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Paul Faustino #2
The Penalty
From the award-winning author of Tamar , a time-shifting thriller about a vanishing soccer star, occult secrets, and the dark history of slavery.
As the city of San Juan pulses to summer’s sluggish beat, its teenage soccer prodigy, El Brujito, the Little Magician, vanishes without a trace — right after he misses a penalty kick and loses a big game for his team. Paul Faustino, South America’s top sports reporter, is reluctantly drawn into the mystery of the athlete’s disappearance. As a story of corruption and murder unfolds, Faustino is forced to confront the bitter history of slavery and the power of the occult. A deftly woven mystery flush with soccer and suspense, this gripping novel is a thrilling read not to be missed.
As the city of San Juan pulses to summer’s sluggish beat, its teenage soccer prodigy, El Brujito, the Little Magician, vanishes without a trace — right after he misses a penalty kick and loses a big game for his team. Paul Faustino, South America’s top sports reporter, is reluctantly drawn into the mystery of the athlete’s disappearance. As a story of corruption and murder unfolds, Faustino is forced to confront the bitter history of slavery and the power of the occult. A deftly woven mystery flush with soccer and suspense, this gripping novel is a thrilling read not to be missed.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
25 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
About the author
Mal Peet
84 books119 followersMal Peet grew up in North Norfolk, and studied English and American Studies at the University of Warwick. Later he moved to southwest England and worked at a variety of jobs before turning full-time to writing and illustrating in the early 1990s. With his wife, Elspeth Graham, he had written and illustrated many educational picture books for young children, and his cartoons have appeared in a number of magazines.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
January 27, 2018
I thought that the plot of this book was interesting and it kept me reading until the end to find out what caused the strange disappearance of one of the best soccer players in South America. I also thought it was interesting how the author incorporated information about slavery so that the book was educational. However, I didn't like how the book kept switching between the two stories taking place. Although the stories tied in at the end of the book, I found it confusing (especially at the beginning of the book) to keep track of the characters, settings, etc. It was hard for me to enjoy the book as much as I could have if there was a clear, chronological order of stories.
April 5, 2021
As ever an enjoyable read from Mal Peet. Have read all the 'Faustino' novels now and they do work really well as standalone reads or as a trilogy. 'Exposure' definitely the standout of the three. Would highly recommend these to any boys who are reluctant readers. Although they appear to be football books Mal Peet explores so much more within his narrative story telling.
January 25, 2012
Compare and contrast a fourteen year old boy to a famous soccer player that has more experience playing in a team “Atlentico”. But hey both players have different time moments they started playing. Each have different style of skills, techniques, and how to play in the game. But who says a boy at a young age can’t make it all the way to become a famous soccer player.
After becoming famous being Ricardo Gomez to being called “El Brujito” by his teammates to now being named “Rico” by his aunt and his sister. Rico missed a onetime chance penalty kick during the game of DSJ. After missing the penalty his temper gets out of control, not only being distracted just because he missed the penalty. He walks out of the stadium and disappears without saying a last word. His disappearance became serious, that it hit a front page news with a catchy topic. “Has he been kidnapped?” “Has he been killed?” “Is he still alive?” No one knows, and the missing soccer star becomes a mystery that remains unsolved. The police and the media lose interest.
A South America’s star sport reporter named, Paul Faustino in San Juan is put into the young athletes disappearance. Maximo Salez a reporter is questioned by Paul, who covered “El Bruto” story. Maximo ends up being murdered. His death, the soccer star disappearance and his desire led, Paul to dangerous and strange paths, where he goes through truths about corruption in history of slavery and the occut.
Before becoming famous Ricardo Gomez a orphan who lives in squalor in the countryside in San Juan. He was brought to soccer that likes to practice the sport in a field of unbalanced ground where a church was constructed. His teammates call him “El Brujito” because the magical way he handles, and has control of the ball. His head is full of spirits when he practices and plays. He listens to his spirits ancestors Achache. Is him who believes he drives his skills. He believes that Maco can separate him from his soul and turn him into a ghost because he has greater powers.
Mat Peet is a author and illustrator of children books. He interest wasn't much in children literature, until he had children from his own. He is a writter of talent that has established himself as a strong and distirctive voice in young adults fiction. His first novel for youn adults was the book called "Keeper". He won the Branford Boase Award and the Bronze Nestle Smarties book award in 2004. His first novel was selected as American Library Association best books for young readers.
In my opinion I think this book was alright, because it was a tale of events from the past and present. That revealed supersituitios, proverty, and how beliefs can destroy and control lives. The characteristics and description throughout the book made me want to read more because when it toke place when Rico was playing the setting sounded real as if I was there watching him play in the filed it made me feel and imagen what was going on throughout the game.
After becoming famous being Ricardo Gomez to being called “El Brujito” by his teammates to now being named “Rico” by his aunt and his sister. Rico missed a onetime chance penalty kick during the game of DSJ. After missing the penalty his temper gets out of control, not only being distracted just because he missed the penalty. He walks out of the stadium and disappears without saying a last word. His disappearance became serious, that it hit a front page news with a catchy topic. “Has he been kidnapped?” “Has he been killed?” “Is he still alive?” No one knows, and the missing soccer star becomes a mystery that remains unsolved. The police and the media lose interest.
A South America’s star sport reporter named, Paul Faustino in San Juan is put into the young athletes disappearance. Maximo Salez a reporter is questioned by Paul, who covered “El Bruto” story. Maximo ends up being murdered. His death, the soccer star disappearance and his desire led, Paul to dangerous and strange paths, where he goes through truths about corruption in history of slavery and the occut.
Before becoming famous Ricardo Gomez a orphan who lives in squalor in the countryside in San Juan. He was brought to soccer that likes to practice the sport in a field of unbalanced ground where a church was constructed. His teammates call him “El Brujito” because the magical way he handles, and has control of the ball. His head is full of spirits when he practices and plays. He listens to his spirits ancestors Achache. Is him who believes he drives his skills. He believes that Maco can separate him from his soul and turn him into a ghost because he has greater powers.
Mat Peet is a author and illustrator of children books. He interest wasn't much in children literature, until he had children from his own. He is a writter of talent that has established himself as a strong and distirctive voice in young adults fiction. His first novel for youn adults was the book called "Keeper". He won the Branford Boase Award and the Bronze Nestle Smarties book award in 2004. His first novel was selected as American Library Association best books for young readers.
In my opinion I think this book was alright, because it was a tale of events from the past and present. That revealed supersituitios, proverty, and how beliefs can destroy and control lives. The characteristics and description throughout the book made me want to read more because when it toke place when Rico was playing the setting sounded real as if I was there watching him play in the filed it made me feel and imagen what was going on throughout the game.
March 12, 2012
Shannon Miranda
Mystery Genre
This is the story of a Soccer phenomenon El Bruhito who goes missing after a game. Coincidentally, a sports reporter, Paul Faustino is there for a different writing assignment. Paul gets involved with this mystery when a writing colleague is murdered. There a concurrent story about a slave (hundreds of years before) and his rise within the community (through is power of Voo Doo) and these two storylines do tie up in the end.
I wanted to like this story. The story of the slave was well written, and interesting, but the current day story of El Bruhito’s disappearance was weakly written and slow moving. There were too many times where the reader has to read between the lines and that can be difficult for a younger reader to do. The ending of the book was anti-climactic and confusing.
I would not recommend this book. It was disappointing and too vague.
Mystery Genre
This is the story of a Soccer phenomenon El Bruhito who goes missing after a game. Coincidentally, a sports reporter, Paul Faustino is there for a different writing assignment. Paul gets involved with this mystery when a writing colleague is murdered. There a concurrent story about a slave (hundreds of years before) and his rise within the community (through is power of Voo Doo) and these two storylines do tie up in the end.
I wanted to like this story. The story of the slave was well written, and interesting, but the current day story of El Bruhito’s disappearance was weakly written and slow moving. There were too many times where the reader has to read between the lines and that can be difficult for a younger reader to do. The ending of the book was anti-climactic and confusing.
I would not recommend this book. It was disappointing and too vague.
March 16, 2017
I like this book quite a lot. The plot was quite interesting. I really liked the part when Rico went missing from his football match, and Paul Faustino, a sports reporter, looked for the mysteries and tried finding the clues. I also really like the way the book combines the history of the slave trade with the world of soccer. The only thing I found disappointing was the ending, it was too vague and confusing. For instance, it built up a lot of excitement, but by the end, it let it all down.
February 27, 2023
It was alright the beginning was pretty confusing because it kept jumping around points but later in the book both of the timelines come together.
July 16, 2021
It sounds harsh, but this book is just dull to me. I thought the premise seemed engaging, and I was excited for it to be the next book ticked off my summer reading list, but in all honestly I was just bored and rather uninterested in the book from start to finish. It just never gripped me.
May 25, 2009
Yet another interesting contribution to the field of 'young adult' writing. Peet (and his publishers) doesn't bother pandering to the 'traditional' features of the 'young adult' genre, and instead offers up sophisticated, adult, uncompromising novels which don't speak down to their readers in any way whatsoever. The Penalty is such a work. Set in San Juan in South America, the novel takes us from the black days of the slave trade, to the high pressure world of first grade soccer. The protagonist, sport journalist Paul Faustino is drawn into an intriguing web of money, religion, and mystery, and the reader cannot help but feel compelled.
Another very engaging read from this superb author.
Another very engaging read from this superb author.
February 19, 2016
Very disappointing and basic book... Not much happens and the ending was ???? Thanks Mal, but that was the last one...
November 17, 2018
To druga książka Mala Peeta z serii o dziennikarzu sportowym Paulu Faustino. Podobnie jak w "Keeperze" i tym razem fabuła książki dotyczy między innymi piłki nożnej, jednak w znacznie mniejszym stopniu. Tym razem Mal Peet poświęca więcej miejsca innym wątkom.
Klimat książki jest dość mocno latynoamerykański. Mnie osobiście nie udało się wychwycić w jakim kraju toczy się akcja. Na pewno jest to jakiś kraj Ameryki Łacińskiej, bardzo prawdopodobne, że jakaś wyspa na Karaibach.
Ogólnie muszę powiedzieć, że książka jest mroczna. Jest w niej sporo grozy, powiedziałbym też, że nawet przemocy, krzywdy jaką doświadczają ludzie teraz i kiedyś w Ameryce Łacińskiej.
W książce pada dość sarkastyczne stwierdzenie, że drugim po piłce nożnej co do popularności sportem w Ameryce Łacińskiej jest porywanie dla okupu.
Na samym początku książki poznajemy młodego, nastoletniego chłopaka, geniusza piłkarskiego którego wszyscy nazywają "El Bruijito" co oznacza "magik". W trakcie meczu schodzi z boiska i znika. Pada podejrzenie że właśnie został porwany. Losy "El Bruijito" to właśnie jeden z wątków książki, ale nie dominujący. Równolegle pisząc o "magiku" narrator cofa się w czasie o kilkaset lat i poznajemy losy młodego mężczyzny pochodzącego z Afryki który został porwany z innymi mieszkańcami tego kontynentu, aby zostać sprzedany jako niewolnik gdzieś w kolonii należącej do Hiszpanii. Śledząc losy niewolników poznajemy ich wierzenia, rytuały. I właśnie wierzenia, rytuały ludności afrykańskiej, która nie z własnej woli znalazła się na terenie kolonii hiszpańskiej, są tematem łączącym wątek z przeszłości z teraźniejszym wątkiem, który opowiada o zniknięciu "Magika". Wierzenia voo doo, wymyślne tańce, obrzędy, rytuały do dziś mają swoje miejsce w kulturze krajów Ameryki Łacińskiej. Jednak ich rola wydaje się być inna niż kiedyś. Kiedyś ludzie szukali otuchy ducha, pokrzepienia w obliczu trudnej sytuacji w jakiej znajdowali się niewolnicy. Dziś natomiast te dawne obrzędy to sposób na zarobienie pieniędzy.
Jak wspomniałem, książka dość mroczna, ale bardzo wyjątkowa ze względu na tematy, które porusza oraz świat i rzeczywistość jaką opisuje. Cieszę się, że trafiłem na tą pozycje i miałem możliwość poznania całkiem innego świata niż ten w którym na co dzień żyję.
Klimat książki jest dość mocno latynoamerykański. Mnie osobiście nie udało się wychwycić w jakim kraju toczy się akcja. Na pewno jest to jakiś kraj Ameryki Łacińskiej, bardzo prawdopodobne, że jakaś wyspa na Karaibach.
Ogólnie muszę powiedzieć, że książka jest mroczna. Jest w niej sporo grozy, powiedziałbym też, że nawet przemocy, krzywdy jaką doświadczają ludzie teraz i kiedyś w Ameryce Łacińskiej.
W książce pada dość sarkastyczne stwierdzenie, że drugim po piłce nożnej co do popularności sportem w Ameryce Łacińskiej jest porywanie dla okupu.
Na samym początku książki poznajemy młodego, nastoletniego chłopaka, geniusza piłkarskiego którego wszyscy nazywają "El Bruijito" co oznacza "magik". W trakcie meczu schodzi z boiska i znika. Pada podejrzenie że właśnie został porwany. Losy "El Bruijito" to właśnie jeden z wątków książki, ale nie dominujący. Równolegle pisząc o "magiku" narrator cofa się w czasie o kilkaset lat i poznajemy losy młodego mężczyzny pochodzącego z Afryki który został porwany z innymi mieszkańcami tego kontynentu, aby zostać sprzedany jako niewolnik gdzieś w kolonii należącej do Hiszpanii. Śledząc losy niewolników poznajemy ich wierzenia, rytuały. I właśnie wierzenia, rytuały ludności afrykańskiej, która nie z własnej woli znalazła się na terenie kolonii hiszpańskiej, są tematem łączącym wątek z przeszłości z teraźniejszym wątkiem, który opowiada o zniknięciu "Magika". Wierzenia voo doo, wymyślne tańce, obrzędy, rytuały do dziś mają swoje miejsce w kulturze krajów Ameryki Łacińskiej. Jednak ich rola wydaje się być inna niż kiedyś. Kiedyś ludzie szukali otuchy ducha, pokrzepienia w obliczu trudnej sytuacji w jakiej znajdowali się niewolnicy. Dziś natomiast te dawne obrzędy to sposób na zarobienie pieniędzy.
Jak wspomniałem, książka dość mroczna, ale bardzo wyjątkowa ze względu na tematy, które porusza oraz świat i rzeczywistość jaką opisuje. Cieszę się, że trafiłem na tą pozycje i miałem możliwość poznania całkiem innego świata niż ten w którym na co dzień żyję.
September 12, 2018
Peet writes relatively well; the setting and characters are all described thoroughly, and the overall plot is pretty compelling in and of itself. However, to put it frankly, the book is dull. Not to a huge extent, but the writing is presented in a very bland way, and it's hard to be invested in the positives mentioned earlier when the plot moves slowly. Both plot lines have their moments, but the novel goes back and forth between them so much so that, as soon as one is invested, it switches back, and the reader is forced to start over. Those looking for a book about the sport of soccer (or football for the rest of the world) should look elsewhere, as the sport is not really a factor. Not necessarily a negative, just something of note. Faustino is a likeable enough character, but the rest of the cast echoes just about everything else about the novel: mediocrity.
September 20, 2023
I began to enjoy the story around the middle of the text, mainly from Paul's point of view which was at times amusing to read. Bakula's story was tragic, not to the point that I was brought to tears but I definitely felt remorse for the man after everything he's lost. However to be honest it was quite confusing and I had to go back a few pages at times to help myself understand the current setting and all that. Even at the end of the book, I was quite lost, having to read other people's reviews to get a better understanding. The switches between the two stories were at times complicated but I also enjoyed piecing the hidden meanings together which is why I rated this story around the middle with it being enjoyable and educational to read despite the confusing plot.
September 23, 2019
A story of a football (i.e. soccer) star, El Bruhito who goes missing after a game. A sports reporter, Paul Faustino is there for a some assignment. I realised late that this was a character introduced in an earlier book, and so this is really book 2 of a series.
Faustino becomess involved with this mystery following the unexplained murder of a colleague.
Concurrently there runs a story about a slave, shifting the narrative back and forth through the centuries. The slave's story follows his rise within the community, and some Voo Doo hokum. Inevitably these stories do meet up, but it is one of those books where you are kept waiting to discover the connection.
The story is well written, with a fine narrative that looks at the evil of slavery without being gratuitous. The slavery part was the more interesting, whereas it had the effect of slowing down a slightly ponderous narrative in the present day. The ending was a little anti-climatic, and I admit I put this book down for long periods. I had a library copy and I actually returned it and then checked it out again so as to finish it.
I feel this is a good writer but perhaps not his best work.
Faustino becomess involved with this mystery following the unexplained murder of a colleague.
Concurrently there runs a story about a slave, shifting the narrative back and forth through the centuries. The slave's story follows his rise within the community, and some Voo Doo hokum. Inevitably these stories do meet up, but it is one of those books where you are kept waiting to discover the connection.
The story is well written, with a fine narrative that looks at the evil of slavery without being gratuitous. The slavery part was the more interesting, whereas it had the effect of slowing down a slightly ponderous narrative in the present day. The ending was a little anti-climatic, and I admit I put this book down for long periods. I had a library copy and I actually returned it and then checked it out again so as to finish it.
I feel this is a good writer but perhaps not his best work.
April 11, 2022
This white man from England decided that he was going to write about South America and African culture with literally no research ahead of time and it shows.
Despite this book (my edition) having a soccer ball and being called "The Penalty; two worlds one world cup" this had NOTHING to do with soccer.
There was two stories lines, that till quite literally the last chapter had nothing to do with each other, and I feel like this book was maybe a little racist.
Overall don't read it. I'm just trying to get this book off my bookshelf.
Despite this book (my edition) having a soccer ball and being called "The Penalty; two worlds one world cup" this had NOTHING to do with soccer.
There was two stories lines, that till quite literally the last chapter had nothing to do with each other, and I feel like this book was maybe a little racist.
Overall don't read it. I'm just trying to get this book off my bookshelf.
December 11, 2017
This book was slow , and boring somehow , however I found the slavery story very interesting . I liked how all the dots began to connect . I also somehow really liked the ending , however I do think it could've been done better.
February 27, 2020
Mediokerer Nachfolger von "Keeper", der leider nicht mehr viel mit Fußball zu tun hat. Schade.
April 24, 2020
Might do a review later.
December 5, 2020
read it long ago and liked it !
March 10, 2021
I liked the plot, yet I found it a bit confusing and slightly boring close to the end. Too much details and description that made me loose track of the events.
September 6, 2024
Peet truly has a way with description.
March 17, 2025
I loved “Keeper,” the first book in this series, but this book was just meh. I see what the author was trying to say but it just didn’t land with me.
April 30, 2025
I thought I would like the ending but it kinda sucked tbh. I think it's boring, there were a few parts I liked but nah definitely not for me
October 6, 2025
Mysterious and scary.
May 3, 2022
If you're daft enough to think teenage fiction is not for you because you're an adult, this is one of the books I'd recommend to change your mind.
December 5, 2016
Peet, Mal
The Penalty, 2007
Candlewick press (Crawfordville)
Copyright 2007
This book is astonishing because he is a boy trying to continue his soccer career but his village gets attacked and he gets captured and now he is a slave will he get out will he survive? It is a battle for survival and the battle of making it big in soccer.
Mal Peet makes this book an exciting adventure of thring proportions with Burrito trying to get back to his village. El Burrito is an astonishing soccer player just waiting for DSJ the best team around to sign him. The main plot of this story is Burrito making his dream a reality. The main characters are El Burrito, Paul, Faustino, Cesar Fabian, Carmen, and more. The main setting places are Brazil, San Juan, is where the book mostly takes place.
Burrito is captured along with all the men and they all get enslaved. Then Faustino goes to the DSJ stadium and meets the coach of the DSJ. Cesar Fabian and he starts telling Faustino that they need to look for Burrito and faustino starts getting upset and then storms off. Fortunately, later he gets back to his village. And finally at the end he plays with DSJ against the national team of Brazil.
If people enjoyed The Penalty then the reads will enjoyed another of Mal Peets books like The Keeper. Another book like both of them is The Exposure which is also from Mal Peet. The most similar books to The Penalty are all made by Mal Peet if readers want to enjoy books like this they need to look at Mal Peet's other books. When Mal Peet made The Penalty his targeted audience was young teens.
Mal Peet was born on October 1947 in North Walsham, United Kingdom and died on March,2 2015 in London United Kingdom. He won many awards but mostly know for Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize. Mal Peet wrote more than 40 books in his lifetime.
As a reader, I really enjoyed this book because of how hugely detailed this book was really enjoyable. I'm not the greatest reader and I don't really love reading but i do enjoy how this book can really take you on an adventure. I would personally recommend this book to everyone I know because of how great it is. In my opinion about The Penalty is that it is just an all round great book it show the determination of a kid wanting to become a great soccer player, but the troubles he has to go though because of slavery.
This book is available on the Open eBooks app and on Amazon.com or the closest libary to you .
The Penalty, 2007
Candlewick press (Crawfordville)
Copyright 2007
This book is astonishing because he is a boy trying to continue his soccer career but his village gets attacked and he gets captured and now he is a slave will he get out will he survive? It is a battle for survival and the battle of making it big in soccer.
Mal Peet makes this book an exciting adventure of thring proportions with Burrito trying to get back to his village. El Burrito is an astonishing soccer player just waiting for DSJ the best team around to sign him. The main plot of this story is Burrito making his dream a reality. The main characters are El Burrito, Paul, Faustino, Cesar Fabian, Carmen, and more. The main setting places are Brazil, San Juan, is where the book mostly takes place.
Burrito is captured along with all the men and they all get enslaved. Then Faustino goes to the DSJ stadium and meets the coach of the DSJ. Cesar Fabian and he starts telling Faustino that they need to look for Burrito and faustino starts getting upset and then storms off. Fortunately, later he gets back to his village. And finally at the end he plays with DSJ against the national team of Brazil.
If people enjoyed The Penalty then the reads will enjoyed another of Mal Peets books like The Keeper. Another book like both of them is The Exposure which is also from Mal Peet. The most similar books to The Penalty are all made by Mal Peet if readers want to enjoy books like this they need to look at Mal Peet's other books. When Mal Peet made The Penalty his targeted audience was young teens.
Mal Peet was born on October 1947 in North Walsham, United Kingdom and died on March,2 2015 in London United Kingdom. He won many awards but mostly know for Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize. Mal Peet wrote more than 40 books in his lifetime.
As a reader, I really enjoyed this book because of how hugely detailed this book was really enjoyable. I'm not the greatest reader and I don't really love reading but i do enjoy how this book can really take you on an adventure. I would personally recommend this book to everyone I know because of how great it is. In my opinion about The Penalty is that it is just an all round great book it show the determination of a kid wanting to become a great soccer player, but the troubles he has to go though because of slavery.
This book is available on the Open eBooks app and on Amazon.com or the closest libary to you .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2011
Peet writes well and Penalty stands on its own (I haven't read Keeper, but didn't feel like I was missing out although my understanding might be deeper for having done so). I wanted Penalty to be more rooted in historical fact like Tamar. Penalty was gripping and jumping from slavery to present day gave deeper meaning to the legacies of voodoo/Veneration and slavery/social power. Peet explicitly writes in the author's note at the end of the book that the story is set in his own imagined country, often assumed to be Brazil. His details of slavery don't match some of what I've learned about that part of the slave route - he writes about a slave "hospital" where people recovered from the arduous ocean journey in the slave ships and were fattened up for sale. My understanding is that people were treated as even more expendable commodities in Brazil/South America than in North America because it was the closer port, cheaper shipping costs, and harsher climate for longevity. Slaves were only expected to live 1-2 years (from what I remember Ray Kamalay lecturing on).
Between Tamar and Penalty, Tamar is far superior. I was more invested in the characters and felt greater historical authenticity (as Peet intended, so that's my preference not his failing). The cultural details were interesting, but I couldn't tell if Peet was conveying real vs. imagined details. Penalty doesn't have topics I would naturally seek out, so I wanted to gain something for the effort of reading about voodoo and slavery. For a created religion, I wanted more information from Peet about the spirits and the pull they had over people and the sacrifices/practices. A very good book, with YA and adult appeal, especially for those with an interest in the occult. Not a TU top 20. NAY (KDL)
http://thumbsupaward.blogspot.com/sea...
Between Tamar and Penalty, Tamar is far superior. I was more invested in the characters and felt greater historical authenticity (as Peet intended, so that's my preference not his failing). The cultural details were interesting, but I couldn't tell if Peet was conveying real vs. imagined details. Penalty doesn't have topics I would naturally seek out, so I wanted to gain something for the effort of reading about voodoo and slavery. For a created religion, I wanted more information from Peet about the spirits and the pull they had over people and the sacrifices/practices. A very good book, with YA and adult appeal, especially for those with an interest in the occult. Not a TU top 20. NAY (KDL)
http://thumbsupaward.blogspot.com/sea...
January 10, 2014
I liked this book a lot because of the fact that I can share a common interest with someone that lives on the other side of the world. This book is about Ricardo Gomes de Barros was a young orphan who lives near San Juan and he was commonly referred to as "Rico". Rico had a gift that a lot of other people saw in him he had the gifts of a true soccer legend. The game was very important to him and to his foster family who supported him greatly. His soccer team was so devoted to the game and their MVP that he earned the title of "El Brujito" which means the brute. Rico is commonly seen talking to someone in his head in the story and that person is known as Achache who was also a famous soccer player who Rico thinks talks to him because Rico believes that all of Achache talent went to him. After he has achieved his dream as a famous soccer player he is in the most crucial game of his life and misses a goal which leads to some self doubt in Rico. So, when he disappears a reporter named Paul Faustino goes to get to the bottom of "El Brujito's" disappearance he finds something more than he was looking for.
July 31, 2011
2nd novel in a series about South America soccer, for teens.
Paul Faustino is on leave from his newspaper to write his book about El Gato, the great soccer Keeper (told in vol. 1 of this series). He is in San Juan when another rising soccer star, a young 18 year old, goes missing, presumed kidnapped, after failing to take a penalty in an important match.
Paul is convinced that the boy loses his confidence because of something that he saw in the crowded stadium that day. He is reluctantly drawn into a conspiracy involving African voodoo rituals, and modern day greed.
This is an interesting book in that it blends the history of the slave trade to South America with the world of modern soccer.
Paul Faustino is on leave from his newspaper to write his book about El Gato, the great soccer Keeper (told in vol. 1 of this series). He is in San Juan when another rising soccer star, a young 18 year old, goes missing, presumed kidnapped, after failing to take a penalty in an important match.
Paul is convinced that the boy loses his confidence because of something that he saw in the crowded stadium that day. He is reluctantly drawn into a conspiracy involving African voodoo rituals, and modern day greed.
This is an interesting book in that it blends the history of the slave trade to South America with the world of modern soccer.
July 29, 2015
I liked it! Never read something from Mal Peet before, but perhaps I'm biased towards this because of the fantasy bits. My library put this under 'science fiction' so I went and grabbed it, but it's not really science fiction, more urban fantasy. I like it because it uses local myths from a place in the global South, which reminds me of the mythology I grew up with. It's very... sweaty too. I don't know how to say this! but I felt like Peet described the sweatiness and heat of the jungle a lot, to dramatic effect, and I don't read much about heat in white pple writing (well for obvious reasons). He's pretty accurate in how the heat makes you agitated, the jungle is hotter than the city, people sweat the armpits in their clothes, and that makes you even more anxious.
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