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Fellstone Tales #1

Operation Break Iron

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A brutal kidnapping draws a group of children into the heart of the Emperor’s stronghold, the impenetrable Iron Fortress.

Life in the Fellstone Labor Compound was hard enough, between mandatory work assignments, near-starvation, and being bullied by Blueband thugs. But then, Cheff’s Uncle Karf is arrested on suspicion of crimes against the Imperium and taken to the Iron Fortress.

No one will help him, not even the mysterious FRM.

It’s up to Cheff and his ragtag band of political prisoners from the Fellstone Labor Compound to do the impossible. But how can a bunch of school kids prevail against the mighty Imperium when they’re not even allowed to leave the Labor Compound?

Operation Break Iron is an epic adventure about friendship, trust, loyalty, and the triumph of the human spirit.

This science fiction novel is recommended for children 8 and up, teens, young adults, and adults. Approximately 292 pages. Contains 18 illustrations by Daniel Wood.

326 pages, Paperback

First published May 10, 2014

1 person is currently reading
1177 people want to read

About the author

Liam Kincaid

9 books17 followers
Liam Kincaid was born to parents of Scottish descent on December 30, 1953, in a boxcar in the high Sierra Nevadas during a raging snowstorm. After graduating from high school, Liam declined a medical scholarship to Stanford University and a musical scholarship to Julliard.

Instead, Liam served for a time in the United States Air Force, then traveled the world working at many jobs, including professional woodworker and stilts maker, maintenance supply specialist for Pacific Southwest Airlines, kelp processor for Kelco, hot-air balloon pilot, cow clipper (for one day), house painter, time-share salesman in Mexico, hospital housekeeper, school bus driver, wrestling-arena peanut vendor, street musician, English teacher in the Dominican Republic, ranch hand, e-zine publisher, bio-diesel manufacturer, carpet cleaner, pig photographer, and computer programmer.

When his roaming days were over, he longed for the wholesome science-fiction adventure stories of his youth, so he decided to try his hand at writing some. Having raised four sons, he was inspired by the powerful, astounding feats a group of intelligent, determined children can accomplish.

Liam welcomes correspondence from his readers and does his best to answer each one personally. E-mail him at: LiamKincaid@WorldHeartEpic.com

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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for Fredrick Danysh.
6,844 reviews197 followers
July 14, 2014
A group of young teens fom various races have been sent to a labor camp because a family member has been accused of being a member of the resistance movement. People are constantly being arrested and then disappearing. When Uncle Karf is arrested and the resistance movement won't help, the youngsters take matters into their own hands. A cross of Hunger Games and Harry Potter without the wizardry in the spirit of the youth novels of Robert A. Heinlein and Andre Norton. Throughly enjoyed the story. Good clean story without sex or profanity. This was a free review copy.
Profile Image for Tee.
30 reviews
July 13, 2014
This is a really good middle grade book. I really liked the characters. I love their motives, their personalities and their differences. But the thing i liked most was the illustrations. They're different and does well with imagining them as you read. I also liked the plot because even though it follows the adventurous path alot of middle grade books follow, it doesn't do it like the others.Which i think is due to the characters. I like the idea of their circumstance however i had a problem with the world setting. The book does tell about the very current situation, it talks about the 10 different races that are represented and it talks a bit about how the system got to that point but i still don't get the world. Like, is it Earth? Is it the future? Is it a different planet? There isn't a time stamp that was said which made me keep trying to figure it out but..i don't know. I really liked, looking forward to book two. Definitely going to recommend it in my next video on my youtube channel :).
Profile Image for Alannah Davis.
307 reviews11 followers
July 6, 2014
Kids (and adults too) should be completely absorbed by this adventure about kids in a desolate society attempting to do the impossible: find young Cheff's kidnapped uncle within the walls of the Emporer's highly guarded, inescapable fortress. Imaginative characters, each with his or her own unusual talent, makes this a story that kept me on the edge of my seat. I enjoyed this immensely!
Profile Image for Andrea.
1 review2 followers
July 28, 2014
Thoroughly enjoyed this colorful tale about a group of loveable kids who learn how to make the best of Labor Compound confinement. Taking place in an alternate universe scenario, this book is filled with delightful and thought-provoking people and places, smells and sights.

Using their separate talents and abilities, our heros journey into the Emperor's Iron Fortress to rescue kidnapped Uncle Karf. In doing so, they unravel a dangerous mystery, resulting in new-found knowledge that could make their world better for the people who need change the most.

The wonderful illustrations (I was totally surprised by Pallador and the Sephs) in this first book give the reader an upclose view of each character, which enhances the reading experience and keeps them in your mind's eye, as they sneak and slueth their way into the unknown.

I tried choosing a favorite character....and it wasn't "a piece of cake"!!

ENJOY!!
Profile Image for Logan.
3 reviews
July 25, 2014
Operation break iron is an exhilerating read. The storyline caught and kept my attention from the firdt to the last page. Can't wait for future books in the series, thanks goodreads!
Profile Image for Tiffany.
138 reviews43 followers
August 4, 2014
First off I have to apologize to the author in taking so long to finish this book. Not the author's or book's fault by any means. Life just got in the way and went crazy these past few weeks. Yesterday I was finally able to sit down, and enjoy reading this book.

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I have to say that when I first started reading this book, I thought that it was going to be too young for me. My thoughts changed as the book progressed. I think that all ages would enjoy this book. The characters are well thought out, and I really enjoyed all the different races in Operation Break Iron. This doesn't happen very often, but I don't really have anything negative to say about this book. The only thing that MIGHT be an issue (IMO) is that the action/main adventure in Operation Break Iron happened a bit too easily. A bit too pat for my tastes, but something that could appeal to younger readers. This "issue" did not hinder my enjoyment in reading this book in the slightest bit. All in all Operation Break Iron by Liam Kincaid is a fast enjoyable read, that could appeal to readers of all ages. I almost forgot to add that I enjoyed the illustrations a great deal. I like to see if the author's vision of the characters resembles mine.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
271 reviews10 followers
September 6, 2014
A very easy smooth read great for young reader or adults. The story starts with the arrival of Birn, later called "Books",and his mother to the Fellstone Labor Compound. The compound is for all people and their family,to live and work ,that the empire believes are in some way subversive. Books becomes fast friends with Cheff,whose Uncle Karf is suddenly taken away to the Iron Fortress, a prison across the river from the Compound, where they take people they believe are members of the FRM. The FRM is a secret resistance movement. Cheff and Books contact the FRM to help rescue Uncle Karf. When they refuse to help Cheff and Books band together with Buttons, Sable and Mid to sneak out of the guarded compound and cross to river to rescue Karf before its too late. I look forward to more adventures with this gang of very likeable kids. This was a Goodreads first read.
Profile Image for McKenzie Richardson.
Author 68 books68 followers
February 19, 2017
I received a copy of this book from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.This is such a well done book. Good writing, developed characters (for a book targeted at children), and an exhilarating plotline.This is a fun book directed toward younger readers, but which can be enjoyed by older audiences as well. There are a few violent scenes in the later half of the book, which may be too flippant of a view of violence for too young of readers, but would be appropriate for middle schoolers and up. I read this book fairly quickly, because the plot kept me hooked and I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened next. A very fun adventure tale with great characters. I cannot wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Kenn Anderson.
386 reviews8 followers
February 17, 2015
This was a book I received as a Goodreads.com giveaway.

Pretty good story of kids who use their abilities to uncover secrets and save lives. Even though the different races of charterers are much different than ours, young adults will have no problem identifying with them.

Books and his mom were moved to a labor camp. When the neighbor is taken away to the Iron Fortress, never to be seen again, Books and his friends are off to the rescue. Great start to a new series for young adults.

The illustration were very enjoyable as well.
Profile Image for Marissa Hakala.
40 reviews5 followers
July 28, 2014
I received this book through Goodreads First Reads.
This book is really different than anything else I've ever read. It's about ten different races and the world they live in. We don't actually get introduced to all of the races, so that is something to look forward to in the next book. I really enjoyed the illustrations to help show what the races look like. The book itself was a cute story that I couldn't put down. It is more of a middle grade book, but that's okay because it was pretty amazing. I can honestly say I can't wait for the second one.
Profile Image for Kevin Sargent.
1 review
July 31, 2014
You can read the synopsis and other reviews for more detail regarding the plot. I just wanted to say that this is a great book, a great story, a great adventure.

If you find revealing of the world and characters a little on the slow side, don't worry, this is just the beginning! (Book 1)

Great light read, and can't wait for Book 2.

Profile Image for Carol.
28 reviews1 follower
March 11, 2015
This is such a fun read. I love the world the author created. The kids are so endearing, I felt like I was right there in the middle of their adventures. I am 57 and I loved every minute of the story. I won this book in a goodreads giveaway, and glad I did. Looking forward to the second book.
Profile Image for Sandra Simmons.
87 reviews14 followers
October 2, 2014
A great story that my Son thoroughly enjoyed.

A great mix of characters made for a very adventurous tale.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

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