This was an average mystery read for me. Interesting plot with average amount of mystery and suspense.

really struggled with this book and had to give up on it
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

I hate not liking a book, but this one just wasn't for me at all. The blurb sounded so cool though so that is why I requested it.

I did like Jonah's character. He has ms and epilepsy and he's in love with is best friend Stormi.

A lot of the story I didn't understand and at one point I don't even care to understand. I only kept reading because of Jonah and I still don't understand the ending. I guess it all went over my head.

I really am glad for those people that loved the book because there is nothing like the love of a book. This one in particular just didn't fit the bill for me. It didn't even suck me in from the beginning.

I loved this book! I read this one I read for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I have purchased and read almost all of the other books by this author and I could not wait for this one to come out! (I will be purchasing 2 of this publication for my classroom library as well.)
Just the right amount of adventure, reality, paranormalcy and a hint of romance...
(As a teacher with an early dismissal due to snow, I had an afternoon to burn and this was a great way to spend it.) Jonah, the main character is wonderfully flawed and relatable. His long, unrequited love for his childhood friend, Stormi, creates a desire for the reader to see his wishes come true. Dark secrets of their hometown slowly become revealed as the plot itself unfolds. Without giving too much away, I will say that this book was a real page-turner that I did not want to put down! The book made it's mark on me, as even now, I keep thinking back to points in the book where I should have caught more clues and wonder what the characters might be doing after the conclusion of the novel. This is another good book from one of my favorite authors.

i'm kind of over thrillers and maybe that is why I did not enjoy this. I am not interested in writing a review on this.

Jonah has MS and Epilepsy and lives in a small town in Oklahoma that is kind of strange. He is also in love with his best friend Stormi who most of the town is slightly afraid of. Stormi is a character that while we do get to kind of know, we don't fully ever know anything about her sadly. Which means that I couldn't really understand their friendship or what brought them together besides the fact that they were both outcasts and lived next door to each other.

Jonah's shortcoming due to his disability are ones that he gets really annoyed and frustrated with, which I understand and I felt that part to be very real. Yet his whole nice guy act towards Stormi and how he wanted more but she didn't want to give more to him made her try to seem like the bad guy. Which made me not like Jonah very much, which was hard because I wanted to like him. Plus he constantly brought up things that weren't Stormi's fault in order to try and guilt her into answering a question or being with him. Not okay.

Honestly I'm really struggling with what to say without giving to much away, because I didn't really like this book. Not only did I not like Jonah's attitude, but the whole town in general was just strange in general. I mean why do we need a super prison just for one man, why not send him to another one? Oh yeah thats right because this town has more secrets and there all about ready to come out and that scares the elders.

For me I just found this book frustrating, but it was nice to see MS and Epilepsy in a YA novel.

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

My review: Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC.



I really enjoyed this book. The biggest thing for me though was that the beginning was really hard to understand. When the main character, Jonah, would have flashbacks it was really confusing when they started and when they ended. I almost didn't finish the book because I was so confused. I'm glad I did because it got easier to understand the more into the book I got.



Of course the entire book was confusing but in a good way. Things really came together at the end. It's one of those books where you're getting pieces of the puzzle but nothing connects until the end. And what a twist ending!



I really liked the characters. Especially the main protagonist, Jonah. Jonah suffers from scoliosis and epilepsy. Throughout the book he has many seizures and he's constancy teased because of them and his curved spine. His mom loves him so much but his dad seems to hate him. He calls himself a monster several times throughout the book. Basically he's a character that breaks your heart.



Then there's Stormie. I can't really figure her out. I love her but she's not as well developed as I would've liked. And defiantly not as developed as Jonah.



I did however feel like the book moved at a fast pace. It seemed to be one thing after another, a never ending slew of things. I didn't "connect to the book" like I usually do with books. And the ending left off at such a cliffhanger! I would totally read a second book but I don't know what the author would write the second book on... and if he's not writing another book an epilog would've been nice.



But I have my fingers crossed for a second book. Even though I had problems with the book I'm still intrigued.

3.5 Stars

'Unfolding' is a fascinating young adult novel that mixes paranormal and contemporary fiction with a good dose of mystery. I was immediately intrigued after reading the description, although the actual book itself fell a bit short of what I hoped. There are several great aspects that I enjoyed - the characters were all well rounded and had unique personalities, especially Jonah (the main character) and Stormi (Jonah's best friend). Jonah's character was incredibly realistic and I immediately empathized with him. He suffers from seizures and scoliosis, both of which have a huge impact on his life. He's a wonderful main character for the book - down to earth, a loyal friend, kind and funny. He tries not to let his physical ailments define him, and he makes a lot of jokes about himself throughout the story. I personally don't know what it would be like to suffer from these illnesses, but Jonah's character portrays it in a realistic way and I really sympathized with him and all of his obstacles.

The author wrote the book from the first person point of view - which is by far my favorite style. Jonah is the narrator of the story, so we get to see everything through his eyes. The first person POV also allows a deep connection with the narrator, and I loved getting to know Jonah over the course of the novel. His relationship with Stormi is definitely complicated and I liked seeing their friendship grow and develop during the story. As for the plot, it was interesting and had great potential, but somehow fell a bit short for me. There were times when I got caught up in everything that was going on - especially with the paranormal elements and the secrets that surrounded the town - but then things would happen that didn't fully make sense or would happen really fast with not enough development or explanation. I think those are the main issues I had with the story line. There was definitely a great story in there, but the majority of it was lost on me - which was a bummer. I really wanted to love this book, but it just didn't fully click on my end. These are solely my opinions and not every reader will have the same problems as I did. Recommended for fans of fantasy, paranormal, and contemporary fiction.

"One week after the storm, Ma planted a cottonwood out front of our trailer. She later explained it as an act of defiance. Ma was sinking roots, declaring that no tornado could dislodge our family from Green Country, the eastern wedge of Oklahoma infiltrated by the Ozark’s mountainous tentacles." ~First lines of Chapter 1.

I have mixed feelings about Unfolding, by Jonathan Friesen. In many ways I loved the story. It’s not my go-to genre, and actually I’ve read very little few YA books, but I’m intrigued by the storyline. And in other ways, I’m left with uncertainties. I won’t recount the storyline (which can be read in the blurb.) Instead, I will share what I enjoyed most, and things that puzzled me.

Things I enjoyed:

1. I love that the story is told in a first-person narrative. It allows the reader to sink into the main character and see the world through his eyes.
2. I love the main character is male. I read a lot of women’s fiction, so it’s new and refreshing to see things through a male perspective. Jonah is a likeable, believable, and sympathetic character. I truly cared about his plight and inner turmoil—particularly concerning his feelings for his friend, Stormi.
3. The townsfolk (especially Jonah, Stormi, Tres, and Arthur) are memorable, and the town of Gullery, Oklahoma and its underlying secrets, give the story a unique and shadowy feel.
4. I enjoyed the slight paranormal aspect. It isn’t overpowering, but is in it just enough to add some oomph.
5. I am so pleased Jonah’s epilepsy is front and center of this story. It gives him a believable hardship that he deals with through inner-strength and acceptance.

Things I’m a tad unsettled about:

1. I have to be honest, in saying that there are parts of this story I don’t fully understand. There are also a couple of instances I didn’t find authentic. Such as the way the teens treated or talked to their parents. In these (few) instances, I was taken out of the moment.
2. The ending is what I’m most unsure of. It is both satisfying and unsettling. I don’t want to give any spoilers, so I’ll leave it at that. Still, I recommend this story for those who normally read YA, because it carries many of the aspects you’ll expect out of this genre.

"For forty bucks, I’d tell him I wet the bed until twelve years old, and that I spent hours gawking at photos of Stormi. I’d name every drunk in town, and whisper the places they go when the moon is full. For a tip, any tip, I’d spill all of Gullary’s secrets. But I couldn’t tell him what was behind the red door." ~Excerpt from Chapter 1.

I struggled on how to rate this book, back-and-forth between 3.5 and 4 stars. Ultimately, the higher rating won out. Unfolding is weird and wonderful, surprising and unsettling. It’s an intriguing tale of mystery, faith, and redemption. An odd read, with truly unforgettable characters.

4 stars

Cover: Love it (Love the back cover as well.)
Title: Love it
Publisher: Blink
Pages: 272
ISBN: 978-0310748335
First lines (prologue): She dropped from the Oklahoma sky. A gift. Proof of the Almighty’s existence.
I received a complimentary copy of this book.

Loved that this book included a character dealing with epilepsy. I have epilepsy and I could relate. The description is what drew me to want to read it. Thanks for granting my wish.

This tornado traveled over five hundred miles with a fury rarely seen previously and the tornado gently stole a little girl before pulling back up into the sky. Stormi isn’t your normal teenage girl she has a talent to see future events. Gullery is a small town that doesn’t even have a police force only The circle- an unconventional justice system made up of men including Jonah’s dad. The men consider themselves responsible for the town and can pass judgement on the people of the town. Everybody knows everybody and everything in Gullery. It’s a weird little town in Oklahoma which is proven as more and more of it’s secrets are revealed. Jonah is a deformed boy because of the severe case he has of scoliosis and he also has epilepsy. Jonah has a rough life as he is bullied by classmates and treated like he is lacking by his parents and other adults. His only relief is his close friendship with Stormi who he secretly is crushing on. But she can't acknowledge Jonah’s deeper feelings for her. Stormi had been dropped next store in his neighbor's yard by a tornado. That same tornado destroyed the supermax prison in town that gave a lot of jobs to the townspeople. The prison now only employs one person and that is Jonah and there is only one prisoner left in the prison and Jonah doesn’t even know her crime but knows it is linked to the town’s darkest secret he basically feeds her. And also give tours through the tornado museum and prison if anyone wants them. Then Stormi and Jonah are eighteen and there is an attraction between them. The town had began as a mining town but then there was too many accidents and sinkholes that forced the mines to be closed. Then the prison was built. Jonah was suppose to have surgery on his back to straighten it and Stormi warned him not to go but he and his dad went anyway to group therapy for kids like Jonah set up to have the surgery. Jonah has his first seizure there and then the seizures and his back get steadily worse. Strange things start to happen happen in town and then Stormi makes a warning that is followed by one of her classmates dying and people start to turn on Stormi and want to kill her. Stormi asks Jonah for help and it may risk his health, job, relationship with his father,possibly even his life. Then the couple go on the run and start to discover secrets the town has been hiding for years. AS the town secrets come out Stormi learns things about her past. When Jonah's family atones for their sins Jonah’s seizures stop.
I had mixed feelings about this story. I had a BIG problem that the story made it look that Jonah’s epilepsy was from the bad doings of his family. My husband died young and had epilepsy and my teenage son also has it and I don’t believe it was any kind of punishment for anyone doing bad and evil things!!!!! That really made me angry. But beside that this is a different kind of story and I liked it. It was a quick read. It also had mystery and adventures in it. It did drag at times and i had some trouble following the story. A lot of things were also left unexplained. I would ask the author if he does write another book including a condition or disease not to make the cause evil spirits or a sort of punishment. People are affected but what their loved ones have and are very protective and can be offended in cases such as this.

This book was strange, but I liked it. A summary of my thoughts would be that the weakness of the book was the plot, but the strength was the characterization and voice of the main character, Jonah. But now for a little more detail…

Jonah was so socially awkward sometimes that I wasn’t sure if I should laugh or cry. But mostly I just kind of loved him for how frank, straightforward, and honest he was, or at least tried to be, even if he did stumble over his words sometimes when it came to his feelings for Stormi. And as I said, I thought his characterization and development were great and LOVED his voice. That was what kept me hooked and reading.

Stormi did not make a good first impression on me though. I still can’t say I liked her by the end (her cryptic-ness especially drove me crazy), but I disliked her less when I saw more of her actually being there for Jonah.

I loved the inclusion of disability (Jonah had scoliosis and epilepsy) and how it wasn’t the focus of the story but still had an effect on Jonah and his life. In other words, Jonah was first and foremost a person, but one with some added difficulties. It gave me new insight into the struggles, experiences, and strength of those who have these particular disabilities. As much as I am aware and try to not take things for granted, I still do, and it’s books like this that remind me of that and give me more respect for what others go through. I will note, however, that *MILD SPOILER ALERT* the epilepsy ended up being some sort of divine curse and was suddenly cured at the end. Having disabilities unrealistically disappear isn’t ideal, but it at least doesn’t change the realism of it and the insight it provided up to that point. *END SPOILER ALERT*

There was also this whole air of mysteriousness and a biblical aspect involving curses and the idea that we pay for the sins of our fathers. There was a surreal feel to some of it too, certain things that weren’t entirely realistic. They might have tied into the biblical aspect, but I’m not knowledgeable enough on that to know. So I’m not sure how to classify this book, but between that and Stormi’s visions, I went with paranormal even though there wasn’t a whole lot of paranormalness.

The only real problem I had was that I still don’t understand what Stormi being a prophet had to do with anything, or why it had to be her to uncover the town secret, or why they had to go on a trip to find this out, or why Stormi was so scared of Tres, or why Q wanted Tres, or why Stormi and Tres were so cryptic, or why the Hive was part of the story at all… In other words, the plot was weak and it made sense in that I understood what was happening, but it didn’t make sense in that I didn’t see the reason for a lot of things and a lot wasn’t really explained. I guess the book wasn’t so much about the plot though, it was just about a short period of time in Jonah’s life when everything suddenly changed, he went on a kind of adventure, he discovered a lot of truths about himself and the people in his life, and his perspective shifted. It was the story of Jonah coming into his own.

So overall, I enjoyed this book and am really glad I read it. I’m so torn about the rating though because I feel like I ought to give it 3.5 stars for the strange plot and the unnecessarily cryptic characters, but, if I based my rating on pure enjoyment, I would give it all 4 stars because I found myself drawn in by Jonah and not wanting to put the book down!

When a Tornado hits a small town in Oklahoma, it brings more than just destruction and devastation.

Oklahoma is known for its tornados and the destruction they bring. When Jonah was just a baby, a twister hit his town and not only destroyed parts of it, it also left a baby on the lawn next to his. He has since fallen in love with Stormi. Jonah is plagued with scoliosis and epileptic seizures. Stormi doesn’t seem to have a care in the world. She goes through life seeing things before they happen. She listens to these prophecies inside her even when she doesn’t like what they are saying. Her latest feeling is telling her to get out of town. She goes to Jonah for help and they both leave and discover the secrets the town has been keeping could do more damage than a twister ever has.

Jonathan Friesen has crafted a unique story that twists and turns faster than the EF5 tornado that has hit the town more than once. With characters that are easily relatable, even if they are considered weird and different by many, the story is easy to follow and hard to put down. The best thing about this book, in my opinion, is how it shows that even if you have a condition or disability it doesn’t limit your ability to help others and believe in those you love. Jonah had many problems but he never once let that stop him from trying to help Stormi and others. He had a determination that is very lacking in many of that age. Stormi knew that others didn’t want to believe in her predication and thought she was unnatural; however, still she follows her heart and does what she can and knows to be right. I loved how Friesen crafted the secret the town has hid for so long and the way it came out. There is a lot to like about this book and not much to dislike. So few novels, especially YA read this quickly but still have a good message that doesn’t get lost in the mindless ramblings of characters that aren’t needed. This is a story that I will recommend to YA lovers and readers of all ages who just enjoy a really good story with a message.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Summary: If you like contemporary stories with a paranormal edge to them, you should definitely check out Unfolding. Fans of the Beautiful Creatures series The Raven Boys should add Unfolding to their reading lists.

Jonah’s been in love with Stormi pretty much since the day the twister plucked her up from her home and set her down unhurt in his neighbor’s yard. Mysterious, beautiful, and a gifted mechanic, Stormi often senses things before they come to pass. When one of her premonitions results in a girl’s death, the town rallies against her. Jonah follows her, determined to clear Stormi’s name. In the process, he uncovers a dark secret the town has kept for most of his life.

Friesen has this ability in his writing to craft guys you can’t help but root for. His heroes have all the odds stacked against them, huge obstacles to overcome and of course hope for impossible love with the most beautiful girl. Which pretty much means I love his novels. Unfolding was no different. It’s a quick read, too—I think I tore through it one evening in just a few hours. So much happens in the story that I kept turning pages and barely noticed anything else.

One of my favorite things about the story was the way the more whimsical/supernatural elements intersected with the reality-based parts of the tale. It gave the story kind of an otherworldly vibe but still left it in a largely contemporary setting. I don’t know if that makes sense. I liked that blend. Sort of like Twister meets The Village, if I can use movie references.

If you like contemporary stories with a paranormal edge to them, you should definitely check out Unfolding. Fans of the Beautiful Creatures series The Raven Boys should add Unfolding to their reading lists.

Review posts 1/30/17 at 7am Eastern Time

Unfolding by Jonathan friesen is a mystery and thriller and teens and ya read.
Jonah wishes he could get the girl, but he’s a monster and she’s the most perfect girl he knows.
And their futures seemed destined to fork apart: Jonah’s physical condition is debilitating, and epileptic seizures fill his life with frustration, keeping him tied to his parents. Whereas when clouds fill the sky, Stormi can see beyond; she can see things before they happen. And one of those things is her need to leave.
I really enjoyed this book. Full of twists. I liked the story and the characters. 5*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from netgalley.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley for an honest review.
This is my first book by Jonathan Friesen and it has left me with a big question mark. WHY DO I NOT LIKE THIS BOOK?
It is weird but not creepy weird, more like a thriller with paranormal elements and some unexplainable stuff weird. The characters were just okay for me. I did not really connect with or care about any of them much. Yes, Stormi's story and Jonah's narrative did have me intrigued but I cannot comment on the pace of the book because even though the plot was well thought out and the details were necessary, the story felt dragged out at times and confusing at others. It is not the sort of book you get hooked into at once. It actually took me a lot of time to truly get into it and even after that I was not that impressed. There was a general curiosity about the secrets and of course since the title IS 'Unfolding', the unveiling of event was interesting. I still felt that there was some spark missing that kept me from really enjoying this book. Maybe it could use a little more emotions. At least there is nothing cliche about this book. If there is something that I favor, it is uniqueness and this book IS quite different from anything I have read before.
It was a strange little book and some scenes were just straight out odd. But it is good to find a book with an epileptic protagonist (haven't read that before). I still cannot make up my mind about Stormi, such an unusual character. And the romance between Jonah and Stormi, well it looks on-sided for the most part and even when Stormi's feelings are expressed, I didn't quite trust it. *shrug
Like I said, it is a weird book. But I'm not sure it is good weird.

I’ve read a couple books by Jonathan Friesen in the past, but Unfolding (available everywhere from Blink and Zondervan January 31, 2017) just might be his best yet.

In Gullary, Oklahoma, Jonah wishes he were whole. His life is filled with pain from a debilitating physical condition and seizures steal moments from his life. What Jonah wants more than anything is his best friend and neighbor, Stormi. But he doesn’t believe he’s worthy of her. Besides, Stormi has her own secrets and a seeming ability to sense the future.

Yet when Stormi needs him, Jonah’s there. As the two are swept into an adventure that reveals secrets about their small town and reveals things about Stormi’s past, their relationship begins to change. Stormi begins to change, to disappear from herself.

Friesen’s story is both captivating and engaging. While slow in a few parts, the mystery and adventure quickly picked up and kept me engaged. Jonah’s condition is written in a beautiful way, giving readers a glimpse into Jonah’s pain and frustration at his limitations. A wonderfully written story for adults and teens alike that will sweep you away for a few hours.

Disclosure statement: Thanks to BookLook Bloggers and NetGalley, I received a copy of Unfolding and the opportunity to honestly review it. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. (I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)

This book reminded me a lot of some of Dekker's work, especially that written with Peretti. To put it plainly: its pretty weird. Heavy in symbolism and weak in reality. Some books you read and forget that what you're reading isn't real. In this case I was acutely aware of the fiction at all times. Characterization is shallow. The main characters may be teens but their representation nor the writing style of teh novel on the whole is likely to appeal to a teen audience.