Knock Out

Jaden Noble delivers a captivating tale in Knock Out, a perfect read for YA fans. The story introduces Zena, a young woman fighting to escape her traumatic past and protect her future. Her father has been a monster, and all she wants is never to have anything to do with him. She has struggled with homelessness and has hit the lowest point she could ever imagine before tumbling into the gym, where she doesn’t just find a place to train, but people she can call family. The gym gives her the space to train and to reclaim her identity, but when she scores a victory and is about to celebrate, something happens, and the past comes to haunt her. A shadowy figure knows her past and begins to blackmail her. But this time, Zena chooses to fight back by enrolling in the university the learn hacking skills. As she navigates university life, she uncovers a web of blackmail, deception, and family secrets, all while training for a crucial boxing match that could determine her safety and the future of her gym.

There is so much that fascinated me about Knock Out. I read it in one sitting, awake through the night, and enjoyed the first-person narrative voice that makes Zena’s point of view and psyche very accessible. The short chapters and timely paragraph breaks make for an enjoyable read and enhance the drama. Jaden Noble writes deftly about survival, emotional chaos, and the quest for identity. Zena’s journey to rebuilding herself is inspiring, and Noble’s depiction of the gritty streets of Medicine Hat, the intense boxing gym, and the university campus creates a textured backdrop for Zena’s emotional and physical battles. Characterization is a highlight of this spellbinding novel; Zena’s layered personality reveals her deep flaws, fierce determination, and desire for belonging. Supporting characters like Matt, Jazz, and Veronica are elaborately written; they are likable. Noble’s skillful storytelling captures the raw emotions of her characters, and the clever blend of engaging dialogue with descriptive prose and the use of epistolary delivers the delights I expected when I picked this book to read.