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Forts #1
Fathers & Sons
This edition is no longer in print.
For Tommy Jarvis, life has never been simple - quite the opposite, in fact. It is, however, about to become decidedly more difficult. Moments after stumbling through a doorway to another world, Tommy and his friends discover they are the key to ending a war in which the casualties are too great to count and their chances of survival are almost nonexistent.
For Tommy Jarvis, life has never been simple - quite the opposite, in fact. It is, however, about to become decidedly more difficult. Moments after stumbling through a doorway to another world, Tommy and his friends discover they are the key to ending a war in which the casualties are too great to count and their chances of survival are almost nonexistent.
352 pages, Paperback
First published March 16, 2011
2 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
About the author
Steven Novak
89 books72 followersSteven Novak is the author of the Breadcrumbs For The Nasties series of novels, Forts, Goats Eat Cans, numerous children's books, and a number of online comics. He is an accomplished illustrator and has designed book covers for authors across the globe. He lives with his wife in southern California, has two cats, and apparently likes to stare at the sky dramatically in black and white photos. His work can be found online at www.novakillustration.com
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 12, 2011
Two brothers suffer terrible abuse at the hands of their alcoholic father. A young girl mourns the loss of her friend. A clumsy boy is lost among the crowd and struggles to find his way in the world. A neglected son bullies others because its the only way he can get attention. Five children, each with their own problem, are thrown into a war between races as far removed from our own as you can get. They are The Five and they are the only hope for Fillagrou, a land decimated by the Ochan army.
Steven Novak has written an adventure story for young adults that will touch older readers, as well; particularly those with children. What struck me about Fathers and Sons is that each character, hero and villain, human or otherwise, is so clearly drawn (Mr. Novak is an illustrator of exceptional talent)that I was able to connect with them. Family is an important theme in this action-packed story, with both good and bad aspects getting equal share.
When reading Mr. Novak's book I was reminded of Stephen King's The Body and It (the early section, involving the child characters). That is as high a praise as I can give Fathers and Sons. A bonus for the reader: each chapter is headed by an original illustration by the author, featuring a scene from the chapter. I found this an ideal way to draw me further into the story. Each chapter, too, ends on a cliffhanger that, for most of the book, isn't resolved until three or four chapters later. The phrase page-turning was invented for such a story. Well done, Mr. Novak. Bring on book two: Liars and Thieves.
Steven Novak has written an adventure story for young adults that will touch older readers, as well; particularly those with children. What struck me about Fathers and Sons is that each character, hero and villain, human or otherwise, is so clearly drawn (Mr. Novak is an illustrator of exceptional talent)that I was able to connect with them. Family is an important theme in this action-packed story, with both good and bad aspects getting equal share.
When reading Mr. Novak's book I was reminded of Stephen King's The Body and It (the early section, involving the child characters). That is as high a praise as I can give Fathers and Sons. A bonus for the reader: each chapter is headed by an original illustration by the author, featuring a scene from the chapter. I found this an ideal way to draw me further into the story. Each chapter, too, ends on a cliffhanger that, for most of the book, isn't resolved until three or four chapters later. The phrase page-turning was invented for such a story. Well done, Mr. Novak. Bring on book two: Liars and Thieves.
September 16, 2009
What the heck grade did you expect me to give it?
May 1, 2011
What a lovely mix of adventure, humor and heart. The children at that center of this story are easy to relate to and root for (even, sometimes, Donald). The new world introduced is filled with well-developed, interesting, and beautifully illustrated creatures. It's wonderfully layered with a pace that is both exciting and emotionally satisfying. I cannot wait to start the second one!
June 22, 2010
"It was a remake of a movie that wasn't very interesting the first time around - identical story, different chacters."
The sentence above - from the novel Forts : Fathers & Sons - could be used to describe the book itself. However, in this reviewer's opinion, it wouldn't be wholly true. If the novel seems like a remake, that would be due to its use of several elements which the best heroic epics have shared for centuries (as discussed in Joseph Campbell's classic work The Hero with a Thousand Faces). Employing familiar plot devices (such as having the hero(es) embark on a journey, take up a quest, discover powers along the way, and undergo a personal transformation) does not guarantee that the story will be engaging and worthwhile. Fortunately, author Steven Novak skillfully spins his tale in a manner that allows the reader to understand and empathize with his protagonists and keeps the reader engaged in the narrative from the opening paragraph to the final lines.
One of the aspects of the novel which surprised me was the amount of melodrama it contained. To give just one telling example, Tommy (one of the book's heroes) is a reclusive teenager whose mother died of cancer, whose brother has become voluntarily mute,and whose father has become an alcoholic who regularly abuses him physically. On top of that, he keeps getting beaten up by the local bullies, who consider him "a weirdo". Such problems get put into perspective when Tommy later meets creatures whose homes have been decimated and who have seen their familiers (or even their entire race) slaughtered by the war-mongering, genocidal armies of the beings known as Ochans.
Tommy and his four companions end up trying to use their fantastic powers to aid the people of Fillagrou in their battle for survival against the Ochan forces. While their superpowers (most of which will seem familiar to readers of Fantastic Four comics) might seem to make these otherwise-ordinary teenagers super-brave, Novak has introduced a twist to give his characters (and the reader) a sense of uncertainty ; the powers are unpredictable (almost as if they have a life of their own) and don't always "activate" - even when their wielders deem them absolutely necessary to be turned "on". Thus, the teens are often called upon to find inner strength and courage, despite being weaker than - or outnumbered by - their opponents. Reminiscent of the comic book series Relative Heroes, each teen's superpower seems to be symbolic of their individual personality (e.g. Owen - who tends to observe and hide - has the power of invisibility).
At times, the story can get a bit complex. Novak deftly handles the pacing, chronology, and point-of-view. The chapters are quite brief (each of them shorter than 10 pages), helping Novak ease the reader from a present-day other-worldly segment to a present-day Earth scene to a flashback. Each chapter opens with a small illustration at the top of the page, showing off Novak's art skills, which seems even more impressive than his storytelling (and which is best exemplified by the full-color wraparound cover).
Occasionally, Novak seamlessly wedges in bits of of philosophy (e.g. "All of life is beauftiful ... even the parts we hate and even when it reaches its end"), psychology (e.g. "When something becomes commponplace, commonplace ceases to be frightening") or commentary ("The finely woven fabric of our life is often stained with the blood of the past") into the text, without coming off as preachy and without detracting from the flow of the story.
Overall, I would reccommend Forts : Fathers & Sons for the fantasy collections of both young adults and adults.
Forts : Fathers & Sons is just the first in the Forts series (as suggested by the ending, which doesn't quite tie up all of the loose ends) and I expect that the rest of the books in the series will be equally compelling.
The sentence above - from the novel Forts : Fathers & Sons - could be used to describe the book itself. However, in this reviewer's opinion, it wouldn't be wholly true. If the novel seems like a remake, that would be due to its use of several elements which the best heroic epics have shared for centuries (as discussed in Joseph Campbell's classic work The Hero with a Thousand Faces). Employing familiar plot devices (such as having the hero(es) embark on a journey, take up a quest, discover powers along the way, and undergo a personal transformation) does not guarantee that the story will be engaging and worthwhile. Fortunately, author Steven Novak skillfully spins his tale in a manner that allows the reader to understand and empathize with his protagonists and keeps the reader engaged in the narrative from the opening paragraph to the final lines.
One of the aspects of the novel which surprised me was the amount of melodrama it contained. To give just one telling example, Tommy (one of the book's heroes) is a reclusive teenager whose mother died of cancer, whose brother has become voluntarily mute,and whose father has become an alcoholic who regularly abuses him physically. On top of that, he keeps getting beaten up by the local bullies, who consider him "a weirdo". Such problems get put into perspective when Tommy later meets creatures whose homes have been decimated and who have seen their familiers (or even their entire race) slaughtered by the war-mongering, genocidal armies of the beings known as Ochans.
Tommy and his four companions end up trying to use their fantastic powers to aid the people of Fillagrou in their battle for survival against the Ochan forces. While their superpowers (most of which will seem familiar to readers of Fantastic Four comics) might seem to make these otherwise-ordinary teenagers super-brave, Novak has introduced a twist to give his characters (and the reader) a sense of uncertainty ; the powers are unpredictable (almost as if they have a life of their own) and don't always "activate" - even when their wielders deem them absolutely necessary to be turned "on". Thus, the teens are often called upon to find inner strength and courage, despite being weaker than - or outnumbered by - their opponents. Reminiscent of the comic book series Relative Heroes, each teen's superpower seems to be symbolic of their individual personality (e.g. Owen - who tends to observe and hide - has the power of invisibility).
At times, the story can get a bit complex. Novak deftly handles the pacing, chronology, and point-of-view. The chapters are quite brief (each of them shorter than 10 pages), helping Novak ease the reader from a present-day other-worldly segment to a present-day Earth scene to a flashback. Each chapter opens with a small illustration at the top of the page, showing off Novak's art skills, which seems even more impressive than his storytelling (and which is best exemplified by the full-color wraparound cover).
Occasionally, Novak seamlessly wedges in bits of of philosophy (e.g. "All of life is beauftiful ... even the parts we hate and even when it reaches its end"), psychology (e.g. "When something becomes commponplace, commonplace ceases to be frightening") or commentary ("The finely woven fabric of our life is often stained with the blood of the past") into the text, without coming off as preachy and without detracting from the flow of the story.
Overall, I would reccommend Forts : Fathers & Sons for the fantasy collections of both young adults and adults.
Forts : Fathers & Sons is just the first in the Forts series (as suggested by the ending, which doesn't quite tie up all of the loose ends) and I expect that the rest of the books in the series will be equally compelling.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2011
Meet the Jarvis brothers. As if losing their mother to cancer at an early age wasn't a horrifying-enough thing to endure, they now have to put up with bullies, confusing friendships and alliances, and one of the worst family betrayals anyone can think of.
Then things get bad.
The Jarvis brothers, along with one of the afore-mentioned bullies and another school pseudo-friend, are pulled out of the world that's familiar and are taken to a new place, a completely alien and strange world called Fillagrou. There they learn they're the objects of an ancient prophecy, that they're supposed to save the world. That's a lot of responsibility to put on a kid. It's really no wonder that these kids balk at first, especially when confronted with the very obvious truth that there's nothing special about any of them.
Or is there?
If you like magic, fantasy, coming-of-age stories, adventures, or underdog stories, you'll love this book. And really, who doesn't like at least one of those things?
But wait, there's more!
I bet you thought this review would sit back on its laurels, content with delivering just another rote reason to buy this book. Everything I've said so far is true -- but it's not the total story of what makes this book special. Yes, there are really kick-@$$ characters and situations. There are surprising tests of courage and resolve. There's even quite a bit of torture, blood and guts, and graphic warfare.
What you don't expect are those singing moments of poetry, of beauty, and the life lessons woven behind every chapter. Novak isn't just trying to tell you a fantastic adventure story. Novak is trying to teach you something about himself, and, by extension, something about you. There's a hero in each of us. Will you stand up and answer the call?
Then things get bad.
The Jarvis brothers, along with one of the afore-mentioned bullies and another school pseudo-friend, are pulled out of the world that's familiar and are taken to a new place, a completely alien and strange world called Fillagrou. There they learn they're the objects of an ancient prophecy, that they're supposed to save the world. That's a lot of responsibility to put on a kid. It's really no wonder that these kids balk at first, especially when confronted with the very obvious truth that there's nothing special about any of them.
Or is there?
If you like magic, fantasy, coming-of-age stories, adventures, or underdog stories, you'll love this book. And really, who doesn't like at least one of those things?
But wait, there's more!
I bet you thought this review would sit back on its laurels, content with delivering just another rote reason to buy this book. Everything I've said so far is true -- but it's not the total story of what makes this book special. Yes, there are really kick-@$$ characters and situations. There are surprising tests of courage and resolve. There's even quite a bit of torture, blood and guts, and graphic warfare.
What you don't expect are those singing moments of poetry, of beauty, and the life lessons woven behind every chapter. Novak isn't just trying to tell you a fantastic adventure story. Novak is trying to teach you something about himself, and, by extension, something about you. There's a hero in each of us. Will you stand up and answer the call?
May 8, 2010
I found “Forts: Fathers and Sons” to be a delightful story. The reader becomes immediately involved in the lives of the main characters before they are thrust upon a journey which forever changes their lives. Like Alice and her adventures through the looking glass, the children are caught up in the machinations of war and conquest as they try to find their way home. Alien creatures, prophesies, strange powers and magic promises a thrilling ride. A must read!
Read
February 8, 2012In a sentence or so: Tommy Jarvis is transported to an entirely different world that's been waiting for him, and his four unlikely companions, to save them all.
Life hasn't been easy for Tommy since his mother died. His dad isn't the same man, he gets beat up on the daily, and his little brother refuses to speak. On a weekend outing to the secret tree house, Tommy, his brother Nicky, and their former friend and neighbor Staci run into trouble with Donald the bully. Tommy and Donald get into a scuffle which results in them falling into a nearby stream and getting transported to a world entirely unlike their own.
This new world is in turmoil. A desperate prince is making ruthless grab for power and slaughtering anyone and everyone who is in his way. They have been waiting for The Five to Save Them All. They may not be the heroes the worlds are looking for, what with them being 5 teenage misfits and all, but they are the chosen ones for a reason.
The short chapters from the different perspectives and places make this a quick read, albeit confusing at times. There's a lot going on in this book with the 5 'heroes' and the multiple worlds and various races along the way. However, the vivid descriptions, quick dialogue, silly banter and emotional connections kept me turning page after page. The relationships between fathers and sons is a centralizing piece of the plot, although relationships and responsibilities for all of the characters is explored as well.
Overall, this is a great start to a fantasy series with clever writing and unique characters, to be sure. It's a bit overwhelming in places, but if you have the patience and devotion in seeing it through to the end, you won't be disappointed.
Fave quotes (one silly, one emotional): "Before Donald followed, he put his arm behind his back, poking questioningly at the seat of his jeans. After confirming that he had not pooped his pants, he quickly caught up with the two." (61)
"Not only did Chris Jarvis' voice crack on that day, but his soul did, as well - a crack so deep that it could never be repaired - spreading slowly, until the dam of his emotions shattered completely, devouring everything in its path." (107)
Fix er up: The author did a great job with the illustrations at the beginning of each chapter. I think I would have liked to have seen more of those, or some full page artwork or something to really drive it home.
Life hasn't been easy for Tommy since his mother died. His dad isn't the same man, he gets beat up on the daily, and his little brother refuses to speak. On a weekend outing to the secret tree house, Tommy, his brother Nicky, and their former friend and neighbor Staci run into trouble with Donald the bully. Tommy and Donald get into a scuffle which results in them falling into a nearby stream and getting transported to a world entirely unlike their own.
This new world is in turmoil. A desperate prince is making ruthless grab for power and slaughtering anyone and everyone who is in his way. They have been waiting for The Five to Save Them All. They may not be the heroes the worlds are looking for, what with them being 5 teenage misfits and all, but they are the chosen ones for a reason.
The short chapters from the different perspectives and places make this a quick read, albeit confusing at times. There's a lot going on in this book with the 5 'heroes' and the multiple worlds and various races along the way. However, the vivid descriptions, quick dialogue, silly banter and emotional connections kept me turning page after page. The relationships between fathers and sons is a centralizing piece of the plot, although relationships and responsibilities for all of the characters is explored as well.
Overall, this is a great start to a fantasy series with clever writing and unique characters, to be sure. It's a bit overwhelming in places, but if you have the patience and devotion in seeing it through to the end, you won't be disappointed.
Fave quotes (one silly, one emotional): "Before Donald followed, he put his arm behind his back, poking questioningly at the seat of his jeans. After confirming that he had not pooped his pants, he quickly caught up with the two." (61)
"Not only did Chris Jarvis' voice crack on that day, but his soul did, as well - a crack so deep that it could never be repaired - spreading slowly, until the dam of his emotions shattered completely, devouring everything in its path." (107)
Fix er up: The author did a great job with the illustrations at the beginning of each chapter. I think I would have liked to have seen more of those, or some full page artwork or something to really drive it home.
June 20, 2011
If the events of the children's crusade (both actual and fictionalized) teach us anything, it's that children do not belong anywhere near a war. But what happens when 99 worlds are at war and a prophecy predicts that the only way to save them and protect the hundredth world, lie in the hands of five children? And what happens when those five children are insecure misfits, not exactly friends, and thrown together by unfortunate events in their lives?
That's the premise of Forts: Fathers and Sons, the first novel in the Forts trilogy. When I started the novel, I immediately took a liking to the character of Tommy. He doesn't have the best home life, which I can completely relate to. He's also routinely bullied on his way home from school. He's not the character that one would automatically think of as a hero. All of that changes when he finds a hidden doorway to another world. Joining along with him are his younger brother, former best friend, and a reluctantly observing neighborhood bully.
Upon traveling to the other world they find themselves surrounded by strange characters, in the midst of a war and suddenly capable of harassing superpowers, and quickly learn that in order to survive they must band together despite the fact that they don't always get along.
The writing of the novel is quite unique. It floats between the real and fantasy worlds with seamless ease. The characters, both human and fantasy are beautifully written and you find yourself enamored by even the most vile ones. The plot is so engaging you can't help but keep turning the pages.
There are some scenes of abuse in the early chapters of the novel that are difficult to get through, there is also some contextual swearing that may not be appropriate for younger readers. I do think that the Forts series is one that combines all the things that people love and expect from a fantasy series, while at the same time being completely unique. I feel it will be a great starting point for younger readers interested in the fantasy genre.
Despite being aimed for an audience younger than which I normally read, I was pleasantly surprised and thankful Steven offered this novel for review. No one should miss out on this series. It sticks with you long after the final page is turned.
That's the premise of Forts: Fathers and Sons, the first novel in the Forts trilogy. When I started the novel, I immediately took a liking to the character of Tommy. He doesn't have the best home life, which I can completely relate to. He's also routinely bullied on his way home from school. He's not the character that one would automatically think of as a hero. All of that changes when he finds a hidden doorway to another world. Joining along with him are his younger brother, former best friend, and a reluctantly observing neighborhood bully.
Upon traveling to the other world they find themselves surrounded by strange characters, in the midst of a war and suddenly capable of harassing superpowers, and quickly learn that in order to survive they must band together despite the fact that they don't always get along.
The writing of the novel is quite unique. It floats between the real and fantasy worlds with seamless ease. The characters, both human and fantasy are beautifully written and you find yourself enamored by even the most vile ones. The plot is so engaging you can't help but keep turning the pages.
There are some scenes of abuse in the early chapters of the novel that are difficult to get through, there is also some contextual swearing that may not be appropriate for younger readers. I do think that the Forts series is one that combines all the things that people love and expect from a fantasy series, while at the same time being completely unique. I feel it will be a great starting point for younger readers interested in the fantasy genre.
Despite being aimed for an audience younger than which I normally read, I was pleasantly surprised and thankful Steven offered this novel for review. No one should miss out on this series. It sticks with you long after the final page is turned.
June 4, 2011
Forts: Fathers and Sons takes place in Fillagrou, a once peaceful land now in the power of a war-loving dictator. Tommy Jarvis is human. He knows nothing about Fillagrou and its problems. Tommy has enough problems of his own, a dead mother, an abusive dad; he doesn’t need any more problems.
When Tommy and four other kids stumble across an entrance to Fillagrou, they discover they are a part of a prophecy. A prophecy to save everyone. But how can five children have that kind of power?
I’m surprised with this book. Really surprised. I expected to like it, but what I didn’t expect was staying up till twelve PM to franticly finish the book. I thought “just one more chapter” about 66 times.
All characters of Forts were extremely likeable. Even the villains... okay, maybe not. But they were still interesting to read about! The chapters often alternated between different characters. Instead of being annoyingly confusing like I thought it would be, the alternative chapters gave me greater insight on each of the characters. Like Tommy’s abusive dad. It helped me to understand each of the characters stories. I wanted every one of the characters to accomplish their goals. (It caused quite a problem between heroes/villains :P)
I would recommend this (although it would work for just about any reader) to reluctant younger YA reader. I don’t know why, but (maybe because of its sheer awesomeness, but that’s just a guess) about four people asked to borrow the book after me. I really liked the imaginative plot and characters. Forts reminded me of the Narnia series except I actually enjoyed Forts. A lot. Five stars.
Thanks to Steven Novak for providing me with a review copy! It in no way influenced my opinion of the novel.
When Tommy and four other kids stumble across an entrance to Fillagrou, they discover they are a part of a prophecy. A prophecy to save everyone. But how can five children have that kind of power?
I’m surprised with this book. Really surprised. I expected to like it, but what I didn’t expect was staying up till twelve PM to franticly finish the book. I thought “just one more chapter” about 66 times.
All characters of Forts were extremely likeable. Even the villains... okay, maybe not. But they were still interesting to read about! The chapters often alternated between different characters. Instead of being annoyingly confusing like I thought it would be, the alternative chapters gave me greater insight on each of the characters. Like Tommy’s abusive dad. It helped me to understand each of the characters stories. I wanted every one of the characters to accomplish their goals. (It caused quite a problem between heroes/villains :P)
I would recommend this (although it would work for just about any reader) to reluctant younger YA reader. I don’t know why, but (maybe because of its sheer awesomeness, but that’s just a guess) about four people asked to borrow the book after me. I really liked the imaginative plot and characters. Forts reminded me of the Narnia series except I actually enjoyed Forts. A lot. Five stars.
Thanks to Steven Novak for providing me with a review copy! It in no way influenced my opinion of the novel.
May 24, 2011
I won this book through firstreads, thanks you thank you thank you! This was a great read, and a striking story. At times, it reminded me of Chronicles of Narnia, what with the going to another world. But it was really the coming of age story that made me think of it. You have 5 kids who literally tumble into a world where they are forced to deal with circumstances beyond their control and they become better and more mature people because of it. They find things out about themselves that help them later on. On the other hand, it also reminded me of Hunger Games because this book deals with war. A lot of it. Battles, genocide, tyranny, the works. It gets quite brutal and violent, which would be a warning to those who don't like violence. I liked getting to know the characters, and I felt like they were developed pretty well. I don't know if I had a favorite character, but I liked that I hated Donald at the beginning and found myself warming to him at the end. I also enjoyed his sarcastic side. Novak's characters felt real, probably because they go through real life things. Novak doesn't shy away from abuse and bullying which feature prominently in the book. When they first enter the new world, they aren't jumping in all ready to fight, which would feel unrealistic. Instead, they are confused, terrified and in shock. Staci, although she drove me nuts because of this, loses it for some of the book. But this made her feel more like a real person. I liked the development of the story, and I look forward to reading more! I'd like to know what happens with the characters.
April 8, 2012
Tommy and his brother live a difficult life: their mother died of cancer, their father, unable to cope with her death turned to alcohol. In his impaired state he starts abusing them. If that's not enough, they are soft targets for the school bully as well...
Then one day an incident happens during which Tommy - and a few other children - pass through to another world - a world in which the rules of the world they know do not apply. Then they find out that there is apparently a prophecy stating that the fate of 100 worlds (theirs included) rests on five children - them apparently. How can they make a difference seeing as the tyrant had already conquered and subjugated 99 worlds?
While I thoroughly enjoyed the story, there were a few issues which did not make any difference to the story: for example one of the children had an ability which he used once - to save his own life - but was never used in the story. Why did the author bother.... unless of course this ability is exploited in future stories?
Then one day an incident happens during which Tommy - and a few other children - pass through to another world - a world in which the rules of the world they know do not apply. Then they find out that there is apparently a prophecy stating that the fate of 100 worlds (theirs included) rests on five children - them apparently. How can they make a difference seeing as the tyrant had already conquered and subjugated 99 worlds?
While I thoroughly enjoyed the story, there were a few issues which did not make any difference to the story: for example one of the children had an ability which he used once - to save his own life - but was never used in the story. Why did the author bother.... unless of course this ability is exploited in future stories?
December 8, 2011
I got this book through First Reads. I really would like to give it 4.5 stars, but I decided to give it five stars instead of four because the author drew me an awesome picture in the front of the book. Plus I really like the book. The reason I was considering giving it 4 stars is because the kids-saving-another-world plot has been done quite a bit. The story is uniquely done, though, and I really enjoyed reading it. Another thing I like about this book is that the ending is slightly more realistic than a lot of similar books, but I can't say any more than that without spoilers. Overall, the book was engaging and I would definitely recommend reading it.
April 24, 2011
I found “Forts, Fathers and Sons” to be a delightful story. The reader becomes immediately involved in the lives of the main characters before they are thrust upon a journey which forever changes their lives. Like Alice and her adventures through the looking glass, the children are caught up in the machinations of war and conquest as they try to find their way home. Alien creatures, prophesies, strange powers and magic promises a thrilling ride. A must read!
August 9, 2010
Poignant story about a boy who only learns his own worth when entering another world. People aren't always who they appear to be. Excellent YA fantasy, with a message about the effects of child abuse and the resilience of children.
April 4, 2011
This book is a very well told Fantasy book for YA. I am looking forward to the rest of this series. I have this book on my Kindle. I have entered the contest to win a copy of this book for my 15 year old son.
November 15, 2010
A great YA book and interesting premise. Usually fantasy books don't interest me but this one has some cool adult themes for everyone. I look forward to the next installments.
July 10, 2014
First Paragraph(s): A thousand years of peace had come to an abrupt and violent end. Off in the distance, trees that had stood eons longer than there have been inhabitants in this quiet, peaceful world collapsed to the ground. The thunderous boom resulting from the massive structures meeting their untimely demise echoed throughout the red forest. The creatures that called this very old, very simple place home felt tremors for miles in every direction. In response to the commotion, frightened groups of these thin, pale-skinned beings took to the treetops, hoping to learn the cause of the disturbance. Making use of limbs longer than the whole of their bodies, they scurried up the sides of the massive growths. One by one large, egg-shaped heads containing grotesquely large eyes parted the densely covered foliage, breaking the crest of the afternoon sky. Like a flock of birds, their heads moved in silent unison, focusing on the ruckus in the distance. Less than a mile away, patches of trees toppled to the ground as great plumes of dust and smoke rose toward the sky to take their place. The monstrous wall of debris began to spread across the forest, blocking out the light of the three sister suns.
For the very first time in its history, this place was slowly being enveloped by a darkness brought on, not by night, but something else entirely - something evil, angry, and aggressive – something that would change it forever.
Do you like a nice middle grade story involving plucky protagonists literally sucked into a fantastical world where magic happens, Esteemed Reader? Of course you do, you're here:) You're going to love Forts and you should pick up a copy straight away.
It should come as no surprise I'm a fan of author Steven Novak. He's a writer of gloriously violent horror fiction for older readers as well as enchanting stories written primarily for children. He's a man after my own heart:) He's also designed the covers for my books. So you know I think his artwork is top notch, but can the man write?
Esteemed Reader, he can and how! I've enjoyed his Breadcrumbs For the Nasties series immensely, but as with most of the adult horror stories I read, I won't discuss it here. Instead, I recently read Forts: Fathers and Sons, a decidedly upper middle grade tale, and enjoyed it so much I'm looking forward to volumes two and three.
The first thing I couldn't help but notice, given my great appreciation for Novak's artwork, is what a really great looking book Forts is. Seriously. If you're thinking of publishing your own middle grade book, this is the way to do it (I read it just in time). It's well formatted and the wonderful illustrations throughout enhance the reading experience. Even after reading the book, I find myself flipping through the pages to enjoy the pictures again.
So, Esteemed Reader, as you can no doubt deduce from the first paragraph above, the magical land of Fillagrou is in a hard way due to warfare being waged by the Ochan Army. It's tough times, but as it happens they've been waiting for five children to come and restore order to their world. Fortunately for them, in the first few chapters of Forts, we might five such children.
One thing I really liked about Forts is that the chapters are written from various perspectives, allowing us to spend time with all of the children. But if we have to settle on a protagonist, the most likely main character is 14-year-old Tommy Jarvis, even if he is a rather unhappy child:
Instantly, Nicky recognized that his brother was in bad shape. His hair was a mess, his head hanging low, his expression tired and forlorn. The look on his face vaguely resembled the looks Nicky had seen on the animals at the zoo a week earlier when he class had been on a school field trip - sad, lost, and hopeless, as if they were meant to be somewhere else, to see something more but yet had been completely and totally unable to do so.
I love that simile:) Tommy has a lot of reasons to be as unhappy as an animal in a cage. When we first meet him, he's fresh out of detention and he's soon attacked by a bully and his gang. This is a smart move on Novak's part, introducing Donald the bully this way as, small spoiler, he's one of The Five. But the main reason Tommy and his 11-year-old mute brother Nicky are unhappy is their mother has died and their father, Chris Jarvis, has since become an abusive alcoholic:
“I don’t believe a God d**n word you’ve said to me, Tommy. You’re lying to me, and I can’t stand liars. I’m gonna teach you not to lie to me, Tommy. I’m gonna show you what happens to little boys who lie to their fathers.”
Up the stairs went the mad pair of wildly flailing bodies; up the stairs and into the bedroom at the end of the hall; the terrifying noise muffled by the heavy slamming of the door.
With his every limb shivering, Nicky Jarvis crawled back in front of the television, grabbed the remote and turned the volume up high. It was not that he did not want to hear the sounds that came from upstairs, but rather that he somehow instinctively understood that his brother did not want him to hear.
The Jarvis brothers immediately had my empathy and I was particularly touched by the way Tommy draws pictures for his little brother to cheer him up. If ever two boys were in need of a fantasy adventure in a far away place, it's these two. More, I like that Novak treats this element of the story so seriously. Because their issues are presented authentically, the fantastic is all the more believable and magical.
But don't worry, Esteemed Reader. Though there are sad parts, Steven Novak is very funny and there are plenty of laughs:
Before Donald followed, he put his arm behind his back, poking questioningly at the seat of his jeans. After confirming that he had not pooped his pants, he quickly caught up with the two.
And the reader doesn't have to wait too long before the fun starts. The Jarvis boys and their neighbor Staci are visiting a fort when they're attacked by Donald and his gang. Tommy and Donald fight it out and end up in a rushing stream where this happens:
Like the dark green, hungry monster Nicky had imagined it to be, the water gobbled them up and swallowed them whole. Tugging their thrashing, oxygen-deprived bodies into itself without an ounce of sympathy or remorse, it drew them down furiously and spit them out toward a fate already determined and a world that would change them forever
And that's about as much of the story as I can reveal without spoiling. There's a nasty prince bent on seizing power over Fillagrou (isn't there always) and though the odds are far against our five heroes, if they can somehow manage to work together, there might just be hope yet.
Forts: Fathers and Sons is a fun title and it ends on a cliffhanger, so you may as well buy book two as you're reading book one. The writing is highly descriptive, proving Steven Novak can create striking images with his words as well as his usual art supplies. There's plenty of suspense, and a bit of gore, which kept me turning pages, and the characters are memorable and easy to root for. As always, I'll leave you with some of my favorite passages from Forts: Fathers and Sons:
As he started to toss the sack over his right shoulder he noticed that the one functional strap was torn, rendering it useless. He stared at it for a moment, allowing himself to fully absorb the stinging pockets of pain sprouting up on various parts of his body like the glow of lightning bugs against a pitch black night.
Every last ounce of blood in Chris Jarvis’ body quickly rushed to his head, slamming into the underside of his brain like a train smashing into a car left on the railroad tracks.
He loved his father, but not quite as much as he hated cars, and grease, and working under hot cars while covered in grease.
In every direction trees were tipped over and shattered. Clumps of dirt and grass were strewn as if the earth had been lifted up and tossed into the air with no regard for where it might land. A thin cloud of brown dust and dirt permeated the air, blanketing everything for miles in every direction. Vision beyond short distances was almost impossible.
For the very first time in its history, this place was slowly being enveloped by a darkness brought on, not by night, but something else entirely - something evil, angry, and aggressive – something that would change it forever.
Do you like a nice middle grade story involving plucky protagonists literally sucked into a fantastical world where magic happens, Esteemed Reader? Of course you do, you're here:) You're going to love Forts and you should pick up a copy straight away.
It should come as no surprise I'm a fan of author Steven Novak. He's a writer of gloriously violent horror fiction for older readers as well as enchanting stories written primarily for children. He's a man after my own heart:) He's also designed the covers for my books. So you know I think his artwork is top notch, but can the man write?
Esteemed Reader, he can and how! I've enjoyed his Breadcrumbs For the Nasties series immensely, but as with most of the adult horror stories I read, I won't discuss it here. Instead, I recently read Forts: Fathers and Sons, a decidedly upper middle grade tale, and enjoyed it so much I'm looking forward to volumes two and three.
The first thing I couldn't help but notice, given my great appreciation for Novak's artwork, is what a really great looking book Forts is. Seriously. If you're thinking of publishing your own middle grade book, this is the way to do it (I read it just in time). It's well formatted and the wonderful illustrations throughout enhance the reading experience. Even after reading the book, I find myself flipping through the pages to enjoy the pictures again.
So, Esteemed Reader, as you can no doubt deduce from the first paragraph above, the magical land of Fillagrou is in a hard way due to warfare being waged by the Ochan Army. It's tough times, but as it happens they've been waiting for five children to come and restore order to their world. Fortunately for them, in the first few chapters of Forts, we might five such children.
One thing I really liked about Forts is that the chapters are written from various perspectives, allowing us to spend time with all of the children. But if we have to settle on a protagonist, the most likely main character is 14-year-old Tommy Jarvis, even if he is a rather unhappy child:
Instantly, Nicky recognized that his brother was in bad shape. His hair was a mess, his head hanging low, his expression tired and forlorn. The look on his face vaguely resembled the looks Nicky had seen on the animals at the zoo a week earlier when he class had been on a school field trip - sad, lost, and hopeless, as if they were meant to be somewhere else, to see something more but yet had been completely and totally unable to do so.
I love that simile:) Tommy has a lot of reasons to be as unhappy as an animal in a cage. When we first meet him, he's fresh out of detention and he's soon attacked by a bully and his gang. This is a smart move on Novak's part, introducing Donald the bully this way as, small spoiler, he's one of The Five. But the main reason Tommy and his 11-year-old mute brother Nicky are unhappy is their mother has died and their father, Chris Jarvis, has since become an abusive alcoholic:
“I don’t believe a God d**n word you’ve said to me, Tommy. You’re lying to me, and I can’t stand liars. I’m gonna teach you not to lie to me, Tommy. I’m gonna show you what happens to little boys who lie to their fathers.”
Up the stairs went the mad pair of wildly flailing bodies; up the stairs and into the bedroom at the end of the hall; the terrifying noise muffled by the heavy slamming of the door.
With his every limb shivering, Nicky Jarvis crawled back in front of the television, grabbed the remote and turned the volume up high. It was not that he did not want to hear the sounds that came from upstairs, but rather that he somehow instinctively understood that his brother did not want him to hear.
The Jarvis brothers immediately had my empathy and I was particularly touched by the way Tommy draws pictures for his little brother to cheer him up. If ever two boys were in need of a fantasy adventure in a far away place, it's these two. More, I like that Novak treats this element of the story so seriously. Because their issues are presented authentically, the fantastic is all the more believable and magical.
But don't worry, Esteemed Reader. Though there are sad parts, Steven Novak is very funny and there are plenty of laughs:
Before Donald followed, he put his arm behind his back, poking questioningly at the seat of his jeans. After confirming that he had not pooped his pants, he quickly caught up with the two.
And the reader doesn't have to wait too long before the fun starts. The Jarvis boys and their neighbor Staci are visiting a fort when they're attacked by Donald and his gang. Tommy and Donald fight it out and end up in a rushing stream where this happens:
Like the dark green, hungry monster Nicky had imagined it to be, the water gobbled them up and swallowed them whole. Tugging their thrashing, oxygen-deprived bodies into itself without an ounce of sympathy or remorse, it drew them down furiously and spit them out toward a fate already determined and a world that would change them forever
And that's about as much of the story as I can reveal without spoiling. There's a nasty prince bent on seizing power over Fillagrou (isn't there always) and though the odds are far against our five heroes, if they can somehow manage to work together, there might just be hope yet.
Forts: Fathers and Sons is a fun title and it ends on a cliffhanger, so you may as well buy book two as you're reading book one. The writing is highly descriptive, proving Steven Novak can create striking images with his words as well as his usual art supplies. There's plenty of suspense, and a bit of gore, which kept me turning pages, and the characters are memorable and easy to root for. As always, I'll leave you with some of my favorite passages from Forts: Fathers and Sons:
As he started to toss the sack over his right shoulder he noticed that the one functional strap was torn, rendering it useless. He stared at it for a moment, allowing himself to fully absorb the stinging pockets of pain sprouting up on various parts of his body like the glow of lightning bugs against a pitch black night.
Every last ounce of blood in Chris Jarvis’ body quickly rushed to his head, slamming into the underside of his brain like a train smashing into a car left on the railroad tracks.
He loved his father, but not quite as much as he hated cars, and grease, and working under hot cars while covered in grease.
In every direction trees were tipped over and shattered. Clumps of dirt and grass were strewn as if the earth had been lifted up and tossed into the air with no regard for where it might land. A thin cloud of brown dust and dirt permeated the air, blanketing everything for miles in every direction. Vision beyond short distances was almost impossible.
December 1, 2010
My Review -
This was a pretty good book. The very imaginative scenario and creatures were awesome.
The writing for Forts: Fathers and Sons honestly just wasn't great at times. It wasn't completely terrible but it seemed a little immature. But it wasn't the only thing that was immature. The characters were also immature. For example, one of the main characters was eleven years old, but, behaved like an eight year old.
The author sketched this inside my book!
Now, the flaws in the writing are made up for, somewhat, by the creativeosity (if that's a word) of the whole story. If you like 8-foot-tall turtle men who's fastest sprint is about the same speed as the average walking speed of human, you will like this book. If you like little red dudes who are tougher then most fully grown men, you will like this book. I was delighted to read another book that could have limitless possibilities. Now, when I say this, I mean that the story could go anywhere and go on practically forever = limitless. Harry Potter is like this. Lord of the Rings is like this. Since the world of Forts (worlds) is so large, the story could go on in the book for hundreds, maybe thousands of years, introducing new characters and places. I will sometimes do this in my head with, say, Star Wars. Make up a new character. Make up his/her attributes and powers. See how he/she would fit in with the world of Star Wars and how they would effect everything. This is possible with Forts because Steven Novak made it limitless (I'm starting to say that word a wee bit to much).
Now, would I recommend this book to you? Depends. Do you like hundreds of different creatures, each with their own unique traits, abilities, and personalities? Then yes. Do you like portals from Earth that leads to one hundred different planets? Then yes. All-in-all, Forts is a good book. Not great, but if a sequel is written, it has limitless (there I go with that word again) potential to be a purely awesome book.
Austin (http://ReadingTween.blogspot.com/)
This was a pretty good book. The very imaginative scenario and creatures were awesome.
The writing for Forts: Fathers and Sons honestly just wasn't great at times. It wasn't completely terrible but it seemed a little immature. But it wasn't the only thing that was immature. The characters were also immature. For example, one of the main characters was eleven years old, but, behaved like an eight year old.
The author sketched this inside my book!
Now, the flaws in the writing are made up for, somewhat, by the creativeosity (if that's a word) of the whole story. If you like 8-foot-tall turtle men who's fastest sprint is about the same speed as the average walking speed of human, you will like this book. If you like little red dudes who are tougher then most fully grown men, you will like this book. I was delighted to read another book that could have limitless possibilities. Now, when I say this, I mean that the story could go anywhere and go on practically forever = limitless. Harry Potter is like this. Lord of the Rings is like this. Since the world of Forts (worlds) is so large, the story could go on in the book for hundreds, maybe thousands of years, introducing new characters and places. I will sometimes do this in my head with, say, Star Wars. Make up a new character. Make up his/her attributes and powers. See how he/she would fit in with the world of Star Wars and how they would effect everything. This is possible with Forts because Steven Novak made it limitless (I'm starting to say that word a wee bit to much).
Now, would I recommend this book to you? Depends. Do you like hundreds of different creatures, each with their own unique traits, abilities, and personalities? Then yes. Do you like portals from Earth that leads to one hundred different planets? Then yes. All-in-all, Forts is a good book. Not great, but if a sequel is written, it has limitless (there I go with that word again) potential to be a purely awesome book.
Austin (http://ReadingTween.blogspot.com/)
May 9, 2012
With high points in Characterization and Originality, Steven Novak drew (no pun intended) me into his world with vivid descriptions and added illustrations at the beginning of each chapter. Each character is so strongly written, I couldn’t help but fall in love with most of them (excluding the Ochan race, of course). Novak has this amazing ability to make me feel bad for the abusive father and actually like the bully. I felt that sting of loss and the loneliness of separation, as I flipped through the pages, but I also knew—without a doubt—that Tommy Jarvis would do absolutely everything possible to protect his little brother.
The story was intricate and well developed, and the accompanying art added faces to the characters Novak describes so vividly. The only thing I found myself giving lower points for was Style/Technique and Presentation (see Easily Mused grading rubric). This was due primarily to a few overlapping points of view that sometimes took away from the story. Minor issues aside, the chapters always ended with a cliffhanger that kept me turning the page, wondering what was going to happen next.
I loved this book. Not only did this story contain creatures from one hundred different worlds, insane battles, magic, and tyranny of the likes you’ve never seen; it’s also a timeless tale of hope, friendship, and the bond of brotherhood. I am looking forward to reading book two, Forts: Liars and Thieves, and posting a cooperative review with my thirteen year-old son here on Easily Mused.
(Originally posted at EasilyMused.com)
The story was intricate and well developed, and the accompanying art added faces to the characters Novak describes so vividly. The only thing I found myself giving lower points for was Style/Technique and Presentation (see Easily Mused grading rubric). This was due primarily to a few overlapping points of view that sometimes took away from the story. Minor issues aside, the chapters always ended with a cliffhanger that kept me turning the page, wondering what was going to happen next.
I loved this book. Not only did this story contain creatures from one hundred different worlds, insane battles, magic, and tyranny of the likes you’ve never seen; it’s also a timeless tale of hope, friendship, and the bond of brotherhood. I am looking forward to reading book two, Forts: Liars and Thieves, and posting a cooperative review with my thirteen year-old son here on Easily Mused.
(Originally posted at EasilyMused.com)
September 15, 2010
EDIT: I've been thinking about this book and I realized something: This book should be a graphic novel, NOT a predominantly text novel. This author's strength is more in his art and the stories he tells through his art. I'd definitely prefer to see this book in graphic novel format than in its current form...
ORIGINAL REVIEW: So basically I'm stuck. The violence is a little excessive and so far (if this can be toned down, which I think it can), I think this would be a better book for tweens. Also, I wish the author would have used his fantastic artistic skills more with this book, ala The Graveyard Book and The Invention of Hugo Cabret (though not necessarily quite that much art). This book also needs an editor to go through it again and help to polish the story and the writing. I think with a really good editor, this book could be excellent. I feel bad because I won this book from a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway and the author was fabulous about getting it to me quickly with a lovely personalized note in it. I really, really want to like this book and finish the story, but I'm just getting stuck on editorial details. I'll probably give it some time and try reading it again in a bit.
ORIGINAL REVIEW: So basically I'm stuck. The violence is a little excessive and so far (if this can be toned down, which I think it can), I think this would be a better book for tweens. Also, I wish the author would have used his fantastic artistic skills more with this book, ala The Graveyard Book and The Invention of Hugo Cabret (though not necessarily quite that much art). This book also needs an editor to go through it again and help to polish the story and the writing. I think with a really good editor, this book could be excellent. I feel bad because I won this book from a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway and the author was fabulous about getting it to me quickly with a lovely personalized note in it. I really, really want to like this book and finish the story, but I'm just getting stuck on editorial details. I'll probably give it some time and try reading it again in a bit.
April 13, 2014
we have a New master storyteller for all ages. His name is Novak. a believable fantasy world with realistic characters who could have been any of us. regular people thrust into A most irregular situation. Brilliant, my friend. I
It's what my dreams are often made of.
It's what my dreams are often made of.
Want to read
January 15, 2011I tried to read this in September kind of didn't get into it. I will; however, to try to read this book again because I really don't like not finishing books.
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