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mordecai's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
2.0
miketheboy89's review against another edition
2.0
Peet writes relatively well; the setting and characters are all described thoroughly, and the overall plot is pretty compelling in and of itself. However, to put it frankly, the book is dull. Not to a huge extent, but the writing is presented in a very bland way, and it's hard to be invested in the positives mentioned earlier when the plot moves slowly. Both plot lines have their moments, but the novel goes back and forth between them so much so that, as soon as one is invested, it switches back, and the reader is forced to start over. Those looking for a book about the sport of soccer (or football for the rest of the world) should look elsewhere, as the sport is not really a factor. Not necessarily a negative, just something of note. Faustino is a likeable enough character, but the rest of the cast echoes just about everything else about the novel: mediocrity.
thebooksupplier's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't feel like this one was as good as Keeper, but still not a bad mystery.
rosiereviewsreads's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
This white man from England decided that he was going to write about South America and African culture with literally no research ahead of time and it shows.
Despite this book (my edition) having a soccer ball and being called "The Penalty; two worlds one world cup" this had NOTHING to do with soccer.
There was two stories lines, that till quite literally the last chapter had nothing to do with each other, and I feel like this book was maybe a little racist.
Overall don't read it. I'm just trying to get this book off my bookshelf.
Despite this book (my edition) having a soccer ball and being called "The Penalty; two worlds one world cup" this had NOTHING to do with soccer.
There was two stories lines, that till quite literally the last chapter had nothing to do with each other, and I feel like this book was maybe a little racist.
Overall don't read it. I'm just trying to get this book off my bookshelf.
bhalpin's review
2.0
I can't believe I'm saying this as it's the opposite of what I usually say, but this book is just too short. There's a present-day story and a past story, and because the book is so short, neither one really satisfies. Also, the connection between the two was less revelatory than I had hoped. I really thought the slavery narrative was going to shed some light on the kidnapping, but it really didn't. Ultimately a not-very-satisyfing mystery paired with a not-very-satisfying slavery narrative. And, despite the cover and the title, almost no soccer at all.
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