The boys of Kings Row bout with drama, rivalry, and romance in this original YA novel by The New York Times bestselling author Sarah Rees Brennan — inspired by the award-nominated comic series by C.S. Pacat and Johanna The Mad. Sixteen-year-old Nicholas Cox is the illegitimate son of a retired fencing champion who dreams of getting the proper training he could never afford. After earning a … proper training he could never afford. After earning a place on the elite Kings Row fencing team, Nicholas must prove himself to his rival, Seiji Katayma, and navigate the clashes, friendships, and relationships between his teammates on the road to state championships — where Nicholas might finally have the chance to spar with his golden-boy half-brother.
Fence: Striking Distance
Text and Illustration copyright: © 2020 BOOM! Studios
Fence(TM) and © 2020 C.S. Pacat
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“They might all be winners in the end”
Oh my gosh I loved this book!!! The “Fence” comics is my favorite comic book series and when I saw this spin off novel I HAD TO READ IT!! These characters are so fun. I love this world do much and I love how Sarah brought them further to life. This book is full of friendship and love and lots of good angst. I can not stop smiling. I never wanted it to end. I love these characters and their very different personalities. We have Seiji who is trying to figure himself out in his new environment with new teammates who want to be his friend. We have Nicholas who wants to become a better fencer and wants to be best friends with Seiji. The ever flirty Aiden who is finally getting a chance to show his best friend how he feels and of course Harvard the amazing captain who is trying to figure out how to date. This book was so much fun while also getting deep into these characters and their lives. You feel so connect to them and learn so much. It was incredible. I swooned and laughed and feel so in love. These boys have my heart and I am so excited for the next book!!!!! I miss this world already.
This book might be one of my absolute favourites this year!! Striking distance is surprisingly hilarious and also heartbreakingly sad. There were times when I didn’t know if I should laugh or cry.
I’m hurting and I’d give anything to read the 2nd book right now!!!!!!! And this one isn’t even out yet!!
I would highly recommend reading the comics before this one. It is so much better if you know the backstory. Unlike the comics, the amount of fencing in this book is really minimal. It focuses a lot more on team building and the individual relationships.
This book is written in multiple POV(Aiden, Harvard, Seiji and Nicholas) and I love that each character has a distinct voice. I knew Aiden and Harvard were going to break my heart. I hurt every time I read Aiden’s POV. The trope idiots-in-love? Aiden and Harvard are the reason this trope EXISTS!! Why?????Aiden is putting up a façade and pretending he isn’t hurting and Harvard is probably the sweetest person I’ve ever come across. How could you end it this way?? I’m so frustrated with these two!
Their story is only the beginning and I can already see this series is going to a huge slow burn. Seiji and Nicholas are progressing at a snail’s pace but I love them so much!! Seiji’s deadpan delivery is one of my favourite things ever. Seiji is adorable. I’m super glad we are getting more graphic novels too in addition to these. Give me the next book ASAP!!
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review
This was a mixed bag as far as reviewing went, but ultimately I enjoyed the experience. I *love* Fence, but feel like the comic has been so slow and I am impatient, so when I saw this novel existed, I was stoked! The writing style was *really stilted* and the characters a little flat/awkward, but gosh am I a sucker for a friends to lovers with a fake dating trope, and make it queer? Yes, please. I got all the feels at the end, and I’m excited to pick up the next one, so I’m willing to overlook the awkward writing.