Reviews

Blood Sport by Tash McAdam

mangoes4jace's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

slimbooks's review against another edition

adventurous reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Short read but interesting. It made me think more about how trans people are trans their whole life and it's not a sudden mind change when you're 16 and realize that you want to change genders LOL. Actually relating to the story though it was nice to see a story about building relationships as someone who doesn't usually have friends. I kind of thought we lost the plot line for a second but it resolved itself pretty good

kokeb's review

like ten pages long to make up for the lack of compelling conflict. if the narration hated addicts any more, it would be a DARE ad.

book_butterfly's review

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

phantomxlegend's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

bruisedtigers's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

I wanted to be just a little more excited by this. The story is simple, straightforward and well written, but needed just a bit more tension in regards to the ending reveal. I did appreciate the characters and loved the boxing setting. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug use and Transphobia

peyton_'s review against another edition

4.0

Good book with an interesting story. It’s a little bit mystery and a little but finding yourself. It’s a high interest book and a quick read. The characters and well created and the plot moves along well. Good book for anyone who wants just a little taste.

broomesbooks's review against another edition

3.0

I was a bit disappointed with this one. I haven't found many books featuring trans-characters so when I find one, I dive right in. This was a short, quick read. The plot, was eh. I expected there to be more of a mystery aspect to this, but it kind of gets forgotten. What I did like was the fact that the author didn't shy away from the main character using a binder, navigating boxing, and coming out to friends.

If there had been more written, I think this could have been an excellent story.

hexthebookworm's review against another edition

3.0

First the positives. I love that this is a YA novella about a trans guy. I have only read trans girl stories for young people so this is a nice change. Similarly but to a lesser extent, I like that the sport of choice is boxing. Boxing is generally not written about in and of itself and there are a lot of great storytelling opportunities available with it, some of which McAdam takes advantage of. I also like the complex feelings on display about Jason's living situation. Group homes are better than nothing but that doesn't mean they always feel like home.

Now for my one concern. I really wish this was fleshed out more into a full length novel. I really wanted to see the bonds between the teens developed out more and I would have even liked Jason's relationship with X developed out a bit to make the twist at the end feel more like a betrayal.

arthur_of_camelot's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 stars

This was a shorter read than I expected, and I really wish I could do half stars because it doesn't deserve to lose a full star just for that, but I also want to keep my 5 star ratings for knock out books.

Otherwise though, this was a good little story! I don't think my rating would change if I had gone into it expecting a novella, because it runs through the murder mystery SO fast that I think I still would have been a little disappointed. The MC's voice is great though, and the side characters are also cool given that the book wraps up so quickly. I definitely still recommend it as a good half hour / hour read!