Heather M O'Connor
The Betting Game
Jack and his brother, Alex, both play for and elite soccer academy with an eye to being moved to the pros one day. Both are excellent players, but Jack has an unusual edge in that he can plan out the entire game, play for play, in his head. This makes him great at fantasy soccer where he almost never loses. Jack’s part time job with the academy’s pro team and has taught him a lot about the various players and their abilities – another plus when playing fantasy soccer.
When his dad introduces Jack to Luka, a rich young man with a keen interest in soccer, Jack is flattered to be asked about his job. He is more than willing to tell Luka all about the players, their injuries, recoveries and potential in each game.
Then a new player with an attitude joins his team, leaving Jack miffed and angry and creating a rift between him and his brother. Luka’s interest in him becomes even more valuable. One thing leads to another and before long Jack is immersed in a world he never knew existed.
The reader, too, becomes immersed in this world.
I don’t know much about soccer and as such was wondering what some of the terminology meant but this did not detract too much from my enjoyment of the story. Perhaps a glossary describing some of the soccer terms may have helped.
O’Connor has obviously done her homework in researching soccer and the seedier side of the game. The characters come across as quite believable and I must accept the premise that after all that research, her description of the game, both the good and the bad, are accurate. The story moves at a good pace and the action is ongoing enticing the reader ever onward to the next page.
This story would appeal to all soccer players and fans as well as to those interested in a good, quick read
When his dad introduces Jack to Luka, a rich young man with a keen interest in soccer, Jack is flattered to be asked about his job. He is more than willing to tell Luka all about the players, their injuries, recoveries and potential in each game.
Then a new player with an attitude joins his team, leaving Jack miffed and angry and creating a rift between him and his brother. Luka’s interest in him becomes even more valuable. One thing leads to another and before long Jack is immersed in a world he never knew existed.
The reader, too, becomes immersed in this world.
I don’t know much about soccer and as such was wondering what some of the terminology meant but this did not detract too much from my enjoyment of the story. Perhaps a glossary describing some of the soccer terms may have helped.
O’Connor has obviously done her homework in researching soccer and the seedier side of the game. The characters come across as quite believable and I must accept the premise that after all that research, her description of the game, both the good and the bad, are accurate. The story moves at a good pace and the action is ongoing enticing the reader ever onward to the next page.
This story would appeal to all soccer players and fans as well as to those interested in a good, quick read