Game Changer

By Neal Shusterman

"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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Feb 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9780062465771

Neal Shusterman

Neal Shusterman is the New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty award-winning books for children, teens, and adults, including the Unwind dystology, the Skinjacker trilogy, Downsiders, and Challenger Deep, which won the National Book Award. Scythe, the first book in his series Arc of a Scythe is a Michael L. Printz Honor Book. He also writes screenplays for motion pictures and television shows. Neal is the father of four, all of whom are talented writers and artists themselves. Visit Neal at StoryMan.com and Facebook.com/NealShusterman.

Reviews for Game Changer

[sennebec · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Reading the author's acknowledgement at the end of this book solidified my first impression of the story. Double the amount of imagination one finds in most books were poured into this one. It starts out innocently enough with Ash hitting the opposing team's quarterback hard. Nothing unusual about that, until an icy sensation is followed by things suddenly being different. In the first world shift, stop signs are blue. Every time he lands a hit in a subsequent game, it creates a new world. It takes him a while to figure out what's happening, in part thanks to some very odd skateboarders. How he manages to pull his world into a semblance of normal (if there is such a state) makes for a gripping read. I particularly liked how certain other characters changed in each shift. The end result isn't pretty, but is extremely satisfying. In the world we currently occupy, this might not be as fantasy-like as we think. Thank you Neal for a terrific book.

[laralovestoread · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read this fast and like all Schusterman books I've read so far I loved it! It hit SO many hot topics but like usual turned them just slightly on their heads so that you looked at them differently! I was a bit disappointed in the amount of foul language but honestly it is reflective of the YA generation so it bothered me but it bothers me in real life too. I feel like even though every author writes with a slant it is honestly hard to tell if Shusterman is presenting a side to the controversial issues he writes about or purposely writing in a voice opposing to his on personal views to challenge himself. He definitely leaves room for you to decide for yourself how you feel and how you will act in the future which has always been Schusterman's strength.

[dairyqueen84 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I always LOVE Shusterman's books. He is a versatile writer who delves into realistic fiction, science fiction, and fantasy with equal aplomb. But this one just didn't work for me. As Ash, a high school football lineman, is jolted into different universes where his life is altered each time he makes a big hit on the field, he confronts new issues in the new universe. The issue laden book deals with race, class, gender, sexual orientation, dating abuse, just to name a few. I really wanted to like this one.

[piotr reysner · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another great entry from Neal Shushterman, the familiar insight into our main characters thoughts with a first person narration mixed with Shushterman's incredbile ability to build the world through the personal experiences of our characters. I enjoyed Game Changer immensely, read it in about a week from how much I couldn't put the book down. Definitely enjoy the realistic sci-fi theme that shushterman has been producing recently with The Arc of a Scythe series and now, Game Changer. A great book in tackling real world issues and philosophical ideas that need shaping in our world, definitely a must read.

[mantra_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this book. Initially it sounded like a nice read about the multiverse, but it actually has a lot of meat to it. Every time Ash takes a really hard hit he moves to another version of both himself and his world in general. He eventually understands what's happening and starts trying to get back but each world gets worse and it soon may be too late. It covers racism, biggotry, abusive relationships, the various things women have to put up with. I really like it and would recommend it.