Jonathan Friesen

I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Both of me is a touching story of a young woman’s journey as she travels the continents. As she runs from her past, she meets interesting people along the way. Little did she know, running from the past would bring her full circle. Elias Phinn, is a unique young man. There seems to be two of him, one is a great artist living in his own world, a world he calls Salem. The other is a brilliant mechanical engineer, creating unique works of art and machines. The latter is the sweet young man that she eventually falls for. The other personality, she calls “The other”. When their backpacks get switched and she tracks him down at his mother’s inn, he sets them on an adventure following the stars. Will Clara help Elias heal? Will the stars really take him to what he’s running from?

This was a very emotional and moving novel. You feel clara’s pain, as she comes to terms with the death of her youngest brother and the guilt she feels over its. Meeting Elias and going on his quest in a way was redeeming for her if she could heal him. Even though he was a little strange, I think he was my favorite character. This was a great story of love, redemption and most importantly forgiveness. If you like stories that pull at your heartstrings, you’ll most definitely love this book!… (more)

Only He Can Bring What They Need to Survive.

In the year 2250, water is scarce, and those who control it control everything. Sixteen-year-old Luca has struggled with this truth, and what it means, his entire life. As the son of the Deliverer, he will one day have to descend to the underground Aquifer each year and negotiate with the reportedly ratlike miners who harvest the world’s fresh water. But he has learned the true control rests with the Council aboveground, a group that has people following without hesitation, and which has forbidden all emotion and art in the name of keeping the peace. And this Council has broken his father’s spirit, while also forcing Luca to hide every feeling that rules his heart.

But when Luca’s father goes missing, everything shifts. Luca is forced underground, and discovers secrets, lies, and mysteries that cause him to reevaluate who he is and the world he serves. Together with his friends and a very alluring girl, Luca seeks to free his people and the Rats from the Council’s control. But Luca’s mission is not without struggle and loss, as his desire to uncover the truth could have greater consequences than he ever imagined.… (more)

Gullary, Oklahoma is the home of a maximum state prison that has been long abandoned except for one inmate. It is also the frequent victim of violent storms, one of which, some eighteen years ago, deposited a baby in the yard of one of the residents who then adopted her. She was named Stormi, not only for her means of arrival, but because of her ‘free and wild’ temperament and her abilities to heal by touch and to predict the future. Jonah has been in love with her since they were children but he suffers from scoliosis and epileptic fits or old rickety as he calls them so he has resigned himself to playing the role of best friend. Then Stormi predicts a tragic accident involving many of the town’s children and everything changes but in ways even she couldn’t predict.

Unfolding by author Jonathan Friesen is an atmospheric and creepy tale combining the supernatural with a mystery about secrets and the extent a town will go to to keep them hidden. Reading it, there were more than a few times, I found the tale confusing and somewhat disjointed. The one redeeming factor that kept me reading despite my occasional inability to keep track of the storyline was Jonah. His character is complex and sympathetic – his frequent bouts of self-pity are offset by his sense of humour, his loyalty and honesty. Overall, I can’t say I loved the book but I did like it enough to read it all the way through so, to be honest, I’d give the plotline 2 stars but the character of Jonah 4, so an average of 3 stars it is.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review… (more)