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Kill the Prince: An MMA Novel
Nico Baldwin is a mixed martial artist on the cusp of stardom who hides his concussions from his girlfriend and his coach. He's also hiding a deeper psychological wound, born from a childhood trauma in a New York City park. After a particularly violent fight, Nico’s concussion symptoms accelerate—insomnia, intrusive thoughts, and visions of figures lurking outside his luxury Manhattan apartment become the norm. Nico's relationship with his girlfriend implodes under the weight of his paranoia, spurring a crisis of masculinity. As his mask of sanity slips, Nico accepts a bout with The Prince, a dangerous Welsh middleweight, risking his health and maybe his life.
- GenresFiction
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 20, 2022
3 people are currently reading
477 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 17, 2022
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
A rising MMA star is suffering the early effects of CTE, but he's close to getting the fight he's always wanted, that will put him into the real money.
Does he choose to risk his brain for money and fame?
Downbeat from beginning to end.
A rising MMA star is suffering the early effects of CTE, but he's close to getting the fight he's always wanted, that will put him into the real money.
Does he choose to risk his brain for money and fame?
Downbeat from beginning to end.
August 23, 2022
Wow. This is the kind of book I've been looking for for a long time. Novel about MMA? Check. Unreliable narrator? Check. A very human story about an athlete struggling with more than just the big fight? CHECK.
The main character of the book is sympathetic in that kind of way where you see the train wreck coming from page 1, but understand every decision he makes along the way. They aren't good decisions, but when your back is up against the wall, sometimes all you can do is fight your way out.
The book has excellent descriptions of the fight scenes, but even deeper than that has wonderful examinations of masculinity and exactly what it means for an outwardly tough guy to show vulnerability. I also loved the books conclusion and the way the story really felt justified at the end. 5 stars, would definitely recommend.
The main character of the book is sympathetic in that kind of way where you see the train wreck coming from page 1, but understand every decision he makes along the way. They aren't good decisions, but when your back is up against the wall, sometimes all you can do is fight your way out.
The book has excellent descriptions of the fight scenes, but even deeper than that has wonderful examinations of masculinity and exactly what it means for an outwardly tough guy to show vulnerability. I also loved the books conclusion and the way the story really felt justified at the end. 5 stars, would definitely recommend.
October 10, 2022
This was suggested to me by a friend and I was blown away by what I found.
The novel grips you into you into a New York centric story. It's unique, true to life, complex and satisfying, this novel is a great read. If you're a fan of New York and if you're a fan of mma this is definitely for you.
This novel captures what fight training is like closer than anything else I’ve read. It also provides some much needed attention and clarity to what fighters go through regarding mental health and sports injury. This novel highlights some of these important and underexposed life experiences while keeping you in a thrilling ride.
Vivid, compelling, and important. Do yourself a favor and read this novel. Fingers crossed for a film adaptation, it would be well deserved
The novel grips you into you into a New York centric story. It's unique, true to life, complex and satisfying, this novel is a great read. If you're a fan of New York and if you're a fan of mma this is definitely for you.
This novel captures what fight training is like closer than anything else I’ve read. It also provides some much needed attention and clarity to what fighters go through regarding mental health and sports injury. This novel highlights some of these important and underexposed life experiences while keeping you in a thrilling ride.
Vivid, compelling, and important. Do yourself a favor and read this novel. Fingers crossed for a film adaptation, it would be well deserved
September 14, 2022
Thanks to author Dan Fogarty for this FREE Kindle copy of Kill the Prince.
I really liked it. A vividly detailed writing style creates the scenes in the 'minds eye'. The author walks us through a slice of the life of an MMA athlete, and the potentially damaging outcomes these athletes may have to endure. Story-line, characters, imagery and pace are all well done. Great job on the editing, and a nicely done cover image.
Highly recommended and a good read.
I really liked it. A vividly detailed writing style creates the scenes in the 'minds eye'. The author walks us through a slice of the life of an MMA athlete, and the potentially damaging outcomes these athletes may have to endure. Story-line, characters, imagery and pace are all well done. Great job on the editing, and a nicely done cover image.
Highly recommended and a good read.
September 29, 2022
I once discussed with a friend the idea of an author establishing trust with their reader. Good authors set up a world for the reader - they invite you in and take you on a journey that makes sense and is satisfying in whatever way that type of book should be. They do this in a way that seems effortless so you're not thinking about what they're doing or why; you're just immersed in the story. Dan Fogarty's writing in Kill the Prince is masterful - from the very beginning, Dan established that trust, and he delivered every step of the way. The story wasn't predictable, but things felt inevitable, and I understood why Nico made all the choices he did.
Beyond the book, I love that Dan is raising awareness for people with a brain injury, using his experience to hopefully help others who are struggling.
The best books are the ones that don't just appeal to fans of the genre. Kill the Prince isn't the kind of story I typically read, but I enjoyed every minute of it, didn't want to put it down, and haven't stopped thinking about it since.
Beyond the book, I love that Dan is raising awareness for people with a brain injury, using his experience to hopefully help others who are struggling.
The best books are the ones that don't just appeal to fans of the genre. Kill the Prince isn't the kind of story I typically read, but I enjoyed every minute of it, didn't want to put it down, and haven't stopped thinking about it since.
October 10, 2022
Reading this book felt like I was watching a movie and I was rooting for Nico, the protagonist, from the jump. As an avid fan of combat sports and someone who struggled with a mild traumatic brain injury I would 100% recommend this book. Dan Fogarty really understands the fight game and mental health. Also- As somebody who grew up on 14th St. in New York City all the references to the lower East side make me feel like I’m in on a secret.
The hero of the book is a tough and tender contender who you cant help but love and want to win.
One of my favorite lines is: “Students with obvious baggage get most of my attention” -Nico
The hero of the book is a tough and tender contender who you cant help but love and want to win.
One of my favorite lines is: “Students with obvious baggage get most of my attention” -Nico
October 24, 2022
Excellent book. The writing is top-notch and the tone and pacing keeps you on edge the whole time. The MC, Nico, is an unreliable narrator. An MMC fighter who has suffered repeated head trauma, Nico is losing his grip on reality. Neither he, nor the reader, knows what's real and what isn't.
Having known fighters, I also found Nico's backstory credible. His masochism is grounded in trauma from his youth in a way that is believable and realistic. Dan Fogarty does an excellent job with tension; You find yourself feeling edgy and uncomfortable in Nico's skin and praying that he won't make the bad choices that you know he'll make.
Highly recommended!
Having known fighters, I also found Nico's backstory credible. His masochism is grounded in trauma from his youth in a way that is believable and realistic. Dan Fogarty does an excellent job with tension; You find yourself feeling edgy and uncomfortable in Nico's skin and praying that he won't make the bad choices that you know he'll make.
Highly recommended!
October 30, 2022
Author, Dan Fogarty, has penned a remarkable story about a man’s search for redemption from a childhood tragedy for which he shoulders the blame. Unable to block his guilt, his pugilism career and dizzying lifestyle only intensify his inner turmoil. With his body nearly broken and his dreams of fame dashed, he reaches out for the one thing that can save him. Fogarty’s skill in crafting intense prose, vivid descriptions, and a powerful narrative makes Kill the Prince a book not to be missed.
August 2, 2023
Kill the Prince
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway! It was very good and kept you hooked! I don't know a lot about MMA, but you don't have to in order to understand the story. It's also a psychological thriller if you like action and suspense. I also like that it speaks to the importance of mental health as well! This is a book I would recommend to anyone! Thank you for my copy!
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway! It was very good and kept you hooked! I don't know a lot about MMA, but you don't have to in order to understand the story. It's also a psychological thriller if you like action and suspense. I also like that it speaks to the importance of mental health as well! This is a book I would recommend to anyone! Thank you for my copy!
January 9, 2023
Loved it. Exciting, visceral, refreshing to read such a MASCULINE book, not in a mysogynistic way, but the way a man sees the world: refusing to lose a stare-down, assessing others like a dog in a pack might, and internalizing trauma. Thrilling, with plenty of introspection, tension, and mysteries to be solved. Well done!
September 19, 2022
An amatuer MMA fighter gets the chance of a lifetime to go after a competitor he's been dying to fight, but not every choice is as easy as it seems. The author makes you really feel the main characters inner turmoil surrounding so many aspects of his life. A great read!
July 4, 2023
Raw and real, this look into the life of an MMA fighter is as unapologetically authentic as it is a gruesome dive into trauma. The author's writing style jumps off the page as Nico's fate unravels in the most spectacular way. Instant 5-star.
October 10, 2022
Awesome book! Riveting story, even if you're not a serious MMA fan. Dan Fogarty's style of writing really grips you and takes you into this world. A great read, and highly recommend!!
October 31, 2022
A genre I don’t typically read, it was gritty & sexy & heartbreaking…& full of testosterone. 💪😂
Loved it. Highly recommend!
Loved it. Highly recommend!
January 12, 2023
This review is for my partner, who said he loved it. That's good because he usually hates everything.
December 21, 2024
An MMA fighter struggles with physical and emotional consequences of his fighting and his growing fragility. Pretty downbeat, but realistic and raw.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews