After having built up this Stephen Kingian image of Scott with his writing about bloody-thirsty aliens and their loving robot companions, I just knew that The Rookie was going to be the equivalent of "'Cycle of the Warewolf" but instead turned out to be a curiously entertaining "The Long Walk" I so tried not to like the story and wanted to listen only to be able to point and laugh at the Misery that was The Rookie.... but alas, I was hooked by the time they got to The Combine.... At first I blamed my liking of this story on the basis that I was jonesin' for some football, but I slowly realized that Sig can write a story about a possessed lamp (I love lamp) and I'd listen to it, then I'd pimp it to my friends, then I'd buy it. Damn you Mr. Sigler. Damn you. If Halloween comes and I don't get my Nocturnal fix someone is going to find themselves hobbled a la Kathy "Number One Fan" Bates style. So, to address the OP..... yeah, you're the only one. --kevin

I never thought the Rookie would be good (Especially after Earth core, Ancestor, and Infection), but I was hooked. Well that's what I get for being a junkie

Well it took about 5 episodes to hook me. Although it wasn’t a usually ‘lots and lots of gore’ novel which we all know and love, it was still really good. The fights, on field games and individual character story lines made it for me. I also particularly enjoyed the space station stuff at the beginning and wished that was dragged out longer. The only bit I had trouble with was the American football, it really lost me. However I was thankful for all the background info and terminology episodes Scott added as they really helped. I think without that extra content, I would have been too confused and skipped the whole novel. I’m pleased I didn’t! Now I am just looking forward to The Starter!

I'm an American, but I've never been a football fan. Never really understood the whole obsession. "The Rookie"-- particularly Scott's performance of the in-game parts-- helped me understand the technical aspects a bit more. More importantly, it made me understand the drama of the game that lets people dedicate their lives to it. So perhaps it can help lead science fiction fans to appreciate football. Perhaps it can get football fans to appreciate science fiction. One thing is for sure: I've never read anything like it.

never really got into football, but a good story is a good story no matter the setting. so get fucking over yourself and hear the story..................... *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------* It's all about the Numbers, my friends The Math god

I don't know squat about American football (not the real, "soccer" kind), but the Rookie made me go out and rent Madden NFL. It's not my kind of game, but the Rookie is my kind of book: a great one. And now I'm off to write a Quidditch scene that tries not to be boring. I don't know how that would work, though.

OH man, how can I say this without dissin' the shit out Scott, ...wait ... thinkin' , thinkin', .....hold on , people.. still thinkin', .... oh yeah. In thought for some time about how to get over "The Rookie", but I was seriously shocked by the fact that I did not like it ... I am one that I like to pick up a book and if , within the third page, I'm still re-reading the paragraphs over and over again.... it's not for me I put it down and find something else ... usually it does not happen with the same author , once I read one book of theirs and I finish it with a smile, I purchase their others ... Scott, I'm sorry , "the Rookie " is one that I can not bring myself to purchase, Although it will totally fuck my Scott Sigler collection, it is something I must live with , but on a good note , I am really looking forward to hearing "Nocturnal " and I hope you really fuckin' turn it up a notch... It's the only thing that keeps me sane at work.... thanks to you all for takin' the time to read my rant... no hard feelings , right, Scott???? Eddie Sebastian

Okay, I like football, but that isn't what really made me like this book, although it helped. I think the character development in the rookie was great. Gore is fine, but I'm not really into slasher movies, or slasher books. I want the story that makes you think, that keeps you on edge. You really got to know Quentin, and his prejudices and fears, more so than other main characters in his other books. Being able to draw parallels between real life and the book was just icing on the cake. Those purist nation zealots piss me off. I want to kick their hating ass!

I keep all of Sig's podcasts on my iPod so that I can re-listen to them during the long commute. The Rookie, bar none, has the most replayability of all of his podcasts to date. Scott really hit his stride as a narrator/voice actor/producer in The Rookie and it is audible upon re-listening to it compared to Ancestor and especially Earthcore. I have really enjoyed each story and have listened to all of them more than once, but The Rookie will outlast them all for sheer, escapist entertainment value. Maybe you're not a fan of the genre or the coming-of-age hero story but even sans an engaging storyline (which I think it has a-plenty) it would be entertaining just for the dialog and character-acting. Give it a re-listen and see what you think!

Go on Scott kill Jeremy Richardson sssslllooowwwllyyy, It`s good that he admits to scaning his brain infection style,I can relate to that,but he missed the point about `The Rookie` the football is merely a vehicle.As for the short stories `The Passenger` good,`The snipe hunt`good idea..not enough teeth,but as a Brit the relaxed layed back vocal on `Iowa Typhoon`really hit the spot. I`ve seen Jeremy`s pic(Freddy Mercury wanne be)just kill him SCOTT!! USE THE CHICKEN SCISSORS ON THAT TACHE, IF YOU DONT HE`LL BRING YOUR SPIRIT DOWN TWO OCTIVES LOWER THAN HUTCHINS VOICE....Scott ,you know you want to ....while he`s sleeeping....we wont tell....

Ok , freaks, I finished listenin' to the first two episodes of "Nocturnal" and I have to say .... DAMN... that was good. I was immersed in the story, after the first 5 min., as I was tryin' to keep up with who was who. That's how fast paced it was.... yessssss. Keep that shit up, Scott, and I'm goin' to blow an ear drum... Thank You.... Peace

Whether you like football or not and for me it is not something I follow a lot [I first watched American Football here in the UK in the 80's and supported the first team that won a game; The Green Bay Packers], but The Rookie from Sigler was great. There were great characters and story lines, brilliant suspense and excitement, along with copious amounts of gore. I really remember Quentin's arm being sewn up by a hi-tech sewing machine and the aliens in the front line marking themselves with his blood and "The Machine"'s exit from the story with his head doing an incomplete exorcist-like turning act. There were a multitude of excellent moments throughout this story and I want to hear the next book, The Starter.

I hate football. I hate it, hate it, hate it with a passion reserved for dropped stitches and lumpy cake batter. I grew up in Texas, where high school football gets more time on the news than the national sports coverage, and I. Hate. Football. That said, I simply adore The Rookie. The storytelling is superb, the characters are amazing (I want to snuggle all the hyperactive Sklorno players), and it's just damn good. So give it another chance!

When Rookie first started, I didn't think I would like it, being about football, and I don't watch football, or know anytning about it, but I was HOOKED right away, I liked that you took time and explained things, I could understand and imagine everything in the story and that make all the difference. I just love ALIENS and all the strange things the different cultures and species added to football, Can't wait for MORE of this.

Luckily it caught me on the first episode because I despise football, glad I didn't miss it though!

The Irishman from Ohio"I never Get to Get it!"-Wacko Warner This pod-cast helped me understand American Football to the point where I can know watch it on tv.

Do you think the movie Bull Durum was about baseball and not relationships. The Rookie was more space noir and leadership with football as a setting.

Can't wait to see it as a mini-series on HBO .... (which it certainly SHOULD BE!) --kevin

im not but i still loved the rookie the explination podcasts really helped though cos i know nothing about football

American male here and for me to say that I absolutely abhor football would be a huge understatement so I was going to pass on The Rookie when I first came out way back, but I figured....It's one of Scott's stories so I might as well give it a try.....and I absolutely loved it. I didn't understand the football talk but the story was great.

After I finished Infection (yes, that was my first Sigler book, after that all others seemed quite tame), I started with Rookie and stopped after 1-2 episodes. Not just because of football (I'm with Churchill regarding sports) but because I had a hard time understanding the modified voices. So I went back to the beginnings and listened to Earthcore and Ancestor. After that I gave the Rookie another chance and got hooked again after 3-4 episodes. Just like he said... Give him 4 episodes to hook you.

I started with nocturnal but while im waiting for epesodes I listen to all the novels on that xmas dvd. Heard all the bloodcasts (snipe one is the best) now Im on Earthcore, which is becoming more and more enjoyable.

I wasn't sure about the concept, it sounded interesting, but odd. It has ended up being my favorite story so far from "The all mighty Sigler". I am by no means a football expert and found the story to be very informative on top of being very entertaining. Sigler has really hit his stride and is using the medium to full effect with the sound effects and interactive content. Tsolo888 - Out "Don't be surprised one day if the person you pissed off on the net shows up on your front door step"