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Game Changer
"A timely, speculative thought experiment in perspective, privilege, and identity." — Kirkus "The conceit behind Shusterman’s latest is truly unique. While it exhibits the author’s usual storytelling aplomb, it also manages to delve into more serious and timely subject matter, such as racism, sexism, and homophobia. Despite these heavy topics, the story still moves at a lively pace and, thanks to a zany sci-fi twist, manages to pack in a few laughs as well." — Booklist All it takes is one hit on the football field, and suddenly Ash’s life doesn’t look quite the way he remembers it. Impossible though it seems, he’s been hit into another dimension—and keeps on bouncing through worlds that are almost-but-not-really his own. The changes start small, but they quickly spiral out of control as Ash slides into universes where he has everything he’s ever wanted, universes where society is stuck in the past…universes where he finds himself looking at life through entirely different eyes. And if he isn’t careful, the world he’s learning to see more clearly could blink out of existence… This high-concept novel from the National Book Award-winning and New York Times -bestselling author of the Arc of a Scythe series tackles the most urgent themes of our time, making this a must-buy for readers who are starting to ask big questions about their own role in the universe.
416 pages, Paperback
First published February 9, 2021
488 people are currently reading
15730 people want to read
About the author
Neal Shusterman
92 books29.5k followersAward-winning author Neal Shusterman grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where he began writing at an early age. After spending his junior and senior years of high school at the American School of Mexico City, Neal went on to UC Irvine, where he made his mark on the UCI swim team, and wrote a successful humor column. Within a year of graduating, he had his first book deal, and was hired to write a movie script.
In the years since, Neal has made his mark as a successful novelist, screenwriter, and television writer. As a full-time writer, he claims to be his own hardest task-master, always at work creating new stories to tell. His books have received many awards from organizations such as the International Reading Association, and the American Library Association, as well as garnering a myriad of state and local awards across the country. Neal's talents range from film directing (two short films he directed won him the coveted CINE Golden Eagle Awards) to writing music and stage plays – including book and lyrical contributions to “American Twistory,” which is currently playing in Boston. He has even tried his hand at creating Games, having developed three successful "How to Host a Mystery" game for teens, as well as seven "How to Host a Murder" games.
As a screen and TV writer, Neal has written for the "Goosebumps" and “Animorphs” TV series, and wrote the Disney Channel Original Movie “Pixel Perfect”. Currently Neal is adapting his novel Everlost as a feature film for Universal Studios.
Wherever Neal goes, he quickly earns a reputation as a storyteller and dynamic speaker. Much of his fiction is traceable back to stories he tells to large audiences of children and teenagers -- such as his novel The Eyes of Kid Midas. As a speaker, Neal is in constant demand at schools and conferences. Degrees in both psychology and drama give Neal a unique approach to writing. Neal's novels always deal with topics that appeal to adults as well as teens, weaving true-to-life characters into sensitive and riveting issues, and binding it all together with a unique and entertaining sense of humor.
Of Everlost, School Library Journal wrote: “Shusterman has reimagined what happens after death and questions power and the meaning of charity. While all this is going on, he has also managed to write a rip-roaring adventure…”
Of What Daddy Did, Voice of Youth Advocates wrote; "This is a compelling, spell-binding story... A stunning novel, impossible to put down once begun.
Of The Schwa Was Here, School Library Journal wrote: “Shusterman's characters–reminiscent of those crafted by E. L. Konigsburg and Jerry Spinelli–are infused with the kind of controlled, precocious improbability that magically vivifies the finest children's classics.
Of Scorpion Shards, Publisher's Weekly wrote: "Shusterman takes an outlandish comic-book concept, and, through the sheer audacity and breadth of his imagination makes it stunningly believable. A spellbinder."
And of The Eyes of Kid Midas, The Midwest Book Review wrote "This wins our vote as one of the best young-adult titles of the year" and was called "Inspired and hypnotically readable" by School Library Journal.
Neal Shusterman lives in Southern California with his children Brendan, Jarrod, Joelle, and Erin, who are a constant source of inspiration!
In the years since, Neal has made his mark as a successful novelist, screenwriter, and television writer. As a full-time writer, he claims to be his own hardest task-master, always at work creating new stories to tell. His books have received many awards from organizations such as the International Reading Association, and the American Library Association, as well as garnering a myriad of state and local awards across the country. Neal's talents range from film directing (two short films he directed won him the coveted CINE Golden Eagle Awards) to writing music and stage plays – including book and lyrical contributions to “American Twistory,” which is currently playing in Boston. He has even tried his hand at creating Games, having developed three successful "How to Host a Mystery" game for teens, as well as seven "How to Host a Murder" games.
As a screen and TV writer, Neal has written for the "Goosebumps" and “Animorphs” TV series, and wrote the Disney Channel Original Movie “Pixel Perfect”. Currently Neal is adapting his novel Everlost as a feature film for Universal Studios.
Wherever Neal goes, he quickly earns a reputation as a storyteller and dynamic speaker. Much of his fiction is traceable back to stories he tells to large audiences of children and teenagers -- such as his novel The Eyes of Kid Midas. As a speaker, Neal is in constant demand at schools and conferences. Degrees in both psychology and drama give Neal a unique approach to writing. Neal's novels always deal with topics that appeal to adults as well as teens, weaving true-to-life characters into sensitive and riveting issues, and binding it all together with a unique and entertaining sense of humor.
Of Everlost, School Library Journal wrote: “Shusterman has reimagined what happens after death and questions power and the meaning of charity. While all this is going on, he has also managed to write a rip-roaring adventure…”
Of What Daddy Did, Voice of Youth Advocates wrote; "This is a compelling, spell-binding story... A stunning novel, impossible to put down once begun.
Of The Schwa Was Here, School Library Journal wrote: “Shusterman's characters–reminiscent of those crafted by E. L. Konigsburg and Jerry Spinelli–are infused with the kind of controlled, precocious improbability that magically vivifies the finest children's classics.
Of Scorpion Shards, Publisher's Weekly wrote: "Shusterman takes an outlandish comic-book concept, and, through the sheer audacity and breadth of his imagination makes it stunningly believable. A spellbinder."
And of The Eyes of Kid Midas, The Midwest Book Review wrote "This wins our vote as one of the best young-adult titles of the year" and was called "Inspired and hypnotically readable" by School Library Journal.
Neal Shusterman lives in Southern California with his children Brendan, Jarrod, Joelle, and Erin, who are a constant source of inspiration!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,791 reviews
February 18, 2021
2.5 stars
It's understandable that a lot of authors are now grappling with the hot button issues in the world - racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. and want to express their new found feelings in their works. And a lot of these authors haven't exactly written on theses topics much before, like Shusterman. As you can imagine, these earnest works are... a mixed bag.
Game Changer is a well-intentioned novel in which the author tried to address many ills of the current time, but he might have missed, in his zeal to condemn all the -isms, to notice that this book is basically a white savior narrative where a young, white, straight, popular football player mansplains a lot.
Yes, I am a bit touchy on the subject, and maybe when I see more of the reviews when this book comes out, I will be proven to be unreasonably harsh, but at this moment I am wondering who is the intended audience of this book.
Shusterman undoubtedly can pen a compulsively readable story, that's why I read it relatively quickly, but I cringed a lot too.
Here is the gist - 17-year old Ash, while playing football, gets a concussion that gives him a strange power. Every time he is concussed, he can alter the universe. It starts small - at first, he just changes the color of stop signs, from red to blue. In the next world, his father becomes a successful football player making Ash a rich boy. However, in the next AU, Ash finds himself in a world where segregation is legal. And here is where this book started to lose me. As Ash moves from one AU to the next, he starts learning, through his personal experiences only, what racism, misogyny and homophobia are. You see, he starts understanding these issues only when they personally affect him, never from what he's seen and heard before in his first life. And, as any white savior story arc goes, he becomes a champion, an advocate, a respected and lauded HERO because he stands up to the bad things. He explains to us, readers, how much he, the white guy, knows about the suffering of people of color, queer people and women. You can guess how the novel ends.
I don't know, maybe I am wrong, and maybe there are readers who need to read story of a white guy finally understanding how others suffer and single-handedly saving the world. I am not one of those readers. Not right now. You got to read the room better, Neal.
It's understandable that a lot of authors are now grappling with the hot button issues in the world - racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. and want to express their new found feelings in their works. And a lot of these authors haven't exactly written on theses topics much before, like Shusterman. As you can imagine, these earnest works are... a mixed bag.
Game Changer is a well-intentioned novel in which the author tried to address many ills of the current time, but he might have missed, in his zeal to condemn all the -isms, to notice that this book is basically a white savior narrative where a young, white, straight, popular football player mansplains a lot.
Yes, I am a bit touchy on the subject, and maybe when I see more of the reviews when this book comes out, I will be proven to be unreasonably harsh, but at this moment I am wondering who is the intended audience of this book.
Shusterman undoubtedly can pen a compulsively readable story, that's why I read it relatively quickly, but I cringed a lot too.
Here is the gist - 17-year old Ash, while playing football, gets a concussion that gives him a strange power. Every time he is concussed, he can alter the universe. It starts small - at first, he just changes the color of stop signs, from red to blue. In the next world, his father becomes a successful football player making Ash a rich boy. However, in the next AU, Ash finds himself in a world where segregation is legal. And here is where this book started to lose me. As Ash moves from one AU to the next, he starts learning, through his personal experiences only, what racism, misogyny and homophobia are. You see, he starts understanding these issues only when they personally affect him, never from what he's seen and heard before in his first life. And, as any white savior story arc goes, he becomes a champion, an advocate, a respected and lauded HERO because he stands up to the bad things. He explains to us, readers, how much he, the white guy, knows about the suffering of people of color, queer people and women. You can guess how the novel ends.
I don't know, maybe I am wrong, and maybe there are readers who need to read story of a white guy finally understanding how others suffer and single-handedly saving the world. I am not one of those readers. Not right now. You got to read the room better, Neal.
December 16, 2020
Ash is a normal (white privileged) high-school student. He plays for his school American football team on Friday and then goes for burgers with his friends. During one game, something goes incredibly wrong. He is used to taking massive tackles from adversaries, but when he is slumped against the field and bumps his head, he feels something is different. He dismisses the headache and concussion scare as normality, considering the sport. He starts to slowly notice that after this tackle a few things changed in his reality. Soon Ash discovers he has entered an alternate universe, and he has to find a way to bring his life and his friends back to “normality”.
I had to think about this book for a while and I also read others reviews. I know this book will be problematic for some readers and I expect lots of heated debates about it in the readers/bloggers community. I personally enjoyed this book and I have a positive opinion about this story. I think, sometimes we tend to read too much into a story and we miss the big picture.
I don’t think this is simply a story about a white privileged guy who wants to save the world from racism, homophobia or sexual violence as I saw it described in a few reviews. I really doubt this was the writer’s intentions.
I think this is a story about a guy who wants to save the world – his own world. His world with his best friends, his family, his brother and all the people he loves in it. Because at the end Ash himself says
“I would never truly be able to see things from his point of view”
referring to his best friend Leo, who is black. He also says
“[…] at least I was no longer a carrier in the epidemic of ignorance.”
And that’s it. It’s about recognising that as white privileged people, we will never fully understand minorities’ perspective, but at least we shouldn’t live in ignorance and pretend racism, homophobia or even sexual violence don’t exist.
In the end, I prefer looking at the big picture and focusing more on the final message from Ash, that makes me fully appreciate this story. That we are all part of something “universally” bigger than what we can fully understand, there are bigger forces at play and beyond us. The best we can do is to live a humble life and be kind to each other.
Because “basically, we are idiots from a universal perspective.”
You can read this review and more on the Monogamist Reader Blog
I had to think about this book for a while and I also read others reviews. I know this book will be problematic for some readers and I expect lots of heated debates about it in the readers/bloggers community. I personally enjoyed this book and I have a positive opinion about this story. I think, sometimes we tend to read too much into a story and we miss the big picture.
I don’t think this is simply a story about a white privileged guy who wants to save the world from racism, homophobia or sexual violence as I saw it described in a few reviews. I really doubt this was the writer’s intentions.
I think this is a story about a guy who wants to save the world – his own world. His world with his best friends, his family, his brother and all the people he loves in it. Because at the end Ash himself says
“I would never truly be able to see things from his point of view”
referring to his best friend Leo, who is black. He also says
“[…] at least I was no longer a carrier in the epidemic of ignorance.”
And that’s it. It’s about recognising that as white privileged people, we will never fully understand minorities’ perspective, but at least we shouldn’t live in ignorance and pretend racism, homophobia or even sexual violence don’t exist.
In the end, I prefer looking at the big picture and focusing more on the final message from Ash, that makes me fully appreciate this story. That we are all part of something “universally” bigger than what we can fully understand, there are bigger forces at play and beyond us. The best we can do is to live a humble life and be kind to each other.
Because “basically, we are idiots from a universal perspective.”
You can read this review and more on the Monogamist Reader Blog
August 28, 2021
Is it possible for a book to be both too much and not enough?
Want to read
November 7, 2019No idea what this is beyond NEW NEAL SHUSTERMAN
February 11, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley and Quill Tree Books for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. I’ll post that full review upon publication.
For now, I will add that while I have thoroughly enjoyed many of Shusterman’s previous works, this one really rubbed me the wrong way. I will get into detail about why in the forthcoming review, but I do not recommend this novel, even to incoming fans of this author.
Updated 2/11/21
I am a huge fan of several of Shusterman's works, and I am constantly recommending them to students in my college-level children's literature courses. My vocal love for/interest in these works is what also accounts for my shock at the quality and content of this one.
This book did not work for me, so much so that I actually found it offensive. The main character - Ashley, who usually goes by Ash - is a white, cis, male identifying high schooler who is best known for his prowess on the football field. THIS is whose story I need more of now? Yeesh. Readers learn - not long into the novel - that this character has "now become the center of the universe," which feels disappointing and on brand for this archetype, not revolutionary at all.
The idea that the universe centers on this kid - with this particular set of identities - is fine (if a little too real), but his "wise" pontifications and his young mansplaining of everything from what felt like the perspective of a great grandpa on a porch swing was weird and creepy to me. Sometimes, I get essays from very new college students that include the word "Nowadays," and this odd juxtaposition of a young but falsely wise speaker gave me strong "Nowadays" vibes: very bad.
I did not appreciate the content of any of Ash's revelations. He apparently is no longer under the veil of ignorance. It is Ash who can save us all. Thankfully, we have him to explain the experience of women, people of color, and queer people. WHAT?!
When I next tout the greatness of Shusterman's novels to my students, I will now - sadly - add a strong caveat: all but this one. I'll come back to Shusterman's work, but this made me sad and grossed me out a lot.
For now, I will add that while I have thoroughly enjoyed many of Shusterman’s previous works, this one really rubbed me the wrong way. I will get into detail about why in the forthcoming review, but I do not recommend this novel, even to incoming fans of this author.
Updated 2/11/21
I am a huge fan of several of Shusterman's works, and I am constantly recommending them to students in my college-level children's literature courses. My vocal love for/interest in these works is what also accounts for my shock at the quality and content of this one.
This book did not work for me, so much so that I actually found it offensive. The main character - Ashley, who usually goes by Ash - is a white, cis, male identifying high schooler who is best known for his prowess on the football field. THIS is whose story I need more of now? Yeesh. Readers learn - not long into the novel - that this character has "now become the center of the universe," which feels disappointing and on brand for this archetype, not revolutionary at all.
The idea that the universe centers on this kid - with this particular set of identities - is fine (if a little too real), but his "wise" pontifications and his young mansplaining of everything from what felt like the perspective of a great grandpa on a porch swing was weird and creepy to me. Sometimes, I get essays from very new college students that include the word "Nowadays," and this odd juxtaposition of a young but falsely wise speaker gave me strong "Nowadays" vibes: very bad.
I did not appreciate the content of any of Ash's revelations. He apparently is no longer under the veil of ignorance. It is Ash who can save us all. Thankfully, we have him to explain the experience of women, people of color, and queer people. WHAT?!
When I next tout the greatness of Shusterman's novels to my students, I will now - sadly - add a strong caveat: all but this one. I'll come back to Shusterman's work, but this made me sad and grossed me out a lot.
February 21, 2021
updated 2/20/21 After having some more in depth discussions with friends and having access to the author commentary at the back of some editions I am raising my star rating by 1 star. I am now sitting at a 3 star rating and I feel good about that.
*for fans of Dark Matter by Blake Crouch, and Every Day by David Leviathan*
tw/cw: racism (challenged), racial slurs, racist microaggressions (challenged), racial segregation, white supremacy (challenged), assault, sexism (challenged), unjust incarceration, gaslighting, abusive relationship (both emotionally and physically), discrimination based on race, gender, and sexual orientation (challenged), homophobia (challenged), forced outing of gay character, hate crimes, attempted murder, blood, PTSD, death of a loved one, drug use (off page), selling drugs
I see what Shusterman was trying to do, but I don't think it was quite so successful.
For trying to tackle racism, homophobia, sexism, etc. I think there was too much time spent with the issues of Katie and Landon (head cheerleader and football quarterback) and what may or may not be happening between them. That is also an important topic, and I do not think it was handled well at all. There were too many issues being addressed without enough impact. That is why personally I am finding it harder and harder to read YA books that tackle issues like these.
I saw another reviewer (https://bit.ly/3pcDBz0) say that it was basically a "white savior narrative where a young, white, straight, popular football player mansplains a lot" and I think it 100% accurate. It was super cringe to read about someone pretending to know or understand the suffering of people of color, queer people, & women because they spent a few days as one.
I did appreciate how Shusterman went the extra mile to write about lesser known events in history, and lesser known people of color, etc. He's writing about the things they don't teach you in history class. The reason it's getting 2 stars is all due to the writing. Shusterman uses all the right words, phrases, sentences, and weaves them together into a masterpiece. I just wish the story itself was more thought out. Maybe a few more rounds of edits would have truly benefitted the message, because as it was it was quite unclear. Although I do think at its core its about empathy and kindness.
*for fans of Dark Matter by Blake Crouch, and Every Day by David Leviathan*
tw/cw: racism (challenged), racial slurs, racist microaggressions (challenged), racial segregation, white supremacy (challenged), assault, sexism (challenged), unjust incarceration, gaslighting, abusive relationship (both emotionally and physically), discrimination based on race, gender, and sexual orientation (challenged), homophobia (challenged), forced outing of gay character, hate crimes, attempted murder, blood, PTSD, death of a loved one, drug use (off page), selling drugs
I see what Shusterman was trying to do, but I don't think it was quite so successful.
For trying to tackle racism, homophobia, sexism, etc. I think there was too much time spent with the issues of Katie and Landon (head cheerleader and football quarterback) and what may or may not be happening between them. That is also an important topic, and I do not think it was handled well at all. There were too many issues being addressed without enough impact. That is why personally I am finding it harder and harder to read YA books that tackle issues like these.
I saw another reviewer (https://bit.ly/3pcDBz0) say that it was basically a "white savior narrative where a young, white, straight, popular football player mansplains a lot" and I think it 100% accurate. It was super cringe to read about someone pretending to know or understand the suffering of people of color, queer people, & women because they spent a few days as one.
I did appreciate how Shusterman went the extra mile to write about lesser known events in history, and lesser known people of color, etc. He's writing about the things they don't teach you in history class. The reason it's getting 2 stars is all due to the writing. Shusterman uses all the right words, phrases, sentences, and weaves them together into a masterpiece. I just wish the story itself was more thought out. Maybe a few more rounds of edits would have truly benefitted the message, because as it was it was quite unclear. Although I do think at its core its about empathy and kindness.
February 11, 2021
When I read the premise for this book, I was super intrigued and excited: a book about the multiverse from the same author who wrote the Arc of a Scythe series? Count. Me. In. Unfortunately, after reading this book, I'm left with a lot of mixed feelings about it.
This book is plagued by the same problems I had with The Toll in that I feel that the author, in his attempts to be progressive, tried to tackle important issues albeit unsuccessfully. Here there was a lot of emphasis put on the topics of sexism, homophobia, and racism but it all just felt very forced and underdeveloped. There was something about it that just didn't come together, at least for me.
I understand the whole "You can't understand a person until you walk in their shoes", but it just boggles my mind that Ash literally had to
Another huge problem I had was with the handling of Katie. Throughout the entirety of the story, it was clear that Katie was in an abusive relationship yet nothing was done about it. Other characters including Ash himself put blame on Katie for being in the position she was in. Not only that, but it seemed to be that the only reason why Ash even cared about Katie's relationship with Layton was because he was interested in Katie himself.
Again, while the concept of the book itself was fascinating and unique, the poor execution of this novel can be chalked up to the author wanting to tackle way too many social issues but not having the time to really give any of these issues the development/nuance they deserve.
This book is plagued by the same problems I had with The Toll in that I feel that the author, in his attempts to be progressive, tried to tackle important issues albeit unsuccessfully. Here there was a lot of emphasis put on the topics of sexism, homophobia, and racism but it all just felt very forced and underdeveloped. There was something about it that just didn't come together, at least for me.
I understand the whole "You can't understand a person until you walk in their shoes", but it just boggles my mind that Ash literally had to
Another huge problem I had was with the handling of Katie. Throughout the entirety of the story, it was clear that Katie was in an abusive relationship yet nothing was done about it. Other characters including Ash himself put blame on Katie for being in the position she was in. Not only that, but it seemed to be that the only reason why Ash even cared about Katie's relationship with Layton was because he was interested in Katie himself.
Again, while the concept of the book itself was fascinating and unique, the poor execution of this novel can be chalked up to the author wanting to tackle way too many social issues but not having the time to really give any of these issues the development/nuance they deserve.
February 21, 2021
Ouch.
White straight cis dude protagonist explaining PoC, queer people and women how their daily struggles are to fix. Shame, because I really like the author, but this book was so so insensitive with such important topics. I get why publishers might think it’s a good idea to go the »straight white awaking« road, but for me it’s just wrong. I’m just over this white-straight-dude saviour trope stuff.
I’m just so over white characters saving black characters or straight ones saving queer people. Or like in this book the white straight saviour being the shining hero for all the minorities... Just give us a voice and let our heroes save themselves.
White straight cis dude protagonist explaining PoC, queer people and women how their daily struggles are to fix. Shame, because I really like the author, but this book was so so insensitive with such important topics. I get why publishers might think it’s a good idea to go the »straight white awaking« road, but for me it’s just wrong. I’m just over this white-straight-dude saviour trope stuff.
I’m just so over white characters saving black characters or straight ones saving queer people. Or like in this book the white straight saviour being the shining hero for all the minorities... Just give us a voice and let our heroes save themselves.
February 24, 2025
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After reading all the books in the Arc of a Scythe series and loving them all, I couldn’t say no to a new Neal Shusterman book. After all, his writing is magnificent. I am so thankful to Hanna from SparkPoint Studio, for providing me with an e-arc Netgalley copy of Game Changer.
Synopsis:
Ash is a football player. And by football player, I mean hand-egg player. He plays rugby. You get my point. Anytime he takes a hit on the field, his life changes. He moves into another dimension, or an alternative reality, where things are slightly different from his previous reality.
At first, his changes are small and insignificant. However, they quickly turn into universes where society is stuck in the past and he finds himself looking at life with an entirely different perception.
And if he isn’t careful, the world he’s learning to see more clearly could blink out of existence…
My Thoughts:
The reason I loved all the Arc of a Scythe books were mainly because of Neal Shusterman’s writing, ability for storytelling and incredible world-building. The writing in Game Changer was great, and the idea about the alternative universes was phenomenal! I was hooked, and it was quite easy to get into. I read it very quickly and enjoyed reading it overall. However, the world building and the entire plot somewhat lacked purpose. This was the main thing I struggled with through the entire book.
Neal Shusterman takes on many important topics, and through Ash, he covers these as he moves into each alternate universe. He faces a world where segregation is normal. A world where his sexual orientation changes, and even a world where he wakes up one day as a woman. Alongside these changes, there are other changes as well, like drug dealing, trying to help a person that might be in an abusive relationship, even eliminating people along the way with no consequences.
All of these topics are extremely important, and each of these need to be talked about. There need to be books that cover these issues, and I am glad this book exists because of that reason. Because at least people, especially young readers, will be aware of these issues if they pick up this book. However, I think that because of the way this book was set up, and how quickly Ash moves from one universe to another, the issues don’t really get resolved. Even by the end, where he ends up being the hero, he hasn’t really fixed anything, or raised any awareness. It ends up with the “Meh, it could’ve been much worse (because I’ve been in the alternate universes, and trust me, I know)”. And this didn’t sit well with me at all.
I rooted for him to make a change for everyone that is impacted. Not just for himself, and when it affected him. I wanted him to fight for his best friend, when Leo got separated from him in the universe where segregation was legal. And I wanted him to keep fighting, but he didn’t really even try. And no, organising a high-school dance party that includes black people is not considered helping when one of your friends is in prison for no apparent reason. I just expected more from Ash…
However, considering how complicated of a character Ash is, and how much he seems to be unaware and uninterested in general issues, unless it directly affects him, it made me think that perhaps, this was Neal’s point all along? Create a character like him to provoke a discussion, provoke a reaction, and show us that we need to play our part in society as well if we want true changes. I want to think that this is the case, and for that, I would still recommend it to young readers.
Game Changer is nothing like the Arc of a Scythe series. But it will make you think about important topics such as racism and sexuality. Even though I wasn’t quite satisfied with Game Changer, I still think it’s a very important read. Especially for the current and future generations. And I hope that some day, this book will age in a way where the issues that are covered will be redundant.
After reading all the books in the Arc of a Scythe series and loving them all, I couldn’t say no to a new Neal Shusterman book. After all, his writing is magnificent. I am so thankful to Hanna from SparkPoint Studio, for providing me with an e-arc Netgalley copy of Game Changer.
Synopsis:
Ash is a football player. And by football player, I mean hand-egg player. He plays rugby. You get my point. Anytime he takes a hit on the field, his life changes. He moves into another dimension, or an alternative reality, where things are slightly different from his previous reality.
At first, his changes are small and insignificant. However, they quickly turn into universes where society is stuck in the past and he finds himself looking at life with an entirely different perception.
And if he isn’t careful, the world he’s learning to see more clearly could blink out of existence…
My Thoughts:
The reason I loved all the Arc of a Scythe books were mainly because of Neal Shusterman’s writing, ability for storytelling and incredible world-building. The writing in Game Changer was great, and the idea about the alternative universes was phenomenal! I was hooked, and it was quite easy to get into. I read it very quickly and enjoyed reading it overall. However, the world building and the entire plot somewhat lacked purpose. This was the main thing I struggled with through the entire book.
Neal Shusterman takes on many important topics, and through Ash, he covers these as he moves into each alternate universe. He faces a world where segregation is normal. A world where his sexual orientation changes, and even a world where he wakes up one day as a woman. Alongside these changes, there are other changes as well, like drug dealing, trying to help a person that might be in an abusive relationship, even eliminating people along the way with no consequences.
All of these topics are extremely important, and each of these need to be talked about. There need to be books that cover these issues, and I am glad this book exists because of that reason. Because at least people, especially young readers, will be aware of these issues if they pick up this book. However, I think that because of the way this book was set up, and how quickly Ash moves from one universe to another, the issues don’t really get resolved. Even by the end, where he ends up being the hero, he hasn’t really fixed anything, or raised any awareness. It ends up with the “Meh, it could’ve been much worse (because I’ve been in the alternate universes, and trust me, I know)”. And this didn’t sit well with me at all.
I rooted for him to make a change for everyone that is impacted. Not just for himself, and when it affected him. I wanted him to fight for his best friend, when Leo got separated from him in the universe where segregation was legal. And I wanted him to keep fighting, but he didn’t really even try. And no, organising a high-school dance party that includes black people is not considered helping when one of your friends is in prison for no apparent reason. I just expected more from Ash…
However, considering how complicated of a character Ash is, and how much he seems to be unaware and uninterested in general issues, unless it directly affects him, it made me think that perhaps, this was Neal’s point all along? Create a character like him to provoke a discussion, provoke a reaction, and show us that we need to play our part in society as well if we want true changes. I want to think that this is the case, and for that, I would still recommend it to young readers.
Game Changer is nothing like the Arc of a Scythe series. But it will make you think about important topics such as racism and sexuality. Even though I wasn’t quite satisfied with Game Changer, I still think it’s a very important read. Especially for the current and future generations. And I hope that some day, this book will age in a way where the issues that are covered will be redundant.
October 24, 2021
Der Protagonist Ash erzählt hier aus seiner Perspektive alles unglaubliche, was ihm passiert. Eine jugendliche, frische und quirlige Sprache, die einen mitreißt und immer wieder Witze einbaut, aber auch ernste Szenen einfließen lässt.
Ash ist ein typischer, weißer Teenager, der nicht groß darüber nachdenkt, dass meine seiner Freunde eine dunkle Hautfarbe haben oder aus anderen Ländern kommen. Er nimmt vieles locker und unbetroffen - bis ihm ein "Tackle" beim Football plötzlich in ein Paralleluniversum katapultiert.
Ein Tackle heißt, dass er jemand anderen umrennt oder zu Boden wirft. Mit solchen Begriffen aus dem Sport wird man hier desöfteren konfrontiert, aber man kann dem ganzen schon gut folgen, auch wenn man sich - wie ich - nicht so gut damit auskennt.
Erstmal weiß Ash gar nicht, was da genau passiert ist. Erst als er kleine Veränderungen feststellt, die einfach nicht sein können, zweifelt er erst an sich selbst und seiner Wahrnehmung, bis er schließlich erkennt, dass er in derselben aber völligen anderen Version unserer Welt gelandet ist.
Mit Logik kommt man hier wohl nicht so recht weiter, denn ich hab bis zum Schluss nicht verstanden, warum das ganze passiert und wie Ash hier tatsächlich Einfluss nimmt - und wo es überhaupt hätte hinführen sollen.
Er selbst jedenfalls nimmt alles relativ locker und hinterfragt nicht viel (zumindest was seine Rolle betrifft oder was hinter dem ganzen steckt) - das war Neal Shusterman hier auch nicht so wichtig, nehme ich an, denn wichtig sind die Themen, mit denen Ash sich plötzlich konfrontiert sieht.
Zum einen der Rassentrennung, die plötzlich wieder Alltag ist, das Thema freie Liebe und Diskriminierung der Geschlechter und die damit einhergehenden Vorurteile.
In einigen Rezensionen hab ich gelesen, dass der Autor zuviel reinpackt, aber ich denke, dass er jedem Thema einiges an Aufmerksamkeit gewidmet hat, um auf die Problematik auch in unserer heutigen Zeit hinzuweisen. Und das recht deutlich.
Ich fragte mich, wie viele wichtige Anliegen nicht durch harte Opposition, sondern aufgrund halbherziger Unterstützung abgeschmettert wurnden.
Und durch nutzlose Maßnahmen.
Zitat Seite 155
Ash nimmt nämlich, wenn er so erzählt, kein Blatt vor den Mund und nennt die Dinge beim Namen. Das fand ich sehr gut, denn manchmal weiß man ja schon gar nicht mehr, was man sagen darf und was nicht.
Ein bisschen hat es mich an "Die Mitternachtsbibliothek" von Matt Haig erinnert. Hier möchte ja die Protagonistin Nora Selbstmord begehen - doch anstatt dass sie stirbt, soll sie die vielen Möglichkeiten kennenlernen, wie es ihr in anderen Leben mit anderen Entscheidungen ergangen wäre. Bei Haig war alles sehr kurz und wurde nur angeschnitten, bei Ash und seinen "Sprüngen" nimmt sich der Autor schon die Zeit, damit man als Leser sieht wie die Veränderungen auf ihn wirken.
Auch erkennt Ash Zusammenhänge und denkt über vieles nach, beginnt hinter die Fassaden zu schauen, was auch seine Beziehungen zu seinen Eltern und seinem Bruder betrifft, was er hier wieder sehr schön beschreibt:
Ihr denkt vielleicht, euer persönlicher Apfel sei ziemlich weit vom Stamm gefallen. Doch der Baum hat Wurzeln, die nicht zu erkennen sind, bis ihr darüber stolpert.
Zitat Seite 259
Optisch ist das übrigens sehr cool gemacht mit dem Weltenwechseln. Ein Sprung leitet immer eine andere Schriftart ein und zeigt uns auch einen "fallenden Ash" in die nächste Dimension.
Der Schreibstil hat mir hier am meisten gefallen, denn er war flott und offen und hat viele Einblicke in das Denken eines Jugendlichen gegeben, wie es wohl überall auf der Welt ähnlich ist.
Allerdings hat Shusterman immer wieder erkennen lassen, dass die Wahrnehmung von Ash eben "nur" die Wahrnehmung von Ash ist. Es ist seine Realität die er sieht und spürt und dass andere, seine Freunde, seine Familie etc. die Ereignisse anders, eben auf ihre Art wahrnehmen.
Soviel zu: es gibt nur eine Wahrheit.
Ich muss aber gestehen, dass ich trotz dem Spaß an der anschaulichen Sprache und den wichtigen Themen nie so wirklich angekommen bin in der Handlung. Dadurch, dass man so durch die Handlung fliegt, bei vieles nicht so recht hängen, zumindest ging es mir so. Es ist ein vor Augen führen vieler Problematiken der Intoleranz der Menschen, der Gesellschaft, verpackt in eine witzige Story, der es mir etwas an Tiefe fehlt. Vielleicht erreicht man viele Jugendliche aber auf diesem Weg - denn sie bereiten die Zukunft.
Wir diffamieren die Unterschiede an anderen; wir glorifizieren die Unterschiede an uns selbst. Wir stecken "sie" in eine Schublade und sind doch selbst in einer gefangen.
Zitat Seite 363
Wir alle haben viele festgefahrene Muster, können nicht in andere hineinschauen oder gar ahnen, wie sehr sie unter bestimmten Vorurteilen leiden: aber wir können mehr Verständnis aufbringen und zumindest versuchen, sie zu verstehen und selbst wenn man manches nicht gut findet, soviel Toleranz aufbringen, und sie in Frieden leben zu lassen. Wir selbst beanspruchen das ja für uns auch :)
Der Schluss ... ich weiß nicht so wirklich, was er mir sagen soll. Irgendwas dringt da schon zu mir durch, aber ich kann es nicht greifen. Wie vieles, was hier passiert, das find ich wirklich etwas schade.
Vielleicht war das kein Ziel, einen tieferen Sinn (hinter dem ganzen) einzubauen, sondern einfach die Themen für Jugendliche gut verpackt rüberzubringen? Ich kanns mir nicht anders vorstellen, denn eigentlich weiß Shusterman, "wie es geht". Dennoch blieb ich beim Lesen viel zu oft an der Oberfläche - es war ein Gefühl, als würde das alles eher an mir vorbeirauschen...
Aber mir fehlt das hier definitiv, ich brauch einen Grundgedanken, auch wenn der hier mit den Themen rübergebracht wird, hat es keinen Grundstock wo es hinführt, grade mit dem Schluss.
Außer vielleicht, dass wir das beste machen müssen aus dem, was wir haben.
Weltenwanderer
Ash ist ein typischer, weißer Teenager, der nicht groß darüber nachdenkt, dass meine seiner Freunde eine dunkle Hautfarbe haben oder aus anderen Ländern kommen. Er nimmt vieles locker und unbetroffen - bis ihm ein "Tackle" beim Football plötzlich in ein Paralleluniversum katapultiert.
Ein Tackle heißt, dass er jemand anderen umrennt oder zu Boden wirft. Mit solchen Begriffen aus dem Sport wird man hier desöfteren konfrontiert, aber man kann dem ganzen schon gut folgen, auch wenn man sich - wie ich - nicht so gut damit auskennt.
Erstmal weiß Ash gar nicht, was da genau passiert ist. Erst als er kleine Veränderungen feststellt, die einfach nicht sein können, zweifelt er erst an sich selbst und seiner Wahrnehmung, bis er schließlich erkennt, dass er in derselben aber völligen anderen Version unserer Welt gelandet ist.
Mit Logik kommt man hier wohl nicht so recht weiter, denn ich hab bis zum Schluss nicht verstanden, warum das ganze passiert und wie Ash hier tatsächlich Einfluss nimmt - und wo es überhaupt hätte hinführen sollen.
Er selbst jedenfalls nimmt alles relativ locker und hinterfragt nicht viel (zumindest was seine Rolle betrifft oder was hinter dem ganzen steckt) - das war Neal Shusterman hier auch nicht so wichtig, nehme ich an, denn wichtig sind die Themen, mit denen Ash sich plötzlich konfrontiert sieht.
Zum einen der Rassentrennung, die plötzlich wieder Alltag ist, das Thema freie Liebe und Diskriminierung der Geschlechter und die damit einhergehenden Vorurteile.
In einigen Rezensionen hab ich gelesen, dass der Autor zuviel reinpackt, aber ich denke, dass er jedem Thema einiges an Aufmerksamkeit gewidmet hat, um auf die Problematik auch in unserer heutigen Zeit hinzuweisen. Und das recht deutlich.
Ich fragte mich, wie viele wichtige Anliegen nicht durch harte Opposition, sondern aufgrund halbherziger Unterstützung abgeschmettert wurnden.
Und durch nutzlose Maßnahmen.
Zitat Seite 155
Ash nimmt nämlich, wenn er so erzählt, kein Blatt vor den Mund und nennt die Dinge beim Namen. Das fand ich sehr gut, denn manchmal weiß man ja schon gar nicht mehr, was man sagen darf und was nicht.
Ein bisschen hat es mich an "Die Mitternachtsbibliothek" von Matt Haig erinnert. Hier möchte ja die Protagonistin Nora Selbstmord begehen - doch anstatt dass sie stirbt, soll sie die vielen Möglichkeiten kennenlernen, wie es ihr in anderen Leben mit anderen Entscheidungen ergangen wäre. Bei Haig war alles sehr kurz und wurde nur angeschnitten, bei Ash und seinen "Sprüngen" nimmt sich der Autor schon die Zeit, damit man als Leser sieht wie die Veränderungen auf ihn wirken.
Auch erkennt Ash Zusammenhänge und denkt über vieles nach, beginnt hinter die Fassaden zu schauen, was auch seine Beziehungen zu seinen Eltern und seinem Bruder betrifft, was er hier wieder sehr schön beschreibt:
Ihr denkt vielleicht, euer persönlicher Apfel sei ziemlich weit vom Stamm gefallen. Doch der Baum hat Wurzeln, die nicht zu erkennen sind, bis ihr darüber stolpert.
Zitat Seite 259
Optisch ist das übrigens sehr cool gemacht mit dem Weltenwechseln. Ein Sprung leitet immer eine andere Schriftart ein und zeigt uns auch einen "fallenden Ash" in die nächste Dimension.
Der Schreibstil hat mir hier am meisten gefallen, denn er war flott und offen und hat viele Einblicke in das Denken eines Jugendlichen gegeben, wie es wohl überall auf der Welt ähnlich ist.
Allerdings hat Shusterman immer wieder erkennen lassen, dass die Wahrnehmung von Ash eben "nur" die Wahrnehmung von Ash ist. Es ist seine Realität die er sieht und spürt und dass andere, seine Freunde, seine Familie etc. die Ereignisse anders, eben auf ihre Art wahrnehmen.
Soviel zu: es gibt nur eine Wahrheit.
Ich muss aber gestehen, dass ich trotz dem Spaß an der anschaulichen Sprache und den wichtigen Themen nie so wirklich angekommen bin in der Handlung. Dadurch, dass man so durch die Handlung fliegt, bei vieles nicht so recht hängen, zumindest ging es mir so. Es ist ein vor Augen führen vieler Problematiken der Intoleranz der Menschen, der Gesellschaft, verpackt in eine witzige Story, der es mir etwas an Tiefe fehlt. Vielleicht erreicht man viele Jugendliche aber auf diesem Weg - denn sie bereiten die Zukunft.
Wir diffamieren die Unterschiede an anderen; wir glorifizieren die Unterschiede an uns selbst. Wir stecken "sie" in eine Schublade und sind doch selbst in einer gefangen.
Zitat Seite 363
Wir alle haben viele festgefahrene Muster, können nicht in andere hineinschauen oder gar ahnen, wie sehr sie unter bestimmten Vorurteilen leiden: aber wir können mehr Verständnis aufbringen und zumindest versuchen, sie zu verstehen und selbst wenn man manches nicht gut findet, soviel Toleranz aufbringen, und sie in Frieden leben zu lassen. Wir selbst beanspruchen das ja für uns auch :)
Der Schluss ... ich weiß nicht so wirklich, was er mir sagen soll. Irgendwas dringt da schon zu mir durch, aber ich kann es nicht greifen. Wie vieles, was hier passiert, das find ich wirklich etwas schade.
Vielleicht war das kein Ziel, einen tieferen Sinn (hinter dem ganzen) einzubauen, sondern einfach die Themen für Jugendliche gut verpackt rüberzubringen? Ich kanns mir nicht anders vorstellen, denn eigentlich weiß Shusterman, "wie es geht". Dennoch blieb ich beim Lesen viel zu oft an der Oberfläche - es war ein Gefühl, als würde das alles eher an mir vorbeirauschen...
Aber mir fehlt das hier definitiv, ich brauch einen Grundgedanken, auch wenn der hier mit den Themen rübergebracht wird, hat es keinen Grundstock wo es hinführt, grade mit dem Schluss.
Außer vielleicht, dass wir das beste machen müssen aus dem, was wir haben.
Weltenwanderer
February 21, 2021
Meh...entertaining, but I didn't love it. Nice narration. As far as stories with multiple universes, it's not my favorite.
August 31, 2023
The premise of this is fascinating. Everything about it is fascinating. My daughter read it first, and she kept asking where I was at and then saying, "It gets crazier." And she was right! I don't even want to say anything about the plot, because you need to discover the twists this story takes for yourself. I will say two things: It really makes you think (and I mean that in a non-sarcastic way), and I'm not sure how I feel about the ending.
December 18, 2020
Thank you Edelweiss and the publisher for the e-arc. I am deeply delighted to read another one of Neal's books, and forever indebted to this platform for allowing me to read them ahead of their release dates.
I originally marked this book as a DNF, but had to go back to it. LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED!
I believe part of the low rating was that I recently came off of reading The Toll, and I was in the mindset that I was getting something along those lines, or perhaps something like Unwind. The overall premise has been done before, most recently in a YA contemporary romance, but in this case, we have a straight white male who falls into an alternate world where Ash takes on racial, sexual, drugs, abuse etc and learns how bad those things are as a male with privilege.
Although I feel like I know Neal's attempt came from a good place, I did feel like it was lacking something for me to get past the white savior thingie. Now, I know this is NOT a book with a white savior, and I did read the ending twice to get on a different mindset, but perhaps if the story had been fleshed out a bit more, it would have been clearer for a lot of people. There are a lot of hot button issues being addressed but they feel glazed over too quickly to make an impact. I think this might miss the mark, and result in some lower ratings because of that.
If you're looking for something like Scythe or Unwind, you won't find it. I love his work, but this one missed the mark for me.
I originally marked this book as a DNF, but had to go back to it. LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED!
I believe part of the low rating was that I recently came off of reading The Toll, and I was in the mindset that I was getting something along those lines, or perhaps something like Unwind. The overall premise has been done before, most recently in a YA contemporary romance, but in this case, we have a straight white male who falls into an alternate world where Ash takes on racial, sexual, drugs, abuse etc and learns how bad those things are as a male with privilege.
Although I feel like I know Neal's attempt came from a good place, I did feel like it was lacking something for me to get past the white savior thingie. Now, I know this is NOT a book with a white savior, and I did read the ending twice to get on a different mindset, but perhaps if the story had been fleshed out a bit more, it would have been clearer for a lot of people. There are a lot of hot button issues being addressed but they feel glazed over too quickly to make an impact. I think this might miss the mark, and result in some lower ratings because of that.
If you're looking for something like Scythe or Unwind, you won't find it. I love his work, but this one missed the mark for me.
April 19, 2024
Задавали ли сте си въпроса “какъв би бил живота ми, ако нещо съвсем малко се промени”?
Е Шустърман ни дава малко над 400 страници история точно за това. Историята на Аш ме завладя от самото начало, а засягането на супер важни и болни теми като расизъм, сексизъм, токсични взаимоотношения, семейни връзки и още, са показани по доста адекватен начин. Свикнах в книгите в последно време да се блъскат персонажи с различна сексуална ориентация и различен цвят на кожата, защото “така трябва”. Тук обаче изобщо не е така и това ме изненада приятно.
Единственото негативно нещо, което мога да кажа, е че корицата (и българската и оригинала) подвежда изключително много. Очаквах книга с паралелни вселени, нещо тип “Играч първи, приготви се”, а историята е много далеч от тази.
Препоръчвам с две ръце, ако ви се чете книга, засягаща много важни и тежки теми, но написана по-леко, като за подрастващи. Има няколко доста добри обрата.
Абе с две думи, дайте ѝ шанс.
Е Шустърман ни дава малко над 400 страници история точно за това. Историята на Аш ме завладя от самото начало, а засягането на супер важни и болни теми като расизъм, сексизъм, токсични взаимоотношения, семейни връзки и още, са показани по доста адекватен начин. Свикнах в книгите в последно време да се блъскат персонажи с различна сексуална ориентация и различен цвят на кожата, защото “така трябва”. Тук обаче изобщо не е така и това ме изненада приятно.
Единственото негативно нещо, което мога да кажа, е че корицата (и българската и оригинала) подвежда изключително много. Очаквах книга с паралелни вселени, нещо тип “Играч първи, приготви се”, а историята е много далеч от тази.
Препоръчвам с две ръце, ако ви се чете книга, засягаща много важни и тежки теми, но написана по-леко, като за подрастващи. Има няколко доста добри обрата.
Абе с две думи, дайте ѝ шанс.
December 10, 2021
"Game Changer - Es gibt unendlich viele Möglichkeiten, alles falsch zu machen" ist mein erstes Buch von Neal Shusterman.
Was mir gut gefällt:
Ist man einmal in der Geschichte drinnen, ist diese durchaus fesselnd, sie übt einen gewissen Sog auf den Leser aus, da man unbedingt wissen will, wie es ausgeht. Die Geschichte regt einen zweifellos zum Nachdenken an. Können Kleinigkeiten die Welt verändern? Sind wir wirklich alle so tolerant, wie wir uns einschätzen oder sollten wir uns manchmal selbst an der Nase nehmen? Vermutlich wollte der Autor erreichen, dass sich seine Leser mit ihrer eigenen Weltanschauung auseinandersetzen. Das ist ihm meiner Meinung nach im Prinzip auch ganz gut gelungen. Es werden viele wichtige Themen angesprochen. Welche das sind, müsst ihr selbst lesen. Ich möchte niemanden spoilern.
Was mir nicht so gut gefällt:
Der Einstieg fiel mir nicht gerade leicht. Irgendwie wird man regelrecht mit den verschiedensten Themen bombardiert. Mir ist durchaus bewusst, was der Autor damit erreichen wollte, trotzdem sollte immer die Geschichte im Vordergrund stehen. Das ist hier leider nicht der Fall. Die Message, die der Autor durch sie übermitteln will, kommt schon beim Leser an, dafür plätschert die Handlung selbst aber irgendwie so dahin. Es wird nur an der Oberfläche gekratzt. Die Charaktere haben mir persönlich zu wenig Tiefe, die Geschichte kaum Substanz. Die Idee ist richtig originell, nur die Umsetzung leider nicht ganz so spannend, wie ich es mir gewünscht hätte.
Trotz Kritik ist "Game Changer" aber auch kein schlechtes Buch. Ich kann nicht sagen, dass es mich restlos mitgerissen hat, in Erinnerung wird mir die Geschichte aber bestimmt noch eine Weile bleiben. Deswegen bekommt das Buch auch 3,5 Sterne von mir.
Hier folgen noch ein paar Infos zum Hörbuch:
12 Std 33 Min / Ungekürzte Ausgabe
Sprecher: Marian Funk
Ich würde dem Sprecher 4,5 - 5 Sterne geben.
Verlag: Argon
Was mir gut gefällt:
Ist man einmal in der Geschichte drinnen, ist diese durchaus fesselnd, sie übt einen gewissen Sog auf den Leser aus, da man unbedingt wissen will, wie es ausgeht. Die Geschichte regt einen zweifellos zum Nachdenken an. Können Kleinigkeiten die Welt verändern? Sind wir wirklich alle so tolerant, wie wir uns einschätzen oder sollten wir uns manchmal selbst an der Nase nehmen? Vermutlich wollte der Autor erreichen, dass sich seine Leser mit ihrer eigenen Weltanschauung auseinandersetzen. Das ist ihm meiner Meinung nach im Prinzip auch ganz gut gelungen. Es werden viele wichtige Themen angesprochen. Welche das sind, müsst ihr selbst lesen. Ich möchte niemanden spoilern.
Was mir nicht so gut gefällt:
Der Einstieg fiel mir nicht gerade leicht. Irgendwie wird man regelrecht mit den verschiedensten Themen bombardiert. Mir ist durchaus bewusst, was der Autor damit erreichen wollte, trotzdem sollte immer die Geschichte im Vordergrund stehen. Das ist hier leider nicht der Fall. Die Message, die der Autor durch sie übermitteln will, kommt schon beim Leser an, dafür plätschert die Handlung selbst aber irgendwie so dahin. Es wird nur an der Oberfläche gekratzt. Die Charaktere haben mir persönlich zu wenig Tiefe, die Geschichte kaum Substanz. Die Idee ist richtig originell, nur die Umsetzung leider nicht ganz so spannend, wie ich es mir gewünscht hätte.
Trotz Kritik ist "Game Changer" aber auch kein schlechtes Buch. Ich kann nicht sagen, dass es mich restlos mitgerissen hat, in Erinnerung wird mir die Geschichte aber bestimmt noch eine Weile bleiben. Deswegen bekommt das Buch auch 3,5 Sterne von mir.
Hier folgen noch ein paar Infos zum Hörbuch:
12 Std 33 Min / Ungekürzte Ausgabe
Sprecher: Marian Funk
Ich würde dem Sprecher 4,5 - 5 Sterne geben.
Verlag: Argon
Read
February 5, 2021 *eARC provided by the publisher for my honest review.*
For most people, Game Changer will be like a game of archery – it'll either hit home or miss the target completely. But whether or not the sum of its parts works for you, at the end of the day this book is one man's honest attempt to use his platform and his voice to call for change. It is a well-intentioned, earnest plea for a universe that's a little kinder, a little more empathetic, and a little more accepting. And while I'm not 100% sure if this was a hit or miss for me personally, I appreciate the courage it took to put it out into the world.
For most people, Game Changer will be like a game of archery – it'll either hit home or miss the target completely. But whether or not the sum of its parts works for you, at the end of the day this book is one man's honest attempt to use his platform and his voice to call for change. It is a well-intentioned, earnest plea for a universe that's a little kinder, a little more empathetic, and a little more accepting. And while I'm not 100% sure if this was a hit or miss for me personally, I appreciate the courage it took to put it out into the world.
September 1, 2021
4.5/5stars
Great. Just as amazing as Shusterman's other books. SUCH a unique premise, so fast paced and FUN. I personally love how heavy handed shusterman is with his social commentary and this book has a LOT of it and I loved it.
Great. Just as amazing as Shusterman's other books. SUCH a unique premise, so fast paced and FUN. I personally love how heavy handed shusterman is with his social commentary and this book has a LOT of it and I loved it.
June 3, 2022
Una gran premisa, muy buenas intenciones y un desarrollo regulinchi.
October 27, 2021
Krass.
Perfekt.
Bewegend.
Selten kann ich über einen Roman sagen, dass er mein Leben verändert hat. Eher bei Sachbüchern oder Ratgebern, die ja evtl. Wissen vermitteln, die mein Leben oder meine Gesundheit positiv beeinflussen. Bei Romanen habe ich das nur bei den Büchern von Julia Dippel erlebt. Da war es aber weniger der Inhalt, sondern mehr ihr unvergleichlicher Schreibstil, der mich für viele andere Bücher nachhaltig verdorben hat und mein Anspruchs-Level in unendliche Weiten hob.
Hier wurde mein hoher Anspruch jedoch nicht enttäuscht. Neal Shusterman schreibt auf seine ganz eigene Weise fesselnd, humorvoll und kritisch zugleich.
Das Cover macht schon sehr neugierig – und ist richtungsweisend.
Was wäre, wenn Du der Mittelpunkt des Universums wärst und unendliche viele Möglichkeiten hättest, unsere Realität anzupassen nur durch eine kleine Änderung? Was würdest Du zuerst ändern? Und würdest Du es richtig machen? Mal vorausgesetzt, Du wüsstest, dass Du ändern kannst und wie.
„Es gibt Entscheidungen, die wir treffen, Entscheidungen, die für uns getroffen werden, und Dinge, die wir so lange ignorieren, bis es ohnehin keine Wahl mehr gibt.“ (S. 12)
…um es vorweg zu nehmen, der Protagonist in diesem Buch verbockt es erstmal so richtig.
Ash ist ein weißer, privilegierter, heterosexueller cis-Junge, der gern Football spielt und sich gern mit seinen Freunden aller Hautfarben und Gesinnungen umgibt. Er hält sich für total tolerant. Bis er buchstäblich am eigenen Leib erfahren muss, wie es ist einer Minderheit anzugehören…
„Damals dachte ich, weil ich eine diverse Gruppe von Freunden hatte, könnte ich mein Kästchen für soziale Verantwortung abhaken. Als ob es für mich nichts mehr zu tun gäbe, als ein bisschen Braun an meinem Tisch zu haben. „Hautfarbe sollte keine Rolle spielen“, hat man mich immer gelehrt – und ich habe es immer geglaubt. Aber es gibt einen großen unterschied zwischen dem, was sein sollte, und dem was ist. Und privilegiert zu sein heißt, diese Kluft nicht wahrzunehmen.“ (S.15)
Aber auf Anfang: Bei einem harten Zusammenprall auf dem Spielfeld verliert Ash kurz das Bewusstsein. Kurz darauf bemerkt er, dass STOP-Schilder plötzlich blau und nicht mehr rot sind (doof, wenn ein LKW kommt und man das STOP-Schild deswegen übersieht). Und als wäre das nicht seltsam genug – alle Anderen um ihn herum glauben, das das schon immer so war. Sogar Geschichtsbücher belegen plausibel, warum Achtung-Schilder blau und nicht rot sind. Weil rot die Autofahrer aggressiv macht…
Auf diesen ersten Sprung in eine alternative Realität folgen noch weitere bis Ash heraus findet, dass ER derjenige ist, der diese Verschiebungen verursacht. Teils auf die harte Tour, denn anders farbige Verkehrsschilder sind Nichts im Vergleich zu den Veränderungen in Punkto Rassismus, Homophobie und Sexismus die nicht zuletzt Ash ganz persönlich zusetzen…
Ob er die Kontrolle über diese Sprünge erlangen kann? Und noch viel wichtiger… kann und will er die Veränderungen wieder gerade biegen?
Ich bin total geflasht!
Die Idee ist sowas von genial. Ich habe sofort darüber nachdenken müssen, was ich tun würde, wenn ich so kleine, aber doch entscheidende Veränderungen in meinem Leben bemerken würde… Wenn meine Tochter vielleicht anders heißen würde z.B., denn es sind ja echt immer wenige Sekunden, die über ein Leben entscheiden.
Vom genialen Plot mal abgesehen – Ich hatte schon fast vergessen, WIE gut der Autor schreibt. In seinem lockeren Stil verbringt er soviel Gesellschaftskritik, dass ich echt Gänsehaut bekommen habe beim Lesen. Ich habe mindestens schon drölfzig Zitate gesammelt, die ich gern in meine Rezension packen würde – und das im ersten Viertel!!!
„Man isst, was einem die Eltern auf den Lebensteller legen.“ (S. 14)
Das Thema Rassismus, Gleichberechtigung und Gendersprache wird hier im Hause sehr oft diskutiert. Wir sind alle privilegiert, dennoch dachte ich, ich würde mich sehr für Gleichberechtigung einsetzen. Dieses Buch eröffnet mir jedoch eine ganz neue Sichtweise – nämlich die der Betroffenen. Apropos Betroffene…. am Ende kommt noch kurz das Thema Gleichberechtigung der Frauen auf. Nie im Leben hätte ich gedacht, das mir als Frau so wenig bewusst ist und einfach als „normal“ angesehen wird… Auch hier ist ein Umdenken erforderlich.
„Wusstet ihr, dass All-American häufig ein Codewort für weiß ist? Das Hatte Leo mir mal erklärt. Ich hatte ihm damals nicht geglaubt. (…) „Deine Ignoranz ist wie eine Schicht Volltrottel-Sonnenschutz, die ich abkratzen muss, um dich dem Licht auszusetzen!“(S. 114)
Falls ich überhaupt was kritisieren wollte, wäre es vielleicht die Flut an Themen der Ungerechtigkeit. Bis auf Religionsfreiheit wurde hier fast Alles angesprochen. Alles wichtig, keine Frage, aber evtl. wäre eine Konzentration auf 2 Themen intensiver und wirkungsvoller gewesen.
Auffallend ist die verwendete Sprache. Ein großes Lob an die Übersetzer! Einerseits die lockere jugendliche Sprache und direkte Anrede der Leser. Auf der anderen Seite ist mir die extrem intelligente Sprache aufgefallen, keine Angst vor Fremdwörtern – ungewöhnlich für ein Jugendbuch. Aber super!!!
Ich hab dann mal nachgeschaut, wer übersetzt hat und gesehen, dass das sogar 3 Übersetzer waren.. mich würde interessieren, wie das geht. Auf jeden Fall haben sie einen tollen Job gemacht!
Was mir auch aufgefallen ist, das ist tatsächlich das erste Buch, das ich lese, das die Corona-Pandemie thematisiert ohne sie zum Thema zu haben. Das Buch spielt ja offensichtlich in einer (hoffentlich) nahen Zukunft, in der die Pandemie nicht mehr Teil unseres Alltags ist. Dennoch wohl noch nicht allzu lange her, da die Beisetzung des Opas vor einigen Monaten noch unter Pandemiebedingungen mit Abstand und Maske statt fand. Schon seltsam, das so zu lesen. Bisher waren Bücher für mich immer eine Flucht aus der Realität. Aber klar, wenn es nicht komplette Phantastik ist, gehört das einfach dazu…
„In letzter Zeit haben wir alle gelernt, dass die Realität sehr surreal werden kann – doch am Ende gibt es immer etwas, das einen erdet.“ (NEAL SHUSTERMAN S.403)
Schlussendlich sind es WIR SELBST die es in der Hand haben unsere Welt zu ändern und nicht das Universum ;-)
Ich glaube, die Zeit in der das Buch erschienen ist, ist genau die Richtige. Denn Hand aufs Herz – wie oft habt ihr euch in den letzten Monaten gefragt, was wäre gewesen wenn dieses beschissene Virus nicht gewesen wäre? Doch WER wären wir ohne die gemachten Erfahrungen…?
Ich bin reicher und tatsächlich demütiger durch dieses Buch geworden.
Absolute Lese-Empfehlung!
Perfekt.
Bewegend.
Selten kann ich über einen Roman sagen, dass er mein Leben verändert hat. Eher bei Sachbüchern oder Ratgebern, die ja evtl. Wissen vermitteln, die mein Leben oder meine Gesundheit positiv beeinflussen. Bei Romanen habe ich das nur bei den Büchern von Julia Dippel erlebt. Da war es aber weniger der Inhalt, sondern mehr ihr unvergleichlicher Schreibstil, der mich für viele andere Bücher nachhaltig verdorben hat und mein Anspruchs-Level in unendliche Weiten hob.
Hier wurde mein hoher Anspruch jedoch nicht enttäuscht. Neal Shusterman schreibt auf seine ganz eigene Weise fesselnd, humorvoll und kritisch zugleich.
Das Cover macht schon sehr neugierig – und ist richtungsweisend.
Was wäre, wenn Du der Mittelpunkt des Universums wärst und unendliche viele Möglichkeiten hättest, unsere Realität anzupassen nur durch eine kleine Änderung? Was würdest Du zuerst ändern? Und würdest Du es richtig machen? Mal vorausgesetzt, Du wüsstest, dass Du ändern kannst und wie.
„Es gibt Entscheidungen, die wir treffen, Entscheidungen, die für uns getroffen werden, und Dinge, die wir so lange ignorieren, bis es ohnehin keine Wahl mehr gibt.“ (S. 12)
…um es vorweg zu nehmen, der Protagonist in diesem Buch verbockt es erstmal so richtig.
Ash ist ein weißer, privilegierter, heterosexueller cis-Junge, der gern Football spielt und sich gern mit seinen Freunden aller Hautfarben und Gesinnungen umgibt. Er hält sich für total tolerant. Bis er buchstäblich am eigenen Leib erfahren muss, wie es ist einer Minderheit anzugehören…
„Damals dachte ich, weil ich eine diverse Gruppe von Freunden hatte, könnte ich mein Kästchen für soziale Verantwortung abhaken. Als ob es für mich nichts mehr zu tun gäbe, als ein bisschen Braun an meinem Tisch zu haben. „Hautfarbe sollte keine Rolle spielen“, hat man mich immer gelehrt – und ich habe es immer geglaubt. Aber es gibt einen großen unterschied zwischen dem, was sein sollte, und dem was ist. Und privilegiert zu sein heißt, diese Kluft nicht wahrzunehmen.“ (S.15)
Aber auf Anfang: Bei einem harten Zusammenprall auf dem Spielfeld verliert Ash kurz das Bewusstsein. Kurz darauf bemerkt er, dass STOP-Schilder plötzlich blau und nicht mehr rot sind (doof, wenn ein LKW kommt und man das STOP-Schild deswegen übersieht). Und als wäre das nicht seltsam genug – alle Anderen um ihn herum glauben, das das schon immer so war. Sogar Geschichtsbücher belegen plausibel, warum Achtung-Schilder blau und nicht rot sind. Weil rot die Autofahrer aggressiv macht…
Auf diesen ersten Sprung in eine alternative Realität folgen noch weitere bis Ash heraus findet, dass ER derjenige ist, der diese Verschiebungen verursacht. Teils auf die harte Tour, denn anders farbige Verkehrsschilder sind Nichts im Vergleich zu den Veränderungen in Punkto Rassismus, Homophobie und Sexismus die nicht zuletzt Ash ganz persönlich zusetzen…
Ob er die Kontrolle über diese Sprünge erlangen kann? Und noch viel wichtiger… kann und will er die Veränderungen wieder gerade biegen?
Ich bin total geflasht!
Die Idee ist sowas von genial. Ich habe sofort darüber nachdenken müssen, was ich tun würde, wenn ich so kleine, aber doch entscheidende Veränderungen in meinem Leben bemerken würde… Wenn meine Tochter vielleicht anders heißen würde z.B., denn es sind ja echt immer wenige Sekunden, die über ein Leben entscheiden.
Vom genialen Plot mal abgesehen – Ich hatte schon fast vergessen, WIE gut der Autor schreibt. In seinem lockeren Stil verbringt er soviel Gesellschaftskritik, dass ich echt Gänsehaut bekommen habe beim Lesen. Ich habe mindestens schon drölfzig Zitate gesammelt, die ich gern in meine Rezension packen würde – und das im ersten Viertel!!!
„Man isst, was einem die Eltern auf den Lebensteller legen.“ (S. 14)
Das Thema Rassismus, Gleichberechtigung und Gendersprache wird hier im Hause sehr oft diskutiert. Wir sind alle privilegiert, dennoch dachte ich, ich würde mich sehr für Gleichberechtigung einsetzen. Dieses Buch eröffnet mir jedoch eine ganz neue Sichtweise – nämlich die der Betroffenen. Apropos Betroffene…. am Ende kommt noch kurz das Thema Gleichberechtigung der Frauen auf. Nie im Leben hätte ich gedacht, das mir als Frau so wenig bewusst ist und einfach als „normal“ angesehen wird… Auch hier ist ein Umdenken erforderlich.
„Wusstet ihr, dass All-American häufig ein Codewort für weiß ist? Das Hatte Leo mir mal erklärt. Ich hatte ihm damals nicht geglaubt. (…) „Deine Ignoranz ist wie eine Schicht Volltrottel-Sonnenschutz, die ich abkratzen muss, um dich dem Licht auszusetzen!“(S. 114)
Falls ich überhaupt was kritisieren wollte, wäre es vielleicht die Flut an Themen der Ungerechtigkeit. Bis auf Religionsfreiheit wurde hier fast Alles angesprochen. Alles wichtig, keine Frage, aber evtl. wäre eine Konzentration auf 2 Themen intensiver und wirkungsvoller gewesen.
Auffallend ist die verwendete Sprache. Ein großes Lob an die Übersetzer! Einerseits die lockere jugendliche Sprache und direkte Anrede der Leser. Auf der anderen Seite ist mir die extrem intelligente Sprache aufgefallen, keine Angst vor Fremdwörtern – ungewöhnlich für ein Jugendbuch. Aber super!!!
Ich hab dann mal nachgeschaut, wer übersetzt hat und gesehen, dass das sogar 3 Übersetzer waren.. mich würde interessieren, wie das geht. Auf jeden Fall haben sie einen tollen Job gemacht!
Was mir auch aufgefallen ist, das ist tatsächlich das erste Buch, das ich lese, das die Corona-Pandemie thematisiert ohne sie zum Thema zu haben. Das Buch spielt ja offensichtlich in einer (hoffentlich) nahen Zukunft, in der die Pandemie nicht mehr Teil unseres Alltags ist. Dennoch wohl noch nicht allzu lange her, da die Beisetzung des Opas vor einigen Monaten noch unter Pandemiebedingungen mit Abstand und Maske statt fand. Schon seltsam, das so zu lesen. Bisher waren Bücher für mich immer eine Flucht aus der Realität. Aber klar, wenn es nicht komplette Phantastik ist, gehört das einfach dazu…
„In letzter Zeit haben wir alle gelernt, dass die Realität sehr surreal werden kann – doch am Ende gibt es immer etwas, das einen erdet.“ (NEAL SHUSTERMAN S.403)
Schlussendlich sind es WIR SELBST die es in der Hand haben unsere Welt zu ändern und nicht das Universum ;-)
Ich glaube, die Zeit in der das Buch erschienen ist, ist genau die Richtige. Denn Hand aufs Herz – wie oft habt ihr euch in den letzten Monaten gefragt, was wäre gewesen wenn dieses beschissene Virus nicht gewesen wäre? Doch WER wären wir ohne die gemachten Erfahrungen…?
Ich bin reicher und tatsächlich demütiger durch dieses Buch geworden.
Absolute Lese-Empfehlung!
January 31, 2022
Темата за паралелните вселени и прескачането между отделните измерения ми е интересна и с любопитство прибягвам към книги с такава тематика. Затова и очакванията ми са по-големи. Много бързо обаче при тази книга разбрах, че ще е по-скоро посредствена, а малко по-късно вече ми беше напълно безинтересна.
Като за начало първият минус беше възрастта на героите - 17-т годишни гимназисти, като главният герой Аш се оказва т.нар. суб-лог, т.е. този, който прескача между измеренията и променя историята на цялото земно кълбо. И това се случва винаги в петъчните му мачове по футбол, където винаги се сблъсква толкова силно с противников играч, че преминава в друга реалност.
Следващият минус беше - скейтбордист, който се мултиплицира при всяко преминаване на главния герой в друго измерение и от един станаха шест скейбордиста-близнаци, които само философстваха и нищо конкретно не правеха, но бяха главни действащи наблюдатели на "преминаванията" на Аш и уж му помагаха в преминаването, държейки джойстик и навигирайки с него (!!!).
Но това бяха просто дребни дразнещи неща, преди да стигна до ГОЛЕМИТЕ дразнещи неща.
Авторът е решил да наблъска всички политкоректни теми от последните две години в тази книга, а това мен ме отблъсна изключително много, защото прекалено явно избождаха очите.
В една от паралелните вселени все още съществуваше сегрегацията между бели и черни и всички произтичащи от това проблеми, в следващата вече беше добавено и гей обществото и обърнато внимание на омразата и престъпленията от омраза към всички в общността, а после героят дори беше момиче и трябваше да понесе малтретиране - психическо и физическо от приятеля си или сексистко поведение от страна на околните и всичко това с прекалено много философстване от стана на героя, който пак казвам е на 17 и просто играе футбол в училищния отбор.
Еми не ми хареса изобщо нито като книга, нито като уроци за живота или поуки към подрастващите. Е да, тези на 17 може и да я оценят!
Много се чудех дали да дам 1 или 2* и все още мисля, че 2 са ѝ много, но единственият плюс в историята или това, което поне малко ми хареса като похват е идеята на автора, че преминавайки от една паралелна вселена в друга, героят си спомня и всичките си предходни животи. (Това не беше така в Среднощна библиотека например, където героят направо се материализираше във всяко следващо измерение като в небрано лозе без да знае къде попада и какво да прави - там го отчетох като минус.) Така, че ще оставя все пак 2*, но разочарованието от тази книга е огромно.
Като за начало първият минус беше възрастта на героите - 17-т годишни гимназисти, като главният герой Аш се оказва т.нар. суб-лог, т.е. този, който прескача между измеренията и променя историята на цялото земно кълбо. И това се случва винаги в петъчните му мачове по футбол, където винаги се сблъсква толкова силно с противников играч, че преминава в друга реалност.
Следващият минус беше - скейтбордист, който се мултиплицира при всяко преминаване на главния герой в друго измерение и от един станаха шест скейбордиста-близнаци, които само философстваха и нищо конкретно не правеха, но бяха главни действащи наблюдатели на "преминаванията" на Аш и уж му помагаха в преминаването, държейки джойстик и навигирайки с него (!!!).
Но това бяха просто дребни дразнещи неща, преди да стигна до ГОЛЕМИТЕ дразнещи неща.
Авторът е решил да наблъска всички политкоректни теми от последните две години в тази книга, а това мен ме отблъсна изключително много, защото прекалено явно избождаха очите.
В една от паралелните вселени все още съществуваше сегрегацията между бели и черни и всички произтичащи от това проблеми, в следващата вече беше добавено и гей обществото и обърнато внимание на омразата и престъпленията от омраза към всички в общността, а после героят дори беше момиче и трябваше да понесе малтретиране - психическо и физическо от приятеля си или сексистко поведение от страна на околните и всичко това с прекалено много философстване от стана на героя, който пак казвам е на 17 и просто играе футбол в училищния отбор.
Еми не ми хареса изобщо нито като книга, нито като уроци за живота или поуки към подрастващите. Е да, тези на 17 може и да я оценят!
Много се чудех дали да дам 1 или 2* и все още мисля, че 2 са ѝ много, но единственият плюс в историята или това, което поне малко ми хареса като похват е идеята на автора, че преминавайки от една паралелна вселена в друга, героят си спомня и всичките си предходни животи. (Това не беше така в Среднощна библиотека например, където героят направо се материализираше във всяко следващо измерение като в небрано лозе без да знае къде попада и какво да прави - там го отчетох като минус.) Така, че ще оставя все пак 2*, но разочарованието от тази книга е огромно.
March 4, 2022
3/5
Hace tiempo que no leía nada de Neal Shusterman desde que leí Siega y El Abismo, y la verdad es que me apetecía leer algo nuevo del autor. Cuando vi que Nocturna publicaba su nuevo libro y que trataba de universos alternativos, un tema que me fascina, no me lo pensé dos veces.
En general, el libro me ha gustado y he tardado poco en leerlo. Como he comentado antes, todo el asunto de los multiversos me encanta y es difícil que un libro de ese estilo me disguste. En este caso, tenemos a Ash, nuestro protagonista, quien debido a un fuerte golpe en un partido de futbol, empieza a ver cosas extrañas en un mundo al que siempre a pertenecido. Y esos cambios no van a parar, al revés, van a seguir sucediéndose cada vez que Ash realice un placaje a su adversario en los partidos que juega.
La trama es bastante entretenida y el autor aprovecha la ocasión para tratar temas de gran interés y actualidad como con el racismo y la homofobia, entre otros. Nos hace abrir los ojos y reflexionar sobre el mundo en el que vivimos, que las cosas podrían ir mucho peor, pero que eso no significa que lo que estemos viviendo esté bien.
Lo que no me ha gustado demasiado es que el deporte tiene demasiada importancia. Por ejemplo, todo está explicado a través de la jerga del futbol americano y a mi que ni me va ni me viene ese tema pues me ha terminando cansando un poco. También creo que todo el tema de los viajes por el multiverso se podría haber aprovechado un poco más y haber dado mas giros a la trama o que pasase algo verdaderamente emocionante.
Netflix está preparando la adaptación y supongo que la veré por curiosidad. Tengo ganas de saber cual será el siguiente tema para el nuevo libro del autor.
-Reseña: https://addicionaloslibros.blogspot.c...
https://www.instagram.com/p/CardM8BN3Ex/
Hace tiempo que no leía nada de Neal Shusterman desde que leí Siega y El Abismo, y la verdad es que me apetecía leer algo nuevo del autor. Cuando vi que Nocturna publicaba su nuevo libro y que trataba de universos alternativos, un tema que me fascina, no me lo pensé dos veces.
En general, el libro me ha gustado y he tardado poco en leerlo. Como he comentado antes, todo el asunto de los multiversos me encanta y es difícil que un libro de ese estilo me disguste. En este caso, tenemos a Ash, nuestro protagonista, quien debido a un fuerte golpe en un partido de futbol, empieza a ver cosas extrañas en un mundo al que siempre a pertenecido. Y esos cambios no van a parar, al revés, van a seguir sucediéndose cada vez que Ash realice un placaje a su adversario en los partidos que juega.
La trama es bastante entretenida y el autor aprovecha la ocasión para tratar temas de gran interés y actualidad como con el racismo y la homofobia, entre otros. Nos hace abrir los ojos y reflexionar sobre el mundo en el que vivimos, que las cosas podrían ir mucho peor, pero que eso no significa que lo que estemos viviendo esté bien.
Lo que no me ha gustado demasiado es que el deporte tiene demasiada importancia. Por ejemplo, todo está explicado a través de la jerga del futbol americano y a mi que ni me va ni me viene ese tema pues me ha terminando cansando un poco. También creo que todo el tema de los viajes por el multiverso se podría haber aprovechado un poco más y haber dado mas giros a la trama o que pasase algo verdaderamente emocionante.
Netflix está preparando la adaptación y supongo que la veré por curiosidad. Tengo ganas de saber cual será el siguiente tema para el nuevo libro del autor.
-Reseña: https://addicionaloslibros.blogspot.c...
https://www.instagram.com/p/CardM8BN3Ex/
October 10, 2021
Game Changer is like one of those Shusterman's first novels. It reads like Speeding Bullet, Downsiders, etc.
This reads as a white saviour narrative (just like the other reviews say). I understand that this book is well-intentioned; addressing hot topic issues like racism, homophobia, and the like but it came out underdeveloped, forced and sometimes, preachy.
Of course, I still like this book because Shusterman's writing style is compellingly good. As it should. This is one of the reasons why I love his books.
This reads as a white saviour narrative (just like the other reviews say). I understand that this book is well-intentioned; addressing hot topic issues like racism, homophobia, and the like but it came out underdeveloped, forced and sometimes, preachy.
Of course, I still like this book because Shusterman's writing style is compellingly good. As it should. This is one of the reasons why I love his books.
October 22, 2021
Ich bin ein großer Fan von Neal Shustermans Büchern. "Scythe" hat mich total gefesselt und die "Vollendet"-Reihe erst recht. Deswegen war für mich auch klar, dass ich auch sein neues Buch "Game Changer" lesen will.
In welcher Welt würdet ihr Leben wollen, wenn ihr zwischen allen möglichen Paralleluniversen wählen könntet? Ich hätte da schon so ein paar Wünsche, die ich mir gerne erfüllen würde... Blöd nur, dass das in diesem Buch nicht so funktioniert. Ash landet nämlich völlig unvorbereitet in dieser schrägen Position als Mittelpunkt des Universums. Das bedeutet konkret: Er kann zwischen den Paralleluniversen wechseln. Was zu Beginn für ihn zwar eine verwirrende Situation ist, aber keine Katastrophe für die Welt bedeutet, führt bald zur Wiedereinführung der Rassentrennung. Ihr seht: Die Situation ist recht schnell eskaliert. Und irgendwie muss er jetzt dafür sorgen, dass er wieder zurück in seine Welt kommt oder vielleicht sogar in eine bessere. Blöd nur, dass ihm keiner erklären kann, was genau er dafür machen muss...
Bis jetzt hört sich das einfach an wie ein normaler Fantasy-Thriller, oder? Allerdings wäre das kein Buch von Neal Shusterman, wenn es nicht gleichzeitig um sehr ernste Themen ginge. Es geht hier um Privilegien, die man sich oft gar nicht bewusst ist, wenn man sie hat. Ich meine: Ich denke kaum darüber nach, dass ich weiß bin. Meine Hautfarbe spielt in meinem Leben keine Rolle. Gleichzeitig aber doch, denn sie bewahrt mich vor Problemen und Diskriminierung. Und Ash ist da ziemlich ähnlich. In der Theorie weiß er, dass er privilegiert ist. Aber so richtig bewusst wird ihm das erst im Laufe der Handlung.
Ich muss euch leider sagen, dass ich den Schreibstil in diesem Buch schwächer fand als in den anderen Büchern von Neal Shusterman. Bei den anderen Büchern war ich absolut begeistert vom Stil und konnte das sie gar nicht mehr aus der Hand legen. Hier war der Stil schon okay, aber halt nicht mehr. Vielleicht liegt das an der Übersetzung, ich hab bis jetzt aber keines der Bücher im Original gelesen und kann das deswegen auch nicht wirklich beurteilen.
Mein Fazit? Spannend, aber leider etwas schwächer als die anderen Bücher Shustermanns.
In welcher Welt würdet ihr Leben wollen, wenn ihr zwischen allen möglichen Paralleluniversen wählen könntet? Ich hätte da schon so ein paar Wünsche, die ich mir gerne erfüllen würde... Blöd nur, dass das in diesem Buch nicht so funktioniert. Ash landet nämlich völlig unvorbereitet in dieser schrägen Position als Mittelpunkt des Universums. Das bedeutet konkret: Er kann zwischen den Paralleluniversen wechseln. Was zu Beginn für ihn zwar eine verwirrende Situation ist, aber keine Katastrophe für die Welt bedeutet, führt bald zur Wiedereinführung der Rassentrennung. Ihr seht: Die Situation ist recht schnell eskaliert. Und irgendwie muss er jetzt dafür sorgen, dass er wieder zurück in seine Welt kommt oder vielleicht sogar in eine bessere. Blöd nur, dass ihm keiner erklären kann, was genau er dafür machen muss...
Bis jetzt hört sich das einfach an wie ein normaler Fantasy-Thriller, oder? Allerdings wäre das kein Buch von Neal Shusterman, wenn es nicht gleichzeitig um sehr ernste Themen ginge. Es geht hier um Privilegien, die man sich oft gar nicht bewusst ist, wenn man sie hat. Ich meine: Ich denke kaum darüber nach, dass ich weiß bin. Meine Hautfarbe spielt in meinem Leben keine Rolle. Gleichzeitig aber doch, denn sie bewahrt mich vor Problemen und Diskriminierung. Und Ash ist da ziemlich ähnlich. In der Theorie weiß er, dass er privilegiert ist. Aber so richtig bewusst wird ihm das erst im Laufe der Handlung.
Ich muss euch leider sagen, dass ich den Schreibstil in diesem Buch schwächer fand als in den anderen Büchern von Neal Shusterman. Bei den anderen Büchern war ich absolut begeistert vom Stil und konnte das sie gar nicht mehr aus der Hand legen. Hier war der Stil schon okay, aber halt nicht mehr. Vielleicht liegt das an der Übersetzung, ich hab bis jetzt aber keines der Bücher im Original gelesen und kann das deswegen auch nicht wirklich beurteilen.
Mein Fazit? Spannend, aber leider etwas schwächer als die anderen Bücher Shustermanns.
April 2, 2021
I expected much better from Shusterman...
This was such a disappointment. I basically liked nothing this book did or wanted to do. Some critiques I have:
-The main goal was to touch upon as many topics as possible that are relevant in today's society, sexuality, race, gender, being wealthy & poor, abusive relationships, it surprised me that the body positivity movement wasn't mentioned because it would have fit in perfectly with all the crap mentioned in this book. Did we as readers have to learn that the world is unfair? Yeah, I already knew that...
-It won't age well at all. Trump and the pandemic are mentioned in here, although they are barely talked about. It's as if Shusterman wanted to be woke and mentioned COVID, but it didn't impact the world of the characters at all.
-None of the characters were particularly interesting. The main character thought he could fix every problem the other characters had, and he became so philosophical during the story, 17 year-olds don't think that way. The other characters were straigth-up tropes.
-I can't stand books set in American High School. However I can't blame this book for choosing that setting, I just don't like it in general.
-The whole Edwards thing was just stupid
-This would have made a good short story, but an almost 400 page book is wayyy too much. It felt too long, and Shusterman books rarely feel too long.
If you're a Shusterman fan like me, skip this book, it's not worth your time.
This was such a disappointment. I basically liked nothing this book did or wanted to do. Some critiques I have:
-The main goal was to touch upon as many topics as possible that are relevant in today's society, sexuality, race, gender, being wealthy & poor, abusive relationships, it surprised me that the body positivity movement wasn't mentioned because it would have fit in perfectly with all the crap mentioned in this book. Did we as readers have to learn that the world is unfair? Yeah, I already knew that...
-It won't age well at all. Trump and the pandemic are mentioned in here, although they are barely talked about. It's as if Shusterman wanted to be woke and mentioned COVID, but it didn't impact the world of the characters at all.
-None of the characters were particularly interesting. The main character thought he could fix every problem the other characters had, and he became so philosophical during the story, 17 year-olds don't think that way. The other characters were straigth-up tropes.
-I can't stand books set in American High School. However I can't blame this book for choosing that setting, I just don't like it in general.
-The whole Edwards thing was just stupid
-This would have made a good short story, but an almost 400 page book is wayyy too much. It felt too long, and Shusterman books rarely feel too long.
If you're a Shusterman fan like me, skip this book, it's not worth your time.
October 24, 2021
Честно да си призная, това е книга, която не очаквах да ми хареса. Обаче останах очарована. Обикновено книги, в които се пътува в алтернативни светове на мен ми действат "отварящо очите" и ме карат да осъзная, че колкото и да ми е кофти, то със сигурност може и да е по-зле. Не знам дали целта на жанра е такава, но определено това няма да е последната книга от Нийл Шустърман, която чета. Прекрасна е!
March 3, 2021
I'm totally up for a Neal Shusterman book. Scythe was one of the best YA books, a huge hit with the kids at school and full of the trademark traits of a Shusterman novel. There'll be a moral dilemma, there'll be conflict that needs to be dealt with. You are going to meet Ash. A footballer (of the American variety) he isn't the best player, but he is ok. He gets a knock to the head after which weird things start happening. He appears to have entered a kind of parallel universe. His perspectives have changed utterly. Now he goes from having a pretty bad relationship with his brother, now in this new reality, they get along. They support each other. He can't understand what is going on. Eventually he realises that more knocks on the head take him to different realities.
There are lots of issues raised in the book. Diversity of many kinds. It will make you think about the judgements you make, about politics, about race and sexuality. It has a lot to say about these things but not in a hit you over the head way, more subtle, but definitely with a point of view.
I didn't connect with Ash the way I'd hoped. But like many people I think that the world of Sythe has set me up for a bit of disappointment with anything new that he writes for a while. It is definitely good reading and I know lots will enjoy it as I did. But gosh I miss the world of Scythe!
There are lots of issues raised in the book. Diversity of many kinds. It will make you think about the judgements you make, about politics, about race and sexuality. It has a lot to say about these things but not in a hit you over the head way, more subtle, but definitely with a point of view.
I didn't connect with Ash the way I'd hoped. But like many people I think that the world of Sythe has set me up for a bit of disappointment with anything new that he writes for a while. It is definitely good reading and I know lots will enjoy it as I did. But gosh I miss the world of Scythe!
March 1, 2021
love this author and his previous works but damn i nearly wished i was blind after i finished this
July 20, 2022
I wish there was an option on goodreads to rate something 3,5 stars
March 6, 2021
In Game Changer, Neal Shusterman takes on a topic that I wish more YA novels would tackle (football pun intended): privilege, and specifically the process that many privileged folks go through of discovering that 1. the world is not just and 2. it's unjust in your favor. Ash is a white, straight, male, able-bodied football player, but a quirk in the space-time continuum soon introduces him to the lived experience of identities he'd only ever observed from a distance. As he spins through parallel universes that range from mildly disorientating to deeply troubling, he changes in ways both visible (new money, new sexual orientation, new gender) and invisible (new understanding of abuse, new relationship with his brother), eventually returning "home" with a far more expansive comprehension of himself and of the people around him.
If it sounds a little pat, that's because it is. One of the things that seems tough about writing about privilege from the inside, and maybe one of the reasons relatively few authors choose to attempt it, is because it inherently centers the story on the character who is mostly likely to get top billing anyway. For most of the book, Ash is literally the center of the universe, and while that seems like a pretty uncomfortable place to be for him, a less-than-generous summary of this book might be: a black kid, a gay kid, and a girl help to facilitate the emotional development of a privileged white boy, helping him to become more empathetic.
The tough thing is that this is exactly how many of us do learn about our privilege, by having it pointed out to us by people whose identities we don't share, or by entering spaces where our identities are not glorified in the way that we're used to. At its best, Game Changer explores the way that our universe changes all the time, even without the help of multidimensional beings. We learn something new about ourselves or about each other, we get a little less selfish and a little more curious, and suddenly we're able to see the world anew. As a teacher of mostly white students in an overwhelmingly white state, I am constantly on the lookout for stories that will help my white students start this process without unfairly burdening students of color, and I can absolutely appreciate Game Changer as an effort in the right direction, imperfect though it may be. And I'm grateful that Shusterman is the one writing this story, which, like all his books, is face-paced and animated by compelling and believable young people even if it does sometimes feel like a vehicle for an afterschool special. I will buy this book for my classroom when it is published, as I do all of Shusterman's novels.
That said, the audience for this book does feel necessarily limited by its subject matter. It's hard for me to imagine my black and/or gay students having much patience for a story about a kid realizing that the world really is pretty crappy for folks with marginalized identities and that he should work harder to fix it. I also anticipate that other educators will likely have different responses to the book—frankly, I'm excited for the way that talking about it might help me to recognize some of my own blindspots. Game Changer isn't perfect, but the conversations it seems poised to inspire are ones we desperately need to be having.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for the ARC!
If it sounds a little pat, that's because it is. One of the things that seems tough about writing about privilege from the inside, and maybe one of the reasons relatively few authors choose to attempt it, is because it inherently centers the story on the character who is mostly likely to get top billing anyway. For most of the book, Ash is literally the center of the universe, and while that seems like a pretty uncomfortable place to be for him, a less-than-generous summary of this book might be: a black kid, a gay kid, and a girl help to facilitate the emotional development of a privileged white boy, helping him to become more empathetic.
The tough thing is that this is exactly how many of us do learn about our privilege, by having it pointed out to us by people whose identities we don't share, or by entering spaces where our identities are not glorified in the way that we're used to. At its best, Game Changer explores the way that our universe changes all the time, even without the help of multidimensional beings. We learn something new about ourselves or about each other, we get a little less selfish and a little more curious, and suddenly we're able to see the world anew. As a teacher of mostly white students in an overwhelmingly white state, I am constantly on the lookout for stories that will help my white students start this process without unfairly burdening students of color, and I can absolutely appreciate Game Changer as an effort in the right direction, imperfect though it may be. And I'm grateful that Shusterman is the one writing this story, which, like all his books, is face-paced and animated by compelling and believable young people even if it does sometimes feel like a vehicle for an afterschool special. I will buy this book for my classroom when it is published, as I do all of Shusterman's novels.
That said, the audience for this book does feel necessarily limited by its subject matter. It's hard for me to imagine my black and/or gay students having much patience for a story about a kid realizing that the world really is pretty crappy for folks with marginalized identities and that he should work harder to fix it. I also anticipate that other educators will likely have different responses to the book—frankly, I'm excited for the way that talking about it might help me to recognize some of my own blindspots. Game Changer isn't perfect, but the conversations it seems poised to inspire are ones we desperately need to be having.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for the ARC!
December 2, 2020
I appreciate what Shusterman was trying to do here, and he does do a lot of it well, but there are so many things trying to be addressed at once that it becomes a watered down commentary on the flaws of society (racism, homophobia, sexism etc), instead of really hitting where it hurts.
Game Changer centres upon 17 year old Ash, a football player who gets concussion and suddenly starts to see his life a little differently, then a lot differently, and then discovers he may have more of a say in what it looks like than the average kid.
What I did really enjoy about this book was that Ash was a really interesting perspective, because he was confused and experiencing the development of those confusions as they developed alongside us. This meant that every new piece of information or eye-opening moment was shared with the main character and the reader; which is just awesome. Equally, I liked that Ash wasn't the typical heroic white guy, and instead is quite self critical and often able to see the flaws ingrained into him by society. Unfortunately he is also particularly ignorant most of the time, but I think that's sort of the point!
What I don't like is that there are too many issues being addressed without enough impact and too few realistic explanations for what is happening. I like being confused, I like that I can't trust Shusterman because that's one of the main attractions I have to his writing, but this one didn't surprise me the way his other work often does.
ARC provided from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Game Changer centres upon 17 year old Ash, a football player who gets concussion and suddenly starts to see his life a little differently, then a lot differently, and then discovers he may have more of a say in what it looks like than the average kid.
What I did really enjoy about this book was that Ash was a really interesting perspective, because he was confused and experiencing the development of those confusions as they developed alongside us. This meant that every new piece of information or eye-opening moment was shared with the main character and the reader; which is just awesome. Equally, I liked that Ash wasn't the typical heroic white guy, and instead is quite self critical and often able to see the flaws ingrained into him by society. Unfortunately he is also particularly ignorant most of the time, but I think that's sort of the point!
What I don't like is that there are too many issues being addressed without enough impact and too few realistic explanations for what is happening. I like being confused, I like that I can't trust Shusterman because that's one of the main attractions I have to his writing, but this one didn't surprise me the way his other work often does.
ARC provided from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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