pickI came close to bailing on this early on, since it reads a lot younger than I expected and leans into my least favourite US high school stereotype (see below). As it rolled along, though, it won me over with its SHEER ADORABILITY. Yeah, the characters feel young, but that‘s because they act like actual 14- to 17-year-olds, with all the figuring-stuff-out moments that demographic goes through. I giggled and groaned and revelled in their adventures.
Book Haul Part 2!
It is entirely possible that I am a bit obsessed with the Fence graphic novel series now! 😶 So when I saw these two books based on the graphic novels I absolutely couldn't resist! 😍📚💕 And neither can Chaplin, apparently! 😹 #catsoflitsy #littenkitten #chaplin
so-soI ended up skimming through anything that wasn‘t Nicholas or Seiji‘s POVs. I just really do not like Aiden, so it was hard to care about the Aiden/Harvard storyline. I‘ll end up reading the next to find out if the boys ever figure out the Nicholas-Jesse connection. Hopefully there‘ll be more fencing, too!
pickFun YA novel about 4 students at a boys‘ prep school who have to learn team work for fencing, but personalities and secrets get in the way. https://cannonballread.com/2021/04/fence-striking-distance-elcicco/
Looking forward to reading this novelization. Hoping it ties up some loose ends from the graphic novels
Oh, my boys! I miss the images from the comics, but I love getting inside the heads of all the boys. Gotta take it slow and make it last.
pickI was so excited to see the fun illustrations at the front and back of the finished copy. This was my “break the glass in case of emergency” book for when my stress got bad. So I guess I need a new emergency book but was so grateful for these lovable goofs. I was also excited to see the book as a paperback original. I haven‘t seen any conversations around the choice, but it‘s fun to see the potential return of a YA paperback series.
People! There is a Fence novel. While I really just want a hundred new issues of Fence, I‘ll happily take this!
pickBrennan totally nails Pacat‘s voice in this first, but clearly not the last, book expanding on the Fence comics. All your favorite characters—Harvard, Aiden, Seiji, & Nicholas—are back & life at King‘s Row is just as crazy as ever. Fencing takes a back seat as we learn more about the characters, their rivalry with Exton, & how their coach plans to turn them into a championship team. I laughed out loud more than once & will definitely keep reading.
When I saw that Brennan was writing an original novel based on the Fence comic written by C. S. Pacat & illustrated by Johanna the Mad, I was thrilled—she is the perfect author to dive deep into the rivalries, the angst, the romantic entanglements, & everything else that comes with being on the King‘s Row fencing team. Thrilled to get my hands on an ARC & even more excited to see it includes illustrations by Johanna the Mad. Time to dive in!
Fence: Striking Distance | 
