Reviewed by: Michael Thal
Genre: Young Adult/Science Fiction
Approximate word count: 75-80,000 words
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Author:
Jennifer Goebel is the mother of two boys, Ben and
Matthew. Born in the Philippines, Jennifer moved around a lot as a child, so
her trusted friends became her books. As a parent, her sons have led her into
the world of sports. These two worlds collide brilliantly in Tournament.
Dagmar Jacisinova is also a mom. She moved to the
United States during her mid-twenties learning English by watching soap operas
and talking to the two-year-olds she babysat. Wanting her soccer fanatic sons
to read more, she listened to their game chatter learning the sport and
developing an interesting plot that evolved into a fun novel teenage boys will
love to read.
Description:
In 2014
tensions on the Korean Peninsula got out of hand resulting into World War III.
Thirty years later, Global Government has evolved putting in place strategies
to prevent another nuclear conflagration. Every two years, the government’s
control reverts to the nation who wins the Tournament—a series of soccer games
set up similar to the World Cup competition today.
On February
1, 2044 Alaska, one of the few surviving pockets of humanity not destroyed by
war or nuclear radiation, is busy picking its soccer team for the Games to be held
that summer in Fairbanks.
Jean and
Nate are identical twins. Jason is the nation’s leading goalie, but Nate
doesn’t stand a chance to make the team due to his bum knee. Cassie, the only
girl chosen for the national team, can control a soccer ball like no one else.
Reed, the son of a wealthy political bigwig and advisor to the Alaskan
President, is the nation’s top scorer. He’s a gifted soccer player, spoiled,
and has an overinflated ego.
Appraisal:
In a
writing style that grabs and holds onto its audience, the writing team of
Goebel and Jacisinova submerges their readers into a post world war era of
political intrigue, dirty tricks, and soccer politics where the outcome of a
soccer tournament affects world governance.
The novel
revolves around the lives of Reed, Cassie, Jason and Nate. The twins are split
early in the novel when Jason becomes the captain of the Alaska team and Nate
has been assigned to hone his skills to fight a rogue state, an illegal
activity according to the world government.
Throughout
the novel tensions escalate—the rocky relationship between Cassie and Reed, a
young love between Cassie and Jason’s best friend, pranks on and off the soccer
field, and a lot more—until the final surprise ending that will make readers
gasp.
Format/Typo Issues:
This reader
noticed many typo issues that could have been resolved by a competent editor.
The book, however, holds readers’ attention from beginning to end, but the
editorial glitches are a source of annoyance.
Rating: **** Four stars
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