“The emotional root of all conflict–fear, anger, love, especially love–is prohibited.” —Aquifier 

Aquifer, by Jonathan Friesen, has become an unexpected favorite for me. I love young adult fiction so I usually jump at the chance to review books in this particular genre. Aquifer was mysterious looking to me right at first glance. I looked at it and just had to know what in the world an “Aquifer” was (I love when authors make up their own terms and definitions), and also what the mysterious dial was on the cover. So I cracked it open, not really knowing what to expect.

I couldn’t put Aquifer down!

About the book…

Every year a man known as the Deliverer must descend below to the home of the Rats. In exchange for rods of light, the Rats grant the Deliverer and his people another year of fresh, running water from the world’s last known fresh water source, the Aquifer. The route is tricky and only Deliverers and their descendants know the way. Luca is next in the line of Deliverers. The problem is that Luca is Other, and to be Other can mean one’s Undoing. When a string of events lead Luca to question authority and everything he’s ever known, he must descend to the place he fears sooner than he planned. Will he find the truth about his family? Will the Rats kill him before he even gets the chance?

What I liked…

I can honestly say that Aquifer is different from any YA book I have ever read. I suppose I would put it in the Dystopian category, but I can’t really compare it to books such as The Hunger Games or Divergent. From its unique ocean-side setting to quirky characters such as pirates, Aquifer stands on its own as a one-of-a-kind book, brimming with both action and intrigue. The author did an excellent job of ending his chapters with hooks, leaving me wanting more each time. Another thing I appreciated about Aquifer was its short scenes. Jonathan Friesen gets right to the point, leaving the dawdling that you see in so many other books out completely. It was refreshing and made it very obvious why this book was chosen for publication. In a competitive market, you have to offer something different from everyone else and Aquifier does this spot-on. Though it’s Christian fiction, the symbolism in Aquifer is so subtle and distinct that I believe this book will resonate with even mainstream market readers.

Recommendation…

If you were looking for something new to read this winter as the temperatures descend and there’s nothing left to do but cozy up with a good book, look no further than Aquifer. I believe both guy and girl teens will enjoy this book, as well as adults like me who just can’t get enough of YA fiction.

About the author…

You can learn more about Jonathan Friesen by visiting his website at www.jonathanfriesen.com. Watch book trailers, sign up for the latest news, and even read some tips on writing (that’s my favorite part)! Jonathan Friesen is an ALA award-winning author. You can also connect with him on Facebook and Twitter.

What are you reading? I love hearing from you! Until then, happy reading!

Yours in Messiah Yeshua,

S

Disclosure:

I received Aquifer for review from BookSneeze. I was not asked to write a positive review. All views and opinions are solely and completely my own. I received no compensation other than a copy of Aquifer, which is mine to keep or gift as I so choose. This post also contains affiliate links. To learn more, please read my full policy.

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