Zeroboxer

March 2, 2015
Carr Luka is the perfect “zeroboxer”—fast, strong, relentless, capable of maintaining his composure in zero gravity—and he’s on the fast track to winning the championship in the popular sport, which mixes mixed martial arts with freefall. As Carr takes down one opponent after another, the Zero Gravity Fighting Association labels the 17-year-old a rising star, even assigning him a “brandhelm” (a marketing specialist and PR agent) in the form of Risha Ponn, a beautiful Martian colonist who is just as hungry for success. Carr embraces his newfound stardom, but pressure is mounting from all sides. Just as he reaches the height of his career, he learns a devastating secret that could destroy everything he’s worked for, and he’s being blackmailed by someone who knows the truth. This is a strong debut from Lee, combining brutal, visceral athletic scenes with science fiction action, all woven around a complex moral dilemma. The only thing that doesn’t quite ring true is Carr’s rather chaste, underexplored relationship with Risha. Everything else hits as hard as Carr’s punches. Ages 12–up. Agent: Jim McCarthy, Dystel & Goderich Literary Management.

February 1, 2015
Boxing gets an upgrade to zero gravity in this futuristic outing.Living centuries in the future, Carr, at 17, has dreams of winning the title. Carr is a zeroboxer, trading punches in a zero-G cube. Carr was born on Earth in "balmy Toronto." As a Terran, he's low on the totem pole socially; Martians, resented on Earth for their genetic modifications, look down on Earth as a backwater. After a few wins, Carr gets a pay raise and a brandhelm to manage his career. However, he learns a secret that brings him close to a criminal conspiracy, and he can't see a way out. Lee creates a believable future world by attaching new surroundings to common experiences. Carr lives in the inner circle on a space station; the wealthy can afford outer apartments with views of Earth. Boxing keeps its familiar customs, such as loud announcers, title belts and trash-talking opponents, but includes weightless flying. As a sports hero, Carr copes with interviews and fans just as today's star athletes do. More interestingly, the book focuses on ethical issues such as the genetic modifications humans undertook to begin living on Mars and promotes social awareness, focusing on Carr's humble beginnings and his still-impoverished young friend, Enzo. It all adds up to a superior sci-fi outing that doesn't need mad scientists to provide suspense. Top-notch science fiction and a great sports novel too. (Science fiction. 12-18)

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March 1, 2015

Gr 8 Up-Carr Luka is the king of the Cube, a zero gravity cage fight arena. In his upcoming championship fight, Luka will represent Terrans against a Martian colony and his supporters will cheer, "Make him float!" highlighting the grisly implications of a knockout. Luka's confidence is shaken, however, when a visit to his mother reveals that his physical prowess is a result of illegal genetic enhancements, making his participation in the sport potentially criminal. Zeroboxer is a delicious mix of two genres: sports and science fiction. The colony rivalry and futuristic details are riveting, and martial arts followers hungering for fight action will not be disappointed. The main character develops a romantic relationship with his brandhelm (publicist) and wrestles with a sense of betrayal by his Uncle Polly and his mother who have always known he was genetically enhanced and hid this from him. Luka also experiences self-doubt as he wonders whether his success is due to his training and hard work or simply to his genetic destiny. This work adeptly combines elements of futuristic TV shows, such as Gattaca (genetics) and Battlestar Gallactica (Terran colonies), and sports program such as Tap Out. VERDICT This gripping sci-fi novel will have teens screaming for a sequel.-Leah Krippner, Harlem High School, Machesney Park, IL

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