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Book V in the GFL series, THE CHAMPION, a hard-hitting story that combines scifi, sports and crime into a fantastic YA read

THE CHAMPION (GFL Book V)

THE CHAMPION is the fifth book in the Galactic Football League series.

Seven centuries in the future, the sport of American football has never been bigger, never been faster, never been more lethal. Trillions of fans from all over the galaxy watch six unique races battle in contests so violent that deaths are part of the stat sheet.

Star quarterback Quentin Barnes has led his beloved Ionath Krakens to glory on the gridiron and become the most-recognized individual in history, but it is off the field where his world crumbles around him. Over four seasons with Ionath, he’s picked up powerful enemies: one of which drove his sister into the Portath Cloud, a place from which no ship returns. Because his enemies include his team owner — a possessive crime lord who treats players like property —and the ruling government that controls the shipping lanes, Quentin and his friends must hide from the media spotlight as they search for a way to rescue his sister.

The GFL series melds star-spanning scifi, brutal crime fiction and intense sports action into a smash-mouth extravaganza unlike anything you’ve read before. 

About The Author

#1 New York Times bestselling author Scott Sigler is probably stalking you right now, looking for a way to steal your soul and sell it at the local Five-And-Dime.

Comments

  1. Andrzej Johnston

    I just finished listening to the five books of the GFL series on my audible account. It was great to revisit an old favorite. I recall when Scott was releasing Book 1 on his podcast back in the 2000’s and I was downloading the podcast weekly to get my fix of the GFL. Scott did a great job with the production of the audio recordings and they painted a great story in my head when I heard them. There is potential for more great stories and I hope to see a Book 6 soon.

  2. Robert

    FDO,

    I believe I speak for most fans out here by saying, we need this whole series, the GFL, in graphic novel form! The universe you’ve created and the people and species you’ve introduced to us to deserve to be shown in graphic novel form, if not live action on television *hint hint* *wink wink*

          1. Rob

            Well crap… thanks for getting back to me. I’m a huge fan and I’ve been singing your praise to everyone that’ll listen.

    1. Josh vaughn

      I’ve been eyeballing the rookie for the past 2 months, well 3 weeks ago I decided to buy it and 3 weeks later I’ve finished the every book through the champion. Needless to say you’re my new favorite author and I havent enjoyed a story this much since I played through the original mass effect trilogy, needless to say I will be pre ordering the gangster mr. Sigler, I’d also like to send thanks for keeping my drives entertaining.

      1. scottsigler

        Josh: : Kick ass. Love to hear this stuff, and we’re glad you dig the books! Make sure you’re signed up for the email newsletter (scottsigler.com/newsletter) so we keep you informed of all the GFL novellas as well as the novels.

  4. Jesse

    OMG! I just finished The Champion! I’m kinda bummed about Q, but I trust in Scott to continue to wow us as he has with all of his books. Now I’m dying to find out what happens in book VI. I’m surprised they haven’t made this into a TV series. I’m going to start reading The Detective and then maybe start Alive while I await book VI.

  5. Megan Pothoven

    Are there any books out that have photos or depictions of the characters? I would love to see each character. Also when is the next book coming out?!?! I love your books and have listened to them all more times than I can count!!

  6. Christian

    Man Scott. I’m sitting here waiting for book VI so bad man. I love this series (read through them 3 times) and want to know what’s gonna happen with Quentin and the franchise (and the galaxy I guess lol)

  7. Matthew Ackerman

    I am a truck driver and just fou d this series on Graphic Audio. They only have The Rookie part one right now but part 2 is due out end of this month. I have not read the books but the Graphic Audio was epic. I love this series and plan to vuy all the books as well. I dony know if you have heard the GA of the books and i hope they do them justice because i plan on getting every one of them. I am so glad to be able to have some decent scifi that is not the same old crap in a different wrapper. From a truck driver i say thank you sir for the amazing story.

    2. scottsigler

      Matthew: Welcome to the fold, sir! We’re fans of Graphic Audio and very excited they adapted THE ROOKIE and the rest of the GFL series. Glad you dig it, because there is ROOKIE Part II and then four more novels and three novellas. I’m also getting to work on GFL Book VI soon, and another two novellas are due out in the next 12 months. Graphic Audio has them all.

  9. Thorsgate

    More Scott more! I need my junkie fix been a fan since before the dawn of time, well at least since you first started pod-casting! been a cheap ass and only listened to the pod-casts up too this book. could not wait until you finished the podcast and had to buy! and then you made me buy alive and alight buy pointing that gun to my head! and then you make me wait for alone. ! what the hell man! naw just kidding. love your work. I spread the word of the FDO any time I can. Thank you you make my commute so so so so so much better. I forget that I am even driving. I can even picture my self on the field playing for QB.
    Thanks once again.

  10. Anthony Lozano

    Hey Scott I think I’ve listened to the gfl series 5 times over and alive and infected, contagious and the gfl novellas. Also loving the crypt I bought what I could but going through some rough times. Your becoming one my favorite authors and just wanna say I couldn’t sit through an audiobook before the krakens. Keep up the awesomess!!

  11. Christian

    I love this book I think I’ve read through all five of these books at least three times. Mr. Sigler thank you for letting me enjoy reading again I can’t wait for book 6 to come out I would really love to see what Quentin going to do

  12. Christian

    I love this series. I’ve read these books and have even started reading one of the alien MMA books about Korak the Cutter. I’ve read through the 5 books at least three times and I love them. Mr. Sigler thank you for letting me enjoy reading again with this book series and I can’t wait for book 6 to come out. Wanting to see what’s gonna happen to Quentin after the Champion

  15. kevin

    Love the gfl series. I’m a typical Brit so had no idea about american football but your books have inspired me to check it out. Not made it to MVP yet. Anyone one one the other side of the pond ever wanna check out a Brit podcast author look up underwood and flinch a vampire story.

  16. Cory

    This book was absolutely amazing! Only added to the intriguing story of Quinton and the Crackens. When is the 6th book due out, I can’t wait! Best story telling by any author I’ve ever listened to.

      1. Theosis Northam

        Write quicker scott..! burned through all 5 books in the GFL Novels
        (Audio verson, I drive a lot) in about 2.5 weeks..

        What on Earth am I to do now..!

        🙁

  17. Aengus '13' O'Sullivan

    That’s amazing! The GFL series combines everything I love. Scifi, football, violence and your gripping storytelling. Best audio books ever! Thankyou so much Mr Sigler, from the bottom of my dirty little heart.

  18. Will Flood

    Thanks for that post. Not long to October 14th.

    Do you have any possible dates for the Crypt Book 2? Enjoy all your books and I love listening to them. I will be listening to the Crypt for a third time whilst I wait.

    Interesting what you said recently about the GFL origins in WW1 build up and lead into WW2. Need another listen from another viewpoint.

    Go Krakens.

    Will

  20. Terry

    Is there a release date for the champion? I heard September a few months back but there has been no ability to preorder it through audible.com and thought there might have been a delay of some sort.

  21. Anthony DeCosta

    I have just recently discovered this series and love it. Is the signed limited edition of book 5 still available for pre-order or is it sold out? I ask because the pre-order link says there are 3645 still available, but the description says the limited edition is a 2000 copy run. Thanks!

    1. scottsigler

      Anthony: Yes, still available. We can print as many as are pre-ordered, so we set a high number to make sure the online inventory doesn’t run out (which we would have to then go in and reset). Order away!

      1. Anthony

        Awesome, I just ordered one. Thanks for getting back to me. I managed to pick up books 1 and 2 on the internet; now I just need to find books 3 and 4!

        Although I’m sure you’ve heard this a million times, I just want to take the opportunity to say that the Infected trilogy is one of the most well-written and superbly entertaining stories that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Incredible attention to detail, techno-savvy description, deep and meaningful character development, complex and imaginative plot advancement, and an exciting pace are just a few of the virtues that I can extoll about the books. Great stuff. Thanks for doing what you do!

  22. Barry Cullum

    I have to be some form of tech-tard (just like the FDO), and I can’t remember if I preordered the Champion. I thought I did, but I can’t find any form of confirmation (which doesn’t mean much, I lose those all the time).

    Is there any way I can find out if I did pre-order?

  23. Wayne

    Being a truck driver, I don’t get to read very often, but your audio books are outstanding. You’ve made a few hundred hours of driving much more enjoyable for me through the audio books. Though, my phone is getting a little tired of replaying the GFL series. I can’t wait to run The Champion.
    Thanks, Scott and staff. I have upward of 140 audio books that I’ve listened to on the road. The GFL, Huntersons, and Infected series’ are the best of any, by far.

  25. Scotto

    That’s correct. The GFL books are great and entertaining even for
    the likes of myself whose faith in football has been nearly crushed by the miserable Vikings.

  28. Stefani Robinson

    Hey A (or Scott),

    My hubby and I were just talking and realized that it’s entirely possible we may be moving before August. It’s probably about 50/50 right now. But I just want to be sure, if that happens can I email media@scottsigler.com and have that updated on my order?

    I mean, if not then I guess we just won’t move until next year but figured it didn’t hurt to ask lol.

    1. A Kovacs

      We’ve sold upwards of 1000 books so far. That’s the closest you’ll get for a number. Can’t tell exactly until the latency at the site and at PayPal catch up and all the emails are sent, which won’t be for a few days. In any case, the only way for me to manage customer expectations is to keep exact details close to the vest until the books ship in August, so I won’t share much more than that.

  31. Todd Taylor

    Had some trouble getting through from Japan. I think there were some browser timing-out issues. Google Chrome, which I usually use, was a no go. Firefox wouldn’t let me in. Finally, of all things, Internet Explorer, which I never use, got me in and let me place my order. Can’t wait!

  32. Ian Morgan

    Well, it’s approaching 1.30am where I am & I can now go to bed knowing my order is in. Don’t know if I got through in time for double digits but I’m just happy that I’ll finally find out what happened to QB & the team. Go Krakens!

    BTW – Go Empty Set Entertainment! You rock! (Even if it did take 20 minutes to get through to the site. I guess that this means we like you – we really, really like you!)

  33. Doc Coleman

    I got my order placed in under four minutes. And then the hammer hit the site. Good luck to folks trying to place their pre-orders! I made sure I logged in several minutes before the book went on sale. I think that helped me.

    Doc

  39. Stefani Robinson

    I am sitting here at work, tapping my foot in impatience! It seriously just needs to be here already. I have been mass posting about it on all my social media since yesterday, my friends are impatient with my impatience!

    This could end up being the best week ever. I have Pandemic, GFL preorder today, and potentially the Seakhaws as SB champs tomorow. I can die happy.

    1. A Kovacs

      In the past we’ve included theebook with the purchase of the hardcover and we’ll be doing that again.

      We haven’t ever and won’t ever include the audiobook. That’ll eventually be free as a podcast, and will be available in September at Audible/Amazon/iTunes for purchase.

      1. Todd Taylor

        Thanks for letting me know. I understand about the rates, it’s never cheap to ship here. Hmm, maybe I’ll have it sent to my mom in the US instead and she can read it first!

        I’m looking forward to it. I’ve just started the GFL series, and am really enjoying it. The odd thing is, I’m really not much of a sports fan!! Thanks to you, dear FDO, I guess I’m becoming one! And, I’m from Seattle…go Hawks! (hope that didn’t jinx them…)

  51. Frank Copeland

    I’m so freaking amped for this book. Are the paperbacks of books 3 and 4 out yet? I’ve been really slacking in my junkie duties, and haven’t been paying a lot of attention to stuff like books and thinking lately. =]

    1. A Kovacs

      Easy: Just “buy” the ROOKIE Curriculum Guide. It’s free, but I’ve left the requirement for shipping address turned on. So sign in, put it in your cart, fill out the address info, and checkout.

      As long as you’re signed in when you do it, you’ll have pre-populated your address info when pre-order time comes.

      Also, please note: on the addresses page at the bottom of the right column, there’s a section called “Order Notes”. This is where you’ll ask for personalization.

  56. Bryan James

    Do we know what the price point will be on this? Also, will you continue the tradition that if you buy the hard cover edition you get the e-book for free? Either way I’m getting both but would help the wallet a bit if e-book is thrown in.

    1. A Kovacs

      Price doesn’t change: $34.95. The coupon codes will be live too.

      And yes, if it’s Empty Set that puts the book out, you’ll always get the ebook for free when you purchase a hard cover. We can’t control what Random House does with their Scott Sigler releases, but we can do that for our releases.

  57. Bandit

    Pandemic finally in my hands and it is less than a week until I get to pre-order another Sigler masterpiece. I have no other words besides, AHHHHHHRRRRGGG!! I feel like Veruca Salt-“I want it now!!”

  58. TomG

    That’s good news! I do plan on DLing the audiobook, but, will GFL V be put on podiobooks.com?

    Also, when will the next iteration of “The Crew” (BK 2) and EarthCore be available?

      1. Chris Toohey

        Awesome news – I’m loving what Phil is doing with Nocturnal and Bones are White, but the GFL characters have become so set in my head that I hear Scott’s character-voice when I’m reading.
        I get it’s a difficult thing to balance – the less time he spends in the techtardis the more time he’s writing – but sometimes [my] selfish fandom wins out over logic and reason!

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