Written by Jonathan Friesen
Recommended for young adults.
Penguin Books $12.50
Jake King is a self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie! Nothing clears his confused mind like riding his bike down the side of a mountain or climbing a rock wall without any harnesses. Nothing that is except being in the company of his best friend /secret crush Salome Lee. Salome and Jake have grown up as next-door neighbors and been friends since they were young children. Although neither one admits it, there is more to their relationship than just friends!
Jake’s home life has a lot to be desired. His Mom left years ago. His Dad is the not-so-popular owner of the mill where the majority of the townspeople work. He is also a veteran firefighter. Scottie, Jake’s older brother, has just left town mysteriously. His career as a firefighter was short-lived. Does he know something about the secret world of The Immortals?
When Jake finally gets expelled from high school, his father pulls some strings to get him a much sought-after spot on the hotshot crew of firefighters who rappel into wildfires. This is the perfect job for a lost soul like Jake. Or is it? Will he have to risk his life (and even Salome’s) to prove his worth to the man they call Mox?
This is the fastest-paced book I have ever read. As with Jerk, California, you feel as though you are inside the racing mind of the main character. We are never told that Jake has a specific diagnosis however from his actions it is apparent that there are ADHD tendencies. This makes for a choppy read yet an interesting story about a world of fighting wildfires in California with a little romance thrown in for good measure.
Jonathan Friesen is also the author of Jerk, California and The Last Martin.
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