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perilous1's review
4.0
Originally reviewed for YA Books Central: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/17784-zeroboxer#reviewForm
3.5 Stars
This sci-fi debut steps boldly into the YA ring and puts on a compelling show.
Set an indeterminate number of years in the future, the story is told entirely from the third-person point of view of Carr Luka, a 17-year-old "zeroboxer" of exceptional gifting. His career has just taken off, and he’s attracting a lot of attention—some good, some jealous, and some potentially dangerous.
The worldbuilding is engrossing and remarkably well thought out across the board. The science isn't so out-there as to seem mystical, the use of physics is logical, and the organic progression of sporting events adapted to zero-g environments makes perfect sense (from both a practical and human nature standpoint.) The layering goes deeper still, including sociological elements that enrich the plausibility of Lee’s imagined future—from the overall mingling of ethnicities and availability of genetic modification, to the geopolitical conflicts between Earth and Mars, to marriage being re-defined into 5-year incremental contracts that participants may simply choose not to renew.
The highlights of this book are definitely the technical and behind-the-scenes aspects of mixed martial arts (with a zero-gravity twist), along with a keen conveyance of branding and marketing practices. The author has a crisp and competent writing style, with a real strength for action scenes. The metaphors are solid and the pacing moves along at a captivating clip for the first half of the book.
On the downside:
The romantic elements are a bit lacking and the base emotional connectivity seems to take a far backseat to the sport-centric plot. The smoothness of the read shifted at about the same time the legitimacy of Carr’s genetic background became a point of conflict. For some reason Carr never inquires nor seems curious about the identity of his biological father—and the characterization of his mother feels strangely lacking in depth. As the story progresses, Carr himself becomes increasingly difficult to sympathize with and the book becomes easier to put down. Risha and Carr come together without much sensuality or buildup of tension, and didn't present as a couple this reader felt any particular need to root for. I had a lot of trouble understanding why Carr would choose to keep his “big secret” from the woman he not only (allegedly) loves, but who is best qualified to help him strategize the handling of his precarious situation.
Content Note: To readers and parents who may be concerned, this book sometimes feels as though it's skirting the line between mature YA and New Adult. The f-word is used with some frequency—although nothing beyond what one could realistically expect from a sports setting. Sex is depicted (although not graphically) as something of a casual expectation, with no mention or consideration paid to contraception.
Overall, this is a refreshingly true sci-fi read that takes its research seriously. You'll want to keep an eye on this author.
3.5 Stars
This sci-fi debut steps boldly into the YA ring and puts on a compelling show.
Set an indeterminate number of years in the future, the story is told entirely from the third-person point of view of Carr Luka, a 17-year-old "zeroboxer" of exceptional gifting. His career has just taken off, and he’s attracting a lot of attention—some good, some jealous, and some potentially dangerous.
The worldbuilding is engrossing and remarkably well thought out across the board. The science isn't so out-there as to seem mystical, the use of physics is logical, and the organic progression of sporting events adapted to zero-g environments makes perfect sense (from both a practical and human nature standpoint.) The layering goes deeper still, including sociological elements that enrich the plausibility of Lee’s imagined future—from the overall mingling of ethnicities and availability of genetic modification, to the geopolitical conflicts between Earth and Mars, to marriage being re-defined into 5-year incremental contracts that participants may simply choose not to renew.
The highlights of this book are definitely the technical and behind-the-scenes aspects of mixed martial arts (with a zero-gravity twist), along with a keen conveyance of branding and marketing practices. The author has a crisp and competent writing style, with a real strength for action scenes. The metaphors are solid and the pacing moves along at a captivating clip for the first half of the book.
On the downside:
The romantic elements are a bit lacking and the base emotional connectivity seems to take a far backseat to the sport-centric plot. The smoothness of the read shifted at about the same time the legitimacy of Carr’s genetic background became a point of conflict. For some reason Carr never inquires nor seems curious about the identity of his biological father—and the characterization of his mother feels strangely lacking in depth. As the story progresses, Carr himself becomes increasingly difficult to sympathize with and the book becomes easier to put down. Risha and Carr come together without much sensuality or buildup of tension, and didn't present as a couple this reader felt any particular need to root for. I had a lot of trouble understanding why Carr would choose to keep his “big secret” from the woman he not only (allegedly) loves, but who is best qualified to help him strategize the handling of his precarious situation.
Content Note: To readers and parents who may be concerned, this book sometimes feels as though it's skirting the line between mature YA and New Adult. The f-word is used with some frequency—although nothing beyond what one could realistically expect from a sports setting. Sex is depicted (although not graphically) as something of a casual expectation, with no mention or consideration paid to contraception.
Overall, this is a refreshingly true sci-fi read that takes its research seriously. You'll want to keep an eye on this author.
acolyteofsins's review
3.0
It started off really rough. I absolutely did NOT like the audiobook narrator. But I'm glad I stuck through it, another great worldbuilding book by Fonda Lee. Good characters, great set pieces, amazing world building. My biggest gripe (other than the aforementioned narrator) was the ending. Super abrupt with lots of loose threads that I would have liked to see resolved.
But otherwise very good.
But otherwise very good.
michelleswei's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
a neatly contained story about ambition that doesn't pretend to be larger than it is. a masterclass in sci-fi writing, will come back later to dissect its working parts.
madscalc's review against another edition
4.0
i liked the fight scenes and the gradual time skips a lot, but the plot didn't really pick up for me until about 40% through :/ the ending was also unsatisfying because i was most interested in the genetic investigation and the mars/earth political relations and i wish there was more exploration into that. almost would love a midnight sun moment with the book from risha's pov lol.
dlberglund's review
4.0
Boxing, or MMA fighting, or martials arts, isn't really my thing. But this book is about so much more than boxing a zero gravity where the words floor and ceiling are meaningless. It's about how we handle the future, and racism, and geography, and differences that drive us apart. Its about pursuing dreams and working HARD to make them come true, even if only for a moment. I believed in Luka Carr and the decisions he had to make. Completely a worthwhile and well-paced book.
disabledbookdragon's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
storytimed's review
2.0
THIS BOOK MADE ME MAD...
Zeroboxer never quite engages with its central premise: that the protagonist, Carr Luka, is illegally genetically enhanced and is cheating in every fight he enters. It also completely avoids the secondary theme of interplanetary political tensions. Nor does it dive deep into Carr's psyche, because apparently his special warrior genes allow him to simply choose not to self-reflect.
There are interesting things to dig into around the book. Unfortunately, the narrative lens we have is Carr, who is a shallow, unreflective bro. His girlfriend Risha is a prop, and everyone else he interacts with a stereotype. Nobody ever makes Carr confront the absolute selfishness of what he's doing—instead we get long descriptions of how hot he is and how cool his ad campaigns are.
Would have loved to have seen an alternate version of this book told from the perspective of Enzo, who learns that his childhood friend and hero is a fraud, or Gant and Risha, the Martians who stoke the flames of populist anti-Martian hatred for their marketing campaigns and then cannot quite control the beast they've created.
Instead we get super perfect Gary Stu meathead Carr. UGH!!!
Zeroboxer never quite engages with its central premise: that the protagonist, Carr Luka, is illegally genetically enhanced and is cheating in every fight he enters. It also completely avoids the secondary theme of interplanetary political tensions. Nor does it dive deep into Carr's psyche, because apparently his special warrior genes allow him to simply choose not to self-reflect.
There are interesting things to dig into around the book. Unfortunately, the narrative lens we have is Carr, who is a shallow, unreflective bro. His girlfriend Risha is a prop, and everyone else he interacts with a stereotype. Nobody ever makes Carr confront the absolute selfishness of what he's doing—instead we get long descriptions of how hot he is and how cool his ad campaigns are.
Would have loved to have seen an alternate version of this book told from the perspective of Enzo, who learns that his childhood friend and hero is a fraud, or Gant and Risha, the Martians who stoke the flames of populist anti-Martian hatred for their marketing campaigns and then cannot quite control the beast they've created.
Instead we get super perfect Gary Stu meathead Carr. UGH!!!
cook_memorial_public_library's review
4.0
Recommended by Vanessa and Mark. Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Szeroboxer%20lee__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
dangitall's review against another edition
2.75
This was mostly fun to read, Lee writes good action sequences and does a good job exploring what the mechanics of a zero-G fighting sport could look like. Much of the rest of the story feels kind of thin, though. Carr often seems to be able to put his genetic modifications out of his mind completely as he competes for the title and beyond. This could be chalked up to him being young, but it isn’t addressed and it feels like it is ignored as a plot element until it is needed. The mother is a weak character and seems completely unaware of the consequences of her actions. Mr R.’s motivations aren’t developed beyond “evil genius” and his failure to anticipate Carr’s reactions to his threat of Risha seem daft. Not especially satisfying overall.
mjfmjfmjf's review
4.0
Okay so I'm back reading for the Endeavour Award. But after listening to the author at Sasquan and Orycon, I was curious to read her book. And it's actually a pretty good one, even if it is a boxing book. Well actually more like a MMA book with some ya elements and a pretty good twist on a Gattaca like theme. Definitely a crime described that I could see happening some day but not one I've seen heard anyone mention before. The characters were all reasonably likable though Luka's relationship with Risha didn't completely work. The action in the cube was pretty good as far as I can tell but mostly I didn't try to follow it to closely - and it never detracted from the story. I would be curious to read more of the author.