DNF @ 8%

There were entirely too many characters and not enough happening. I struggled to feel anything for any of the characters because of the way this is written.

It absolutely needs several rounds of edits to improve the story flow and character development. Probably won’t pick up anything by this author again unless the story idea is amazing!

**Note: My Goodreads review does not have a star rating as I DNF. Netgalley forces a star rating.**

Who’d have thought that the worlds of sci-fi and soccer could collide?

Well, author Daniel Peterson has done a remarkable job in bringing these two seemingly disparate topics together with The Playmaker Project.

With likeable enough protagonists, a compelling story, and a precise writing style, Peterson’s novel contains the bread-and-butter of fiction writing.

It isn’t without fault. The final section is a bit too brief and the cold war politics, with the sinister Russian communist, was a bit silly.

However, these are very minor complaints.

Even if you aren’t interested in soccer, I’d thoroughly recommend picking up a copy of The Playmaker Project because it’s a very good sci-fi thriller.

I’m very much looking forward to his next book. (less)

DNF at 50%

I tried to give this book several chances but just could not get through it.
I expected an intrigueing mashup between the world of sports and science, but somehow it did not get there. The beginning of the book is overwhelmingly detailed when it comes to aspects of the sport, which at the same time seemed a little off.
I could have looked past that if it had strong and interesting characters, but it just did not. It seemed extremely clichee, extremely forced in terms of backstories and archetypes. There was nothing I was able to connect to. When the whole neuroscience aspect became more and more present, the whole book also read more and more forced and unbelievable. At this point I questioned if the writer is actually a writer or just had a cool idea and ran with it. It seems like this book could use some more rounds of harsh editing to bring the points together a bit more elegantly,

The idea is great but the writing is lackluster and does not tie the ideas together in an exciting way that I want to follow. Or maybe this was simply not for me.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Who knew that sci-fi and football could go together??? But it worked in this book! I thought the football elements would be boring but I really enjoyed reading about the game and the players. This book really held my interest and I enjoyed reading it!

The playmaker project is a story about a group of upcoming footballers who are signed for a football club in Finland. What they didn't realise was that they had signed up ro a secret project where two of the recruits have brain surgery to install implants which make them play better. Unfortunately, they have some deadly side affects.

The playmaker has been another hour of my time wasted. By chapter five there should of been something interesting to happen, if there hasn’t been.....then it’s not worth your time. The one thing I do like is the cover​, it was greatly designed.

Sci-fi meets football - an interesting combo that makes for a good read. A big fan of both football and sci-fi , I was prepared to be critical but found this an enjoyable read. The elements of football were great, and gave an insight into the world of talented young players and the billionaires who fund them. A well written book, which is relatively fast paced.

I would have liked to have read more about the mind control aspect and how professional sport could change forever but perhaps this is because I have an interest in it, rather than it being critical to the success of the book.

It reminded me a bit of the Alex Rider series, which was a favourite of mine back in the day so I would recommend this book for younger readers who enjoy an element of crime without being overly scary, and from the perspective of a younger character. II would definitely recommend to football fans or those interested in mind control.

I figured neuroscience and football (soccer) would make a good read, but it wasn’t.

To me it was rather clear that the other lacks a certain understanding of football. I get how he is trying to include football/ athletes into this story but it could even be about chess. It’s that boring.
I think that is all this book is for me, it’s boring and doing everything just partially. If it were to focus on solely the neurological advancements that could be made in sport, with a bit of intrigue or just about sports it would have been better.

Who’d have thought that the worlds of sci-fi and soccer could collide?

Well, author Daniel Peterson has done a remarkable job in bringing these two seemingly disparate topics together with The Playmaker Project.

With likeable enough protagonists, a compelling story, and a precise writing style, Peterson’s novel contains the bread-and-butter of fiction writing.

It isn’t without fault. The final section is a bit too brief and the cold war politics, with the sinister Russian communist, was a bit silly.

However, these are very minor complaints.

Even if you aren’t interested in soccer, I’d thoroughly recommend picking up a copy of The Playmaker Project because it’s a very good sci-fi thriller.

I’m very much looking forward to his next book.

The Playmaker Project is the first book in a new series. It's a faced paced novel with a strong and original plot that makes you want to read more in the series.