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Galactic Football League #5.4
The Rider
::Galactic Football League (GFL) Series
THE ROOKIE • THE STARTER • THE ALL-PRO • THE MVP • THE CHAMPION
::GFL
THE REPORTER * THE DETECTIVE * TITLE FIGHT * THE RIDER
Armored little people riding armored dinosaurs in a full-contact bloodsport? Welcome to Dinolition, the biggest show in the galaxy. Star rider Poughkeepsie Pete and his T-Rex mount “Old Bess” are fixtures of a league struggling to reach profitability and gain intergalactic recognition, to be thought of as something other than circus-freak sideshows.
But to get that credibility (and the massive payday that comes with it) Pete has to manage a league commissioner with a God complex, deal with a devious team owner, navigate a web of organized crime trying to fix matches, and dodge religious zealots set on killing him and the dinos alike — all while grooming the next generation of riders that will carry the sport into a new age of glory.
In Dinolition, authors Paul E. Cooley and #1 New York Times bestseller Scott Sigler give “ride till ya die” a whole new meaning.
THE ROOKIE • THE STARTER • THE ALL-PRO • THE MVP • THE CHAMPION
::GFL
THE REPORTER * THE DETECTIVE * TITLE FIGHT * THE RIDER
Armored little people riding armored dinosaurs in a full-contact bloodsport? Welcome to Dinolition, the biggest show in the galaxy. Star rider Poughkeepsie Pete and his T-Rex mount “Old Bess” are fixtures of a league struggling to reach profitability and gain intergalactic recognition, to be thought of as something other than circus-freak sideshows.
But to get that credibility (and the massive payday that comes with it) Pete has to manage a league commissioner with a God complex, deal with a devious team owner, navigate a web of organized crime trying to fix matches, and dodge religious zealots set on killing him and the dinos alike — all while grooming the next generation of riders that will carry the sport into a new age of glory.
In Dinolition, authors Paul E. Cooley and #1 New York Times bestseller Scott Sigler give “ride till ya die” a whole new meaning.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 2, 2016
16 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Scott Sigler
133 books4,337 followersTHE CRYPT: SHAKEDOWN is Book I of a new five-book series. It’s out October 3, 2023 in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook narrated by Ray Porter.
iTunes by subscribing to his podcast.
#1 New York Times best-selling author Scott Sigler is the creator of fifteen novels, six novellas and dozens of short stories. He gives away his stories as weekly, serialized, audiobooks, with over 40 million episodes downloaded.
Scott launched his career by releasing his novels as author-read podcasts. His rabid fans were so hungry for each week’s episode that they dubbed themselves the “Junkies.” The first hit is always free …
He is also is a co-founder of Empty Set Entertainment, which publishes his Galactic Football League series. He lives in San Diego, CA, with his wife and wee little Dogs of Døøm.
iTunes by subscribing to his podcast. #1 New York Times best-selling author Scott Sigler is the creator of fifteen novels, six novellas and dozens of short stories. He gives away his stories as weekly, serialized, audiobooks, with over 40 million episodes downloaded.
Scott launched his career by releasing his novels as author-read podcasts. His rabid fans were so hungry for each week’s episode that they dubbed themselves the “Junkies.” The first hit is always free …
He is also is a co-founder of Empty Set Entertainment, which publishes his Galactic Football League series. He lives in San Diego, CA, with his wife and wee little Dogs of Døøm.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
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November 23, 2016November 23, 2016
I'm thrilled to bring you this book, the fourth novella in the GFL series. Of course, it didn't turn out to be a "novella" at all, it's 270 pages in eBook, 9 hours, 6 minutes as an audiobook. Full-length tale, y'all. That's because Paul Cooley and I found the character of Poughkeepsie Pete to be so captivating, his teammates lively and riveting, and his situation so rich and fraught with lethal danger that what was supposed to be 40,000 words easily went over 80,000.
And how about this cover? Ray Dillon did the original art, the font and layout was designed by Scott E. Pond (who also did the cover for Title Fight, GFL Novella #3). I'm attaching the cover below in larger form so you can see it in all its glory.
With this book, the GFL now consists of:
• The Rookie
• The Starter
• The All-Pro
• The MVP
• The Champion
And the four novellas:
• The Reporter
• The Detective
• Title Fight
• THE RIDER
I'm working on the fifth novella right now, The Reef, which is a continuation of Title Fight, and that is all I can say for now.
I'm thrilled to bring you this book, the fourth novella in the GFL series. Of course, it didn't turn out to be a "novella" at all, it's 270 pages in eBook, 9 hours, 6 minutes as an audiobook. Full-length tale, y'all. That's because Paul Cooley and I found the character of Poughkeepsie Pete to be so captivating, his teammates lively and riveting, and his situation so rich and fraught with lethal danger that what was supposed to be 40,000 words easily went over 80,000.
And how about this cover? Ray Dillon did the original art, the font and layout was designed by Scott E. Pond (who also did the cover for Title Fight, GFL Novella #3). I'm attaching the cover below in larger form so you can see it in all its glory.
With this book, the GFL now consists of:
• The Rookie
• The Starter
• The All-Pro
• The MVP
• The Champion
And the four novellas:
• The Reporter
• The Detective
• Title Fight
• THE RIDER
I'm working on the fifth novella right now, The Reef, which is a continuation of Title Fight, and that is all I can say for now.
December 7, 2016
The long-anticipated fourth GFL novella was well worth the wait. Expanding on a brief introduction in The All-Pro (book three in the Galactic Football League), The Rider follows the struggles of a burgeoning sport's rising star, Poughkeepsie Pete. The fascinating sport that has small riders riding big monsters in games of joust, capture the flag, tug of war and others gets a more fleshed-out treatment here, as we follow Pete and his team of riders as they struggle with day-to-day money issues and the complications of riding literal monsters into mock-combat.
This novella (in category only, as it's pretty much a full-length novel) pulls together elements from many other GFL stories as well as the rest of the Siglerverse, featuring sentients and creatures that have barely been mentioned in other stories. The story follows the closing of the 10th season of Dinolition as the sport's premier rider, Poughkeepsie Pete, has to deal with upstart attitudes, money problems, mount issues, and the ever-present threat of gangster financing.
Once again, Gredok the Splithead features in this storyline. He's such a great character - one of my favorites - and it seems that every appearance in every story adds more and more complex layers onto his personality.
If your appetite was whet by the peek into Dinolition from The All-Pro, this story will satisfy your craving and more. It's also a fine standalone work, with a gripping plot and a bunch of new characters to love. The game wheel is spinning, and we're all hoping it lands on "Book Two" !
This novella (in category only, as it's pretty much a full-length novel) pulls together elements from many other GFL stories as well as the rest of the Siglerverse, featuring sentients and creatures that have barely been mentioned in other stories. The story follows the closing of the 10th season of Dinolition as the sport's premier rider, Poughkeepsie Pete, has to deal with upstart attitudes, money problems, mount issues, and the ever-present threat of gangster financing.
Once again, Gredok the Splithead features in this storyline. He's such a great character - one of my favorites - and it seems that every appearance in every story adds more and more complex layers onto his personality.
If your appetite was whet by the peek into Dinolition from The All-Pro, this story will satisfy your craving and more. It's also a fine standalone work, with a gripping plot and a bunch of new characters to love. The game wheel is spinning, and we're all hoping it lands on "Book Two" !
April 9, 2019
This is part of the Galactic Football League series and can be considered as a stand alone. In this one, we follow a team that is part of the sport Dinolition. Dinoltion is basically like the games that knights use to play in medieval times but instead of horses, riders use extinct beasts that include dinosaurs.
I have really enjoyed every novel of the Galactic Football League while the novellas have been a step down from them. This holds true for this offering. This is still a likable story but has little to do with the series. The connection is tenuous at best until the final pages. We jump right into the action as this is a new sport and league. This was my favorite aspect as I liked the look into the struggles of a league attempting to make a name for itself. The reason I could not rate this higher is because of the characters. I never felt connected to them like I do for the characters in the main part of the series. I believe the author relied to much on the aspect of dinosaurs being gladiators and the characters suffered because of this.
This was a decent offering but not of the same enjoyment level of the main series. That is a really high bar though because every book dealing with the main characters has been terrific. This did end with a hint of a next book following these characters and I would be interested in reading about them again.
I have really enjoyed every novel of the Galactic Football League while the novellas have been a step down from them. This holds true for this offering. This is still a likable story but has little to do with the series. The connection is tenuous at best until the final pages. We jump right into the action as this is a new sport and league. This was my favorite aspect as I liked the look into the struggles of a league attempting to make a name for itself. The reason I could not rate this higher is because of the characters. I never felt connected to them like I do for the characters in the main part of the series. I believe the author relied to much on the aspect of dinosaurs being gladiators and the characters suffered because of this.
This was a decent offering but not of the same enjoyment level of the main series. That is a really high bar though because every book dealing with the main characters has been terrific. This did end with a hint of a next book following these characters and I would be interested in reading about them again.
October 16, 2017
This book was friggin' dinolicious! If you are familiar with Scott Sigler's GFL series then you already know a little about the sport called Dinolition, and in that case you probably wanted more. Well, finally it's here and it's big and action packed and very satisfying! So glad that Scott and co-author Paul E Cooley couldn't squeeze this story into the usual novella format, and gave us a whole lot more. If you are not familiar with the GFL series, but you like sci-fi and fighting sentient-ridden beasts, then this story is for you, and it stands on its own. However, it may just tickle your curiosity to check out the excellent GFL books and novellas...and get you into that story before it comes to a conclusion in the next couple of years. More GFL-related stories please!
Gets better with each read!
Gets better with each read!
October 3, 2017
This novella is set in Scott’s galactic football league universe and is about an up and coming sport called Dinolition. This universe is based about 700 years in the future and they have genetically engineered dinosaurs. They use the dinosaurs along with other beasts from different worlds in a blood sport pitting two teams of animals and riders against each other in challenges chosen by chance. This novella follows a rider named Pete as he tries to get his team into the playoffs while dealing with corruption, gangsters, teammate jealousy and more all while trying to train and ride a T-Rex.
Great story, and you do not need to know Scott’s work in order to understand what is happening. However you most definitely should read all of Scott’s other work, starting with The Rookie in the GFL series
Great story, and you do not need to know Scott’s work in order to understand what is happening. However you most definitely should read all of Scott’s other work, starting with The Rookie in the GFL series
May 14, 2017
In the 25th century, people ride dinosaurs in demolition derby-style competition in front of crowds of hundreds of thousands - Dinolition!!!
Much like in Sigler's GFL series, the main character must keep his team together while dealing with league politics, mob bosses, and, of course, several thousand-ton dinos trying to eat him.
As usual, the characters were great and the action was awesome. I felt the book slowed a bit here and there as it tried to fill in backstory and flesh out characters. But it soon picked up again and the ending was fantastic. Left things totally open for a sequel or three! ;)
Much like in Sigler's GFL series, the main character must keep his team together while dealing with league politics, mob bosses, and, of course, several thousand-ton dinos trying to eat him.
As usual, the characters were great and the action was awesome. I felt the book slowed a bit here and there as it tried to fill in backstory and flesh out characters. But it soon picked up again and the ending was fantastic. Left things totally open for a sequel or three! ;)
October 27, 2017
I adored this addition to the GFL series. Pete and Bess are great characters, and it saddens me that we will not get another dinolition story (although I understand, it would be much the same as this one...unless - maybe an ancestor could show up as a mount? -- okay, that probably would end badly, but think of the blood!?!?!)
December 19, 2016
Scott Sigler writes the most unconventional books, and I mean that in the most loving way. I literally can't think of any other author who can put little riders on giant dinosaurs in an intergalactic tournament, and have me genuinely nervous and anxious when the drama surfaces. And oh boy, is there ever drama. While this novella read a little like fan service (JOHN TWEEDY AND THE WRECKA!!!), it could be read on its own for new readers. And I highly encourage new readers to give it a shot. Don't let that cover fool you (but isn't it terrific?!). This isn't just an action-packed story where the baddest T-Rex since that monster in Jurassic Park and her friend Poughkeepsie Pete take out one Dinolition team at a time. There are amazing, multi-layered characters here dealing with pressure from their bosses, the media, gangsters, and each other. Pete is a great character to follow on these adventures, and he's far from flawless. I had a great time reading this story and was so happy to return to one of my all time favourite sci-fi worlds. An absolute recommend for anyone who likes sci-fi. You don't have to like sports to enjoy this fun little novella. And if that doesn't win you over, an adorable little triceratops named Jerry will.
January 28, 2017
THERE ARE FREAKIN DINOSAURS! The GFL series (600 years in the future) in addition to being about sports, crime, teamwork, mayhem and occasional death, is at heart, a morality play. Despite this book straying from football into Dinolition, it stays true and is character driven. THERE ARE FREAKIN DINOSAURS RIDDEN BY LITTLE PEOPLE! With enough viscious on-field action to satisfy the sports fan it's still about the people (human or otherwise) acting in ways that are not contrived, except riding FREAKIN DINOSAUSRS! A few names from the core GFL books like Greedok the Splithead, Frederico Esteban Guissepe Gonzaga, Becca the Wrecka Montaigne and others show up, as well as a missing link from the Ancestor novel to satisfy continuity in the Siglerverse for the junkies. I had initially thought of this as a four star read, but the second half rocks so much I wanted a sequel that will probably never happen. I want another match with Bess and Wee Bob (Mammoth's suck!) so much.
November 5, 2019
Hold on to your butts GFL fans. This novella is like a mini GFL season . . . .but with freaking DINOSAURS!
If you are already reading the GFL then you are familiar with the concept, Cooley and Sigler dig deeper into the training, contests, and politics of a whole 'nother Galactic sporting league, this one on the verge of breaking from being a backwater underground phenom to being . . well, big enough to garner interest from some of the same colorful characters who help run the larger and more successful team sports in the Galaxy: organized crime syndicates.
Prepare to learn some great new characters while running into quite a few you are already familiar with. "The Rider" is a must read for every GFL fan.
If you are already reading the GFL then you are familiar with the concept, Cooley and Sigler dig deeper into the training, contests, and politics of a whole 'nother Galactic sporting league, this one on the verge of breaking from being a backwater underground phenom to being . . well, big enough to garner interest from some of the same colorful characters who help run the larger and more successful team sports in the Galaxy: organized crime syndicates.
Prepare to learn some great new characters while running into quite a few you are already familiar with. "The Rider" is a must read for every GFL fan.
January 31, 2017
Probably the least impressive of the GFL novellas to date. (Sorry Scott!)
Lots of extra flavour for the GFL Universe and a few cameo appearances by characters from the main novel series, but ultimately the on-field story and the protagonist's growth was a bit too predictable and familiar feeling - as though scenes had been borrowed from the main GFL novels, had the character names swapped and been dropped back into this book.
Nice little reference to the larger Siglerverse by including something an awful lot like the Ancestor in one of the battles!
PS Audio book read in the author's own inimitable style - probably the best way to enjoy this story.
Lots of extra flavour for the GFL Universe and a few cameo appearances by characters from the main novel series, but ultimately the on-field story and the protagonist's growth was a bit too predictable and familiar feeling - as though scenes had been borrowed from the main GFL novels, had the character names swapped and been dropped back into this book.
Nice little reference to the larger Siglerverse by including something an awful lot like the Ancestor in one of the battles!
PS Audio book read in the author's own inimitable style - probably the best way to enjoy this story.
October 29, 2017
Loved it. Only wish there were plans for more Pete and Bess stories.
February 20, 2017
F***CKING HELL what a good Novella!!!
The ebook is excellent but the Audiobook is insane!!!
I have been with The Dark Overload since his Earthcore days!!!!!
As always this book is outright fun and bloody well addictive. I hoping that the characters in this novella will come back again soon.... (I'm still waiting/praying for Earhtcore2, Kissyman, Etc)
When is the sequel to Champion coming out?????
I would give my best friends first born for a copy right now!!
The ebook is excellent but the Audiobook is insane!!!
I have been with The Dark Overload since his Earthcore days!!!!!
As always this book is outright fun and bloody well addictive. I hoping that the characters in this novella will come back again soon.... (I'm still waiting/praying for Earhtcore2, Kissyman, Etc)
When is the sequel to Champion coming out?????
I would give my best friends first born for a copy right now!!
November 24, 2016
Totally awesome. That's the only way I can describe the story. I love the other books in the GFL series but this is dinolition, guys riding dinosaurs and fighting in a stadium. what more could you want. If you like the GFL books this is near the top, sorry Quintin Barnes we still love you but Pete is the best.
February 27, 2017
Scott Sigler once again delivers a great piece of work with The Rider, bringing back familiar faces from the Galactic Football league book series he created, and introducing many new and complex characters. His storytelling is so good that I prefer his books on audio instead of e-books. Great bit of science fiction, sports, drama and dinosaurs for everyone!
December 12, 2016
Loved the story!
Fun story set in a universe I adore. Who doesn't love reading about dinosaurs fighting other giant monsters?! I did take one star off for some grammar issues that kept popping up... Extra words and the like.
Fun story set in a universe I adore. Who doesn't love reading about dinosaurs fighting other giant monsters?! I did take one star off for some grammar issues that kept popping up... Extra words and the like.
July 5, 2025
Sigler's latest riveting read
When I started this, I had no idea I would become as intrigued by the characters and as engrossed in this world as I was with The Rookie. I hope to see lots more!
When I started this, I had no idea I would become as intrigued by the characters and as engrossed in this world as I was with The Rookie. I hope to see lots more!
November 25, 2016
Little people riding dinosaurs in gladiatorial matches written by Scott Sigler in the GFL universe, how could it not be awesome!!
December 4, 2016
Another enjoyable GLF novella (I'd actually give it a 3.5). A little thin on overall plot, but a nice tie-in, nonetheless.
December 28, 2016
A good side story from the GFL series. I hope this expands to another full series.
February 23, 2017
Another great book by the Future Dark Overlord. I enjoyed reading about dinolition because, let's face it, who doesn't enjoy sports and dinosaurs!
May 10, 2017
Another good book set in Sigler's GFL universe,. however the way the book ends screams for a sequel. If there is no sequel in the works then I am a little disappointed with the ending.
June 22, 2017
Another great entry to the GFL world. Want more of Pete.
June 26, 2017
Nice addition to the GFL world.
I especially appreciate the appearance of the R. Proactors and seeing them in action. Miss those little buggers and their shenanigans.
I especially appreciate the appearance of the R. Proactors and seeing them in action. Miss those little buggers and their shenanigans.
May 13, 2019
I am a long time listener to Scott Sigler's podcast. By long time, I mean back to the original Ancestor, Nocturnal, Earthcore, and of course, the one that started it all for me, Infected (which I read in print format, mind you). All of that is to say I am a huge fan, and know his GFL series well. The Rider was a fine parallel story the GFL series, but if I am being completely honest, The Rider would be something I would rather see depicted well on the big screen. Yeah, hyper humans and aliens battling to score in galactic football is cool, but The Rider features gladiatorial games with freakin' dinosaurs as mounts. F yes! I am all about that, and enjoyed the book immensely. My imagination was running rampant (pun intended) as I listened to the epic struggles of sentient and beast in the Dinolition arena. Read by Scott, it was like old times, and took me back to the ol' podcast days of yore. Well done on all counts, and highly recommended.
February 26, 2023
I was honestly surprised at how much I enjoyed this novella. This is basically a story about a character with no lines and is only in one scene of the main GFL story. My first thoughts were along the lines of well you’ve introduced so many characters so quickly that there is no chance I will get emotionally invested with any of them. Well, I couldn’t be happier to be proven wrong.
There was some magic in the way the blossoming new sport was described. The ending framed it as a frontier that was just becoming ripe for colonization by the criminal society. As endings go it was a good twist. Lots of set up so it tied in nicely but wasn’t so foreshadowed that you couldn’t be surprised by some endearing moments.
I will say the best part was about 4 lines in when the main character states how difficult it is to keep going in an activity when there are people half your age. I couldn’t relate more. Seeing how he’s probably about 40, I guess I could keep pushing a little while longer.
There was some magic in the way the blossoming new sport was described. The ending framed it as a frontier that was just becoming ripe for colonization by the criminal society. As endings go it was a good twist. Lots of set up so it tied in nicely but wasn’t so foreshadowed that you couldn’t be surprised by some endearing moments.
I will say the best part was about 4 lines in when the main character states how difficult it is to keep going in an activity when there are people half your age. I couldn’t relate more. Seeing how he’s probably about 40, I guess I could keep pushing a little while longer.
October 9, 2017
This is a good, but not great, novella from Scott Sigler and Paul E. Cooley. It takes a bit to get going and is a bit slow at the start. However, it quickly picks up and ends perfectly.
If you enjoy Sigler's other stories, do yourself a favor and go ahead and get yourself this one as well.
If you enjoy Sigler's other stories, do yourself a favor and go ahead and get yourself this one as well.
November 20, 2018
This was the first Scott Sigler book I didn't love. It wasn't bad, but I didn't really see a point in it. It doesn't add much to the GFL story-line, and I hardly see any merits of reading this book completely on its own.
October 12, 2017
It did not grab me like Scott's other stories, though a lot of people seemed to like it.
August 26, 2018
Another great adaptation by GraphicAudio.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews