Author: Jay Sandlin
Illustrator: Patrick Mulholland
Publisher: Mad Cave Studios / Maverick

Life’s a pitch for teen football star Adrian "Colombian Cannon" Molina. With his powerful shot, he seems a shoe-in for the European junior league. When a Regents United elite prep school scout offers him a full scholarship, the news seems too good to be true. Adrian's celebration is short lived thanks to his meeting with team star, Titan Evans. Titan is everything Adrian is not; rich, powerful and connected. Despite that, Titan sees the Colombian Cannon as a threat to his domination on the pitch. Hallway brawls, threatening notes and constant bullying from Titan and his cronies consume Adrian’s new life along with crippling anxiety attacks thanks to the fear of losing his spot on the team.

Soccer and graphic novel fans will love the excellent illustration and high-action story.

They’ll also smile over some good lines like an announcer’s “Someone ring the Royal Air Force. Regent’s captain just turned the ball into a UFO!”

Hispanic readers will especially appreciate the Colombian hero and sprinkling of Spanish dialogue. And the LGBTQ+ community may appreciate the “coming out” of a minor character.

Unfortunately, the plot itself is a little worn and unoriginal: a rich, handsome, super-entitled guy with a pushy father (who threatens not to donate to the school if his son isn’t given preferential treatment) against a naïve but talented newcomer (the protagonist). A coach who thinks that threatening to fire players will motivate them. A manipulative girl who comes on fast in order to boost her social media following. Parents who are so perfect that one has to raise an eyebrow. Competing scouts (one with a major ego), excitable announcers and international travel.

There are no surprises in the dots connecting these plot points. But most readers won’t care, because there is lots of sports action, authentic teen-player angst and a protagonist who learns that “win or lose, always be who you are.”

- Pam Withers