The Rookie: Book 1: Galactic Football League

I'm not a huge fan of sports novels, and I know next to nothing about football. But every once in awhile the premise of a book will be intriguing enough to make me step outside of my comfort zone... and Scott Sigler's "The Rookie" hooked me with its oddball but fun-looking premise. Aliens playing football? What wasn't to love? And to my surprise I enjoyed every moment of this ride, from the unique alien creatures and the equally unique cultures set up to support them, to a character arc that I greatly enjoyed following. And I have to say that it's one of the best Kindle freebies I've ever read.Seven hundred years in the future, football is still one of the most popular sports around -- and it's followed avidly by every sentient species in the galaxy, and even used as a tool to unite said species... and as a front for smuggling drugs and other contraband. Quentin Barnes, a promising rookie from a backwater world governed by an anti-alien religious sect, sees football as a way to escape the mines and find fame and glory. But despite his talent, Quentin still has a LOT to learn about the sport... and must overcome his own ego, racism, and stubborn ways in order to see his team succeed and avoid a messy death.Sigler's universe is a dangerous yet fascinating one, with all the grotesque alien wonder of "Star Wars" and all the sinister underground plotting of "The Godfather." The alien races aren't just "humans with a few funny attributes" (though blue-skinned humans exist), but truly alien in shape and culture, and the politics and history of this universe, though mostly background in nature, are still fascinating and provide a meaty backdrop to the main story. Even his version of football has become more high-tech... and more dangerous, with deaths an accepted part of the sport and on-field violence the order of the day.The main character is no perfect angel, and I'll be honest, I wanted to slap him upside the head for about half the book. But thankfully, he sees real character development along the way, and it's a relief when he finally sheds some of his ego and prejudice as the story progresses. I find a perfect protagonist boring, but I also hate unlikable anti-heroes without any redeeming qualities. What I LIKE to see is character growth, and watching Quentin's journey was satisfying and enjoyable.And despite not being a big sports fan, the actual sports scenes (and there are plenty) were exciting and fun as well. I may not have understood every single term (thank you, Google), but the action was still very satisfying and entertaining. Some familiarity with the sport definitely helps, but isn't completely necessary to still enjoy the ride.Probably the best sports novel I've read in a long time, "The Rookie" is a highly enjoyable blend of sports action, sci-fi adventure, and mobster intrigue that kept me reading to the last page. It's a satisfying story that stands well on its own... but is also a nice introduction to a longer series, one that I hope to continue. (On that note, thanks for not ending this on a cliffhanger in an attempt to force me to read the next book, Scott! That always bugs me when authors do that, so thanks for resisting the temptation...)

When it comes to out of the box creativity and character development look no further than Scott Sigler's universe dubbed the "Siglerverse". I started listening to his books on his Podcast and have been an OJ (Original Junkie) for more than a decade.Honestly, I was less than excited about "The Rookie" when it launched because I haven't been a football fan since the 80s, but I listened to the podcast story (before it was edited slightly to be a YA rated book). I was blown away by the story and surprisingly for me the football was exciting edge of your seat stuff. Scott's ability to put you in the action is incredible. Football, however, is only the vehicle for the characters to develop in an incredibly rich universe on par with any epic sci-fi you've read because it not only goes beyond the now 5 published and 2 completed not-published novels, and 5 novellas but moments cross over into every book he writes. The universe spans just under 1000 years starting in our current universe and time, then the Rookie starts about 746 years later.You've heard the comment "everything I learned about the world, I learned from Star Trek" which a similar theme when you read Scott Sigler. He manages to make us think about relationships, bigotry, xenophobia, crime, love, passion, sports, warfare, religion and churches, and the evolution of the human (and non-human) race(s) into an intergalactic culture that expands beyond our own universe. Most of all, he helps us examine what it means to be human and what it means to our species when we finally get to integrate with intergalactic society. All wrapped in a nice fact and science based fiction infused with his own brand of humor that keeps you wanting more.Since the rookie launch, I've bought a copy of the hardcover, and the Audible book, AND all the sequels including novellas. Fantastic series and the way it links into the Siglerverse is smooth as butter and mind bending connections when you least expect them.About the book: This is the story of a poor orphan kid who is relegated by his society to work in the mines on a backwards puritan planet with no hope beyond living a short life due to the danger of just surviving. The boy develops an amazing throwing arm using rocks to kill bugs that maim and kill the young miners often. He eventually gets scouted for a local football team which changes his entire life. The boy works harder than anyone to become a football player with a goal of winning the galactic version of the Super Bowl. Along the way he finds love, friendship, awareness, personal growth and an opportunity to become everything he dreams of.Read the book and find out why Scott is a Times Bestselling Author and why schools are using this series to open minds and get kids to read. There is something for everyone in this book - including you.

Good story, although a bit too many football play-by-plays for my taste. Sigler is a good writer and always keeps me engaged.

I really enjoyed this despite knowing almost nothing about gridiron. My only criticism is that the American brand of football is unlikely to become a galactic phenomenon because it struggles to rate outside North America. However, I can't see any of the other football codes adapting themselves to the warfare style of game in this book. Good characterisation and that rarest of things - a new idea in SF. Nearest to this is the movie "Slapshot" (Paul Newman?). Even if, like me, you are not a sports devotee this is well worth a read.

I never thought I'd like a book about American Football.Turns out, Scott Sigler can make such a book interesting to me (a non-footbally person) merely by adding science fiction and crime drama elements.Scott Sigler is great.

This series of books is especially marketed at the early teenage boy - you know the type, who is v reluctant to read anything when computer games are on offer. Well these books will buck the trend. They are avidly read by boys and it's not an issue that it's American football, you only have to know the very basics - it's sci fi; it's aliens; it's sport; it's adventure. Surprisingly, there is even an underlying anti-racism moral theme. Even writing as a parent, I think these plots are original and unpredicatable which make for absorbing reading. Strongly recommended you won't regret it. Pity only 5/7 have been published yet

A superb fusion of sport, American Football, aliens, space travel, action and adventure. Each novel set over a GFL - Galactic Football League season. I really love this series of books, and have had tremendous success in getting teenage boys to read them in my school library. Even though I know little about American Football, it didn't make any difference. Even though they're big books, I've still found them really popular with reluctant readers. A great present for any boy age 12+. All 4 books in the series, only 2 in the new UK paperback series are out so far.