciting and engaging. At the same time, the relationships and character dynamics are what truly make Fence impossible to put down.

Nicholas is such an easy protagonist to root for. His determination, stubbornness, and raw talent make his journey compelling from the very beginning, while Seiji instantly became one of the most intriguing characters for me. And I can already see some future couples among the boys that I absolutely can’t wait to root for!

The illustrations are expressive, dynamic, and full of personality. Even during fencing matches, every character remains visually recognizable and distinct, which is impressive considering the masks and fast-paced action scenes.

Overall, Fence is the perfect mix of sports drama, found family, rivalry, friendship, and queer representation. It gave me serious “just one more chapter” energy the entire time.and combined with Johanna the Mad’s artwork, they truly make an amazing team. The storytelling and illustrations complement each other perfectly, making the entire reading experience even more immersive and addictive. I’m officially obsessed with Fence and I already need the next volumes immediately.

Thank you to BOOM!Box and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Lizardley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was very fun! I had not read any of Fence before requesting this volume, and I'm very glad that I took the plunge. The story isn't anything particularly groundbreaking (other than its explicit queernes): maybe this is just because the only other long-running high school sports media I've consumed is Haikyuu, I was getting a lot of Haikyuu vibes from it. That said, the story beats that it follows are genuinely interesting and well-paced, and I was in suspense about who would make the team. I don't fence, so I don't know how accurate a lot of the information the reader is given is, but I felt like it was explained well, and I could follow the matches. The characters are a bit one-note at the moment, but I'm interested to get some depth to them in future volumes. I'll keep my eye on this series!

[Timmy]

I have been reading this series for so long and I'm so glad they're being released in longer editions now! This first book goes from issue 1 to 12, which would be the equivalent to the first three volumes bound together. I would however like to mention that there is no bonus material compared to the previously released first three volumes.

I've lost count of how many times I've read the first few volumes as I keep doing re-reads every time a new one comes out. But, in case you are lucky enough to have yet to discover the series, here's what you can expect:

- Sports! (Fencing, in case that wasn't obvious)
- Romance!
- Rivalry?!
- Found Family
- and a very queer normative world which, in my opinion, is always nice to get yourself lost in

If you've been on a sports romance reading kick, I'd advise you to give this series a shot as it is short, sweet, and very addictive.

Thank you to BOOM! Studios and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Chelsea]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

Fence Book One by C.S. Pacat and illustrated by Johanna The Mad is a YA Achillean romantic contemporary graphic novel focused on a boarding school fencing team. Nicholas has always dreamed of being a brilliant fencer like his father, but the world doesn't even know he exists as his father shunned him and his mother. When he enters a tournament and loses 15-0 to Seiji, a highly skilled young fender, he declares that he will one day turn the tables in a match. At boarding school, Nicholas's scholarship hinges on him joining the fencing team and when he arrives, he learns that he is roommates with none other than Seiji, who lost recently to Nicholas's half-brother.

I wouldn't personally classify this as a romance because, while there is definitely a slowburn being set-up, the focus is not really on said romance. I felt that the overall focus was more on Nicholas’s journey, fencing as a sport, and the team as a whole instead of Nicholas and Seiji as a couple, which is less romance to me and more sports story with romance subplot. As a result, I would call this a romantic contemporary instead. It is looking like it will be rivals-to-friends-to-lovers, so if that is your thing and you love a slowburn that also has the trappings of sports anime, this is going to be your jam.

The art is gorgeous and very detailed and I can tell a lot of research went into this as I learned some new things about fencing as I read, such as the differences between a saber, a foil, and an épée. Every character design is very distinct, allowing them to feel like their own people within the comic’s world. Because the suits are white, one would think the color palette would be more muted, but I saw a lot of use of colors that really got to pop because of the white suits and the browns and tans of the practice areas.

The slowburn between Nicholas and Seiji is very fun. I laughed when I saw the classic ‘I’m your rival now’ speech get flipped a little bit when Seiji not only declared that everyone says that to him, but multiple people admitted that they had. The pair push each other to new limits and it is exciting to think about what is going to happen when we finally see Jesse, Nicholas's half-brother and the first person to beat Seiji in a long time, in person and interacting with both of them. I think that will be a key component in the romance aspect of everything.

I would recommend this to fans of sports anime and readers of YA romance who want more of a slowburn

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

NO NOTES ALL THE STARS. C.S. Pacat can literally do anything. Writing emotionally devastating fantasy books to writing this masterpiece of a comedic graphic novel where I’m crying over people not making a fencing team and crying when people DO make the fencing team??

The characters - ranging from characters who want nothing more than to prove themselves to characters who are the biggest flirt but it’s all a ruse because they’re hiding their true feelings!! They’re all so precious.

And not to mention the book is so queer normative!! That makes my heart so happy. All the characters existing in this world where they don’t have to explain who they are or worry what people might think. I love that.

Thank you to NetGalley for a digital advanced reader copy in exchange for a fair but honest review ❤️

[♡ kitty *:･ﾟ✧ · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been almost 6 years since I originally read the fence volumes and I’m so glad they’re releasing it in book form!
Truly one of the best, most addictive graphic novels I’ve ever read and the fact that it’s so engaging when I have no prior knowledge of fencing is truly a testament to how good it is!
There is a lot of diversity amongst all of the characters and I love getting to see the friendships and relationships blossom throughout the story.

I felt like I learned a lot about the sport through reading this and it was very interesting!! It has such a great message about following your dreams and working hard at accomplishing your goals!! So keen to continue reading this series!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review

[Heather Close · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable read. The characters are interesting and the story was engaging. I also really liked the art style. Looking forward to more of the series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Boom Studios for the advance review copy. All Opinions are my own.

[Danbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from NetGalley

I'm pretty new to graphic novels so I couldn't pass the opportunity to ease myself into the genre with Fence.

I loved how the story line; love the dynamic and interaction between the characters and it also introduced me to the field of fencing.

Thank you to BOOM!Box and NetGalley for the ARC!!

[The Sapphic Nerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with this ARC ***

I read the first several issues of "Fence" when they originally came out in 2017, and I loved it, but I had an unexpected life change that meant I had way less fun money. Finally getting to read these has been wonderful. The art is just as good as I remember it - everyone is eye candy! There are a ton of action scenes, and it's clear what's happening in all of them.

I love that this is such a queer friendly world. Sweet boy Bobby can dress however he wants. No one even comments on it. When Bobby proposes giving Nicholas a makeover, he has no issues with the idea. And I love his relationship with Dante. Aiden is dating everyone and breaking tons of hearts, and it's all good.

I really love Aiden and Harvard's relationship and the fact that he'd drop a date in a heartbeat to hang out with Harvard. I don't know if their relationship will end up being romantic, but either way, it's wholesome and sweet and shows how much Aiden values Harvard. The fact that Aiden quietly goes to comfort him in private after he loses a match emphasizes how much he thinks of and cares for Harvard. Similarly, Harvard goes up to Aiden's step-mom and tries to express to her how much it means to Aiden to have her showing up for him - though she leaves right after... Even then, Harvard turns to Aiden and tells him that he's there to support him. It's so sweet!!!

Nicholas' relationship with Seiji is a pleasure to watch develop. Nicholas sees him as his rival, but he also sees the humanity in him and befriends him. He doesn't want Seiji to feel alone, even though he wants to beat him at fencing so badly - and even though they just had a fistfight. There's competition and the desire to win, but there's also a genuine striving to improve, and Seiji gives Nicholas honest feedback. It's sportsmanship at its finest, pushing each other to be better.

Fence is a beacon of positive masculinity and how diversity and true self-expression (regardless of whether aspects of that self-expression are perceived as stereotypically "feminine") only make for healthier individuals and communities. The boys cry when they're sad, they spend quality time together, they open up about their feelings and share their struggles. They're competitive with each other, but also supportive. They make sacrifices for each other based on what they think is right, even if it means they lose something they want.

At the end of the book, there's a preview for the upcoming book, as well as some bonus pages on the character designs and single issue covers for "Fence". I always thought it was clever that the first 5 issues had the corresponding number of characters on them. I'm not gonna complain about more art from Johanna the Mad!

This series made me cry multiple times with how honorable and wholesome all of the characters are. They have their struggles and their desires, but they're all doing their best and supporting each other, even while they're hurting. I wish more people would read "Fence", especially young men, so they could see examples of healthy masculinity. Masculinity that bolsters others, that puts others first, that accepts people for who they are, that strives to be their personal best, that isn't afraid to be emotionally vulnerable. Is it idealistic? Yeah. But I'd argue that art has a license to be idealistic, to show us the best that humans can be, so we can aspire to emulate it. We need to see healthy examples of masculinity to know those behaviors are available to us in the first place. I can't recommend "Fence" enough!

[Shatiel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Avevo già visto in passato questo titolo e avendo già letto altri titoli della Pacat ero molto curiosa!
Devo dire che però son rimasta parecchio delusa.
Avendo visto e letto molti anime e manga dedicati agli sport, il paragone era inevitabile per me.
Purtroppo non è minimamente alla loro altezza, non solo per la storia che ripresenta l'ennesima rivalità tra due ragazzi che poi diventeranno amici, ma sopratutto per il tratto acerbo dell'artista che non trasmette quasi per niente il movimento e l'azione. Inoltre ho trovato molto diversi i personaggi all'interno del fumetto, rispetto alle loro schede di design.
Sopratutto i primi capitoli sono disastrosi per quanto riguarda la sceneggiatura. Le scene vengono interrotte all'improvviso, passando a tutt'altro senza una didascalia o altro che spieghi che sta succedendo. Anche i balloon del testo sono strani.
Ma quello che mi ha dato più fastidio sono i flashback. Sono abituata a vederli risaltare con un background nero attorno alla scena. Senza è tutto troppo confuso.

La storia si è sicuramente ripresa molto verso la fine, durante gli scontri tra i vari membri del club di scherma, e il fatto che sia riuscita a farmi commuovere mi ha sicuramente fatto rivalutare il mio voto finale. Ma gli dò al massimo la sufficienza.
Non è un fumetto sportivo che consiglierei così su due piedi. C'è bisogno di più studio anatomico e del movimento.
Spero inoltre la storia si faccia più complessa e riesca a catturare di più il lettore, perchè al momento è troppo lenta e noiosa.

Grazie Netgalley per avermi permesso di leggerlo in anteprima.

-------------------

I'd seen this title before, and having read other Pacat titles, I was very curious!
I have to say, though, I was quite disappointed.
Having seen and read a lot of sports-related anime and manga, the comparison was inevitable.
Unfortunately, it's not up to par, not only because of the story, which recounts yet another rivalry between two boys who later will become friends, but above all because of the artist's immature style, which conveys almost no movement or action. I also found the characters in the comic to be very different from their original designs.
The first chapters, in particular, are disastrous in terms of the writing. Scenes are interrupted abruptly, switching to something completely different without a caption or anything to explain what's happening. The text balloons are also strange.
But what bothered me the most were the flashbacks. I'm used to seeing them stand out against a black background. Without it, everything is too confusing.

The story definitely picked up a lot towards the end, during the clashes between the various members of the fencing club, and the fact that it managed to move me, definitely made me reevaluate my final rating. But I'll give it a passing grade at best.
It's not a sports comic I'd recommend right away. It needs more study of anatomy and movement.
I also hope the story becomes more complex and manages to captivate the reader more, because right now it's too slow and boring.

Thank you, Netgalley, for letting me preview it.

[Catalina Ess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will say it again and again as many times as I need to: C.S. Pacat has the midas touch and I can always trust that I will enjoy whatever he/she puts out. From novels to comics, from adult to Y.A. - the Captive Prince series, Dark Rise series (stuck in the *waiting for Book 3 purgatory*), and Fence series are all quite dear to me and in my opinion, vastly underrated.

I admit - I have already read all the Fence issues released up to this point so I know exactly where this series is going, but saw Fence Book One pop up on the NetGalley available titles and had to chip in my two (very biased, let's be real) cents in.

Readers who have only seen Captive Prince or Dark Rise might be surprised at the connection, but I think the cornerstones of what made me fall in love with Pacat's writing in the first place are still very apparent even in a comic format. The characters in Fence you will discover if you continue reading this series, like all her other stories, are nuanced individuals who I can absolutely root for and am fascinated by. They each have their own juicy lore and history, and I love the way Pacat truly understands how to write characters whose actions and worldviews have been clearly shaped by these histories. He/she is a master of stringing readers along with tidbits of history slowly being unveiled throughout the series and earlier suggestions at such history through showing, not telling. Sports comics or mangas often struggle between the balance between the sport and romance - if you take Heated Rivalry as the extreme end for romance (little sport) and Yuri on Ice or Haikyuu as the extreme for much sport (little romance) - Fence sits snuggly in the middle ground. I love the balance throughout the series between the focus on the characters, whilst also dealing quite seriously with the sports (as opposed to merely using it as a backdrop). I may be in the minority here, but I am not a big fan of either extreme - I do not want a story that merely uses sport as a setting (no 90% romance, 10% sports thank you). I appreciate that C.S. Pacat has a fencing background, has invested time in research and tries to meaningfully engage with fencing in this comic series (although I imagine those with fencing backgrounds may find it a little oversimplified). I do have a qualm about how quickly the protagonist's skills develop over such a short time frame (this is unrealistic and I can imagine real-life athletes who practice for years might find it unbelievable and a bit insulting) - however, with some suspension of disbelief, Book 1 is the introduction to what is an amazing series.

There are of course restrictions with the comic format and this series cannot reach the same depth as his/her novel series. However, it is still a very enjoyable sports comic, does well within its confines, and is a lighter read than his/her books (which can get quite heavy and which I personally love - but I know is not for everyone - so this may be a good alternative to be able to still experience elements of what, in my opinion, makes C.S. Pacat so great).

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Boom! Studios and NetGalley for an eARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 🌟 rounded up

En garde! 🤺 This novel was a page-turner in every sense.


The Rivalry
I loved the dynamic between our two main characters: Nicholas Cox and Seiji Katayama. Nicholas comes from very humble beginnings with aspirations to become as revered as the father he's never truly known. When he gets accepted to an elite private school and decides to tryout for the fencing team, he sees it as an opportunity to prove himself. The only issue? He has to get through Seiji Katayama, who is ranked 2nd nationally in his age division and sees Nicholas as nothing more than an annoyance. Nicholas vows to fence at the State Championship, carve out a place for himself on the team, and to make Keiji finally see him as a worthy rival. Delicious tension ensues!


The Writing
The characters felt so distinguished from each other, and very few felt like simple side characters. A lot of the main fencing team read as fully realized with rich back stories and personalities of their own. It was riveting to see how each of them approached fencing matches—physically and psychologically. As someone who knew next to nothing about fencing, C.S. Pacat did an excellent job incorporating explanations of fencing poses, different types of foils, and the rules of a fencing match in a way that was approachable, engaging, and had me wanting to know more (I looked up a lot of fencing lore after finishing this). It always came up in a way that felt organic to the story, which helped keep me locked into the narrative. It never felt tedious or like I had to remember all the minutiae of fencing to understand the story.


The Art
The artwork from Johanna the Mad is beautifully drawn, with great saturation and movement. The action sequences were easy to follow even for someone with minimal fencing knowledge prior to reading this novel. The characters are all visually very different from each other, and they all have facial expressions and quirks that are so specific to them as individuals, which gave me a deeper sense of who they were beyond the dialogue.


Conclusion
I haven't been this excited about a queer graphic novel since Heartstopper! Book One of Fence includes volumes #1-12, and in just 12 volumes C.S. Pacat got me interested in fencing and deeply excited to see where our characters go from here. I need to get my hands on the rest of Fence stat!

[niam · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's more like.. when he fences.. you can't look at anyone else.

Before i actually get into it can we have a moment for the cover of issue 25/volume 7.. whoa?

Fence is a series perfect for anyone who loves Haikyuu and more specifically Hinata and Kageyama, or really for anyone who enjoys shonen sports series in general. It has all of its hallmarks: the foreshadowed final tournament arc and the ominous looming spectre of the ultimate adversary with complicated ties to the main characters (think Akashi in Kuroko's Basketball). The mc who despite lacking in technique and coming from a less advantaged background manages to hold their own due to that one skill they're naturally incredibly good at. The exact Haikyuu storyline where the mc vows to be the ultimate-prodigy-who-defeated-them-with-ease's rival and crush them in their next match but as soon as they make steps towards that goal they end up on the same team as that rival (bonus points for if in the initial match there was that one moment where the mc did something that momentarily surprised them). And of course who could forget the tension between the protagonist and his rival that is a staple of the subgenre (and which will actually come to fruition here.. 😭)

Nick is the typical scrappy but good-hearted mc that's easy to root for even at his lowest, with big dreams, natural talent, and a lot of growing to do. His status as the illegitimate and unknown son of a famous Olympic fencing champion adds a complexity to his commitment to the sport that promises to explode. In contrast, Seiji is the best of the best with all the resources he could ask for, at a level where winning is no longer an achievement but losing is a devastating failure. Despite all these differences and a rocky start it's clear that both Nick and Seiji are lonely and isolated in their own ways, which makes the moments you can see that tension start to thaw and the beginnings of a friendship emerge even sweeter. The prominent side characters are also very charming!! Harvard and Aiden in particular seem to have as yet uncharted depths, but even those less significant are given their own minor time to shine.

Overall four stars for this book but five stars for all the potential storylines.. i love sports series i love secrets i love reluctant friendships and team as found family <3

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.50/5.00

Firstly, thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Nicholas Cox wants nothing more than to prove to himself that he is a legacy worthy fencer. The only issue? His fencing champion father doesn’t know about him. In his first regional meet he ends up head to head against Seiji Katayama, the number 2 ranked épée fencer under 16. As the two pair off, the competition builds and Nicholas vows after his 0-15 loss to the fencing prodigy he will face Seiji again and win. To improve, he finds himself on scholarship at Kings Row competing to make the team and giving him his best chance at facing Exton academy and Seiji. Only his new roommate—Seiji Katayama—may be a hurdle in his plans. With the pair now both vying for spaces on the three-man fencing team for Kings Row, the rivalry heats up as competition against themselves and the other fencers at the academy face-off.

I am so excited to see this get rereleased in collected books again! I was a fan of this comic when it first was released, but I’m not sure if it was my limited time, the slow release schedule, or my confusion in the names of the different volumes when it was originally numbered, but I never got to finish this series. It was great to delve back into the comic and reintroduce myself to the characters! I loved the diversity and general humor, which was greatly enhanced by the art style. Most of the panels were simplistic in details, but Johanna the Mad is really great at capturing emotion and focus and it shines in a lot of the action scenes! The writing is succinct and fun and I feel there was just enough background on fencing, so I didn’t feel overly ambushed by information about the sport, but knew enough to follow the story!

My only teeny tiny negative thoughts reading this were that sometimes it felt like the chapters would lose momentum in the middle as they were reaching toward a specific end panel, but it felt sluggish getting there. There were a lot of side characters introduced, but they all felt distinct in looks, but not so much in personality for some of the lesser shown side characters. The comic does describe itself as a queer sports romance, but this introductory book doesn’t have much romance in it, but hints at rivals to lovers and a separate friends to lovers romance if you continue the series.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and BOOM!Box for providing a copy of this graphic novel!

I was super into this comic when it first came out. I remember going to the store to buy each new chapter as soon as it was released. However, I've never been good at reading series, so I ended up giving up on the series relatively early on. Not because I wasn't enjoying it, I just couldn't be bothered to keep up with each new release. So, I was super excited when I saw this on NetGalley, as I would finally be able to continue the series!
I do think this story is a lot of fun, but I couldn't help but keep comparing it to Haikyu (my all-time favorite manga). Nicholas and Seiji are just Hinata and Kageyama. The passionate and inexperienced one with no technical skills, but has natural instincts. And the talented prodigy with an attitude problem. I know this archetype isn't anything new, but man, it just really felt like Haikyu. Unfortunately though, fencing isn't really a team sport, so we aren't going to get to see characters learn to actually work together to be a team. Like, yes, there is "technically" a fencing team, but team sports that just combine scores are a lot different from sports that require actual teamwork.
I still enjoy this comic, but I feel like the comic structure is its main downfall. Because of the structure, the story is kind of choppy. Each chapter is pretty short, so they are never able to really dwell that deeply into the characters. This might change as the story continues, but it is mostly just fun drama at this point.
I'm not super into the characters as of now. Like I said, the main characters remind me a lot of Haikyu and I like Hinata and Kageyama more than Nicholas and Seiji. As of now, the characters feel more like archetypes than anything else. I hope this will change as the story continues, but as of now, it almost feels more like the sparknotes version of a story. With all the characters being overly simplified and the plot happening at a lightning quick pace.
Despite all my negative comments, I did still enjoy this comic. I flew through it and found it enjoyable. While I don't think it's doing anything revolutionary, it is always nice to have a comic that normalizes queer characters.

[Theo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I passed by a copy of Fence years ago in a comic book shop, and was happy to take a chance on it this time! It was a fun ride. I’ve read a lot of sports fiction, and this is right up my alley. But first…

The visuals. The obvious challenge is how to make the movement and intensity work in a 2D style and how to give the art a sense of direction. I think the artist was good at using different angles, zooming in and out often, and emphasizing their expressions. I think the character expressions were the strongest visual element for me, and since a comic is a limited word economy, I feel that counts for a lot. Sometimes, though, the visual flow felt a little interrupted by the angles or choices of focus, and I got lost for a second, but maybe I’m just not used to the flow of comics anymore.

I also felt that some of the story elements bordered on cliché, like aggressively locking in on a rival and feeling the need to prove worth as an underdog. I would’ve liked something a little different, but I do read sports fiction a lot. And at the same time, those things are the heartbeat of heavy hitters in the genre, so it depends on how you look at it.

The characters are the other strong element in Fence, and honestly, the best part of the read for me. They’re such a vibrant, diverse cast and endearing as hell. You really can’t hate anyone in the cast. Their loyalty to each other is fierce and warm, and even the characters who start on a bad foot have a fun dynamic. I was on the edge of my seat rooting for everyone in this book.

As an Asian reader, I get anxious when we are in Western fiction, but I don’t feel like anything glaring stood out compared to the treatment of other characters, and it was cool to see Eugene show up along with Seiji. I’m on the fence about an Asian character being the prodigy, but I heard good things about Seiji’s development, and I’m down for the ride.


All in all, it’s fun and energetic, and I know way more about fencing than I did before I started - counting that as a win.

Thank you to the publisher and writer/artist for the ARC!


[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

This is a neat little blending of Japanese BL manga and American MM romance. We have the usual tropes: enemies to lovers, power ups, competitions, and quirky side characters. It's all a bit of a fun romp that you don't take too seriously. The art, however, is very well done.

Story: Nicholas managed to get into a prestigious private school on a fencing scholarship. His goal: beat the obnoxious rival Seiji - the person who kept him from getting on an important team. Nicholas is hot headed and intuitive; Seiji is cold and calculating. When they discover they have to share a dorm room, sparks fly. Can the two learn to respect each other long enough to pass the tryouts and make the school's competitive fencing team?

First and foremost, the artwork is clean, easy-to-follow, and nicely colored. The cover image of this volume is a good example of what you will find inside. The paneling is similarly clean and allow the illustration work to move the story forward. Sure, the characters are very overidealized and almost caricatures of stereotypes. But the fencing scenes are also well done.

The story itself is pretty basic: Nicholas has a single-track mind of "BEAT SEIJI!". Seiji, meanwhile, can't be bothered with hotheads and instead also has a rival he will train hard to one day defeat. Unbeknownst to both, Nicholas also has a vendetta against Seiji's rival but for different reasons. This volume focuses on the tryouts for those who make the team this year - each trialist has different reasons for wanting to make the three-man team.

In all, this didn't keep me as interested as I had hoped but it was fine. Certainly worth it for the eye candy. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[taya. &#x1f407; · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from NetGalley.

⁠
This is easily one of the cutest graphic novels I’ve ever read outside of massive franchises like DC or Marvel. I truly, deeply enjoyed reading this one!

A queer sports romance (no matter the sport) will ALWAYS hook me immediately. This book was incredible, capturing all that high stakes rivalry, tension, and pressure perfectly. What I loved most is that the author doesn't just make things easy or unrealistic for the protagonists with typical beginner's luck; instead, she keeps it realistic, showing a super pragmatic approach to the athletic world.

I’ve heard SO many positive things about C.S. Pacat, so I was absolutely thrilled when I got approved for this ARC, I practically skipped around my house out of pure joy! And honestly, the hype is real; there is absolutely nothing to complain about here.

I adored following Nicholas Cox and getting a glimpse into his backstory. You can really tell he has a massive heart, especially based on how he treated Eugene. As for Seiji and all his strict composure...I’m almost certain Nicholas is going to break through that cold exterior completely, because no one can resist a charming, funny chatterbox! Seiji, as serious as he is, won't be the exception.

I also totally caught that ‘easter egg’ about Nicholas’s connection to the Coste family, and I am dying to see how this crossover is going to play out, hopefully in the next book, which already has a release date, thank goodness!
As for the side characters, Bobby, Harvard, Kally, and Eugene completely stole my heart. They captivated me right from the start and showed a genuine kindness that just warmed my soul.

This entire cast left me wanting so much more! I’m so happy to have finally dived into C.S. Pacat’s work.

I received an advanced review copy (ARC) for free from NetGalley and the publisher, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as an ARC reader on NetGalley, cross posted my review on Goodreads.


I've wanted to read this series ever since I read Dark Rise for the first time, and then vowed to myself I would read all of Pacats work. I was working myself up to buy each edition individually, when I stumbled across this on netgalley, and got really excited when I realised it encompasses issues 1-12. I was a bit worried about the graphic novel format, but since I loves both the Captive Prince and Dark Rise series, I had high expectations going in, and wasn't disappointed in the slightest.

The art is all drawn wall, and you can tell what's going on during action scenes. As a personal preference, I think fencing, as a sport, looks really funny and awkward. There were 3 moments in this book where I had to put down my phone and breathe through the cringe I was feeling, not because the book was bad, but because I find fencing so cringe inducting to watch, or apparently read about. This is probably because fencing in Australia is one of the most niche sports ever, so there's no coverage or news about it circulated.

This book is also very queer normative, with side characters having same sex parents and on-page same gendered romance. I adore when books do this, because it really annoys me when authors choose to write in a fantasy world of bigots, and it definitely makes me happy wile reading as a queer reader. Also, the allude to Seiji and Jesse having something..... or to Aiden crushing on Harvard..... to what I imagine is the endgame romance between Seiji and Nicholas...... Pacat has me hooked on these romances.

I loooved reading this. I was fully kicking my feet like I was 5 years old while reading certain scenes. I'm 100% going to finish this series, arc reader or not.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a huge fan of C.S. Pacat but for some reason I never read her comic Fence before! And as a former epee fencer I am kicking myself in the butt for waiting so long to check this story out because it is incredible. It is clear to me that either C.S. Pacat is a fencer herself or she put in the research to make this an authentic telling of the fencing rules, moves, and overall environment. I am also delighted that it seems to be epee focused! I see foil and sabre a lot in stories but in my very biased opinion epee is the best weapon so glad to see the representation.

This book covers the first 12 chapters of the story. It gives a great introduction to the fairly large ensemble cast. According to the book's blurb this is a YA queer sports romance but it must be a slow-burn because I don't see the romance yet (not at all a criticism!). I do like that the general vibe seems to point to a potential rivals-to-lovers situation between the MCs Nicholas and Seiji. I was also picking up vibes (or maybe it is just my wishful thinking?) between several of the other characters, namely Harvard/Aiden, and maybe Dante/Bobby? No matter how this story turns out I am here for it! The story had me going "just one more chapter" until I ended up finishing this book in one sitting. The artwork is so beautiful. I loooove that it is completely in color instead of a couple of color pages and then all in black and white. The extra artwork at the end of the book was also a really nice touch, especially all the extra cover art designs.

Needless to say I recommend this book and can't wait for book 2! Check it out if you like comics, sports romance, stories set at elite private schools, and lots of queer representation.

Thank you to NetGalley and BOOM! Studios for the eARC of Fence: Book 1. This review was freely given and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

[Sabrina Mordini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🚫

I’m fairly new to graphic novels, but this felt like a pretty approachable place to start.

The artwork is clean and expressive, making the story easy to follow even for someone not used to this format. The characters come through clearly both in the dialogue and the visuals, and I appreciated how much personality was conveyed just through expressions and paneling. The action scenes, especially during the fencing matches, are particularly well done—there’s a real sense of movement and urgency in the way the panels are structured, which isn’t easy to achieve with such a fast-paced sport.

The story itself is engaging, with multiple subplots woven around themes of competition, identity, and growing up. The fencing backdrop is especially interesting—it’s not a sport you see often, and it adds a unique layer to the narrative. That said, the more explanatory sections about the sport sometimes slowed the pacing, particularly in the first half.

My main issue comes down to expectations. This is marketed as a YA queer sports romance, but there’s essentially no romance in this first volume. What we get instead is more of an enemies-to-reluctant-allies dynamic, with clear setup for something more in future installments. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it did make the ending feel a bit abrupt—especially with the cliffhanger—since I was expecting more development on that front.

Overall, this reads more as a coming-of-age sports story set in a high-pressure elite school environment, with hints of romance to come later. It’s cute, easy to get into, and sets up an interesting direction for the series. I’m definitely curious to see where it goes next.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well it looks like the universe is telling me I finally need to get a physical copy of Fence. I told myself no more ARCs for the year, but when I saw the opportunity to read this again, I snapped it up.

Like everything C.S. Pacat writes, this story (in my eyes) is fantastic. Fence follows a group of boys at a boarding school who love to fence. For our main character Nicholas Cox, this is all about a need to prove himself worthy to the father who may not even know he exists. He is fiercely determined to be as good as or better than his father's legitimate son, Jesse Coste, the top ranked young fencer in the country. His nemesis (whom he declares his friend after a personal victory) Seiji Katayama has a history with Jesse that we only start to glimpse as Book One comes to a close. Nicholas is all raw talent and no real training, where Seiji is one of the top ranked in the country because he works harder than anyone to be the best. I love everything about this. Despite the boys' competitive natures, they support each other so much. It is unrealistically wholesome and sweet, which is just what we all need sometimes. C.S. Pacat does a great job at making the side characters feel like different people who have been shaped by different lives and have different reasons for pursuing the same goal. The artist, Johanna The Mad, similarly does a phenomenal job making her characters really look like different people. Even with their masks on, it's never difficult to discern between characters, even before we really start getting to know them. If you love the friendships in Heartstopper and Neil's drive in The Foxhole Court, you should probably give Fence a try.

Thank you to Netgalley and BOOM! Studios for making this release available as an ARC.

[Gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the Fence graphic novels ages ago and absolutely loved them, so seeing them bundled up into a bigger compilation had me clicking the NetGalley request button faster than I'd like to admit.

Fence: Book One collects the first three volumes of the series and follows Nicholas Cox, the son of a deadbeat star fencer who picked up the sport largely out of spite. He's ambitious and scrappy, but a long way from the elite level of fencers like his father, or like Seiji Katayama, his prodigy rival and (of course) roommate. The underdog versus prodigy dynamic between them reminded me so much of Hinata and Kageyama from Haikyuu, and the way the story takes its time building its characters and team has that same satisfying slow-burn energy.

This really is for anyone who loves Haikyuu or The Foxhole Court. The fencing plot is engaging and genuinely interesting as a sport, but it's the relationships and character dynamics that make this series so addictive. The cast is diverse, well-developed, and full of personality, with everyone bringing different backgrounds and motivations to Kings Row. It's also wonderfully queer-normative in a way that feels completely natural, with characters simply existing without having to explain or justify themselves.

The slowest of slow burns is very much a C.S. Pacat signature, and I both love and hate her for it. Coming back to this world felt like slipping into the ultimate comfort read.

I'm really looking forward to the next compilation, and it would probably make me want to read the whole thing all over again from the beginning.

This was a 4.5 rounded up to 5 for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series has been on my TBR for ages and I was ecstatic to get my hands on an ARC! This book is perfect for fans of Heartstopper and Check, please! Meet Nicholas, the underdog scholarship student who collides with one of the young champions of the fiercely competitive fencing world. Seiji is Nicholas’s polar opposite, he’s been training and competing since he was a child and everyone knows his name, but Nicholas is so determined to beat him and prove himself that he winds up at the same elite private school. Nicholas is stunned when he finds out that Seiji is his new roommate. The two boys can’t stand each other and Nicholas needs to claim one of the three coveted spots on the fencing team if he wants to keep his scholarship and stay at the school. Seiji’s arrival might’ve just made that dream impossible, but Nicholas isn’t giving up.

Book 1 collects the first three volumes of the original graphic novels. It’s definitely YA, but it was a lot of fun and it was so cute. LOVED the illustrator and I learned a lot about fencing. All the side characters were adorable and I was cheering for them just as much as I was rooting for Nicholas. I’m assuming this will end up being a very slowburn rivals to friends to lovers, but I’m invested. There were some hints of will-they-or-wont-they amongst the side characters too that intrigued me. This graphic novel reminded me a lot of Check please! except it’s set in high school, not college. TW for younger teens, one of the side characters is a playboy and there were some implications that they’re having a lot of sex, but nothing explicit is shown beyond kissing and disheveled clothes.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC! I need Book 2 ASAP!!!

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first few volumes of Fence a few years ago, and I really enjoyed them. I fell behind on the series, though, so I was thrilled to see that it is soon to be released in a new three-book compilation. The first book will be released in early September, and I had the chance to reread and enjoy the beginning of the story again!

Fence: Book One is largely set at a boarding school and focuses on the fencing team. Nicholas and Seiji are both new students who want to make the team. Seiji is a nearly unbeatable player who is a shoo-in to make the team. Meanwhile, Nicholas is determined, but he hasn't had the privileges many of the other players have. The story has a big cast of colorful characters who become a really delightful found family. There are also a few burgeoning relationships in this first book that set up some potential slow-burning romances. There are also plenty of exciting fencing matches, and some very interesting plots that I'm looking forward to continuing!

The art is beautiful and vibrant. I was especially impressed by how the artist captures the movement required for sports competitions in graphic novel form. The art also enhances much of the book's humor, with plenty of visual jokes and cute stylistic shifts.

Book One collects volumes 1, 2, and 3, so it ends with a satisfying conclusion and a hint of where the story might go in future books. It reminded me why I love this series so much and makes me so excited to get these new editions. I'm very excited to get my copy of Book One, and I'm already looking forward to reading Book Two, which will be released in Spring 2027!

[bookishbunna]

⬦ Classic Sports Anime Vibes
⬦ Slowburn Rivals to Reluctant Allies to Potential Lovers
⬦ Underdog MC x Prodigy ML
⬦ Diverse LGBTQ+ Cast
⬦ Loveable Characters

After being defeated 15-0 by his fencing rival, MC is determined to spar with ML again and come out in the winning this time. But after MC gets into a new school, he discovers that not only is ML going to the same school as him, they're also forced to be ✨Roommates✨. Now, in order to keep his scholarship and be able to stay at this school, MC must get into the top 3 of fencing students to make it onto the team. Apart from his rivalry with ML, MC also has other reasons he's so determined to get into this team; his father who was an Olympic fencing champion. That same father who seems to have abandoned MC and his mother, and is now coaching MC's half-brother to become the next top fencing champion.

If you're into slowburn sports anime rival dynamics, this will be a fun read for you 🤩 The first half requires a lot of set up and establishing of characters, but by the second half, the characters and relationships become much more developed and entertaining. MC and ML's relationship in particular is very enjoyable in a 'I want you to only see ME as your equal' kind of way, but the side characters also all have their own vibrant stories and personalities, making it a very loveable cast. The current first volume doesn't have much romance yet, it's more about establishing the characters and dynamics, but I love slowburn, so this relationship pacing is perfect to me 😍 I also went into this knowing basically nothing about fencing and but it'll teach you fencing terminology and it's easy enough to follow along!

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to BOOM! Studios for the ARC of Fence in exchange for an honest review. This was a really intriguing start to the series and I cannot wait for the second volume!

I absolutely devoured Pacat’s Captive Prince trilogy, and was excited when she announced Fence as the follow up project. However, I am terrible at keeping up with staggered release drops and thus fell behind. I was very happy to see Fence getting new editions. This one contains Fence #1-12 and introduces the characters and world of the story.

Fence follows an elite private school, one known for its fencing team. We’re introduced to a variety of characters, most notably Nicholas Cox and Seiji Katayama. Nicholas is a scholarship student and has to make the fencing team to stay at Kings Row. He formally lost a match to Seiji previously, but he makes up for his lack of refined education with natural talent and hungry determination. Seiji is, on the outside, perfect and unshakeable. But as Nicholas and Seiji become first roommates and later, friends (or at least in the bizarro friend-ish realm), Seiji’s layers begin to peel and the ice begins to thaw. Both of them have a lot to prove.

Fence is certainly tamer than Captive Prince with a YA more family friendly approach, though it still elevates queer themes and inclusivity. The extent of this remains to be seen as the first book mostly sets up the character dynamics and various personalities of Kings Row. Will there be romance afoot? I’m sure we’ll find out soon. Sports romance is relevant as ever thanks to Heated Rivalry, so now is the perfect time to catch up with Fence.