"The seedy world of 1870s lower Manhattan offers a compelling backdrop for this story of a boy giant working the underground fight-club circuit. Plucked from the backwoods of Quebec for his huge stature, Luc is a natural if reluctant fighter, winning every bout arranged by his scheming manager. Isolated and unable to speak English, Luc is resigned to his fate, but a chance encounter with a cruel animal trainer and his boxing kangaroo spur Luc to take control of his circumstances. The fifth title in the Bareknuckle series offers a fast-paced, emotionally charged story. The brief length, perfect for reluctant readers, still allows for distinct characters to emerge, and Luc has enough dimension to garner sympathy, especially as his gentle nature is revealed. The brutal fight scenes are tense and engaging, and the author frames them within broader social constructs of the time period, creating a vivid picture of the daily struggles faced by previous generations of immigrant and poor residents in New York. A solid choice for teens resistant to historical fiction."--Booklist.