Did not enjoy. Hard to read and get through

Disjointed

Three and a half stars: A funny, nostalgic love story that takes you back to the eighties.

Billy can't believe his ears when one of his best friend's tells him that Vanna White, America's Sweetheart, is showing her bare bottom on the latest edition of Playboy Magazine. Unfortunately, Zelinsky's convenience store is the only place in town that sells the dirty magazine. Even worse, Mr. Zelinsky is a stickler and refuses to sell the magazine to anyone under eighteen. Desperate, Billy and his two friends, Alf and Clark, hatch numerous hair-brained schemes to get their hands on Vanna. Billy even goes to far as to offer to seduce Mary Zelinsky, a plump, computer nerd, in order to get the magazine. What Billy doesn't expect is to fall in love. Will he lose his heart and score the magazine?
What I Liked:
*The Impossible Fortress is a laugh out loud book that takes you back to a simpler time, before cell phones and the internet, to the eighties, when Wheel of Fortune and Vanna White were in their heyday. I loved this funny story with heart, and I especially like that it made me nostalgic for my youth. If you want an entertaining story, with some surprises and one that is all things eighties, grab this one.
*I loved the ridiculous antics of Billy and his friends. Granted, sometimes they got themselves into some stupid situations due to their immaturity, but they made me laugh out loud. I enjoyed their scheming and plotting all in order to get a Playboy Magazine to see a naked Vanna White. These three will make you laugh.
*For me, the highlight of the book was the time period. I was the same age as Billy in the book, so I could totally relate. I loved that this books took me right back to my teenage years with the music, the movies, the computers and more. I would recommend reading this just for the eighties nostalgia.
*The romance is just right. I liked that it was realistic and that it stayed true to the characters. This is a relationship born when two fourteen year olds bond over computer programming. I liked that it was awkward and hesitant and that it never felt forced. I think the author got it just right. If you go into this expecting butterflies and swoon worthy moments, you will be disappointed. This is told from the view point of a fourteen year old boy.
*I was surprised at the later developments in the book. It ended up having a lot more heart and it became something more than stealing a magazine. I especially felt for Mary even more when I learned the whole truth about her situation.
*I enjoyed all the computer geekiness. Being a teenage girl in the eighties, I wasn't obsessed with the Commodore 64, so it was all new territory to me, and I found it fascinating that you could do so much even way back in the eighties.
And The Not So Much:
*I wished that there was more development with Alf and Clark, especially Clark with is birth defect. Those two characters could have been fleshed out more. Instead there are the stereotypical stupid friends who are always coming around with dumb ideas to get them in trouble. I also felt like their scheme went a little bit too far when shoplifting was involved.
*I didn't like that there was bullying. Alf and Clark are cruel when it comes to Mary. They constantly make fat jokes and talk smack about her. I know this is how boys act, but I wasn't a fan of this, the only thing that made it a bit better was that they never did it to her face.
*The ending felt abrupt to me especially after the jaw dropping revelation. I wish there was an Epilogue because I really wanted to know how things turned out for Mary down the road. Perhaps the author will consider a sequel.

The Impossible Fortress was a funny and heartwarming coming of age story with a hint of romance set in the eighties. I loved revisiting my youth vicariously through the characters. This book made me laugh, and then it surprised me with heart. This book was good time, and I recommend it for anyone who wants a funny read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.

This is a love story, nerd style. Taking place in a small New Jersey town in the ’80’s, the reader is taken back to the world of floppy disks, joysticks, pop culture…and Vanna White.

14-year old Billy and friends Alf and Clark are obsessed to get their hands on the latest Playboy featuring Vanna. Funny the harebrained ideas they come up with. How can they make such a simple task so complicated? One instance has them dressing up like businessmen trying to fool the store owner Mr. Zelinsky into selling them the magazine. Strike one…. In the midst of all-consuming plotting, Billy meets Zelinsky’s daughter Mary and the two learn they share a love of computer programming. They join forces and enter a contest for young programmers, developing a game called The Impossible Fortress, spending lots of time together. Billy now finds himself between a rock and a hard place. He made a commitment to his friends but now has this personal connection with the Zelinsky’s. He has earned their trust and he right thing to do is quash the snowballing crazy Vannah snatch and run plan. But is it too late?

This is a young adult story but adults will more appreciate the nostalgia. The one negative I wish hadn’t been included by the writer involved a scene of destruction. It was completely unnecessary and put a damper on this light-hearted book.
Will also be posting to Amazon, Powells, etc upon publication.

In the year 1987 Playboy released a copy with scandalous photos of the famous Vanna White which became somewhat of a Holy Grail to young teenage boys. Fourteen year old Billy Marvin and his friends were no exception and the three boys vowed to do anything to get their hands on a copy of the magazine.

When their first attempts fail miserably Billy comes up with a plan to get close to Mary Zelinsky, the daughter of the owner of the store selling the coveted Playboy that the boys are desperate to get a copy of. But Billy didn’t plan on slowing falling for Mary as the two work together on a computer program that will hopefully win them a prize.

The Impossible Fortress by Jason Rekulak was an incredibly fun read that takes place in the 80’s. All throughout the book the author did a wonderful job of reminding readers of the current events and happenings during that decade which is always a favorite of mine. That alone makes it very hard for me to dislike a story when it’s bringing smiles of remembrance while reading.

I will say with the characters in this book I really enjoyed Billy and Mary and watching their relationship grow as they worked together. Billy’s other friends though seemed a bit more trouble than you would think this shy teen would have in his life. There was also one flaw with the whole plan that does eventually get mentioned but it had me questioning things for a while so that brought my rating down a bit.

Overall, a fun read set in the 80’s with plenty of reminders of that decade.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Quick read. Great coming of age story. Love the way computer programming, mistakes, persistence and just plain being a 14 year old come together to create story for both the YA audience and adults.

Thank you Netgalley and Simon Schuster for access to the galley.

Interesting . I liked the coding and the idea of the book. Would recommend to any one who loves computers and reading.

Great book! Out of the ordinary plot, with believable characters. Definitely recommended!!

I found this book and the way it was written to be a tad bit confusing, but at the same time, the story and plot were both original and it was kind of fun. I would definitely recommend this one.

Really liked this book. It indeed took me back to those days of coding and games building from the scratch. It's a bit childlike at times but cute. Love the teens and the adolescents. Light read.

This book was not at all what I expected, and yet it was a fun and awesome read. A book that made me feel like I was living the teen years my parents had, a book that made me fall in love with coding, a book that conjured up the magic of the 80s in a way you only see in movies like War Games and Tron.

Billy is not your usual nerd – his grades are awful, he doesn’t care for books or role playing games. He is, however, more than slightly obsessed with his Commodore 64. He codes for fun, and he’s outstandingly good, not just for a 14 year old. It’s a hobby he doesn’t expect his friends or family to understand, but it’s something he loves to do.

So when he meets Mary, a girl his age who might just be better at coding than he is, a friendship blossoms that could change everything.

It’s important to remember that we’re int he mind of a 14 year old, here. Billy’s friends Alf and Clyde share one goal – to get the newest issue of Playboy, and get a look at the nude goddess that is Vanna White. It’s all they can think about, and they’re hatching a plan to get their hands on it. And they need Billy to seduce Mary as part of it.

This doesn’t seem like a problem for Billy: it even gives him an excuse to hang out with this brilliant girl, and work together on their video game, the Impossible Fortress, which could win them fame and fortune… all without getting mocked by the boys. You see, Mary is a little chubby. Or outright fat, if you believe Alf and Clyde. She isn’t really worth Billy’s time, they say. Plus, she has a reputation – if you know what I mean.

Some of the characters felt a little flat to me, but I don’t think it’s a problem, since Billy and Mary have so much depth. The story is about them, after all. It’s partially love story, partially friendship – though maybe you could say the real love story is between Billy and coding, or the reader and the 80s.

And while part of the story was a little predictable, the real twist came right out of left field. Totally unexpected, though made perfect sense all in the end, answering questions we didn’t know we had. It’s also fun to read a book intended for 14 years olds as an adult, seeing how bad a lot of the decisions are, wanting to reach in and tell a character to their face that what they’re doing is a bad idea.

It’s also fun, if you want to go deeper, to look into the symbolism of impossible fortresses through the book. There are the evident ones: like the game itself, impossible to code, or the school at the very end, or even the heist itself. But you’ve also got the impossible fortress of Mary herself – can you break down her walls, and navigate the maze of her personality? Maybe life itself is an impossible fortress.

It’s a book about expectations, a book about first impressions, a book about being a teenager in the age of arcade games. It combines the tropes of the teenage heist with the ultimate competition, all wrapped up in a coming of age story. I mean, what’s not to love about a love letter to the 80s?

Part of the charm of this book for me was how much it reminded me of all the classic romantic movies from the 80's and 90's. The premise and make structure of the book isn't really all that unique but I appreciated that this was targeted at a younger audience. Unlike movies like Say Anything, The Breakfast Club, and Sixteen Candles which are targeted at older teens, this book fit the younger crowd. It still deals with some complex issues like peer pressure, sexism, and class. Billy was an adorable main character even though a lot of his decisions drove me crazy.

Billy was an adorable main character even though a lot of his decisions drove me crazy. Unlike some other young adult novels, he's a very believable fourteen year old. His behavior is often impulsive and driven by his intense emotions. While I connected with Billy and understood his choices, I found Mary to be a much more interesting character. I loved the way her character evolved and the story developed around her.

Overall, this was a charming book that I enjoyed. It's not something I'd normally pick up and I'm glad I gave it a shot. I think this book would be great for anyone who is a fan of young adult contemporary romance or for a young adult book group. There are a ton of different amazing discussions that could be developed from this book surrounding important issues that we are facing in society currently like bullying and standing up to your friends.

The Impossible Fortress is a fast, enjoyable read full of eighties nostalgia. Unfortunately, that's all it is. A clever coming-of-age love story packed to the ever-lovin' brim with eighties pop-culture references that would even have Earnest Cline turning to Dr. Google to investigate.

Jason Rekulak has an approachable style - and a story to tell. This story, however, has been done before.

This was a wonderful coming of age story reminiscent of great John Hughes movies of the 1980s. It was like taking a trip back to my high school years and I loved it.

Here’s a novel that will take you back to 1987 complete with 14 year old computer nerd Billy Marvin who is currently failing ninth grade and his equally awkward sidekicks Alf and Clark. Outcasts from all the requisite cliques at their high school, they devise a plan to not only obtain a copy of the coveted Vanna White issue of Playboy, but also profit from the the object of their desires.

By the end of The Impossible Fortress, you really know Billy and the even more digitally talented Mary, and you have laughed and cringed your way through many early teen escapades. The pair programs on TRS-80 computers and the Commodore 64. Appropriate touches of the 80’s are sprinkled throughout the book--mention of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Christie Brinkley, the must have Bugle Boy pants, and Mark Cerny who started working for Atari at age 17. More than a nostalgic look at the 80’s, we explore the tough times of kids working their way through the difficult teen years. There are times when you hold your breath. times when you laugh, and moments of suspense. This is a book you will be glad you read.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Simon & Schuster for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 5/5

Category: General Fiction (Adult)

Notes: This book abounds with male teenage profanity

Publication: February 7, 2017--Simon & Schuster

Memorable Lines:

The first step was easy. But the second step, the step where I fully removed myself from the roof--that was commitment. The wood trembled beneath my weight, quivering like the edge of a diving board. I made the mistake of looking down, but there was nothing to see--no alley, just a vast black gulf, a bottomless sinkhole.

“Imagine a computer not bigger than a candy bar!” he exclaimed, and we laughed at the absurdity of his predictions; they were all straight out of The Jetsons.

"They were too short or too tall, too fat or too freckled, too sweaty and too flushed and too imperfect . But they were real, they were gloriously alive— laughing and shouting and sprinting across the field. I watched them in quiet astonishment and realized that the rumors about St. Agatha’s were true: these were the most beautiful girls I’d ever seen."

This book is provided by NetGalley as an exchange for honest review.

The story sets in 1987 and it's incredibly awesome, Eleanor and Park who? 😇

The book mostly talks about computer programming or a game and how to develop it. But this book also talks about Billy Marvin, Alf, and Clark's plan on taking Playboy magazine that was booming that time with Vanna White in the cover from Sal Zelinsky's shop without him knowing...stealing? Nope, they are planning to pay. These three idiots are fourteen years olds (see? That's why they can't buy it directly) who have entrepreneur side, apparently, because they plan on selling amount of the magazine exemplars to their schoolmates IF they successfully get them.

(A little fact about the three of them: they're very crude, and what I mean by crude is, body shaming and swearing 24/7.

The plot. The plot is just a big big A. I'm in serious problem as I could die caused by jealousy at any time while wishing I could write a complex plot like that. Everything unbelievably adds up it's crazy. How a single mission of buying Playboy magz could lead to another issue and another one and so on and so far. The plot twist before the ending also exploded before my face like a volcano blasts off after asleep for one hundred years. Fucking genius.

Indeed the there are heaps of exaggeration when it comes to making inside jokes among Billy, Alf, and Clark. They become very offensive and horribly insulting. Despite it all, I'm afraid I misinterpreted it as something inappropriate when the fact is that it is something normal back then in 80's. But after I finished this book, I felt relieved that even though that this book consists of amount of body shaming talks, there's none slut shaming especially after what everything has happened. Or it's a weird case?¿

This book is a masterpiece and I'm so glad it lacks of romance yet the story keeps on engrossing. To read a book the content I barely know about and the settings I'm not familiar with, this book is pretty satisfying.

For the characterization, Billy is a rough character. At times I actually think he always stays within his comfort zone, but then he starts smoking. Or when he is actually against the original plan but at the end of the day, he is willing to help his friends out. Very complex characterization for a very young teenager. So is Mary Zelinsky. Oh my God, I'm in awe, she's such a powerfully strong girl and has the possibility to be my new favorite character if I keep obsessing over her. She never shows her sorrow as if she's only made of suspicion and anger mixed altogether with awesomeness.

Jason Rekulak is doing so excellent here with his debut novel, more than I expected the first time I requested his novel from Net Galley, and I am patiently (not so much) waiting for his next one.

Billy is an outcast at school, and the only thing he is interested in is computer programming. Until Vannah White's photos are in Playboy. He and his friends need to get that magazine, and the only store that has it is a computer store owned by a man and his young daughter, Mary. Billy's friends convince Billy to befriend Mary to get the access code to the security system. But Billy discovers a lot more.

This story is a cute coming-of age tale, about a boy and a girl. This is 1987, so I was 4 at this time, haha. There are "nerd" words and computer programming lingo. It's a fun read, but very shocking also. I enjoyed this read a lot.

This feels so authentically 80s! It feels like it could fit into the canon no problem. I'd call it a raunchy Ready Player One meets Eleanor and Park coming of age romp.

Bill Marvin is a typical 14-year-old in the year 1987. When the Playboy publishes photographs of Vanna White, presenter of the famous „Wheel of Fortune“ show, Bill and his friends Alf and Clark are discussing strategies of how to buy the magazine at their age. Their master plan includes the security code to a small store owned by Mr Zelinsky. But how to get hold of it? The owner’s daughter Mary is the key. Bill is to befriend her to acquire the code from her. But when Bill gets to know Mary, he finds out that they both share the love for computer programming and that Mary is an expert in operating a C 64. She can help him to finalize his computer game The Impossible Fortress, Billy’s submission to an important competition. They more the two work on the programme, the more their mutual affection grows and Billy has already forgotten his initial mission while slowly falling in love. But then he is reminded of it and he takes an important decision.

I liked Jason Rekulak’s story immediately because the author sends you straight back into the 80s. I have rarely read a novel set in the not too far away past in which the setting is that well established and plays such an important role. It is the music played in the shop, the TV programmes the boy watch, the heroes they discuss – and especially the Stone Age of computers that made me remember the time 30 years ago. All the small bits and pieces work well together to create an authentic setting for the plot.

The characters are also well drawn and interestingly designed. Both Billy and Mary are outsiders without being the typical misfits. They are under the radar somehow, inconspicuous in a way but remarkable when you take a closer look. The nerd girl who is interested in typical boyish pastimes, the boy raised by a single mom who is clever on the one hand, but maximum negligent of school and his marks and even running the risk of having to leave high school without any degree. Seeing both of them immerse in programming, teaching themselves and pursuing their goal of the perfect programming for the computer game without realising what is happening to them, is a joy to read.

Besides the story which is convincing and quickly captivating, it is Jason Rekulak’s style of writing which I genuinely enjoyed. He has a subtle humour and a way of describing situations that made me grin more than once and adore reading the novel.

Even though the protagonists are young teenagers and the story somehow is a kind of love story, I would not call it a classic of the genre since particularly the setting could make the novel also interesting and appealing to people who remember the 80s and who would like to indulge in their memories of that time.