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$7.13The Story
A high school wrestler will do anything to make his dad proud. The problem? His dad is dead.
Connor Castaway lives for victory-pushing his injured body to the limit, chasing records, and numbing the pain with pills he shouldn't have. Wrestling isn't just a sport; it's an inheritance, a way to honor a father who left more expectations than memories. But as Connor claws closer to the top, he uncovers the dangerous truths in his corner: rivalries, lies, and the destructive obsessions that threaten to consume them all.
From fraught love interests and hallucinatory benders to betrayal, addiction, and the brutal cost of relentless ambition, First Loser is a raw, tense, and unflinching story about obsession, legacy, and the fine line between greatness and self-destruction-a coming-of-age journey for anyone who's ever chased approval, battled demons, or wondered if winning is worth the cost-and what it takes to finally be free.
"A gritty and honest look at the painful truths that teens and adults must face." - Kirkus Reviews
"[A] powerful novel rich in the delights of competition and contemplation." - Midwest Book Review
Author: Scott Walker Cunningham
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Published: 05/21/2026
Pages: 246
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.64lbs
Size: 8.50h x 5.50w x 0.56d
ISBN: 9798901741306
Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 04/15/2026
This title is not returnable
Description
A high school wrestler will do anything to make his dad proud. The problem? His dad is dead.
Connor Castaway lives for victory-pushing his injured body to the limit, chasing records, and numbing the pain with pills he shouldn't have. Wrestling isn't just a sport; it's an inheritance, a way to honor a father who left more expectations than memories. But as Connor claws closer to the top, he uncovers the dangerous truths in his corner: rivalries, lies, and the destructive obsessions that threaten to consume them all.
From fraught love interests and hallucinatory benders to betrayal, addiction, and the brutal cost of relentless ambition, First Loser is a raw, tense, and unflinching story about obsession, legacy, and the fine line between greatness and self-destruction-a coming-of-age journey for anyone who's ever chased approval, battled demons, or wondered if winning is worth the cost-and what it takes to finally be free.
"A gritty and honest look at the painful truths that teens and adults must face." - Kirkus Reviews
"[A] powerful novel rich in the delights of competition and contemplation." - Midwest Book Review
Author: Scott Walker Cunningham
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Published: 05/21/2026
Pages: 246
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.64lbs
Size: 8.50h x 5.50w x 0.56d
ISBN: 9798901741306
Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 04/15/2026
This title is not returnable
