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Galactic Football League #2
The Starter
THE STARTER is the sequel to THE ROOKIE, a hard-hitting, bone-crunching YA sports/scifi novel described as "Any Given Sunday" meets "The Godfather" meets "Star Wars."
It's high-stakes, win-or-die football action in the far future, as aliens and humans fill positions based on physiology and leave their blood, sweat and tears on gridirons across the galaxy.
Last season, 19-year-old rookie quarterback Quentin Barnes overcame his racism and unified his team. He led the Ionath Krakens to a lower-tier championship, a championship that earns them promotion into the meat grinder known as "Tier One."
Now, he and the Krakens have to compete against the greatest football teams ever assembled and do far more than just survive each game. As he rebuilds the team in his own image, Quentin's quest for a Tier One championship begins in THE STARTER.
It's high-stakes, win-or-die football action in the far future, as aliens and humans fill positions based on physiology and leave their blood, sweat and tears on gridirons across the galaxy.
Last season, 19-year-old rookie quarterback Quentin Barnes overcame his racism and unified his team. He led the Ionath Krakens to a lower-tier championship, a championship that earns them promotion into the meat grinder known as "Tier One."
Now, he and the Krakens have to compete against the greatest football teams ever assembled and do far more than just survive each game. As he rebuilds the team in his own image, Quentin's quest for a Tier One championship begins in THE STARTER.
494 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2010
55 people are currently reading
569 people want to read
About the author
Scott Sigler
132 books4,335 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 130 reviews
January 6, 2015
This one is the sequel to The Rookie, which I reviewed at some length. Just like the first one, my son liked it, and he told me to read it, so I read it (to keep up). It seemed very, very, (ok, really, really) similar to the first in terms of construction, to the point that it felt quite formulaic (if not repetitive - although my son did not think so). Still, like the first one, it's fun sci-fi for football fans, sprinkled with enough gratuitous violence to keep the reader on edge (and, at times, uncomfortable to the point of cringing); building upon never-ending complexity underlying a highly complex interstellar population; overlaid with a relentless parody of organized religion; and spiced with the omnipresent sub-theme of corruption/mafia/criminal underworld.... Like the first, it was a fast, fun read, but no one will confuse this with literature....
March 3, 2011
The Starter picks up exactly where The Rookie ends. Actually, it's like reading one big book. I appreciate that Sigler does not spend a lot of time at the beginning of The Starter reminding the reader what went on in The Rookie. I understand why authors do this in a series, but Sigler does not waste words repeating what the reader should already know if he or she has read in order. The Starter shows Quentin Barnes still developing and coming to terms with other cultures. This story, however, brings him closer to his team and them closer to him, and as the quarterback, he is clearly their leader. This story also introduces a lot more intrigue as the characters encounter gangsters and mob leaders. The Rookie has some of this as well, but The Starter gives us more action away from the gridiron. Again, the protagonist, Quentin Barnes, is far from perfect as he struggles to keep his team in Tier One. This story is made up of alien worlds and cultures, but it is easy to feel compassion and other emotions (good and bad) for all of these characters. Sigler breathes life into unbelievable characters and makes them memorable. There is one scene that is very gruesome and disturbing, but it is a short scene, and it does have significance in Barnes's development and interaction with specific members of his team. Despite the violence--it is football--the language is completely inoffensive in both The Rookie and The Starter. This is a refreshing change from Sigler's Infected, Contagious, and Ancester, which are riddled with F-bombs. Sigler proves through The Rookie and The Starter that a novel can be equally (if not more) entertaining and engaging without foul language.
July 19, 2021
Seriously fun read about humans, high G humans, and several bizarre species of aliens, all playing a hard core game of football.
Quentin Barnes and his buddies make up the Krakens team and they have finally reached the top tier of the Galactic Football League. The teams travel from world to world to… play football. And try not to get killed in the process.
Oh, and gangsters are the owners of the teams which adds another fun element.
I’m NOT a football fan, and I tend to gloss over the games themselves, but the rest of the story makes my sci-fi heart happy. Futuristic, alien worlds, crazy aliens, amazing characters (both human and non-human)… What’s not to love? And if you enjoy football, even better.
Although I know football and even had season tickets to the Arizona Cardinals at one point, I have learned a lot more than I thought possible. Somewhere, somehow, the new bits are slipping into my brain.
I have book 3 sitting next me and plan to continue my journey of aliens and football with The All-Pro.
Quentin Barnes and his buddies make up the Krakens team and they have finally reached the top tier of the Galactic Football League. The teams travel from world to world to… play football. And try not to get killed in the process.
Oh, and gangsters are the owners of the teams which adds another fun element.
I’m NOT a football fan, and I tend to gloss over the games themselves, but the rest of the story makes my sci-fi heart happy. Futuristic, alien worlds, crazy aliens, amazing characters (both human and non-human)… What’s not to love? And if you enjoy football, even better.
Although I know football and even had season tickets to the Arizona Cardinals at one point, I have learned a lot more than I thought possible. Somewhere, somehow, the new bits are slipping into my brain.
I have book 3 sitting next me and plan to continue my journey of aliens and football with The All-Pro.
June 21, 2021
5.0 Another fun read! Not just a football book, granted that is a big part of this series (obviously lol) but there is more to it. Learning about a lot of different aliens, their cultures, characteristics and more. And the teams are run by mob bosses it seems so that’s fun too. Just a lot of diff things going on that make it a very fun read, keeps moving well. Very well written, and even if you do not know football that well it breaks a lot down for you. Like that it didn’t cover the info in the 1st book. Since its book two you should have already read it lol, but it does recap just a bit. Some of the names of things can be a bit much to try to figure out if you are reading/saying the name the right way. Also some of the descriptions are a bit much, but in the end help paint the picture of each new planet visited. On to #3!
July 2, 2020
When I finished the first book in this series, I admit to feeling this series was a novelty. I'm not a sports nut but I found the storytelling perspective interesting and at least as creative as the Scifi world in which it was based. But with the second book finished and the characters more fleshed out and developed (thanks to more time on the page), I find myself plunging headlong into the next book. Sigler's work on the audiobook was a little distracting at first. Now I find it compelling, enriching, and engaging. All of the voices and effects are lending to the experience in a way that's reminiscent of the audio dramas of the pre-television radio age.
June 10, 2024
I am on a collision course with finishing this series. The only variable is time.
February 21, 2019
I have always been bored by football, but this book makes me want to understand football (if only to better appreciate the books). It made me laugh out loud (literally) and, at other moments, my body was tense as I (mostly) followed the action of the game. I got excited. I cared. And, I found the games more intelligible than in the first book. :)
July 4, 2024
Once the hero of the books, Quentin Barnes, becomes more tolerant of his alien teammates, my early distaste for the character evaporated and I was able to enjoy the books in this series. In this book, Quentin's team has moved up into the first division and the goal is for them to not get relegated back down to second division. Most of the teams are owned by gangsters, which adds a bit of intrigue to the books. There is also a fair amount of humor. I was reminded of some of the works of John Scalzi.
Again, I listened to the podcast and really enjoyed it and binged on them.
Again, I listened to the podcast and really enjoyed it and binged on them.
February 5, 2013
I've been a fan of Scott Sigler since I first found his podcast of Infected. His early works are solid horror, mixed with humor. They will never be confused with literature, but both the books and his readings of them are entertaining.
The Starter continues the story begun in The Rookie. The pleasant surprise of this book is that Sigler appears to be developing a much larger story than it seemed in the first book. There is much more character development, and more context for the action. While one assumes that Quentin Barnes will lead his team to the championship at some point, it now seems that he will bring about more important changes for those living in the empire. But mostly, the story is easy and fun.
The Starter continues the story begun in The Rookie. The pleasant surprise of this book is that Sigler appears to be developing a much larger story than it seemed in the first book. There is much more character development, and more context for the action. While one assumes that Quentin Barnes will lead his team to the championship at some point, it now seems that he will bring about more important changes for those living in the empire. But mostly, the story is easy and fun.
November 5, 2011
Once again Sigler comes through. This series is only getting better. I have been listening to Scott's podcasts and reading his books since he started. For anyone who likes Sci-Fi and sports this series of books is for you. Make sure you read The Rookie first. Once again Scott, Great WORK!!!!! Keep them coming!!!
May 11, 2012
Listened to and read. In fact: I have read, then listened, then read and listened simultaneously. Whilst waiting for new episodes I re-read and re-listen. (free podcast by the way). I bought the kindle version to support the author. Scott Sigler is great. Sci-fi space opera. Nice story. Good for teenagers and grown-ups. In this series, The Rookie, The Starter, The All-pro, and the MVP (in print).
July 16, 2020
Picking up from the end of book one this story is just as well written as the first. Good character development and a bit funnier than the first book. Sigler, I think, writes books just to do the voices on the audio version. His reading is amazing and his voice for Denver is just a step behind Luke Daniels and his voice of Oberon.
July 26, 2011
It was a bit predictable. I plan to read the next one in the series, but I hope for more from it.
December 2, 2015
It's good but not great.
September 18, 2021
What's not to love - space opera aliens and football!
June 30, 2017
The starter is the sequel to The Rookie Scott Sigler's action adventure alien NFL story series for young adults.
The first thought I had when listening to this is that Sigler did a damn good job with the supporting characters. It has been over a year since I listened to "The Rookie" but at the mention of the names "Donald Pine, John Tweedy, Momo Killoway, Denver, Hokor the hookchest and Greedock the Splithead" to name a few I could immediately reconnect with this cast of memorable alien characters.
Some notable improvements from the first story were that Quentin has matured quite a bit and thinks thing through rather than his disturbing tendency in the first book to respond to every situation with violence. The audio production (while not without issues) was much more polished than the first book. Sigler voices the book himself and does a great job with the in-game scenes and voicing Quentin, Pine and Tweedy. The alien voices and effects are not as great but I quickly got used to them.
This is only a minor spoiler but Ill tag it. One of the things I liked about the book was
One of the things I would quibble with is the mix of hardcore football nut detail and absolute beginner explanation. Would anyone that doesn't know what a defensive end does be into the 30th hour of a football series? Well we got a five minute breakdown on DE duties anyway.
To me the biggest problem with the book was the start. Sure we wanted some off field and world building stuff but this book needed a much larger edit. We were over 7 hours into the audiobook before the first game was played! It would have been better to pace out some of the off field detail between games and get to the action earlier. I also really disliked having to listen to the standings and weekly roundup after each and every damn game. Why am I listening to the standings in week 2? Am I really supposed to remember team X is 0-2? It got really frustrating listening to that stuff after a while and a "league update" 2 or 3 times during the season would have served the same function better.
Overall this is a fun series, I am not sure I want to listen to all 7 books worth but it seems Sigler can keep this solidly entertaining for a while longer.
The first thought I had when listening to this is that Sigler did a damn good job with the supporting characters. It has been over a year since I listened to "The Rookie" but at the mention of the names "Donald Pine, John Tweedy, Momo Killoway, Denver, Hokor the hookchest and Greedock the Splithead" to name a few I could immediately reconnect with this cast of memorable alien characters.
Some notable improvements from the first story were that Quentin has matured quite a bit and thinks thing through rather than his disturbing tendency in the first book to respond to every situation with violence. The audio production (while not without issues) was much more polished than the first book. Sigler voices the book himself and does a great job with the in-game scenes and voicing Quentin, Pine and Tweedy. The alien voices and effects are not as great but I quickly got used to them.
This is only a minor spoiler but Ill tag it. One of the things I liked about the book was
One of the things I would quibble with is the mix of hardcore football nut detail and absolute beginner explanation. Would anyone that doesn't know what a defensive end does be into the 30th hour of a football series? Well we got a five minute breakdown on DE duties anyway.
To me the biggest problem with the book was the start. Sure we wanted some off field and world building stuff but this book needed a much larger edit. We were over 7 hours into the audiobook before the first game was played! It would have been better to pace out some of the off field detail between games and get to the action earlier. I also really disliked having to listen to the standings and weekly roundup after each and every damn game. Why am I listening to the standings in week 2? Am I really supposed to remember team X is 0-2? It got really frustrating listening to that stuff after a while and a "league update" 2 or 3 times during the season would have served the same function better.
Overall this is a fun series, I am not sure I want to listen to all 7 books worth but it seems Sigler can keep this solidly entertaining for a while longer.
July 29, 2023
I realised just how niche this series is. People who like American Football. And people who like incredibly detailed science fiction.
Gangsters taking over the galaxy and hiding behind sport. Brilliant. I almost want more stuff about the actual universe, which is thoroughly worked out, it seems, but we only see in snippets of 'news reels'.
The story though is, of course, the football. This story successfully weaves the actual game and a season's development into a great plot. I like how the team doesn't just win all the time. Much more interesting.
The prose is still clumsy, but that comes with the territory. The author has worked out his universe so thoroughly, he has to constantly describe the anatomy of the aliens, because it's important to how the game is played. And he has such grandly detailed planets, that each actually feel different to each other, that that requires a lot of detail too. And the way the author chose to make this readable is to keep the prose simple. Hence occasionally clumsy and description heavy.
But I came here for the plot and the concepts, and they paid off here.
Gangsters taking over the galaxy and hiding behind sport. Brilliant. I almost want more stuff about the actual universe, which is thoroughly worked out, it seems, but we only see in snippets of 'news reels'.
The story though is, of course, the football. This story successfully weaves the actual game and a season's development into a great plot. I like how the team doesn't just win all the time. Much more interesting.
The prose is still clumsy, but that comes with the territory. The author has worked out his universe so thoroughly, he has to constantly describe the anatomy of the aliens, because it's important to how the game is played. And he has such grandly detailed planets, that each actually feel different to each other, that that requires a lot of detail too. And the way the author chose to make this readable is to keep the prose simple. Hence occasionally clumsy and description heavy.
But I came here for the plot and the concepts, and they paid off here.
July 27, 2017
These books to me are what bodice rippers are to other people. Loaded with cliche, stereotypical archetype, relatively predictable story...but I really like em. Book 2 was better than book 1, but also had the effect of increasing the esteem in which I hold the first book.
Quentin Barnes continues his journey as he is now the Krakens starting qb as they have ascended past tier 2 and now fight to stay in tier 1. The books have wild and crazy characters and throw in a side of gangster violence to go along with the football. Again if you are a fan of blood bowl, mutant league football or anything similar, you would probably dig these books.
Quentin Barnes continues his journey as he is now the Krakens starting qb as they have ascended past tier 2 and now fight to stay in tier 1. The books have wild and crazy characters and throw in a side of gangster violence to go along with the football. Again if you are a fan of blood bowl, mutant league football or anything similar, you would probably dig these books.
April 11, 2022
I can't praise this series enough. It blends football, organized crime, and sci-fi. I find myself eager to finish work so I may read more. I think I liked the first book slightly better, but not enough to punish this one with anything less than a perfect rating. My only gripe was an alien character who owned a Chinese restaurant (in space, of course) who spoke with a racist accent. You know the one. I kept expecting another character to say the alien watched too many old movies and adjusted his accent to the trope. It never came. The character was only in one scene, so it was a minor annoyance, yet it left a bad taste in my mouth in an otherwise awesome book.
August 8, 2020
A great continuation of this series with some tough choices facing the main character. The lore of the universe is added to during some visits to new worlds and the characters really start to come into their own.
Sigler's futuristic version of grid iron really is the same game at its heart, despite featuring giant alien monsters and enhanced humans.
He really pulls out the stops with audio extras and his voices (with the odd dodgy stereotype) really enhance the story.
Sigler's futuristic version of grid iron really is the same game at its heart, despite featuring giant alien monsters and enhanced humans.
He really pulls out the stops with audio extras and his voices (with the odd dodgy stereotype) really enhance the story.
August 21, 2020
The sequel in the Galactic Football League series starts off at the next season as the team starts off in Tier 1 League. The book is more or less the same as the first one, but better written. There is less of an over-reaching plot except the trials of playing football. There is an attempt of a plot in the latter part of the book, but overall the book is about playing and winning football. The writing is a lot better then the first one and feels less juvenile.
January 17, 2021
Didn´t read the book, listened to it and I must say that it is the first time I have appreciated sport. The audiobook is read in a way that highlights the theme of the book, with referee segments, blaring borns and cheering crowds.
The series continues with continued character development, which is allowed to take time, you know, the way it does in real life. This is a great gateway book to lure sporty people to read.
The series continues with continued character development, which is allowed to take time, you know, the way it does in real life. This is a great gateway book to lure sporty people to read.
February 8, 2023
I’m not a huge NFL fan whatsoever. I find the game rather tedious. However I am a huge fan of Scott Sigler, and having read The Rookie many years ago, I decided to continue the series. The Starter kicks off right where The Rookie finished, however added into the story this time is much more off the field detail which really hooked me and made me not only a fan of the book but also wanting to keep on reading the series further.
April 7, 2022
This is a great follow up to the Rookie. The book explores more than just football. In this book, Barnes has to learn how to deal with team management, contracts, endorsements, the media, and just being a recognized superstar presence. Sigler really shows the ups and downs of Quentin Barnes becoming a galactic superstar.
May 23, 2018
Quentin Barnes Quentin Barnes Quentin Barnes
December 3, 2019
Fun and light
It’s a good nerd crossover for Football and sci-fi fans, easy pick up and put down book to kill time nicely
It’s a good nerd crossover for Football and sci-fi fans, easy pick up and put down book to kill time nicely
December 10, 2019
Amazing
Just read it and shut up! There is nothing out there like it. If you’re a fan you won’t be able to put it down
Just read it and shut up! There is nothing out there like it. If you’re a fan you won’t be able to put it down
May 19, 2020
Right in line!!
Perfect plot!! An exciting book. Kept me on the edge of my seat. Can't wait to read the next book.
Perfect plot!! An exciting book. Kept me on the edge of my seat. Can't wait to read the next book.
September 1, 2020
Still an enjoyable series. Setting up nicely for book 3!
October 21, 2020
Better than the first book. Quentin Barnes I’d growing up to be a better and fuller person.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews