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, Romance, Contemporary, Sports 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.

[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).

[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.

[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.

[Arthur Howell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley and BOOM!Box for providing me with an eARC of Fence Book One in exchange for my honest review!

This gives me quite a bit of charm to enjoy while spending time with these endearing youths in this fencing landscape. I'd never read any of these graphic novels before, and in fact, I hadn't dived into C.S. Pascat's writing, either. So it's nice to discover this series, especially during this current period where so many people are obsessed with queer sports romances. Yes, yes, thank you, Heated Rivalry! Jumping off of that, it's amusing to take Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov's dynamic, then connect that to Nicholas and Seiji's rivalry, which has its own likable tension bouncing back and forth between the two of them. I'm rooting for Nicholas to rise through the ranks and prove that he belongs here, and at the same time, I can summon up admiration for Seiji's tough edge, even when he's coming across like an arrogant prick. I become invested in the supporting roster as well, including Harvard and Aiden, making it even easier to breeze through this narrative. Sure, I've seen these tropes and archetypes plenty of times before, but that doesn't stop me from having a good time here with this community that's fostering support amongst themselves. As for fencing, I haven't done it before, but it's intrigued me as something that I might try out one day. In any case, it's a sport that interests me with its swiftness, and I enjoy watching it provide a backdrop for this tale.

Overall, I'm officially rating Fence Book One 3.75 out of 5 stars, which I'm rounding up to 4 stars. I'd be down for diving into more of this series.

[Cass · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free e-arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

If you like Heated Rivalry but want a YA graphic novel version of it, this might be the book for you.

Fence was a bit hard to get into at first. I wasn't a big fan of the art style, though I suppose I should have expected the anime feel from the cover. The storyline as well felt very much like an anime, with overdramatized reactions to everything and character connections that don't make sense. Towards the end it was more bearable, but for a little bit I wondered if I was going to have to DNF.

There is also a lot of explaining of fencing within the book through conversation, which did not really make much sense to me given that all the characters are very familiar with it. They probably don't need to be told repeatedly that being left-handed is an advantage in a match.

What made me keep reading was the high stakes and the relationships of the characters trying out for the team. It might not have made sense, and you might have been able to predict a bit of what happened, but it was still engaging. The fact that it was a quick read helped as well, I was able to finish it within a day. If it was more drawn out these things might not have held up as well as they did.

Overall, it's a pretty good book for a fast read. Book 2 is supposed to come out next spring so I think I'll be looking for it when it does.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars for the collection. I've previously read this series before and received an e-arc for the book one collection on netgalley.

This series is 5 stars, but the first two volumes are the weakest in the series. We are introduced to so many characters. You eventually get to know - and love - these characters, but it takes a while to figure out who is who. I think we could have done with fewer characters in the beginning and slowly worked towards the larger cast.

Despite that challenge, once you sort through who is who, it gets so good. I loved learning about fencing and I appreciated how much we can learn about our characters' through the fencing styles and matches. The sports tension is top tier and I loved which fencing matches ended up being a surprise. The writing has to be smart and strong to keep the reader engrossed for several chapters focused entirely on matches.

I never thought I'd care this much about a graphic novel that spends pages on fencing trials, but here we are. Pacat seamlessly weaves in character development and changing relationships. I'm excited for how our two main characters are in the first stages of building friendships and learning teamwork. The series is just so charming and heartwarming!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even two years after last reading it, Fence just doesn't miss!

With the current hype around sports romance (especially queer sports romance), I am so excited to see that Fence is getting a comeback with a new collected edition and gets to be discovered by a whole new audience!

Fence is putting the sports in sports romance, which is something a lot of readers don't seem to be aware of, so take this as an official disclaimer: This is a slow burn! And an extremely well-executed one at that. It gives the characters the room to evolve, grow, and develop interesting character dynamics, which is one of the key strengths of Fence.
We also get to learn a lot about fencing in short explanations woven into the story, which means that even readers without any prior experience with the sport can understand what is happening on the piste and what it means for the plot moving forward.

The art style is also perfectly fitting for the funny and engaging story it is portraying, and especially the fencing scenes are dynamic and entertaining to look at.

So really, what's not to love about this graphic novel?

Thank you to NetGalley and BOOM! Studios for providing me with this ARC in return for an honest review.

[Anna Makowska · Rating 5 out of 5]

For some odd reason I thought this series was related to the Captive Prince. It's not. It's a YA graphic novel about sports fencing, and while tension and rivalry is high, the main duo doesn't even progress from rivals to friends yet, not mentioning lovers. All you get is some side characters kissing thus far.

I loved the casually diverse cast, both when it comes to race/ethnicity and queerness, I especially liked Bobby as the gender non-conforming member of the cast. Also, Aiden reminds me of someone (he's just the type, somehow).

The art style is smooth and dynamic, and works great both for tense moments and lighthearted humorous ones, which there are plenty of.

I know nothing about sports fencing, and yet I was engrossed in the whole tournament story. The authors knew which moments to dramatize and which to skim, and injected a lot of personality into every side character. Not only they were visually distinct, but also had their own quirks, flaws, ambitions, fears and strengths. The main duo has the typical hot/cold opposites attract vibe, and they push each other's buttons constantly.

The pages just flew and I had a mighty good time.

Thank you Netgalley and BOOM! Studios for the ARC!

[Alissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Boom! Studios for an ARC of this volume.
Release Date: Sep 1st 2026

Fence is not a new story but it is being collected into larger volumes instead of individual issues which makes it easier to read. This volume collects issues 1-12. Ive been wanting to read Fence for a while and im glad i waited long enough to enjoy it in this format because having to wait for each issue would have been annoying. I blew through this volume in two days because the story is compelling. Our main character, Nicholas, is passionate about fencing and he’s got good instincts and is fast but his technique needs work because he’s been mostly self or friend taught.

Initially we open with him at a competition and versing the character who is going to end up being his main rival and boy is the rivalry between these two heated 😉😉

The art took a bit of getting used to because i read a lot of manga now so having colour was jarring at first but everyone is stunningly drawn - i wish i went to this school if only to ogle Adrian from afar that man is FINE! And i cant wait to see more of him and Harvard’s dynamic!

I think if you’re a fan of heated rivalry and sport romances youll enjoy this and if you’ve ever been more curious about the sport of fencing youll enjoy this.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fence follows Nicholas Cox, who is up and coming in the Fencing scene, but looking to make a name for himself with a scholarship to King’s Row private school. There, he meets his biggest rival thus far, Seiji Katayama, who is as infuriating at school as he is on the fencing piste.

I have heard of this series for a very long time, and absolutely love Dark Rising by CS Pacat, so I was thrilled I got the arc for this three volume binding of Fence! I finished this in practically 24 hours, it was so binge-able and easy to read, and immediately hooked me in. The writing is so well done, the tension is sublime, and the art is stunning.

The focus in this series as of the first three volumes is absolutely the characters, and I, as a character-driven lady, am absolutely here for it. All of the characters, main or side, will have a place in your heart, and CS Pacat writes their relationships with each other so well, you are rooting for each and every one of them!

I am already looking to go pick up the next volumes of this series. I have to know how it ends *now*!

Thank you so much to BOOM! Studios/BOOM!Box, NetGalley, Johanna the Mad, and CS Pacat for an eARC of this book!

[VdMagallon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 estrellas

Me ha encantado, tanto el estilo de la dibujante como la historia en sí.

Es un libro muy ameno que, a pesar de tratar sobre un deporte poco explorado en la literatura, como la esgrima, y, por lo tanto, necesitar algunas explicaciones básicas, en ningún momento resulta pesado. Es el primer tomo, por lo que el romance todavía no está presente, pero se han establecido muy bien las bases para los próximos libros. Además, tiene un tono humorístico que funciona muy bien, ya que rompe los momentos de tensión con bromas y escenas divertidas.

En cuanto a las ilustraciones, me han parecido muy bonitas y, lo más importante, consiguen transmitir a la perfección el tono que requiere cada viñeta.

Si ha perdido media estrella, es por la escasa representación femenina: apenas hay dos entrenadoras y una estudiante (que, además, se caracteriza principalmente por admirar a los chicos del equipo, un recurso algo cliché).

A pesar de esto último, me ha parecido un libro muy divertido y ligero, perfecto para descansar la mente entre historias más densas y complejas. Estaré esperando la continuación.

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC via Netgalley. This bindup contains 12 issues, the first three volumes of the series. Rereading them all in one go, I was struck by my same complaint as the first time through: the pacing is SO slow. It's very much following the narrative structure of a sports manga, but I think basically a manga volume has about 180 pages and an American comic has about 120 pages and over time the difference in length really impacts how many volumes it takes to tell a story. The characters are very charming archetypes (the maverick protagonist, the rigid rival who is initially annoyed but will eventually be enchanted by him, yes I'm familiar with Hikaru no Go, why do you ask) and the reader can be confident, from only the first few issues, that yes the team will be headed to nationals. The B plot with Harvard and Aiden is actually only hinted at in these twelve issues, but it's narratively interesting so I think had an outsize impression on me in the first read. As always, I wish that the spin-off novelizations by Sarah Rees Brennan were considered part of the canon continuity because the character development in them is absolutely stellar, and I miss it in the main plotline.

[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.

[Paula Sena · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

ENGLISH REVIEW

I originally read this comic back in 2023 and remember really enjoying it at the time. I decided to reread it now that the single volume is available on NetGalley, but it didn't quite work for me as much as it did the first time. I think after reading so many other books since then, I’ve become a bit more critical and found some parts to be too sudden. However, it was still a fun read and the illustrations are beautiful.

Thank you, Netgalley, C.S. Pacat and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

RESENHA EM PORTUGUÊS

Li essa comic originalmente em 2023 e, na época, lembro de ter gostado bastante. Decidi reler agora que o volume único ficou disponível no NetGalley, mas a leitura não funcionou tanto para mim quanto da primeira vez. Acho que, depois de ter lido muito mais coisa de lá para cá, acabei ficando mais crítica e achei alguns pontos muito repentinos. Porém, ainda foi divertido de ler e as ilustrações são lindas.

Obrigada ao NetGalley, à C.S. Pacat e à editora por este ARC em troca de uma resenha honesta.

[Jess VandenBoom · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightfully fun and endearing collection of Fence Vol. 1-3. This graphic novel follows Nicholas, Seiji, and a cast of other young athletes. Some are easy to root for from the first pages, and some grow on the reader as their backstories are revealed throughout the collection.

The collection is described as a queer sports drama, but don’t expect much more than a hint of romance in this first collection. The narrative focus is on various character and relationship arcs, but the primary relationship is a long-haul slow burn. In the meantime, you’ll develop an appreciation for each individual character, their group dynamics, and the beautifully illustrated action alongside entertaining and dramatic dialogue.

I own the first volume of this series in a physical copy but read this complete collection digitally and enjoyed it very much on a full-screen color tablet. I wouldn’t recommend the digital copy for e-ink screens or smaller e-readers.

Thank you BOOM! Studios and NetGalley for sharing an advance uncorrected proof for review. All opinions are my own.

[luz · Rating 3 out of 5]

aaand another sports series to add to my roster!

fence is an enjoyable read, and i think that i'd have adored this had i gotten into it back in high school. it's reminiscent of sports manga i've read (haikyuu immediately comes to mind), especially with the prodigy-underdog dynamic of our main characters. nicholas & seiji's dynamic is one i typically adore, so i'm expecting to get invested in their characters.

it honestly does read like a standard shonen, only with visibly queer characters. so far, it's been pretty solid. nothing special yet, but i'm interested in seeing what's coming next. now that the foundations have been laid, i want to see the direction the story is heading towards. i'm especially looking forward to seiji & jesse's whole Deal.

as someone who knows next to nothing about fencing, i appreciate how information was shared. it wasn't info-dumpy and really helped me understand the mechanics of the sport. the art (while not a standout feature of the comic) was clean & clearly illustrated how matches usually go.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fence, written by C. S. Pacat and illustrated by Johanna the Mad, follows a group of teens as they navigate the trials and tribulations of high school fencing. I had previously read a little bit of this graphic novel series a few years back, so I was delighted to get an opportunity to read this bind up of the first 12 issues of the series.

Fence has such a wonderful and diverse cast of characters that you can’t help but root for. Every side character feels dynamic and interesting, and I am gnawing at the bars of my enclosure to continue on in this series. The way both Pacat and Johanna bring this story and these characters to life is fantastic and had me caring deeply about how everything was going to play out.

Having the first 12 issues bound up into one volume was also incredibly convenient, and I cannot recommend this format enough.

Thank you to Netgalley, BOOM! Studios, and author/illustrator for providing me with the eARC of “Fence Book One”, in exchange for my honest review!

[Sissi and the Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a quick, fun read. The story follows Nicholas, who earns a scholarship to a private school for fencing, though he still has to fight for his place on the team. His main rival, Seiji, also happens to be his new roommate, and watching their competitive dynamic slowly shift into something more like friendship was really enjoyable — especially since that kind of connection is new territory for Seiji.

There’s a whole cast of teammates introduced, and you can already feel the groundwork being laid for future volumes. I especially loved the dynamic between Harvard and Aiden.

It’s a YA graphic novel, but it still manages to pack in some emotional moments (that letter definitely got a few tears out of me). At the same time, it teaches you quite a bit about fencing and the mindset of being an athlete.
Overall, a really engaging start to the series that’s easy to get through and leaves you wanting more.

[M H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of an advance copy from NetGalley. No incentive was provided in exchange for my honest opinion.

Just to be crystal clear: this isn't new material. I've seen some confusion between volume 1 and book 1.

The book itself - the art style is clean and crisp. Worth noting; whisper notes are in faded fond, which is cute, but on a decent-sized tablet it's not legible without zooming.

Each character gets a proper introduction, that in this medium feels organic and worthwhile. I particularly liked the fact that even though the main characters are clear; you get to enjoy little glimpses into their lives that makes me want to know more.

The story itself is engaging and well-paced. But I would quibble on the classification; queer sports drama feels like a heavy overstatement. One side character is doing a lot of heavy lifting! But overall, a worthwhile read, I'll be checking out the later volumes.

[☆millie☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

~4.25 stars

I've been wanting to read this series for forever so when I saw that this bind-up of the first 3 volumes was available on NetGalley I jumped at the opportunity. It's rare that I find a graphic novel that makes me feel as connected with the characters as this one did, but almost all of them were well-developed with their own backstory and reasons for wanting to make the school fencing team and I think their personalities really shone through from their very first appearances on the page. Fencing definitely takes centre stage in this book, and while I loved that aspect of it I also really enjoyed seeing all the different relationships between the characters. I loved Nicholas and Seiji's (the characters on the cover) rivalry and tentative friendship but the real stars of the show for me were Aiden and Harvard and I'm desperate to see how their relationship develops.

Thank you to BOOM! Studios for providing me with an eARC via NetGalley.