Reviews

A nice finale for this series. Although none of the following books had quite the lasting impact of Ghost, I enjoyed reading from the perspectives of other track team members and seeing the struggles that each of them faced. I had my doubts about whether I would like a story centered on Lu based on what had been previously relayed about him, but it was a pleasant surprise to see how he fully embraced improving himself to become a true leader.

andrea_lachance's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

As the last book in the track series, I wish that the ending resolved. I think this is the strongest entry after ghost, especially in terms of tying all the characters together narratively and thematically.

The connection between Whit, Coach, and Lu’s father is really interesting. Ultimately, I think the message of found family and using sports to work through trauma ((or that issues with performance can’t be resolved until the underlying issues are addressed)) was a good message for kids to understand that behavior is a manifestation of past experience.

I really wish there was a little more, like at least I want to see the team win, but that’s not what these books are ultimately about.

jenmangler's review against another edition

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4.0

That last chapter...what a beautiful way to end the series! I'm going to miss Ghost, Patty, Sunny, Lu, and Coach so much. I adore each of the Defenders, and I love the family they've built. I cannot recommend the Track series enough.

mariahistryingtoread's review against another edition

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3.0

The conclusion to the Track series was anti-climactic.

We get a random backstory to Coach that felt incongruous with the rest of the book. After all this time picturing him as John Witherspoon - something I believe Guy Lockard encourages with his vocal direction - it turns out he's a lot younger than I thought and apparently has a baby son that was just born? Completely blew my mind nothing about a pregnant wife was mentioned in a previous book.

The fight between Lu and the other kid (I do not recall his name) about being the sole track captain is finished with a whimper. They just suddenly respect one another. Even though Lu literally was being bullied by him which - to me - should have been enough to demote the kid or kick him off the team, but Coach was fine since he and Lu 'are the same' and they just didn't realize it.

Lu's story ended up being the least interesting of the whole bunch for me. In spite of how interesting a drug dealing fathers' past coming back to haunt him sounds on paper, it played out in a very detached way due to the writing style. It was the literary equivalent to sitting in a room with your friend who is reading a newspaper, and they say 'oh, it's supposed to rain tomorrow' and you quietly lift your head from your knitting to glance at them before going back to your knitting.

There is technically a continuous narrative here that you might want to see through, but honestly I'd say stop at Sunny or even as far back as Ghost, and you'll have a better time overall. I wish the series had been all about Ghost honestly as the chopped up story beats made me feel like none of these characters are actually experiencing any growth despite there being four separate books where they are featured.