The Network wages a brutal war. For every person that Stormrise saves from the Network’s oppressive thumb, another two die in their place. Mark Northfield struggles against the relentless despair created by warring within a post-apocalyptic world. He tries to support his friends, but it’s a losing battle. His enemy, General Arkland, revels in the despair. Arkland will annihilate Stormrise by any means, and instilling hopelessness is one of his many tools. Worse yet, Arkland has manpower and technology on his side. With the creation of a dangerous new weapon codenamed V2, he aims to not only end the war, but any chance of resistance. Forever. Despite how stacked the odds are against Mark Northfield, he won’t give up the fight. Not when his friends and the future of New Medea hang in the balance.
“A rousing SF tale that stars a warrior hero with a strong moral character.”—Kirkus Review
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite –
Storm Break, the fourth book in Calvin B. Fisher’s The Northfield Saga, throws readers right into the middle of a fierce war between Stormrise and the ruthless Network. Mark Northfield is up against General Arkland, a brutal enemy who knows how to break people—both with his advanced weapons and his ability to crush hope. With a terrifying new weapon in play, the resistance is in danger. But Mark refuses to give up—not when the future of New Medea is at stake. Fisher delivers a fast-paced dystopian thriller packed with action, strategy, and a fight for survival. As I read, I found myself completely drawn into the ever-expanding and intense world of New Medea.
Calvin B. Fisher does an amazing job of building a gritty, realistic world that feels both futuristic and eerily believable. The pacing is nonstop, keeping you hooked as every battle, every choice, and every move pushes the tension higher. But what really stood out to me was the mind games between Mark and Arkland—it’s not just about fighting; it’s about who can outthink the other. Every win and every loss hits hard, making you feel just how much is at stake. Fisher also balances the personal struggles of the characters with the bigger political conflicts, which makes the story layered and even more engaging. Overall, Storm Break is another strong entry in The Northfield Saga that I’d highly recommend, and it’s definitely left me excited for what comes next in this tense and action-packed series.
Reviewed by Ibrahim Aslan for Readers’ Favorite –
The Northfield Saga 4: Storm Break by Calvin B. Fisher is an exciting sci-fi tale that unfolds in a society where civilization is gradually eroding due to the rule of a devious organization called The Network. This shady organization is responsible for slave camps and poor living conditions in New Medea city. A vicious war rages between the Network’s General Arkland and Stormrise, a resistance group determined to fight for justice and freedom. Tragically, due to the Network’s technological advancements, endless human resources, manipulative strategies, and new secret weapon (code-named V2), Stormrise seems to be fighting a losing battle. Caught in the balance is Mark Northfield, a Stormrise soldier driven by his moral code to do the right thing. Despite the hopelessness of their situation, can Northfield’s determination see Stormrise through?
Storm Break is the thrilling finale of the Northfield series. It touches on many themes like tenacity, selflessness, the search for justice, overcoming adversity, and the ethical challenges of fighting in a war when all hope seems lost. Through exploring the moral dilemmas of Northfield and his Stormrise counterparts, Calvin B. Fisher takes readers on a profound and thought-provoking journey that tests their loyalty, courage, solidarity, and intellect. Another noteworthy aspect is the author’s ability to create an authentic dystopian reality on the verge of total collapse. Every strategic plan or hurdle encountered by Stormrise moves this intriguing storyline closer to its surprising endgame while grabbing the reader’s attention. If you enjoy books like H. G. Wells’s The Time Machine and Stephen King’s The Stand, this compelling, action-packed novel is a definite must-read.
Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers’ Favorite –
Storm Break, the fourth book in The Northfield Saga by Calvin B. Fisher, follows Mark Northfield struggling against the relentless despair created by war in a post-apocalyptic world. This narrative immerses readers in a harrowing world where remnants of humanity deal with the horrors of oppression and loss. The story centers on Mark Northfield, a rebel group Stormrise commander, who faces the challenges of liberating slaves from the tyrannical Network. The tale unfolds through a series of catastrophic events, particularly the raid on Section 604, which exposes the characters’ physical and emotional vulnerabilities. Northfield’s archenemy, General Arkland, creates one of the most dangerous weapons, codenamed V2, to foil any resistance and plunge his enemies into peril. Can Northfield stop him?
The key characters—Mark Northfield, Rayne Simpson, and Andy—are symbols of grit and hope in a world filled with death and despair. The setting of a ravaged Earth, shrouded in toxic gas, enhances the oppressive atmosphere. The conflict stems from external threats like the Network’s forces and the internal struggles of guilt and the quest for redemption. Calvin B. Fisher skillfully handles themes of sacrifice and the search for personal responsibility in a system designed to strip individuals of their humanity. Northfield’s plight illustrates the moral dilemmas faced by those resisting tyranny, especially when confronted with the reality that their actions might inadvertently result in death or suffering for others. This internal conflict reaches a climax with the death of beloved characters, forcing survivors to endure grief while contemplating the futility of their fight. Storm Break is fast-paced, featuring compelling imagery, robust conflict, and endearing characters. While it is the fourth in the series, it reads as a standalone novel.
Kirkus Review –
“A rousing SF tale that stars a warrior hero with a strong moral character.”—Kirkus Review
Reviewed by Eric Ferrar for Readers’ Favorite –
Storm Break, Calvin B. Fisher’s fourth novel in The Northfield Saga, centers around a brutal ongoing war between The Network, a tyrannical entity in New Medea, and the opposing resistance force, Stormrise. Mark Northfield, a Stormrise fighter, is pitted against General Arkland, his nemesis, seeking to shatter all remaining hope for Stormrise and the citizens of New Medea. Arkland enjoys fighting dirty–from enslaving the people in camps to utilizing propaganda strategies and depriving the people of much-needed resources. He intends to win this war with little consideration for the lives he annihilates along the way. Now, with the development of V2, a highly lethal gas, the entire existence of New Medea comes under permanent threat. Fortunately, Northfield refuses to give up! But is he resilient enough to stop Arkland, once and for all?
Storm Break is a quick-paced narrative filled with tension, relatable characters, and striking imagery. It has the perfect blend of dystopian and sci-fi elements, so fans of both genres will be pleased to know that it is as engaging, adventurous, and action-packed as it promises to be. Calvin B. Fisher skillfully delves into themes of loss, grief, despair, sacrifice, morality, and the battle for redemption. Readers will impressed and inspired by Northfield’s unyielding determination to safeguard his friends and the people of New Medea. Facing off against Arkland’s diabolical strongholds meant that our brave hero and Stormrise had to stand together as a united front to fight for the very freedom denied to them by Arkland’s oppressive tactics. This novel is a powerful reminder to readers that unified resistance–especially for a righteous cause–can inspire hope and positive change in a world desperately lacking both attributes. I highly recommend reading it!
Reviewed by Afifa Raisa for Readers’ Favorite –
Storm Break by Calvin B. Fisher is the fourth book in the Northfield Saga. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, it tells the story of Mark Northfield, one of the leading figures of Stormrise. Stormrise is a resistance group determined to overthrow the Network, an oppressive regime ruling over the city of New Medea. Given the loss they suffered each time, attacking the retainant camps run by the Network to free slaves is getting increasingly difficult for them. The regime seems too powerful to defeat, and despair slowly begins to take hold. However, Northfield and his comrades are not ready to give up. When a leak of intel reveals that the Network is working on a deadly weapon named V2, Stormrise realizes they are running out of time. Unless they take the Network down, any possibility of resistance will be wiped out forever.
Calvin B. Fisher’s Storm Break is a fast-paced novel filled with intense action. Despite the domination of physical battles and violence, Fisher also focuses on the characters’ thoughts and emotions, enabling the readers to better understand their motivations and conflicts. The story is presented from multiple perspectives, which adds depth to the work. Another remarkable aspect of the book is the bond and loyalty between the characters, including a few from the enemy’s side. Although reading the first three books of the series is highly recommended, it is quite possible to follow the story even if one dives straight into the fourth one. The Northfield Saga is recommended for fans of action and dystopian fiction.