Face-Off

by Michael Betcherman

Seventeen year-old Alex Petrovic is thrilled to be playing goal in an international hockey tournament. He has his sights set on a college hockey scholarship, and scouts from all the big-time schools will be there. After a game against a team from Eastern Europe, he shakes hands with the opposing goalie, Stefan Divac, and finds himself staring at his identical double. At first he doesn’t know what to make of it. Then his mother sees Stefan—and faints dead away. The chance meeting uncovers family secrets buried in the wake of a civil war back in their home country that separated the brothers when they were infants. When the two war criminals who were responsible for tearing their family apart escape, Alex dreams of bringing them to justice. Can his dream become reality? Shortlisted for the Arthur Ellis Mystery Award

Genres: Sports, Young Adult

217 pages, Paperback

First published February 11, 2014

Reviews

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex's dad was burned alive by two criminals when Alex was little; the Stork and the Snowman. Alex meets his long lost identical twin at a hockey game, not knowing it will change his life forever. As they put the clues together they find out some very disturbing things about their fathers murderers. While all this is happening, Alex, his friend, and brother still figure out a way to live a normal everyday teenage life.

I chose to read this book because I thought it would be about hockey, and a book about hockey would have pleased me no matter what. I also chose it because the main character's name is Alex; and my name is Alex.

I finished this book because it had an amazing plot twist. At about the climax of the book it so interesting that I couldn't even put the book down. After that point in the book, I didn't even notice how fast time flew by.

I would recommend this book to Betty because I know she enjoyed the Maze Runner series and the series has a lot of action in it. The book Face-off has some action to it but it also has some aspects of everyday life.

[Jody · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book while substituting to a class. It was decent. It's not a book I would pick up and read for myself, and I felt the ending was a bit rushed. I felt the crime aspect was like "how can I finish this and get back to the hockey?".

[Doug · Rating 3 out of 5]

easy read, cohesive plot, fun characters

a solid three star read that delivered on its premises and managed to stay relatively interesting and fun. it’s the perfect « school assignment » book, as it’s got a very clear plot. i don’t remember a whole lot of small details but i do remember being satisfied with this book.

[Lindsay-Isabel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hockey, goalies and a crime/mystery story...where was this kind of story when I was younger?!

[Rhiannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I was concerned a t first because there are several main concepts to resolve instead of just one. However, the author tied it together in a very satisfying way. Also, I really appreciate that the author didn't make the ending idealistic, but REALISTIC while still making it happy. Even though this book is about hockey, it covers other topics too and I feel like no matter who you are, what you're into, or what genre you usually read, you could read this book.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little coming of age, a little mystery with a dollop of the hockey life thrown in. In trying to be many things, it lost its voice a bit, but overall it is still a refreshing entry aimed at pre-teen/teen boys who are looking for something different than the female heavy dystopian trilogy that is ubiquitous these days.

[Fatema · Rating 3 out of 5]

i like the book. it was pretty good. it was mostly about hockey and how athletes can be normal humans too. but the author could have described the situation more clearly. the character development was in a haste. the romance was too overrated and was in a rush.
the book was not well publicised.

overall, i like the book but it could have been better.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish this one was more about hockey but it was still really good. I loved seeing the brothers come together and seeing what they did and how they bonded. Super interesting