A review by runningonwords415
Rez Ball by Byron Graves

hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

It was so fun to read about Tre’s rise to fame on the Warriors basketball team. The scenes of the basketball games were action packed and really moved the book along, I was having a hard time before the season started to get into the book. The minor characters are helpful but forgetful, but too many loose ends to the story to really love the whole picture. It really bothered me how few repercussions Tre experienced for his missteps, but that being said, after recently speaking with someone who lives on a reservation, it feels more real than not. This acquaintance shared that because everyone is basically, or actually, is family, you can get away with a lot of things (like underage drinking or breaking the law), for better or for worse, especially if you’re talented (she was actually talking about a local  basketball star, too). So while I read Tre’s conversation with Mr. Thomas through that lens, it wasn’t explained that way in the story, which would have helped the slap on the wrist he got make more sense to readers.