Tap Out

Publishers Weekly

Faced with a variety of hard, unpleasant decisions, a teenager turns to mixed martial arts (MMA) in an attempt to take control of his increasingly difficult life. Seventeen-year-old Tony Antioch can’t see any way out of a daily existence that involves a drug-addicted mother, her physically abusive boyfriend, and a meth-dealing biker gang that refuses to take no for an answer when they try to recruit him. Every attempt Tony makes to help his mother, avoid trouble, or better his situation inevitably turns sour, with his MMA training only making him a better, more brutal fighter. It all leads up to a deadly, desperate climax that leaves no one unscathed. Devine doesn’t pull any punches in this violent and graphic tale, and the visceral, profanity-drenched narration is in keeping with the subject matter. Women are used and abused, people are beaten and killed, and drugs and casual sex are prevalent. Moments of hope and optimism are far and few between, and even mature readers may find the story overwhelmingly bleak. Ages 14–up. Agent: Kate McKean, Howard Morhaim Literary Agency. (Sept.)

From the Publisher

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”

VOYA - Cassandra Rondinella

Tony Antioch has lived in Pleasant Meadows trailer park his whole life, with his strung-out mother and a revolving door of abusive boyfriends. Most often left to fend for himself, Tony spends most of his time away from home in a world that is just as scary on the outside. In an agreement made with the principal in order to not be suspended, Tony takes a mixed martial arts class at a local gym where he learns to defend himself and trust others. Tony loses focus when he and his friend Rob unwillingly become involved with the Agnostic Front, a major drug-dealing organization whose leader is a friend's father. Deals take place right outside Tony's trailer. Thrown into a world of drugs, prostitution, and murder, Tony realizes this is not a path of his choosing, but with every attempt he makes to leave, he is reminded that his life could be at stake, as well as the lives of those he loves. Devine attempts to paint a realistic picture of gangs and drugs. He gives the illusion of hope but puts more emphasis on the depression of violence, murder, pregnancy, prostitution, and human trafficking. There are many characters who enter and exit the novel and loosely tie the story together, but there are almost too many characters and subplots/situations which are underdeveloped and, in some cases, unnecessary to the plot. This book should be placed on a secondary list of titles to be purchased if there is money left over in a library budget. Reviewer: Cassandra Rondinella

Kirkus Reviews

A boy who knows only grinding despair finds hope within the walls of a gym. Tony's life is bleak and violent, as his drug-addict mother's boyfriend regularly beats her up and gleefully includes Tony if he objects. At school, the boyfriend's nephew further compounds the bullying. Until the principal, Mr. O, decides to help, Tony's buddy Rob and the Vo-Tec auto-mechanics class are the only things that lighten his load. Now, not only does Rob want Tony to join the gym where they can be coached in Mixed Martial Arts, but the principal is threatening to take away Vo-Tec if Tony doesn't go. Tony sees himself as trailer trash, with no options and no hope for a better life. Tony finds the gym's 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. A mighty confrontation is inevitable and proves predictably brutal. Full of foul language and crude talk, the painful scenarios never let up, including a horrifying encounter in which Tony must listen to a prostitute be beaten, knowing that earlier an abusive father sent his unwilling daughter to the same fate. 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 & up)