Power Play
Power Play – Eric Walters
School isn't really working out for fifteen year-old Cody, and his home life isn't much better with his condescending alcholic of a father. So when Cody gets the chance to move far away and play for a Junior A team he jumps on the opportunity. A social outcast with a history of anger issues and misbehaviour, Cody soon finds himself being victimized by his predatory coach. Will anyone believe his word? Will exposing his coach ruin his NHL dream? These tough questions will not go unanswered in this powerful tale of the dark side of rink culture and sport.
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9 thoughts on “Power Play”
I must confess that I have not had the chance to read this book, but I have loved all that I have read by Eric Walters. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to check this book out during the summer.
I had been looking forward to reading this book ever since I discovered it on the reading list and, as usual, Eric Walters did not disappoint. Written in his usual fluid and entertaining style, Power Play is one of the best works I’ve read so far this summer. I had to endure a fair amount of hockey terminally, but the end result was worth the effort.
I deeply admire Walters’ ability to handle serious situations without making his books heavy and depressing. Power Play dealt with alcoholism, pressure to succeed, molestation, and the general struggles of growing up. However, I never felt overwhelmed by the emotions displayed by characters. Some may dislike this aspect because readers are clearly separated and cannot fully empathize with or feel the pain of the protagonist. On the other hand, I enjoyed the ability to emotionally protect myself. I did not want to be swamped with feelings, so I loved reading a serious and un-fluffy book without having a mental breakdown.
Furthermore, I believe the types of books that I am describing are extremely important to have in libraries. There are many reasons why people choose not to read, such as laziness, commitment issues, a focus on other hobbies, or a sheer lack of interest. That being said, many people dislike reading because of how books make them feel. It only makes sense that people would want to avoid feeling fictional pain when they have to deal with real life struggles of their own. Power Play allows readers to escape their own world but not fully enter the pain and realism of another. I believe that most reluctant readers will enjoy travelling to this in-between place as they learn to love books.
If I could change one aspect of this book, I would lengthen the ending. There were only a few short chapters after the climax, in which all problems were resolved, but I was left with a sense of mild satisfaction. After so much build-up, the conflict had been resolved almost immediately. It seemed to me as if Walters’ had simply run out of energy and wanted to resolve everything and move on. While the feeling is perfectly natural, the ending was somewhat unrealistic and almost too perfect. Everything fit together. In real life, however, things tend to be a bit messier. Some problems are never resolved.
I recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a quick read, loves hockey, or is being pressured to read over the summer by their paren’ts. I would also check out some of the other books by Eric Walters, such as Safe as Houses and Just Deserts.
Ok, Now I’ve read the book:
I had been looking forward to reading this book ever since I discovered it on the reading list and, as usual, Eric Walters did not disappoint. Written in his usual fluid and entertaining style, Power Play is one of the best works I’ve read so far this summer. I had to endure a fair amount of hockey terminally, but the end result was worth the effort.
I deeply admire Walters’ ability to handle serious situations without making his books heavy and depressing. Power Play dealt with alcoholism, pressure to succeed, molestation, and the general struggles of growing up. However, I never felt overwhelmed by the emotions displayed by characters. Some may dislike this aspect because readers are clearly separated and cannot fully empathize with or feel the pain of the protagonist. On the other hand, I enjoyed the ability to emotionally protect myself. I did not want to be swamped with feelings, so I loved reading a serious and un-fluffy book without having a mental breakdown.
Furthermore, I believe the types of books that I am describing are extremely important to have in libraries. There are many reasons why people choose not to read, such as laziness, commitment issues, a focus on other hobbies, or a sheer lack of interest. That being said, many people dislike reading because of how books make them feel. It only makes sense that people would want to avoid feeling fictional pain when they have to deal with real life struggles of their own. Power Play allows readers to escape their own world but not fully enter the pain and realism of another. I believe that most reluctant readers will enjoy travelling to this in-between place as they learn to love books.
If I could change one aspect of this book, I would lengthen the ending. There were only a few short chapters after the climax, in which all problems were resolved, but I was left with a sense of mild satisfaction. After so much build-up, the conflict had been resolved almost immediately. It seemed to me as if Walters’ had simply run out of energy and wanted to resolve everything and move on. While the feeling is perfectly natural, the ending was somewhat unrealistic and almost too perfect. Everything fit together. In real life, however, things tend to be a bit messier. Some problems are never resolved.
I recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a quick read, loves hockey, or is being pressured to read over the summer by their paren’ts. I would also check out some of the other books by Eric Walters, such as Safe as Houses and Just Deserts.
Ok, now I have actually read Power Play:
I had been looking forward to reading this book ever since I discovered it on the reading list and, as usual, Eric Walters did not disappoint. Written in his usual fluid and entertaining style, Power Play is one of the best works I’ve read so far this summer. I had to endure a fair amount of hockey terminally, but the end result was worth the effort.
I deeply admire Walters’ ability to handle serious situations without making his books heavy and depressing. Power Play dealt with alcoholism, pressure to succeed, molestation, and the general struggles of growing up. However, I never felt overwhelmed by the emotions displayed by characters. Some may dislike this aspect because readers are clearly separated and cannot fully empathize with or feel the pain of the protagonist. On the other hand, I enjoyed the ability to emotionally protect myself. I did not want to be swamped with feelings, so I loved reading a serious and un-fluffy book without having a mental breakdown.
Furthermore, I believe the types of books that I am describing are extremely important to have in libraries. There are many reasons why people choose not to read, such as laziness, commitment issues, a focus on other hobbies, or a sheer lack of interest. That being said, many people dislike reading because of how books make them feel. It only makes sense that people would want to avoid feeling fictional pain when they have to deal with real life struggles of their own. Power Play allows readers to escape their own world but not fully enter the pain and realism of another. I believe that most reluctant readers will enjoy travelling to this in-between place as they learn to love books.
If I could change one aspect of this book, I would lengthen the ending. There were only a few short chapters after the climax, in which all problems were resolved, but I was left with a sense of mild satisfaction. After so much build-up, the conflict had been resolved almost immediately. It seemed to me as if Walters’ had simply run out of energy and wanted to resolve everything and move on. While the feeling is perfectly natural, the ending was somewhat unrealistic and almost too perfect. Everything fit together. In real life, however, things tend to be a bit messier. Some problems are never resolved.
I recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a quick read, loves hockey, or is being pressured to read over the summer by their paren’ts. I would also check out some of the other books by Eric Walters, such as Safe as Houses and Just Deserts.
I have no idea why my post posted twice more than needed.
Power Play by Eric Walters was quite a refreshing read, not only was it beautifully written, it was able to get through such an important message without being too depressing and mournful and I feel as if that is something that authors often fail at doing. Personally, I know nothing about Hockey and have absolute no interest in the sport but I found it very easy to follow and my lack of knowledge surrounding the sport did not impact my joy for the book. I will read anything written by Eric Walters even if it was about a sock so I never doubted his writing skills but the story was rather interesting because it was such a deep and dark problem hidden in the corner of sports and often over looked. I am glad that Walter was able to address this situation to the public without crossing the line and making it uncomfortable to read. It was not just a simple sports novel as I expected it to be and that is what I love about reading novels by Eric Walters. You expect a 5 and get a 10 you expect a 10 and you get a 20; he is just such a good writer and it amazes me every single time. I highly recommend this novel, not only to sports fans but to every single person because he can all learn something out of this novel whether its not giving up and finding that determination and drive to push throw to get to your goal (no pun intended) or to not trust people to fast, it is a novel worth reading.
This book really touched me, not because it was sad, but because I never knew that something like that happens. I might have heard a little about the issue sometimes when the news is on and my brother really loves hockey, so I tend to hear a lot more about the sport than most people do. It really shocked me because the main idea of the book is so disturbing, mostly because it is so realistic and things like this actually do happen. When Cody, Coach Connors and Josh were at the hockey game and one of Coach Connors old student was avoiding him and not meeting his eye, I knew then that something was not right with Connors. Then when Cody went to the Coach’s apartment to get the new gloves and gear, I really started getting nervous about him. Why in the world would a rich coach live in such a bad apartment? At the moment when Connors was giving a massage to Cody and told him to take off his shirt, the idea that he sexually assaulted kids formed in my mind. Before I thought that he was a fake and really didn’t have that much money. I could barely read the end of the chapter when he was on top of Cody. I am so thankful that Eric Walters didn’t give an extremely descriptive image of what was happening. During that same chapter, when I heard that they were sharing the same room and it was on the opposite side of the hallway as the other room that the other guys were staying in, I was thinking, uh oh. My fears were confirmed when there was only one bed. This book was really an eye opener for me and my little brother is just starting to play hockey and I know that this situation doesn’t happen that often, but a lot more often than we think, so I am nervous for him. This is a great book although I wouldn’t suggest it to people who can’t handle really disturbing images and ideas.
This book really touched me, not because it was sad, but because I never knew that something like that happens. I might have heard a little about the issue sometimes when the news is on and my brother really loves hockey, so I tend to hear a lot more about the sport than most people do. It really shocked me because the main idea of the book is so disturbing, mostly because it is so realistic and things like this actually do happen. When Cody, Coach Connors and Josh were at the hockey game and one of Coach Connors old student was avoiding him and not meeting his eye, I knew then that something was not right with Connors. Then when Cody went to the Coach’s apartment to get the new gloves and gear, I really started getting nervous about him. Why in the world would a rich coach live in such a bad apartment? At the moment when Connors was giving a massage to Cody and told him to take off his shirt, the idea that he sexually assaulted kids formed in my mind. Before I thought that he was a fake and really didn’t have that much money. I could barely read the end of the chapter when he was on top of Cody. I am so thankful that Eric Walters didn’t give an extremely descriptive image of what was happening. During that same chapter, when I heard that they were sharing the same room and it was on the opposite side of the hallway as the other room that the other guys were staying in, I was thinking, uh oh. My fears were confirmed when there was only one bed. This book was really an eye opener for me and my little brother is just starting to play hockey and I know that this situation doesn’t happen that often, but a lot more often than we think, so I am nervous for him. This is a great book although I wouldn’t suggest it to people who can’t handle really disturbing images and ideas.
This book really touched me, not because it was sad, but because I never knew that something like that happens. I might have heard a little about the issue sometimes when the news is on and my brother really loves hockey, so I tend to hear a lot more about the sport than most people do. It really shocked me because the main idea of the book is so disturbing, mostly because it is so realistic and things like this actually do happen. When Cody, Coach Connors and Josh were at the hockey game and one of Coach Connors old student was avoiding him and not meeting his eye, I knew then that something was not right with Connors. Then when Cody went to the Coach’s apartment to get the new gloves and gear, I really started getting nervous about him. Why in the world would a rich coach live in such a bad apartment? At the moment when Connors was giving a massage to Cody and told him to take off his shirt, the idea that he sexually assaulted kids formed in my mind. Before I thought that he was a fake and really didn’t have that much money. I could barely read the end of the chapter when he was on top of Cody. I am so thankful that Eric Walters didn’t give an extremely descriptive image of what was happening. During that same chapter, when I heard that they were sharing the same room and it was on the opposite side of the hallway as the other room that the other guys were staying in, I was thinking, uh oh. My fears were confirmed when there was only one bed. This book was really an eye opener for me and my little brother is just starting to play hockey and I know that this situation doesn’t happen that often, but a lot more often than we think, so I am nervous for him. This is a great book although I wouldn’t suggest it to people who can’t handle really disturbing images and ideas.