CW: Suicide off page of someone who could no longer compete in sports

Another book with the amazing world building that I have come to expect from this author. I loved the idea of mixed martial arts in a zero gravity cube. There were a lot of detailed descriptions of zeroboxing matches and I had to work hard to visualise what was happening in the fights. The book deals with some quite topical contemporary issues but in a futuristic sci-fi environment. The most notable are: genetic modification to enhance performance, appearance and health (today's drug use in sport); inequality in terms of access to these potentially life saving/altering procedures; and racism (between people from Mars and Earth). An enjoyable sporty book. ( )

3.5 stars. Pretty excellent action-y sci-fi. Carr is a sympathetic protag, who occasionally verges into Gary Stu territory (this is intentional, but still, he is maybe too well-adjusted?). I was really with it and trying to figure out how it all ends, when it ended. The ending made sense but I really, really wanted more of a resolution. It's a plot-based book that ends like a character-based book, if that makes any sense? I don't know if there is meant to be a follow-up, but I would read the hell out of it.

I should point out that I find most fighting sports to be disturbing. I can't watch boxing or MMA without feeling a little nauseated. But the premise of this was so cool (zero gravity!) and it helps that I couldn't actually see the blood. There are a lot of (well-described) fighting sequences (duh!) so if you're on the squeamish side, maybe skim those bits. ( )

I have several boys I will give this book to, to read. Sports kids, sci-fi kids, and those who like intrigue. ( )

Great rec for teens who'd like a mix of sci-fi and sports. The characters are well drawn, there's a hint of romance, and plenty of suspense. It's really realistic, considering the sci-fi setting, so there's swearing and violence and general machismo shenanigans. Solid choice for a teen guy. ( )

Would you like an extremely quick breakdown of this book? I'll oblige. Zeroboxer is Rocky, in space. Oh yes, my friends. Complete with the craggy, but ultimately lovable coach, and all the related drama. That's not to say that this isn't a good book. I'm simply telling you exactly what to expect. This was most definitely a different kind of Science Fiction than I'm used to, and I'm still not quite sure how I feel about it.

First off, credit where credit is due. The sport of zeroboxing is so well fleshed out in this story that it isn't even funny. You won't just be reading about Carr's matches, you'll live them. Fonda Lee has not only built a sport, she's built a sport that actually makes sense. I felt the tension, heard the cheers, and watched the blood float around in zero gravity. If nothing else, this book will get you for that very reason. It's hard not to be caught up with the sport, and everything that comes along with it.

Even the world itself is pretty solid, since it's essentially Toronto in the far flung future. Genetic enhancements are the norm. Tattoos are done with an animated liquid. Best of all, travel between Earth and Mars is something that's done often. The one downside here is that the reader is thrown directly into this future without a whole lot of hand holding. While I eventually found my footing, it took me a while to truly associate Carr's life with his futuristic home. If it wasn't for the references to zero gravity boxing, I'd have been much more lost.

Now here's where things get a bit hairy. First off, I wasn't always a huge fan of Carr Luka. Our main character felt a little too perfect. Thus, when things started to turn sour for him, I wasn't really empathetic. I actually wanted him to lose. If just once. It's no fun to root for someone who is nigh unbeatable. Nor is it easy to feel bad when they're injured. My other issue was with how casually the topic of people being genetically enhanced in the womb, and the fact that only bad parents didn't do that, was mentioned and then tossed aside. I understand this was part of the world building, but I needed more. That's a big subject to simply touch on.

Overall, I was fairly impressed with Zeroboxer. I'm not generally a big fan of sports related books or movies, but this one held my interest. The union between boxing and Sci Fi definitely made this a different read than I was expecting, and a rather happy surprise. ( )