Woodland: Family Portrait is a coming-of-age story by Art Lionson. Jason and Eddie Woodland lived with their parents and two younger siblings, Cody and Mia. Even though the Woodland family was facing difficulties, they were still functioning as a unit. In a world where the odds were stacked against them, Eddie and Jason were just ordinary individuals trying to get by. Their younger sibling Cody was mixing with the wrong crowd and made a mistake. Eddie and Jason were forced to bear the consequences of the decisions and deeds of others while changing the course of their own lives and those around them when they tried to fix Cody’s error. What price would the Woodland brothers have to pay to prevail, survive, and maintain their honor and dignity?

Woodland: Family Portrait by Art Lionson is a coming-of-age story that explores the lengths one will go to in order to protect those they love. I was hooked from the start. The plot was exciting and engaging, and a few sub-plots were intertwined. The story was fast-paced and jam-packed with action. There was no way I could predict what would happen next. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat, and I turned the pages as fast as I could. I could not put it down. I was too afraid I would miss something. The characters had authentic backgrounds. They were introduced in such a way that it was easy to get to know them. The story was brilliantly written and finished with a thrilling scene that was a big surprise.

Woodland: Family Portrait by Art Lionson takes us to the year 2043. Jason, his younger brother Eddie, their younger siblings, and their hard-working parents live in a poor community in the U.S. Robots are doing many jobs previously done by humans, and jobs are scarce. Desperate unemployed people frequently resort to riots. Mia, the family’s youngest child, is suffering from a rare genetic disease. The need to pay for the medicines to prolong Mia’s life unites Jason’s family and they take on every job they can. Before long, unmerited disasters engulf the family. Jason discovers drugs in the bag of his younger brother Cody. Jason and Eddie lose their jobs in a chop shop, and an odd delivery job they take up lands them in prison. What will happen next?

Woodland by Art Lionson is a gripping thought-provoking action thriller. The author deftly exposes topical vices prevalent in modern society such as the fate of the less-privileged in a world of advanced technology and dubious crime control methods. Central to the story is a controversial early-release program for convicts, which turns them into mercenary fighters. Villainy, deception, and graphic combat scenes abound and drive the plot. Conversely, the emphasis on the virtues of kindness, love, care, friendship, and perseverance makes this story a highly satisfying read. This novel is a serious work and an outspoken cautionary tale about how easily life can transform into an unbearable disaster and illustrates the high price of redemption. I found this story intriguing due to its compelling depth in the portrayal of social issues. This page-turner will appeal most to fans of hard-boiled thrillers.

Woodland: Family Portrait by Art Lionson puts Eddie and his brother Jason in prison after a botched assignment in the year 2043. Eddie, imprisoned and engulfed in despair, recalls his sacrifices for his sister Mia as he grapples with the harsh realities of prison life. Eddie's cellmate Pete has a chilling theory about staged inmate conflicts, claims that gain credibility as events hint at a prison system agenda. Eddie and Jason exchange plans and Eddie becomes part of a rigorous training program, discovering camaraderie and purpose. The lives of multiple inmates intersect and both Eddie's and Jason's lives evolve again amid hostile attackers and dangerous assignments. Stranded in a desolate area, they await orders from the Center, where higher-level agents arrive, changing the mission's dynamics.

All of the characters in Art Lionson's family crime saga, Woodland, and there is a huge and diverse cast of them, are developed so thoroughly that the Woodland universe could include prequels, sequels, and even offshoots with different players. The family connection and dedication to the people Eddie and Jason love is a heartening aspect. Spark, Eddie's dog who is what my daughter would call a “ride or die” best friend, was my favorite character, which I know sounds bizarre, but the important role he plays and the sacrifices made are some of Lionson's best character development work. The storyline is sometimes let down by choppy prose and uncomfortable syntax but I did not find this to be too much of a barrier, especially as the book progresses. Lionson is excellent at building tension and I look forward to seeing where he takes us next following a cliffhanger ending. Recommended.

Woodland: Family Portrait by Art Lionson is a dystopian novel set in 2043, where brothers Jason and Eddie Woodland struggle financially, mostly due to the care necessary for their ill sister. Their neighborhood faces demolition, their auto jobs halt, and the disappearance of Cody leads to a drug discovery. Jason resorts to a risky task that ends in disaster and an unjust trial, and both Jason and Eddie are separated and sent to prison. Jason does bond with cellmate Josh, but Eddie's imprisonment overwhelms him. Against a changing world and social divides, Eddie learns of sinister prison motives from his celly Pete. As the stakes are raised for each of the brothers, violence and strategic revenge are overshadowed by rumors and a stabilization program. It turns out, there are worse things than prison.

Woodland: Family Portrait by Art Lionson ends on a cliffhanger with the promise of being the first in a series, and with no shortage of imagination from its author, there are many directions the futuristic thriller can go. Lionson builds a world that resembles our own despite some critical advances in technology but is close enough to visualize given that we are only talking about a time difference of twenty years. I love prison drama and Lionson does a good job of breathing life into it. A reader would probably not expect that the brutality of prison on a daily basis could be eclipsed, but Lionson proves with the transition into a training regime that he has more than a few small twists in store. From a literary standpoint, the prose reflects some distinct linguistic characteristics that may not be indicative of a native English speaker, but the premise is good and I think other readers will agree.