Synopses & Reviews
Seventeen-year-old Tony Antioch lives in Pleasant Meadows, a trailer park where questions aren't asked since everyone already knows the answers from their own experience. He dreams of rescuing his mother from her constant stream of abusive boyfriends but in reality can barely duck the punches that are aimed at himself.
When Tony is coerced into joining his friend Rob's Mixed Martial Arts class, he is surprised to find that he has a talent that he actually wants to develop. But with a meth-dealing biker gang that is hungry for recruits and a vicious cycle of poverty and violence that precedes him, Tony is going to need a lot more than blood and guts to find a way out.
Gritty, powerful, and unapologetic, Tap Out explores what it takes to stay true to oneself and the consequences of the choices made along the way in order to do so.
Review
A boy who knows only grinding despair finds hope within the walls of a gym.
Tonys life is bleak and violent, as his drug-addict mothers boyfriend regularly beats her up and gleefully includes Tony if he objects... Tony sees himself as trailer trash, with no options and no hope for a better life. Tony finds the gyms fight world, with its rules and demands for toughness, a place where he can receive rare praise. At the gym he finds some respect, guys he can trust and a chance...
This is bound to have huge appeal to kids whose lives are being mirrored, and it may prompt luckier readers to take some positive action. (Fiction. 14 and up)- Kirkus
Starting with the first page, Devine instantly captures your attention and holds it until the very end... the storyline, the drama and the characters were all thoroughly put together. Personally, I would recommend this book to any of my friends. School Library Journal Teen
Review
"A boy who knows only grinding despair finds hope within the walls of a gym. . . . This is bound to have huge appeal."Kirkus Reviews
"Devine instantly captures your attention and holds it until the very end. . . . The storyline, the drama and the characters were all thoroughly put together."School Library Journal Teen
"Devine doesnt pull any punches."Publishers Weekly
Review
Kirkus Reviews"A boy who knows only grinding despair finds hope within the walls of a gym. . . . This is bound to have huge appeal."
School Library Journal Teen
"Devine instantly captures your attention and holds it until the very end. . . . The storyline, the drama and the characters were all thoroughly put together."
Publishers Weekly
"Devine doesn’t pull any punches."
LifeIsBetterwithBooks.com
"Highly recommended."
You Decide: Should I read it or Not? blog
“This gritting, life-on-the-edge novel of poverty and pain for mature high schoolers is a hard hitting, no holds barred of what it means to struggle and live life on the edge. It is honest, raw and emotional, and deserves a place on every high school and public library bookshelf. Its characters are heavy hitting, and any reader who has experienced even a modicum of pain in their lives can relate and understand their struggles as well as their victories. After you read it, pass it on to someone else. It struck an emotional chord in me.
When life hands you nothing, and you struggle to exist everyday, “Tap Out” gives you a chance to breathe and know there’s light at the end of your tunnel. Keep on keeping on. Don’t give up.”
You Decide: Should I read it or Not? blog
“This gritting, life-on-the-edge novel of poverty and pain for mature high schoolers is a hard hitting, no holds barred of what it means to struggle and live life on the edge. It is honest, raw and emotional, and deserves a place on every high school and public library bookshelf. Its characters are heavy hitting, and any reader who has experienced even a modicum of pain in their lives can relate and understand their struggles as well as their victories. After you read it, pass it on to someone else. It struck an emotional chord in me.”
Barefoot Dokusha blog
“It is a wonderful tale of realizing you have to make your own decisions if you want your life to go anywhere… It is a great read. If you can handle reading this book with the abuse and swearing, do read it! You won’t be disappointed!”
Starr K., The Literati Press blog
“The only word I can say to sum up what I think about Tap Out I hope that Tap Out finds its way into the hands of anyone who needs the hope to keep fighting even what they get caught in an arm bar or clinch, or some other uncomfortable and slightly painful position in life. I hope that they understand that there’s power in not tapping out. is Wow!!! I love this book for so many reasons... First, I have to say that Devine has accomplished a monumental thing. He has written a book that is relevant to teenage boys and one that they will read…. Another reason I loved this book was because the characters were well-developed and they came to life….Recommendation: Everyone needs to check this book out! But most especially those who work with teen boys who may be written off and not encouraged living up to their potential.What’s Next? I can’t wait to see what Devine’s going to write next!!!!”
Sharon the Librarian blog
“The book is very gritty, and completely unapologetic in revealing parts of our society that often get overlooked or swept under the rug. I think that is wonderful, because the youth in these situations are often forgotten or just seen as trouble because of situations they want no part of. …Tap Out is a book I would recommend to older teens and adults…. I think readers in situations that seem hopeless, or greater than they can overcome, would relate to the characters and might be able to see that there are choices they can make and others have it even harder than they do.”
ForeverYoungAdult.com
“A lot of contemporary YA deals with serious issues, but Tap Out may be the most brutal, stark portrayal of the utter hopelessness that is a reality for a lot of kids”
Review
"A boy who knows only grinding despair finds hope within the walls of a gym. . . . This is bound to have huge appeal." Kirkus Reviews
"Devine instantly captures your attention and holds it until the very end. . . . The storyline, the drama and the characters were all thoroughly put together."School Library Journal Teen
"From the first line, author Devine announces that he plans to hit hard and hit often, and most of the strikes hit home in perhaps the grittiest sports novel since Joshua C. Cohen's Leverage (2011)...this strong outing deserves plenty of readers.Kirkus Reviews
"Devine doesnt pull any punches."Publishers Weekly
"Highly recommended."LifeIsBetterwithBooks.com
"It is honest, raw and emotional, and deserves a place on every high school and public library bookshelf."You Decide: Should I Read It or Not? blog
"It is a wonderful tale of realizing you have to make your own decisions if you want your life to go anywhere." Barefoot Dokusha blog
"[A] book that is relevant to teenage boys and one that they will read." The Literati Press
"The book is very gritty, and completely unapologetic in revealing parts of our society that often get overlooked or swept under the rug. I think that is wonderful." Sharon the Librarian blog
"A lot of contemporary YA deals with serious issues, but Tap Out may be the most brutal, stark portrayal of the utter hopelessness that is a reality for a lot of kids." Forever Young Adult
Synopsis
Honest, raw, and thought provoking, the story of a teenage boy who finds escape through Mixed Martial Arts.
About the Author
Eric Devine is currently a writer, high school English teacher, and educational consultant. He is also the author of
This Side of Normal, a novel about a teen struggling with type 1 diabetes. He lives in Waterford, New York, with his family, and can be found online at ericdevine.org and on Twitter @eric_devine.