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popthebutterfly's review against another edition
5.0
Disclaimer: I received this arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Knockout
Author: Sajni Patel
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Indian MC and characters, Filipina character, Hawaiian side character, Diabetes character
Recommended For...: young adult readers, contemporary, romance, muay thai, badass female characters
Publication Date: January 27, 2021
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, gore, romance, sexual content, bullying, lesphobic comments, dieting, weight)
Explanation of CWs: The book focuses on a Muay Thai competitor, so there is violence and very slight gore in discussion with her fighting. There’s also some discussion on dieting and her weight in relation to her competing. The book also focuses on the main character’s romance, so there’s insta-love romance in the book and very slight sexual content. The book shows bullying, which is dealt with, and has a couple of lesphobic comments, which are also dealt with very quickly.
Publisher: Flux
Pages: 358
Synopsis: If seventeen-year-old Kareena Thakkar is going to alienate herself from the entire Indian community, she might as well do it gloriously. She’s landed the chance of a lifetime, an invitation to the US Muay Thai Open, which could lead to a spot on the first-ever Olympic team. If only her sport wasn’t seen as something too rough for girls, something she’s afraid to share with anyone outside of her family. Despite pleasing her parents, exceling at school, and making plans to get her family out of debt, Kareena’s never felt quite Indian enough, and her training is only making it worse.
Which is inconvenient, since she’s starting to fall for Amit Patel, who just might be the world’s most perfect Indian. Admitting her feelings for Amit will cost Kareena more than just her pride–she’ll have to face his parents’ disapproval, battle her own insecurities, and remain focused for the big fight. Kareena’s bid for the Olympics could very well make history–if she has the courage to go for it.
Review: I loved this book so so much! The book shows a very strong female character who’s a Muay Thai competitor and I loved that the book went into the MC’s culture and how she comes back into it after being separated from it due to her sport, but not trading away any part of her sport or personality in the process of coming back. The book is a phenomenal contemporary read and I can’t believe that I’ve not heard more about it. The character development is great. The world building is great. The pacing is well done. The plot is sound. And it’s honestly one of the best contemporaries I’ve read ever. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
The only issue I had with the book is that it got a bit too long winded in the middle, but it quickly cleared up towards the end.
Verdict: Highly recommend! I loved it!
Book: The Knockout
Author: Sajni Patel
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Indian MC and characters, Filipina character, Hawaiian side character, Diabetes character
Recommended For...: young adult readers, contemporary, romance, muay thai, badass female characters
Publication Date: January 27, 2021
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
Recommended Age: 14+ (violence, gore, romance, sexual content, bullying, lesphobic comments, dieting, weight)
Explanation of CWs: The book focuses on a Muay Thai competitor, so there is violence and very slight gore in discussion with her fighting. There’s also some discussion on dieting and her weight in relation to her competing. The book also focuses on the main character’s romance, so there’s insta-love romance in the book and very slight sexual content. The book shows bullying, which is dealt with, and has a couple of lesphobic comments, which are also dealt with very quickly.
Publisher: Flux
Pages: 358
Synopsis: If seventeen-year-old Kareena Thakkar is going to alienate herself from the entire Indian community, she might as well do it gloriously. She’s landed the chance of a lifetime, an invitation to the US Muay Thai Open, which could lead to a spot on the first-ever Olympic team. If only her sport wasn’t seen as something too rough for girls, something she’s afraid to share with anyone outside of her family. Despite pleasing her parents, exceling at school, and making plans to get her family out of debt, Kareena’s never felt quite Indian enough, and her training is only making it worse.
Which is inconvenient, since she’s starting to fall for Amit Patel, who just might be the world’s most perfect Indian. Admitting her feelings for Amit will cost Kareena more than just her pride–she’ll have to face his parents’ disapproval, battle her own insecurities, and remain focused for the big fight. Kareena’s bid for the Olympics could very well make history–if she has the courage to go for it.
Review: I loved this book so so much! The book shows a very strong female character who’s a Muay Thai competitor and I loved that the book went into the MC’s culture and how she comes back into it after being separated from it due to her sport, but not trading away any part of her sport or personality in the process of coming back. The book is a phenomenal contemporary read and I can’t believe that I’ve not heard more about it. The character development is great. The world building is great. The pacing is well done. The plot is sound. And it’s honestly one of the best contemporaries I’ve read ever. I can’t wait to read more from this author.
The only issue I had with the book is that it got a bit too long winded in the middle, but it quickly cleared up towards the end.
Verdict: Highly recommend! I loved it!
lani38's review against another edition
3.0
This girl has got serious issues. I liked the book itself, but the girl was kind of annoying with her continuously thinking the worst of people. Liked the guy, tho he was incredibly unrealistic. Like the feminism. If the book had started a few weeks prior to the start, it would’ve been much better!
3
3
mssweenlsn's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.75
lucyebradley7's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
hobbithopeful's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
READ THIS BOOK Y'ALL!
A story filled with heart, girl power, and going after your dreams, The Knockout is one of the best ya debut novels that I've ever read!
Kareena having such passion and drive, and then feeling like she has to hide what she does because of the misogyny in the Indian community to women in contact sports was written so well. I adored how her parents had her back and were just so proud of her. Her struggle with feeling a disconnect from her culture is one I am all too familiar with, I saw so much of myself in her character.
I really loved everything about this book, but the badass fmc was probably my favorite part. It was so cool to see a spotlight on female athletes and the community they form with each other.
I was curious to see where it went with Amit, and it was so sweet to see how smitten with each other they become.
It was so absolutely refreshing to see a supportive parents in a book! Not just oh we don't support you but we will after character development, but from page one being Kareena's number one fans! I honestly couldn't tell you how often I teared up reading this, not because it made me sad, but because everyone was so supportive and encouraging to her!
Favorites: Girls supporting girls, supportive parents, muscles are beautiful
Least Favorite: (nothing!)
I am still reeling from the fact that this is Sajni Patel's FIRST YA NOVEL! Like okay talent! I can't wait to read other books by her, I love her writing style and how she tells a story. This is a MUST read!
A story filled with heart, girl power, and going after your dreams, The Knockout is one of the best ya debut novels that I've ever read!
Kareena having such passion and drive, and then feeling like she has to hide what she does because of the misogyny in the Indian community to women in contact sports was written so well. I adored how her parents had her back and were just so proud of her. Her struggle with feeling a disconnect from her culture is one I am all too familiar with, I saw so much of myself in her character.
I really loved everything about this book, but the badass fmc was probably my favorite part. It was so cool to see a spotlight on female athletes and the community they form with each other.
I was curious to see where it went with Amit, and it was so sweet to see how smitten with each other they become.
It was so absolutely refreshing to see a supportive parents in a book! Not just oh we don't support you but we will after character development, but from page one being Kareena's number one fans! I honestly couldn't tell you how often I teared up reading this, not because it made me sad, but because everyone was so supportive and encouraging to her!
Favorites: Girls supporting girls, supportive parents, muscles are beautiful
Least Favorite: (nothing!)
I am still reeling from the fact that this is Sajni Patel's FIRST YA NOVEL! Like okay talent! I can't wait to read other books by her, I love her writing style and how she tells a story. This is a MUST read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Misogyny, Bullying, and Chronic illness
cecireda's review against another edition
5.0
4.5
I really enjoyed this one. I started it thinking it was a new adult book so was a bit surprised the characters were actually teenagers but that’s okay.
I liked the characters and I really liked the romance. It had some small conflict without being miscommunication, as it usually is in ya romance books, so that’s a big plus.
The romantic interest was so cute and I loved him and his support for the main character.
Also really enjoyed the whole letting go of people who make you feel bad thing. Unfortunately in YA books is not always the way things end. Some people are just mean and don’t deserve you and this book dealt well with this.
I really enjoyed this one. I started it thinking it was a new adult book so was a bit surprised the characters were actually teenagers but that’s okay.
I liked the characters and I really liked the romance. It had some small conflict without being miscommunication, as it usually is in ya romance books, so that’s a big plus.
The romantic interest was so cute and I loved him and his support for the main character.
Also really enjoyed the whole letting go of people who make you feel bad thing. Unfortunately in YA books is not always the way things end. Some people are just mean and don’t deserve you and this book dealt well with this.
janietheereader's review against another edition
2.0
2.5
I didn’t particularly like it this book- the writing isn’t great (a bit juvenile) and it’s a bit heavy on the teen drama (instalove, a lot of girl drama, and the “I’m not like other girls” trope in abundance). That being said, I think there is something to be said for the representation that this offers to the intersection of culture and gender and the acceptance of sports/female athletes.
I didn’t particularly like it this book- the writing isn’t great (a bit juvenile) and it’s a bit heavy on the teen drama (instalove, a lot of girl drama, and the “I’m not like other girls” trope in abundance). That being said, I think there is something to be said for the representation that this offers to the intersection of culture and gender and the acceptance of sports/female athletes.
tammys_readinglog's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
megs_s's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0