The Impossible Fortress

By: Jason Rekulak

Narrated by: Griffin Newman

A dazzling debut novel - at once a charming romance, a hilarious crime caper, and a moving coming-of-age story - about what happens when a 14-year-old boy pretends to seduce a girl to steal a copy of Playboy but then discovers she is his computer-loving soul mate.

Billy Marvin's first love was a computer. Then he met Mary Zelinsky.

Do you remember your first love?

The Impossible Fortress begins with a magazine. The year is 1987, and Playboy has just published scandalous photographs of Vanna White, from the popular TV game show Wheel of Fortune. For three teenage boys - Billy, Alf, and Clark - who are desperately uneducated in the ways of women, the magazine is somewhat of a Holy Grail: priceless beyond measure and impossible to attain. So, they hatch a plan to steal it.

The heist will be fraught with peril: a locked building, intrepid police officers, rusty fire escapes, leaps across rooftops, electronic alarm systems, and a hyperactive Shih Tzu named Arnold Schwarzenegger. Failed attempt after failed attempt leads them to a genius master plan - they'll swipe the security code to Zelinsky's convenience store by seducing the owner's daughter, Mary Zelinsky. It becomes Billy's mission to befriend her and get the information by any means necessary. But Mary isn't your average teenage girl. She's a computer loving expert coder, already strides ahead of Billy in ability, with a wry sense of humor and a hidden big heart. But what starts as a game to win Mary's affection leaves Billy with a gut-wrenching choice: deceive the girl who may well be his first love or break a promise to his best friends.

At its heart, The Impossible Fortress is a tender exploration of young love, true friends, and the confusing realities of male adolescence - with a dash of old-school computer programming.

©2017 Jason Rekulak (P)2017 Simon & Schuster Audio

An interesting and enjoyable story

This could probably be described as a YA book, but, I’m nowhere near a YA, so maybe it’s not, or I’m regressing...that might be nice. Anyway, it’s a fairly short book, with a moral to the story, which made it all that much better. Certainly enjoyed the narration as well, a fine performance.

Clever book for those growing up in the 70s-80s.

Even thought I first programmed on a TRS-80, there was much I found to like in this coming of age novel set among geeks of the early 80's. Highly recommended for anyone who *wasn't* a jock or cheerleader in high school.

....

I loved this story, even though it feels slightly ya (ish). Great characters, a funny plot and just a tiny touch of predictability. And not at all sentimental.

This is the guys version of "Clueless ".

would be good for a tech geek maybe. The mistakes made over and over by even a youngster is a big much

Delightful page-turner with terrific narration.

Surprising plot twists make it a refreshing coming of age tale, especially for Gen Xers.

Quick & fun

The Impossible Fortress is well written and if you grew up in ‘80s it will probably hook you effortlessly. Otherwise it is a funny and heartfelt coming-of-age story that most can relate surely to on some level. For me, nostalgia and wistfulness seeped in whilst listening, a subtle and slow, which I didn’t even realize until considering this review. It built up incongruous with the plot and left me feeling giddy while also almost sobbing. Was weird. But I liked it.

It’s a short book, which is my primary critique. But it’s because it’s tight and well executed in every way so it’s it really a negative. The narration was spot on and extremely well done. Left me curious and questioning aspects that I’ve never thought about before. Like “what was the talent’s strategy for the various characters and what direction was he given to perform that phrase in that way”. I loved it.

The character progression.

This was a well written book that brings one back to the 80’s with well written nostalgia.

Awesome!!!

Loved the book. Fresh and so real. I can’t wait to see what’s next. The reader was perfect.

Throw back to 80s days of ML code

Would you listen to The Impossible Fortress again? Why?

Yes

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mary

What does Griffin Newman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

never heard him before. I will listen to him again

Any additional comments?

I love how the audible chapters matched book chapters. I love the characters. I love the 80s strictness of the parents despite their curious children. I love the beginning of each chapter was code from the game.

Very odd story.

Was entertaining but didn't sit well in the end. like it was trying to force a neat little package around a disjointed story.