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carolineroche's review against another edition
5.0
Another excellent book from Alan Gibbons. And sadly topical, as I write it on the day the first ever teacher in Britain has been killed in her own classroom by a pupil. Although this story isn't about that theme, it is about violence, guns and hopelessness. The hero - if hero he is - is caught in a trap. He lives on a dead-end estate, overrun with gangs. He wants something better, to escape the gangs, but finds himself inevitably drawn deeper and deeper into a world of guns and violence. This is a bleak subject - but Gibbons is unafraid to look the subject in the face without romanticising it. Despite the subject matter the book does give you hope - but not in a folksy, rose tinted way, but hope that people can rise above their circumstances. I loved it - and the boys in my school will too.
kba76's review against another edition
3.0
A bleak read, but a necessary one. Ethan comes close to losing his integrity when he tries to sort out the mess his brother, Alex, has got into. At times, this was unpleasant reading.
deb_reads_books's review
4.0
More Realistic Fiction from top UK author Alan Gibbons. He excels at this genre and speaks to those who probably wouldn't go near a book even if you paid them: those young people who feel disengaged from life, school, the world around them and feel they have no voice. He connects with them, often via football (Alan is a passionate supporter) and he speaks the language of the streets, a rare skill. I won't repeat this book's blurb, read the Goodreads blurb (or my blog - shameless plug) but do discover Alan's books if you haven't done so already. This one deals with families, choices, loyalty, and gangs and of course, football. If you like Alex Wheatley's books, you'll like Alan's books too.
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