Monday, April 3, 2017

The Impossible Fortress by Jason Rekulak- Book Review

I had a chance to read this one when it was still in pre-publishing format a few months ago, so some details may not line up with the final copy. The wonderful thing is the story has stuck with me for these last few months and I quite enjoyed it. The other wonderful thing is this is a Book of the Month selection this month, so for just $5, you can try Book of the Month and get this book! (Plug plug)

The book takes place in 1987 and centers around Billy, who is a nerd. He loves his computer almost as much as his friends, but his computer is older and the game he created is flawed because of it. It runs too slowly and there are programming problems, but it is all about his game.

There is something else magical about 1987, Playboy has just come out with an issue that features Wheel of Fortune letter turner Vanna White! If Billy and his friends can just get a copy, not only can they see Vanna in all her glory, but the plan is to photocopy the magazine and sell copies to their friends. It is a fool proof plan with the only step being- get the magazine.

This leads Billy to a store where he thinks he can get the magazine. In the back of the store are two computers that are better than his and behind one is Mary. She is an expert programmer, has nothing but time as she helps out at the store, but has a secret that she is unwilling to share with Billy. The other kids make fun of Mary, but a computer game and a plan to get a Playboy, will bring Billy and Mary together.

On a purely nostalgic level, this book connected with me so much. I was a similar age as Billy in 1987, I too loved computer games, and I remember that Playboy. It truly was one of those- we gotta see inside issues. So, it hit all the right buttons for someone like me.

It was also a lot of fun. It was a cute romance story that isn't quite a romance either as the two leads are in their teens. It is a childhood romance, so to speak. The characters were well developed and the feel for the time was just right.

The story wasn't quite perfect though. I enjoyed it a ton, but the Playboy storyline became second fiddle as did Billy's friends. The break in story line was a tad convoluted, especially with how it was to be pulled off. There were also some other problems with the storyline, especially the big secret which even someone Billy's age should have figured out pretty quickly.

It worked though. It was a fun read that as I was reading it, I kept asking myself- why I am I taking this so seriously? It is a good afternoon read where you just want to sit back and enjoy yourself for a bit- not too heavy and not too deep, but a fun romp back in time.

I gave this one 3 stars.

* I wish to thank NetGalley for the early edition. I received it in exchange for an honest review

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