We are the Wildcats is a tense story about friendship and toxic relationships. Grounded in a sense of team spirit, We are the Wildcats handles a 24 hour period of team bonding. But exactly what the outcome will be, has never been seen before from their team. Keep reading my book review to check out all the suspense!
Summary
Tomorrow, the Wildcat varsity field hockey squad will play the first game of their new season. But at tonight’s team sleepover, the girls are all about forging the bonds of trust, loyalty, and friendship necessary to win.
Everything hinges on the midnight initiation ceremony—a beloved tradition and the only facet of being a Wildcat that the girls control. Until now.
Coach—a handsome former college player revered and feared in equal measure—changes the plan and spins his team on a new adventure. One where they take a rival team’s mascot for a joyride, crash a party in their pajamas, break into the high school for the perfect picture.
But as the girls slip out of their comfort zone, so do some long-held secrets. And just how far they’re willing to go for their team takes them all—especially Coach—by surprise.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
We are the Wildcats is a story about ambition and friendship. The spirit of team camaraderie is contagious as the Wildcats invite new players and celebrate old players together before their first game. At the same time, their bonding evening unearths secrets. Dangerous ones that expose the toxic relationship between coach and players. The multiple POV style of the novel allows readers to not only see the drama unfold from different angles, but to see the characters delve into their own memories.
There were so many great characters here like new player Luci, or Ali, the goalie who feels responsible for last season. Then there’s best friends Mel and Phoebe whose relationship has gotten tangled up with the team. Vivian balances a tense atmosphere with building up these characters through memories. We are the Wildcats handles this intersection between our personal identity and the team spirit. Our place on a team, as a piece of a living organism, while also having to look out for ourselves.
It’s impossible to deny the suspense atmosphere that Vivian builds. The ways the coach’s actions are exposed and the ways the girls have to choose if they will band together. What becomes the breaking point? What are they willing to lose? It leaves this feeling at the pit of your stomach. Especially as the players have to navigate their feelings surrounding the sport, the team, and the coach all at once. Their memories, as well as their new friendships, allow them to begin to pick apart that seed of doubt. When we build our identity around something, and that moment of falling when it disappears. What does it mean to be a Wildcat? What does it mean to put the team first?
Overall,
We are the Wildcats is a book that balances character bonding and suspense. It’s a book about listening to our gut feelings. About recognizing the support systems around us. Deciding who we want to be. If you’re interested in sports in YA, then We are the Wildcats is a must read! At the same time, if you’re interested in friendship and girls who support each other, then this should be on your TBR! Find We are the Wildcats on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound & The Book Depository.