My Rating ~ Five Stars

RELEASE DATE: 11 February 2021

Format: Paperback

Publisher: Walker Books

Pages: 350

Blurb

All it takes is one hit on the football field, and suddenly Ash’s life doesn’t look quite the way he remembers it.

Impossible though it seems, he’s been hit into another dimension—and keeps on bouncing through worlds that are almost-but-not-really his own.

The changes start small, but they quickly spiral out of control as Ash slides into universes where he has everything he’s ever wanted, universes where society is stuck in the past…universes where he finds himself looking at life through entirely different eyes.

And if he isn’t careful, the world he’s learning to see more clearly could blink out of existence…

Review

Thank you to Walker Books for providing me with a copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review!

Ash is just an every day guy. Hanging out with his mates, being annoyed by his brother and playing high school football. That is until one tackle seems to shift the world sideways. Suddenly there are subtle, but important, differences that everyone else takes for granted. He’s sure stop signs were always red, so why are they now blue? And why does everyone insist they’ve always been that way? As more football games bring more hard tackles, the world shifts again and again. Sometimes the universe is different, sometimes he is. And often, he’s left more aware of his previous lack of understanding towards certain people or societal flaws.

I’m always on the look out for books that are different to anything else I’ve read and Game Changer certainly fit the bill! Part sci-fi, part lesson in humanity, I loved following Ash on his increasingly desperate race to prevent disaster. I especially enjoyed that each shift brought both a downfall and something positive for Ash (and the world in general), showing the reality that the world will never be perfect, we just have to strive to make it as good as we can, with the time we have.

I love Neal Shusterman’s writing and although Game Changer is a little different to some of his previous books, he still absolutely nailed the thought provoking style he is known for. A fast paced read with some memorable characters, this is one that should be on everyone’s radar! If you’re worried football isn’t your thing, I can assure you no knowledge of football is required to enjoy this book (I have zero interest in football or sports in general and this did not come across as a ‘football book’).