Aquifer by Jonathan Friesen


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 in the name of keeping the peace. 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 and mysteries that cause him to questions 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.
Hardcover, 304 pages
Published August 6th 2013 by Blink
ISBN  0310731828 (ISBN13: 9780310731825)
  I received a copy of this book for review from http://booklookbloggers.com/

In a futuristic Australia, the whole world is dependent on the Aquifer and the relationship between those who control it "The Rats" and those above, led by "The Council". This relationship is held with a yearly contract in which the Deliverer visits the Rats for a yearly conference. Luca is the next in line to become a Deliverer and the only other person besides his father that knows the way down to the Rats.
In a world that has abolished human emotions as much as possible. The domino effect of the events that take place get harder and harder for Luca and others to control theirs. A council that tries it's hardest to banish such things, seems to be is loosing it's control of their people. Luca has to grow up fast, and that means learning new things. Secret things. It seems that everybody is not who they seem to be anymore. 
The story is a non-stop adventure that will take us through the school system, history museum and the aquifer itself. I think perhaps the saddest part of the story for me was the people that had to be undone. Those that caused too many wrinkles are cast away, and not in a good way. It's gruesome and really sad. But that part of life was a daily dealing for Luca and his father. 
Aquifer was a very fast and thought provoking read. I recommend it to those that enjoy dystopian stories. It was a very nice change to read about a young boy finding love for the first time, and the friendships he gains throughout the book with both old and young. Even at his age he stands out as the strongest character in the book.
 



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