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Rush
Equal parts romance and heart-pounding action, this novel will leave you absolutely breathless. Join teen Jake King, an adrenaline junkie turned hotshot firefighter, as he struggles with the one risk he cannot take: losing his best friend and secret love, the beautiful Salome Lee. But to Jake, firefighting is like breathing pure adrenaline. And if he doesn't stop soon, they could all get burned. . . .
320 pages, Paperback
First published June 10, 2010
18 people are currently reading
343 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Friesen
10 books174 followersI had the perfect life.
I was the grade-school star and the teacher’s pet. The world revolved around me and I suspected it always would. If you ask most people about their life, they don’t begin with fifth grade. But that was a good year.
Illness changed that. I retreated into a shell and escaped into words. Writing a story sucked the pain out of me, at least for a while. That’s when I learned to “feel” on paper. I didn’t think I’d be an author, I didn’t think I’d be much of anything, I was simply writing to survive.
Life changed in college. Health returned, the cloud lifted, and I got my teaching license.
Being a teacher, and being with those kids healed me. Surrounded by them, I relived periods of time stolen by childhood sickness. I was in my glory. But I couldn’t escape storytelling. All those years expressing myself on paper left their mark.
While my students worked, I wrote at my desk. Jerk California, my first book, flowed out of my own “lost years,” but hope fills the pages. Writing it was a beautiful thing to experience.
I now live on a horse farm with my wife, three children, and a growing number of animals.
Our home is on a hill that overlooks a river that snakes through a beautiful valley. We tear along the stream on the 4-wheeler. My three kids race through the pasture and scale the sides of the sand pit; they search for agates and chase wild turkeys that trespass on the gravel road that connects our hill to the rest of the world. I have promised them chickens and horses, but for now they settle for bald eagle and bear. It’s a good place to play and write.
At night, I walk out and listen to the wind rattle paper-thin bark on our birch trees. I stare at stars nobody else has seen and start a bonfire so bright it chases all the stars away. Then, my clothes full of smoke and my mind filled with ideas, I come inside and write until my fingers get heavy on the keyboard.
I love it here.
I was the grade-school star and the teacher’s pet. The world revolved around me and I suspected it always would. If you ask most people about their life, they don’t begin with fifth grade. But that was a good year.
Illness changed that. I retreated into a shell and escaped into words. Writing a story sucked the pain out of me, at least for a while. That’s when I learned to “feel” on paper. I didn’t think I’d be an author, I didn’t think I’d be much of anything, I was simply writing to survive.
Life changed in college. Health returned, the cloud lifted, and I got my teaching license.
Being a teacher, and being with those kids healed me. Surrounded by them, I relived periods of time stolen by childhood sickness. I was in my glory. But I couldn’t escape storytelling. All those years expressing myself on paper left their mark.
While my students worked, I wrote at my desk. Jerk California, my first book, flowed out of my own “lost years,” but hope fills the pages. Writing it was a beautiful thing to experience.
I now live on a horse farm with my wife, three children, and a growing number of animals.
Our home is on a hill that overlooks a river that snakes through a beautiful valley. We tear along the stream on the 4-wheeler. My three kids race through the pasture and scale the sides of the sand pit; they search for agates and chase wild turkeys that trespass on the gravel road that connects our hill to the rest of the world. I have promised them chickens and horses, but for now they settle for bald eagle and bear. It’s a good place to play and write.
At night, I walk out and listen to the wind rattle paper-thin bark on our birch trees. I stare at stars nobody else has seen and start a bonfire so bright it chases all the stars away. Then, my clothes full of smoke and my mind filled with ideas, I come inside and write until my fingers get heavy on the keyboard.
I love it here.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
April 21, 2015
This was a big old meh. It gets bonus points for having a unique plot. I loved the idea of the Main Character having this drive, this need to feel a constant rush to feel alive. It reminded me a lot of Devon from I Will Save You by Matt de la Pena.
I can't put my finger exactly on why I didn't connect with this book.
A few things that come to mind:
a) There's a lot of vague info dumping at the beginning without a lot of rewarding informative pay-off. I'm okay if you're leaving things to be figured out eventually, but you need to give me more. I started out intrigued and very quickly became bored and annoyed at the missing information re: the Immortals.
b) I think it would've been better suited to third person. I think the first person narrative didn't do this book any favours, and this is coming from someone who loves first person present tense. I felt like I didn't get a sense of who Jake was. I always felt held back and that's the opposite of what this tense should do. It should pull you into the head of the character. I just didn't really get Jake or find him all that likeable? I was never really rooting for him.
c) The romance needed to either be expanded on or left out entirely. I didn't really like it. I didn't really feel the chemistry between Jake and Salome. Salome was an interesting character, but I just... I don't know. I liked that she was strong, but I didn't really see their connection beyond friendship. And I didn't like the fact that as part of their "friendship" she was constantly hitting him (like hard) in a fairly abusive sort of way that was written off as a cute thing that Salome just did. It rubbed me the wrong way every time it happened.
The fire fighting stuff was interesting, but I don't know. I just felt over all the story was just okay. Maybe it was the pacing or the tense or the characters. Too much happening with not enough focus on the things that really mattered.
The writing was so-so and the plot was not terrible, so I wouldn't not recommend it?
I can't put my finger exactly on why I didn't connect with this book.
A few things that come to mind:
a) There's a lot of vague info dumping at the beginning without a lot of rewarding informative pay-off. I'm okay if you're leaving things to be figured out eventually, but you need to give me more. I started out intrigued and very quickly became bored and annoyed at the missing information re: the Immortals.
b) I think it would've been better suited to third person. I think the first person narrative didn't do this book any favours, and this is coming from someone who loves first person present tense. I felt like I didn't get a sense of who Jake was. I always felt held back and that's the opposite of what this tense should do. It should pull you into the head of the character. I just didn't really get Jake or find him all that likeable? I was never really rooting for him.
c) The romance needed to either be expanded on or left out entirely. I didn't really like it. I didn't really feel the chemistry between Jake and Salome. Salome was an interesting character, but I just... I don't know. I liked that she was strong, but I didn't really see their connection beyond friendship. And I didn't like the fact that as part of their "friendship" she was constantly hitting him (like hard) in a fairly abusive sort of way that was written off as a cute thing that Salome just did. It rubbed me the wrong way every time it happened.
The fire fighting stuff was interesting, but I don't know. I just felt over all the story was just okay. Maybe it was the pacing or the tense or the characters. Too much happening with not enough focus on the things that really mattered.
The writing was so-so and the plot was not terrible, so I wouldn't not recommend it?
July 21, 2024
The ending was really cute but tbh the relationship between Salome and Jake I just didn’t really see, like I was obviously rooting for them but there wasn’t anything there. She also hit him a lot and it was supposed to be like “aw it’s cute that’s just her thing” but it was just weird and random and I wasn’t a big fan of that
Also what’s with Jake and describing everything as “tingly” like shut up about your tingles tmi dude
ALSO the amount of typos in this book was getting kinda annoying
“Life is so strange. Who to hate, who to love, gets all jumbled in the living.” page 291
Also what’s with Jake and describing everything as “tingly” like shut up about your tingles tmi dude
ALSO the amount of typos in this book was getting kinda annoying
“Life is so strange. Who to hate, who to love, gets all jumbled in the living.” page 291
February 8, 2018
This was a decent YA book, but my least favorite book I’ve read by this author. I listened to it on audiobook and I’m wondering if that contributed to my lower opinion. Sometimes books on audio don’t grab my attention. Maybe someday I’ll read a print copy and see.
February 8, 2024
Very fast paced and an easy read. Sometimes a little too fast? But it will keep you interested until the last page!
July 9, 2017
Jake has a compulsion to take risks. It clears his mind and frees him to be able to think. He's always doing stunts and risking his life for the rush and thrill. The only other risk/thrill Jake has is Salmone. She clears his mind the same way. They have strong feelings for each other, but Jake keeps her at a distance. Anyone too close to him gets hurt. Then Jake pulls a stunt that gets him expelled. His dad pulls strings and gets him into the forest firefighters' ring - one of the riskiest jobs around. Jake is pumped, until everything he's cared about is put on the line.
Fast-paced and full of action. Jake is an interesting character and his need for thrills fuels this story. Lots of things happen here, but it is all exciting. Ending wraps up almost everything.
Fast-paced and full of action. Jake is an interesting character and his need for thrills fuels this story. Lots of things happen here, but it is all exciting. Ending wraps up almost everything.
April 22, 2011
An interesting story with some excellent, tense moments, but with a disappointing ending. We meet Jake, a teenager who is hooked on the adreneline rush that comes from crazy stunts. Jake climbs up water towers, climbs down cliffs, dives off waterfalls, etc. Unfortunately, some of these stunts backfire and wind up causing injury (to others!). The story is complex, especially when we meet Salome, Jake's childhood friend, who becomes worried about Jake's life expectancy. The story is written with a lot of action and excitement and is a good read. However, the ending (in my opinion) falls flat. You be the judge.
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June 8, 2011I really liked this book alot. At first i didnt liek it cause it was boring. I liked how jake was fearless and reluctant. I think it was qood that he protected salome and assured her safety. I also think that jake had a high tolerance for pain. The book was very exciting. Jake ws a young man who was a little disrupted in my mind. He didnt care about anything but Scotty and Salome. For some reason he didnt want a relationship with her though, i think to protect her and their friendship. I didnt ever think Jake was scared of mox or imtimidated, i just think he didnt want to have to go toe to toe with him. I also think this book was very interesting and would also recommend it to anyone.
October 2, 2022
This was okay. I liked Jake. I wish there had been more explanation and detail. Nothing felt properly explained or fleshed out. The writing was very meh and not descriptive enough to be helpful. I had to reread multiple scenes in order to actually understand what was going on. Also, more explanation of wildland firefighting should have been given for people with no prior experience. I will say this book made me do a lot of research to even get a clue as to what I was reading. Three stars because despite the many flaws, I loved Jake and was engaged enough to finish this very quickly. I just wish it would have had more to it.
May 5, 2010
Wanted to love it--it's about wildfire fighters after all. But I didn't love the main character or the best friend/love interest. Might have liked it better if I myself were an adrenaline junkie like the main character.
February 7, 2018
this book is actually really interesting, if you put the time into actually reading it. overall the plot was kinda inconstant throughout the entire story with multiple times when I yelled "no way" or "wait what". besides the let down ending and the slow start, its a great story.
October 7, 2018
Not a fan of Salome hitting Jake because she’s mad at him. I thought the dialogue was pretty forced. Very action packed. Every page is an adventure, or a close encounter with a girl. The end was the saving grace. Almost gave this book two stars until I read the ending.
August 22, 2023
This put me through so many emotional twists and turns and there were many things that upset and annoyed me, things I didn't agree with at all. For example, the way Salome hits Jake when she's upset or the way Jake perceives his brother and Dad as petty when they can't put up with his dangerous shenanigans, and so much unlike Salome.
But this will be my favourite because I do relate to getting a similar rush, and I like the ending;
it dropped everything to a full stop and everyone got a fair finish. Jake knows he did many things wrong , but he's worked to become better and will continue to do so. Mox knows he did Kip and even Koss wrong . And others, too, have done less bad things throughout the story, but they'll strive to be better always.
I always love it when the main character gets a good ending and learns to be better, but so does the main, big bad villain. I know they won't be sitting next to each other and laughing(actually, it might, depending on how boys' brains are hardwired), and things won't heal for a long while(that one's for sure at least), but they both know that they've both become better and everyone's still learning more and more.
And I walked into the book(meaning when I REALLY began reading it), thinking, "Jake's gonna keep on doing stupid things and get away with a good ending and Mox or maybe even Scottie or Dad aint." But I was wrong and pleasantly so.
Now I've got to let Jonathan Friesen know that Rush has been a great inspiration for my next book, "Heroically Foul", and this review has been pretty messy, but it conveys almost all my thoughts and feelings.
Goodbye.
P.S., Rereading that journey and creating that book talk I'm planning will be quite the ride down memory lane!
But this will be my favourite because I do relate to getting a similar rush, and I like the ending;
it dropped everything to a full stop and everyone got a fair finish. Jake knows he did many things wrong , but he's worked to become better and will continue to do so. Mox knows he did Kip and even Koss wrong . And others, too, have done less bad things throughout the story, but they'll strive to be better always.
I always love it when the main character gets a good ending and learns to be better, but so does the main, big bad villain. I know they won't be sitting next to each other and laughing(actually, it might, depending on how boys' brains are hardwired), and things won't heal for a long while(that one's for sure at least), but they both know that they've both become better and everyone's still learning more and more.
And I walked into the book(meaning when I REALLY began reading it), thinking, "Jake's gonna keep on doing stupid things and get away with a good ending and Mox or maybe even Scottie or Dad aint." But I was wrong and pleasantly so.
Now I've got to let Jonathan Friesen know that Rush has been a great inspiration for my next book, "Heroically Foul", and this review has been pretty messy, but it conveys almost all my thoughts and feelings.
Goodbye.
P.S., Rereading that journey and creating that book talk I'm planning will be quite the ride down memory lane!
March 4, 2023
This book is about an 18 year old boy (Jake King) who is in love with rock climbing. He loves the feeling of his adrenaline pumping through his body. He loves to take any risk he can. He needs the adrenaline to help his mind not stay foggy. But the person he loves just can’t help him. He wants to follow in his family’s footsteps of being a firefighter. He thinks that firefighting is one of the best ways to feel a rush. The person that wrote this book also has a book called JERK.
I thought the characters felt very real. They really just showed the true feelings that everyone had. I felt that the author tried their best to make everyone feel like the characters were right in front of them. Like when Jake said “I let Brooke’s blouse drop” (pg 64 J.F.) I thought that this was a good point because it showed how people might actually feel. My favorite character in this book is Jake. I just really like how he did what he wanted, not just what other people wanted. I also liked that he had a different way of coping with what he had going on.
I also thought that there were some parts I disliked like… When they were talking about what happened to Scotty I just didn’t understand what they were trying to explain about what happened to him. I also thought that some of the things that Jake was trying to say just didn’t come across as well as some other parts did. Here is a quote of what I am trying to say “I uh,I got a sign. He called me last night. I also think that a lot of what he feels for Salome just doesn’t seem real. There are some things that I disliked in “Rush”.
I would recommend this book to teens that like a little bit of drama. I do think that people who like or love drama, that they would really like Rush. It has many things that show how most teens or even adults would like the book. It is honestly one of the best books I have read. I would definitely recommend this because it shows the true meaning of a drama or a very good book.
I thought the characters felt very real. They really just showed the true feelings that everyone had. I felt that the author tried their best to make everyone feel like the characters were right in front of them. Like when Jake said “I let Brooke’s blouse drop” (pg 64 J.F.) I thought that this was a good point because it showed how people might actually feel. My favorite character in this book is Jake. I just really like how he did what he wanted, not just what other people wanted. I also liked that he had a different way of coping with what he had going on.
I also thought that there were some parts I disliked like… When they were talking about what happened to Scotty I just didn’t understand what they were trying to explain about what happened to him. I also thought that some of the things that Jake was trying to say just didn’t come across as well as some other parts did. Here is a quote of what I am trying to say “I uh,I got a sign. He called me last night. I also think that a lot of what he feels for Salome just doesn’t seem real. There are some things that I disliked in “Rush”.
I would recommend this book to teens that like a little bit of drama. I do think that people who like or love drama, that they would really like Rush. It has many things that show how most teens or even adults would like the book. It is honestly one of the best books I have read. I would definitely recommend this because it shows the true meaning of a drama or a very good book.
October 13, 2024
It was bad. There are bits and pieces of a good story here, but nothing is executed well and used as good payoff. The plot points that are introduced are either resolved with little to no payoff or are just uninteresting to begin with and a lot of them just didn't connect to each other.
I liked the idea of this adrenaline junkie that can only feel alive when he's close to death, but the idea isn't explored thoroughly enough. It doesn't help when all the other fire repellers do the same thing, making his stunts kind of just a thing that happens. He isn't even built up as a character outside of this.
There is almost no romance between Salome and Jake. She's is also just taken out of the story completely and not mentioned for a big chunk of it. Her relationship with Drew was unexpected, but also a stupid thing to introduce. It felt empty. I liked the "prom" date Salome and Jake had, but again, nothing came from it.
Other things I felt had little buildup or payoff included the change of Jake's dad towards him. It was really interesting to see some development with someone who I thought would stay in their ways, however he only appears at the beginning and end. The plot point of 'the Spin' wasn't even a danger to Jake, they were just other guys doing stunts. The antagonist is hardly even an antagonist, because this was supposed to be Man vs. Self. For a book about a guy who needs to live a dangerous life, it was pretty boring.
I liked the idea of this adrenaline junkie that can only feel alive when he's close to death, but the idea isn't explored thoroughly enough. It doesn't help when all the other fire repellers do the same thing, making his stunts kind of just a thing that happens. He isn't even built up as a character outside of this.
There is almost no romance between Salome and Jake. She's is also just taken out of the story completely and not mentioned for a big chunk of it. Her relationship with Drew was unexpected, but also a stupid thing to introduce. It felt empty. I liked the "prom" date Salome and Jake had, but again, nothing came from it.
Other things I felt had little buildup or payoff included the change of Jake's dad towards him. It was really interesting to see some development with someone who I thought would stay in their ways, however he only appears at the beginning and end. The plot point of 'the Spin' wasn't even a danger to Jake, they were just other guys doing stunts. The antagonist is hardly even an antagonist, because this was supposed to be Man vs. Self. For a book about a guy who needs to live a dangerous life, it was pretty boring.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2018
In the novel "Rush" by Jonathan Friesen, Jake King, the main character is known as an "adrenaline junkie" which is a person who enjoys the rush of excitement. He would climb water towers and rock-climb without a harness just to feel the rush. In the beginning of the book he says "I will not die here, not today" (4). This show his character motivation throughout the novel when he gets kicked out of high school. But, with the help of his Dad, he is offered a spot in a top wild fire-fighting crew. He is thrown into tough situations with this job and his relationship with Salome Lee. Jake feels that he is stuck and finds himself lost with these challenges. Because of this powerful line in the begging of the novel, he is not only able to survive physically, but mentally with his internal challenges.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2018
The combination of internal and external struggle is top of the line. The book is suspenseful and adventurous but also very deep and meaningful.
August 12, 2020
I love this book but I just wish that there was a second book. It’s not right that is just ends with Salome (I probably spelt her name wrong) wakes up and it ends. There should be more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2023
Read this with my son. It was pretty good. Had an interesting perspective about something I knew nothing about it. Good for all ages.
October 5, 2024
Inhaled it. Jake is a fascinating character follow.
February 28, 2013
Jonathan Friesen's Rush is a gripping thrilling death defying story of a young adrenaline junkie in this coming of age novel. Major conflicts stem as Jake is caught up in the dealings of the infamous "Rush Club", and is affected by the loss of loved ones. What choices will he make to protect himself and those that he loves?
Jake King is the eighteen-nineteen year old young adrenaline junkie and narrator of this first person novel. The story follows him through his expulsion in the middle of his senior year, to his training in the spring, to his wild fire season showdown late summer in California.
Jake suffers from a mental disorder. Unnamed in the book he describes it as a "brain cloud" pg. 21, and the book states that doctors had diagnosed him as having "depression, panic attacks, and suicidal tendencies." pg. 21 They say this because Jake states that pg 19 "Only a rush of adrenaline clears the (cloud).
The major conflict of the story revolves around Jake's quest to satisfy "the creature inside me that needs adrenaline to survive..." pg 6. As the plot evolves in this southern California wild fire haven of very hot weather, trees, crevices, caves and waterfalls Jake is faced with challenges that will put everyone he loves in physical and emotional danger. The book opens with him climbing a fifty foot cliff with no rope. The call to action is him hanging from two fingers over a 60ft drop, and ends with a one-hundred foot water fall jump, but it is not what it seems.
While reading this I kept thinking back to another Jonathan Friesen book that I had read previously: Jerk. Jerk was about a young man who lived with Tourette’s syndrome. The protagonist Sam (also a senior) escapes his "twitches by running. He runs and feels at peace just as
Jake does death defying stunts to feel at peace. Both feel alone and as if they cannot relate to their parents.
Both stories are quick reads with a well-developed plot but difficult to read structure. I often had to reread sections of the text because it was unclear the first time what the author was trying to say. I whole heartedly enjoyed both novels but at times felt that the dialogue was below my reading level and know that in the future I would seek out a novel with more well defined characters, setting, and purpose.
At times the protagonist just seemed like a cocky, stupid, immature jerk that had zero swag, game and respect for elders. He acted impulsively and stupidly endangering the lives of others, not heading the mentor's advice, and not thinking through the situation. All common motifs and themes where they are flaws of the main character that are then eradicated later! I think that mostly boys ages 12-15 would enjoy this book.
Jake King is the eighteen-nineteen year old young adrenaline junkie and narrator of this first person novel. The story follows him through his expulsion in the middle of his senior year, to his training in the spring, to his wild fire season showdown late summer in California.
Jake suffers from a mental disorder. Unnamed in the book he describes it as a "brain cloud" pg. 21, and the book states that doctors had diagnosed him as having "depression, panic attacks, and suicidal tendencies." pg. 21 They say this because Jake states that pg 19 "Only a rush of adrenaline clears the (cloud).
The major conflict of the story revolves around Jake's quest to satisfy "the creature inside me that needs adrenaline to survive..." pg 6. As the plot evolves in this southern California wild fire haven of very hot weather, trees, crevices, caves and waterfalls Jake is faced with challenges that will put everyone he loves in physical and emotional danger. The book opens with him climbing a fifty foot cliff with no rope. The call to action is him hanging from two fingers over a 60ft drop, and ends with a one-hundred foot water fall jump, but it is not what it seems.
While reading this I kept thinking back to another Jonathan Friesen book that I had read previously: Jerk. Jerk was about a young man who lived with Tourette’s syndrome. The protagonist Sam (also a senior) escapes his "twitches by running. He runs and feels at peace just as
Jake does death defying stunts to feel at peace. Both feel alone and as if they cannot relate to their parents.
Both stories are quick reads with a well-developed plot but difficult to read structure. I often had to reread sections of the text because it was unclear the first time what the author was trying to say. I whole heartedly enjoyed both novels but at times felt that the dialogue was below my reading level and know that in the future I would seek out a novel with more well defined characters, setting, and purpose.
At times the protagonist just seemed like a cocky, stupid, immature jerk that had zero swag, game and respect for elders. He acted impulsively and stupidly endangering the lives of others, not heading the mentor's advice, and not thinking through the situation. All common motifs and themes where they are flaws of the main character that are then eradicated later! I think that mostly boys ages 12-15 would enjoy this book.
July 25, 2010
The author of Jerk, California (winner of the Schneider Family Book Award) returns with another great read. The only thing that will clear the clouds from Jake’s head is risking his life. He jumps off of waterfalls, takes risky rides on his dirtbike, climbs the town watertower, and scales rock walls. His father and older brother don’t understand what he does at all. His father basically owns their town and his perfect brother is following in his footsteps as a firefighter, something that holds no appeal for Jake. One thing with appeal is his best friend Salome, but he can never let it become anything more than just friends, because he hurts anything he gets close to and he can’t do that to her. When Jake’s older brother loses his best friend and quits the firefighters, Jake is offered a place on a crew that rappels into wildfires. It is a crew with a record of young firefighters dying. Jake isn’t worried, this suits his thrill-seeking nature just fine, but Salome refuses to stand by and watch him die. He now has to choose between his friend and the rush.
My short summary above just scratches the surface of this novel. It is a novel of depression and trying anything to feel clarity and connection. It is a novel of family, exploring the tension-filled relationship between brothers as well as fathers and sons. It is a novel of love, of taking that final step and feeling a different kind of clarity and rush. It is a novel of bravery, of honor, of betrayal. It is a novel that reads at breakneck pace, yet never loses touch with the importance of character and setting.
Jake is a great character in the novel, exploring the reason why people take large risks. He is a tormented soul, unable to form connections with those he loves, able only to bond with the thrills. Yet at the same time, he has friends who love him, despite the ways he pushes them away. The novel is beautifully written, exploring the danger and power of fire, which is used as a perfect metaphor for Jake and his own destructive nature.
A novel that will appeal to a broad range of readers, from those who are thrill seekers themselves and want a great action-filled read to those who are interested in a well-drawn character facing incredible odds. Appropriate for ages 15-18.
My short summary above just scratches the surface of this novel. It is a novel of depression and trying anything to feel clarity and connection. It is a novel of family, exploring the tension-filled relationship between brothers as well as fathers and sons. It is a novel of love, of taking that final step and feeling a different kind of clarity and rush. It is a novel of bravery, of honor, of betrayal. It is a novel that reads at breakneck pace, yet never loses touch with the importance of character and setting.
Jake is a great character in the novel, exploring the reason why people take large risks. He is a tormented soul, unable to form connections with those he loves, able only to bond with the thrills. Yet at the same time, he has friends who love him, despite the ways he pushes them away. The novel is beautifully written, exploring the danger and power of fire, which is used as a perfect metaphor for Jake and his own destructive nature.
A novel that will appeal to a broad range of readers, from those who are thrill seekers themselves and want a great action-filled read to those who are interested in a well-drawn character facing incredible odds. Appropriate for ages 15-18.
September 19, 2016
This book was one of the best books I have read in quite a while. However it got a four out of 5 stars because of its suspense and buildup. Let me break it down for you.
Jake King, an 18 year old kid living with his father does anything for a rush, a shot of adrenaline through his veins." He will literally do anything, from diving off a waterfall to rock climbing without a harness". His best friend Salome is his one and only true friend along with an amazing support for Jake. After his brother, Scottie, left home he started to go more and more to the junkyard to do what he loves to do best, stunts for the rush! Unfortunately his friend Salome doesn't like the idea at all yet she stays supportive of Jake and his crazy stunts. His father, working at a mill downtown meets a couple of firefighters who love to die young. Grappling into wild fires, cave spelunking and a bunch of other crazy stunts. " Jake you may be a freakish physical specimen of this earth". However with the actions come the consequences, and who knows, maybe Jake and his best friend slowly start to gain interest in one another. "We plunk onto the porch and stare at the sky and at each other. A feeling grows and draws me to her". Want to know more? Read the book!!!!!
This book.. Was very interesting. Not interesting but more exciting. However this book is NOT for the people who don't like suspense. Everything in this book builds on itself along with a lot of Jake King and his family. Yet if you are content on wanting to read an amazing action packed book with some boring scenes here and there go buy the book!! I personally loved this book. Not because of the characters or the story but the stunts he pulls and all the suspense. You could say Jake King is a little like Sandy from sponge bob. Both are very ruthless and love to try new things just for the fun of it whether it is for science or for the Rush. I would not recommend this book to people who do not do blood, or wounds. IF you are squeamish to that kind of stuff stay away from this book. Finally, I would recommend this book to my Favorite English Teacher! You know who you are :)
Jake King, an 18 year old kid living with his father does anything for a rush, a shot of adrenaline through his veins." He will literally do anything, from diving off a waterfall to rock climbing without a harness". His best friend Salome is his one and only true friend along with an amazing support for Jake. After his brother, Scottie, left home he started to go more and more to the junkyard to do what he loves to do best, stunts for the rush! Unfortunately his friend Salome doesn't like the idea at all yet she stays supportive of Jake and his crazy stunts. His father, working at a mill downtown meets a couple of firefighters who love to die young. Grappling into wild fires, cave spelunking and a bunch of other crazy stunts. " Jake you may be a freakish physical specimen of this earth". However with the actions come the consequences, and who knows, maybe Jake and his best friend slowly start to gain interest in one another. "We plunk onto the porch and stare at the sky and at each other. A feeling grows and draws me to her". Want to know more? Read the book!!!!!
This book.. Was very interesting. Not interesting but more exciting. However this book is NOT for the people who don't like suspense. Everything in this book builds on itself along with a lot of Jake King and his family. Yet if you are content on wanting to read an amazing action packed book with some boring scenes here and there go buy the book!! I personally loved this book. Not because of the characters or the story but the stunts he pulls and all the suspense. You could say Jake King is a little like Sandy from sponge bob. Both are very ruthless and love to try new things just for the fun of it whether it is for science or for the Rush. I would not recommend this book to people who do not do blood, or wounds. IF you are squeamish to that kind of stuff stay away from this book. Finally, I would recommend this book to my Favorite English Teacher! You know who you are :)
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January 18, 20121-4-12
Reading the blurb of this book alone gives me a sudden rush. For Jake, he's always been the troublemaker ever since he was a kid. After getting kicked out of High School for the stunts he's done to feel the "rush" his life has been in a daze. As time goes by, Jake becomes a Fire Fighter which is perfect for him, to be close to danger and allows him to feel this adrenaline rush. Salmone is Jake's best friend, this part took me a long time to 100% realize that yes she is actually a girl for some reason. I believe that this book would be good for any high school student to read because the way this book is wrote, unlike most books where the main character is usually a good student, Jake is more of a bad one who doesn't like listening to rules.
1-11-12
This book has only got more interesting. For some reason Jake has found himself basically not fitting in with anybody he knows it seems. Salome and Jake are even having troubles getting along because of the things he has been doing to get his "rush". Jakes father has been talking to the leader of all of the fire-lighters about how Jake could get a job there even though he doesn't have the proper training. How ever Jake doesn't know this is going on until his dad has him talk to the leader. Jake has been given that chance at this job with one condition, he survives through the toughest training and doesn't drop out.
1-18-12
Well now i am basically done with this book. I have definitely seen a new writing type. It seems like this is because in this book Jonathan Friesen includes describing words at the end of his paragraphs for a great portion of the book. I really like Rush because i think it could definitely teach teenagers that if they can find something that they enjoy in their life that they will be able to do it for a long time and not get sick of it. I think that this is a great lesson to learn as a high schooler because the next step is college and you have to start planning what you want to do for a job. I am going to rate this book a four out of five just because of the fact that it was almost to easy of a read and i think older people should read it.
Reading the blurb of this book alone gives me a sudden rush. For Jake, he's always been the troublemaker ever since he was a kid. After getting kicked out of High School for the stunts he's done to feel the "rush" his life has been in a daze. As time goes by, Jake becomes a Fire Fighter which is perfect for him, to be close to danger and allows him to feel this adrenaline rush. Salmone is Jake's best friend, this part took me a long time to 100% realize that yes she is actually a girl for some reason. I believe that this book would be good for any high school student to read because the way this book is wrote, unlike most books where the main character is usually a good student, Jake is more of a bad one who doesn't like listening to rules.
1-11-12
This book has only got more interesting. For some reason Jake has found himself basically not fitting in with anybody he knows it seems. Salome and Jake are even having troubles getting along because of the things he has been doing to get his "rush". Jakes father has been talking to the leader of all of the fire-lighters about how Jake could get a job there even though he doesn't have the proper training. How ever Jake doesn't know this is going on until his dad has him talk to the leader. Jake has been given that chance at this job with one condition, he survives through the toughest training and doesn't drop out.
1-18-12
Well now i am basically done with this book. I have definitely seen a new writing type. It seems like this is because in this book Jonathan Friesen includes describing words at the end of his paragraphs for a great portion of the book. I really like Rush because i think it could definitely teach teenagers that if they can find something that they enjoy in their life that they will be able to do it for a long time and not get sick of it. I think that this is a great lesson to learn as a high schooler because the next step is college and you have to start planning what you want to do for a job. I am going to rate this book a four out of five just because of the fact that it was almost to easy of a read and i think older people should read it.
May 10, 2010
Check out the book trailer at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2LkZz...
What I really loved about RUSH
The tough/nice guy character of Jake. He’s a high-risk, adrenaline-loving troubled kid trying to do the right thing.
Jake’s descriptions of how AD/HD affected his mind. (If you are close to someone adhd you might appreciate the insight given in this story).
Sweet & sassy Salome, an strong, independent young woman who’s not sitting around waiting for a “knight in shining armor.”
Story setting in the California wildfire region, exploring the exploits of men who risk their lives fighting out of control fires.
Mystery of “The Immortals,” firefighters’ secret club.
Fast-paced page-turner.
You can really FEEL the rush as Jake risks everything, jumping bikes, fighting fires and scaling rock walls all for the thrill of it.
More about RUSH
“According to legend, each year at least one member of the underground firefighters’ brotherhood (The Immortals) must die.” This secret club is at the heart of the new book RUSH by Jonathan Friesen.
Jake, 18, is an AD/HD adrenalin junkie whose need for danger keeps him in constant trouble at school and at home. Danger is the one thing that clears his mind and makes him feel truly alive.
Salome sees the softer side of Jake but wonders if he’ll be around long enough for their relationship to happen. She also has to deal with Jake’s fear of getting too close and breaking her heart.
When Jake joins an elite group of Forest Service firefighters it seems as if Salome’s worst fears are realized and she’ll lose not only her best friend but her secret love, too.
If you like your action with a little lovin’ or your romance with a touch of danger RUSH is the book for you. Available June 10, 2010
(I was able to read an advance reader copy.)
What I really loved about RUSH
The tough/nice guy character of Jake. He’s a high-risk, adrenaline-loving troubled kid trying to do the right thing.
Jake’s descriptions of how AD/HD affected his mind. (If you are close to someone adhd you might appreciate the insight given in this story).
Sweet & sassy Salome, an strong, independent young woman who’s not sitting around waiting for a “knight in shining armor.”
Story setting in the California wildfire region, exploring the exploits of men who risk their lives fighting out of control fires.
Mystery of “The Immortals,” firefighters’ secret club.
Fast-paced page-turner.
You can really FEEL the rush as Jake risks everything, jumping bikes, fighting fires and scaling rock walls all for the thrill of it.
More about RUSH
“According to legend, each year at least one member of the underground firefighters’ brotherhood (The Immortals) must die.” This secret club is at the heart of the new book RUSH by Jonathan Friesen.
Jake, 18, is an AD/HD adrenalin junkie whose need for danger keeps him in constant trouble at school and at home. Danger is the one thing that clears his mind and makes him feel truly alive.
Salome sees the softer side of Jake but wonders if he’ll be around long enough for their relationship to happen. She also has to deal with Jake’s fear of getting too close and breaking her heart.
When Jake joins an elite group of Forest Service firefighters it seems as if Salome’s worst fears are realized and she’ll lose not only her best friend but her secret love, too.
If you like your action with a little lovin’ or your romance with a touch of danger RUSH is the book for you. Available June 10, 2010
(I was able to read an advance reader copy.)
October 30, 2012
The book Rush written by Jonathan Friesen is a very intense, full throttle book. In the beginning it starts off slowly, but as soon as you realize that Jake King is not your average teenager you won’t want to stop reading. Also, Brockton, the town Jake is from, is not the average town. But one thing is for sure: it’s a small town and rumors grow faster than wild fires. Fire, that’s another main concept of the book. Everything is about fire and the rush and the risk it gives. There’s also the Rush Club, that will by the name, do anything for the rush of everything. Throughout the book there’s excitement, horror, love, death, laughter and cries. Once you get into it, you won’t want to put it down. It is however, a story mostly about trust, and doing what you believe in and what you think is right. But, if what you think is right, is wrong…careful, you might get burned.
I believe that the book was very good. It had an exciting plot, good story and many, many twists and turns. As soon as you think you know what the ending will be like, it changes. And then changes again, and again, and again. You won’t know how it’ll end until the very last page, maybe even the last word. But, the book is also good because it leaves your mind to wonder about what would happen next if there were to be another book written. Also, this is one of those books that have it all. The romance, the action, the hero, the villain, and the surprise ending. But, from backstabbing brothers, to the death of a best friend, to the explosion of school, it’s all there. Plus, one of the best parts was when the guy everyone thought was a hero, was really not the best, and the one everyone didn’t like, ended up being a hero. Read the book and see for yourself!
I believe that the book was very good. It had an exciting plot, good story and many, many twists and turns. As soon as you think you know what the ending will be like, it changes. And then changes again, and again, and again. You won’t know how it’ll end until the very last page, maybe even the last word. But, the book is also good because it leaves your mind to wonder about what would happen next if there were to be another book written. Also, this is one of those books that have it all. The romance, the action, the hero, the villain, and the surprise ending. But, from backstabbing brothers, to the death of a best friend, to the explosion of school, it’s all there. Plus, one of the best parts was when the guy everyone thought was a hero, was really not the best, and the one everyone didn’t like, ended up being a hero. Read the book and see for yourself!
June 12, 2012
Rush by Jonathan Friesen is about an eighteen year old daredevil named Jake King. He would dive off of a waterfall, rock climb without a harness just to feel the “rush” of it. Jake King has always had a need for danger, excitement, and risks, but his needs have got him into bad situations. During his climbing antics, he accidently injures an innocent bystander which led to the reason why he was expelled out of his school. Soon, later in the book, he was offered a spot on a hotshot crew of firefighters who rappel into wildfires. It was a perfect opportunity for Jake King to feel the full potential of the rush. Jake King believes that getting his adrenaline pumping is the only thing that could clear his head from personal issues. Firefighting in Jake’s perspective is like breathing pure adrenaline apparently.
The theme of this book is don’t always take unnecessary risks because it may affect others around you. Just like in the book, Jake King’s climbing antics accidently injures an innocent bystander which led to consequences which was him getting expelled from his school. It’s alright to take risks from time to time but I believe that it isn’t necessary to always take risks just to feel the rush out of.
I liked this book because most parts of the book had suspense. The book talks about his stunts which build suspense for the reader. It also hooks the reader into the book because of their interest on what’s going to happen. Reading this book will give you a feeling of how Jake feels the rush.
The theme of this book is don’t always take unnecessary risks because it may affect others around you. Just like in the book, Jake King’s climbing antics accidently injures an innocent bystander which led to consequences which was him getting expelled from his school. It’s alright to take risks from time to time but I believe that it isn’t necessary to always take risks just to feel the rush out of.
I liked this book because most parts of the book had suspense. The book talks about his stunts which build suspense for the reader. It also hooks the reader into the book because of their interest on what’s going to happen. Reading this book will give you a feeling of how Jake feels the rush.
November 22, 2016
In my mind, Rush was a pretty good book. It was very intense. I mean it's called Rush for a reason. My favorite part was when he was in the caves with Mox. Not because he almost died. Because it was so intense and scary. It really hooked you in. Jake had to make some very tough decisions. Ether Mox or Sal. I don't know who I would choose in his situation. I would rate Rush a four out of five because sometimes Jake would do things that I really didn't like. Like taking Sal's coat. Why? Why would you do that? Jake should really listen to Sal more often. She is really smart. She could help Jake. She could be a tutor. I feel there is a safe way for Jake to get a rush. Not putting yourself in danger of anything like that. I feel bad for Jake because he's going through a tough time with Sal and his family. With his mom dead it doesn't make it any better. His dad always yells at him. All he wants to do is become a wild due person but people are telling him not to because of Mox. When he joins he starts to realize that he shouldn't have taken the job. Where Jake lives it seems it's all about wild fire control. Like that's the thing to do. But once you join it's completely different. It's not what you think it is at all. When I first read the book, it was not what I was expecting at all. I was expecting Jake was already in the wild fire control and Sal was stuck in a house that was on fire and Jake would have to save her. Rush is a great book. If you get the chance to read it, you should.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2010
I'm calling this one a 2.5 as I didn't so much like it as find some worthwhile aspects to value. It has some clear parallels to Friesen's JERK, CALIFORNIA (one of the 2010-2011 Georgia Peach Book Awards for Teen Readers nominees): 1) A flawed main character with a good heart--this time instead of a guy with Tourette's, we have ADHD & dangerous thrill-seeking older teen Jake, but overall I just really liked the protagonist more in JERK, CA; 2) An incredibly perfect female love interest--here it's Salome, not a runner like last time, but equally gorgeous and angelic, a big church-goer and journalism student, incredibly patient with Jake's bizarre efforts to cheat death just as closely as he can ; and 3) things that tie up perhaps a bit too neatly in the end. Perhaps though, male teen readers will enjoy the plunges, climbs, & fire fighting; but the Rush Club, the Immortals, the group Jake is so drawn to joining as his brothers in high risk activities both on and off the job turns out to be getting good men killed, and ultimately, I'm not sure if Jake really wants to bring them down or become their new leader. He's having a difficult time leaving his screw-up reputation behind and is very torn by his affection for Salome and the relationship they could have as compared to the need to walk the tightwire with no net. Ultimately, there are many of the elements of a good story for me, but this one never produced the rush I was seeking.
January 2, 2011
There are two things that make Jake King feel alive: his next-door neighbor Salome and the dangerous stunts he pulls to get an adrenaline rush. He’s managed to get kicked out of high school because of one of his stunts and now his father (who owns the mill in the small California town) has pulled some strings to get him a place on the team of firefighters who rappel from helicopters in the midst of forest fires. It’s the best rush of all, but Jake soon realizes that the leader of the group, Mox, is dangerous. Mox has created a secret club called the Immortals and in order to be a member you must pass an initiation rite, stunts that can easily get you killed, and that has killed many of the young firefighters who have attempted the rite before Jake.
I’m not real sure what to say about this one. I picked it up because I always need more “boy books” in my booktalking repertoire and this certainly qualified. I found it jumpy in places – Friesen doesn’t always explain things as well as I would like. I cannot help but wonder if that’s because it is a book geared towards guys and I’m fonder of the descriptive style used more commonly with girl books. I’d like to hand this one to some of my 8th graders and see if they found the beginning as confusing as I did and if they liked Friesen’s writing style.
I’m not real sure what to say about this one. I picked it up because I always need more “boy books” in my booktalking repertoire and this certainly qualified. I found it jumpy in places – Friesen doesn’t always explain things as well as I would like. I cannot help but wonder if that’s because it is a book geared towards guys and I’m fonder of the descriptive style used more commonly with girl books. I’d like to hand this one to some of my 8th graders and see if they found the beginning as confusing as I did and if they liked Friesen’s writing style.
August 18, 2011
Reading the blurb of this book alone gives me a sudden rush. For Jake, he's always been the troublemaker ever since he was a kid. After getting kicked out of High School for the stunts he's done to feel the "rush" his life has been in a daze. As time goes by, Jake becomes a Fire Fighter which is perfect for him, to be close to danger. Salmone is Jake's best friend and possible lover. She worries about him a lot since she knows about Jake's fetish of being near danger. Amongst the other firefighters, there is a group called the Imortals, for those who are also like Jake and love danger; they also believe they're immortals.
This book was very interesting to me because of the protagonist Jake. He has the personality of a 5 year old child not afraid to do anything. His crazy fetish for his stunts shuts him out of the real world and puts him in absolute bliss. Salmone, a girl who cares a lot for Jake is constantly on the mission to save his life is a brave, daring girl. Her personality is cold and I think she's absolutely amazing. I do admit this book like Jake, has it's ups and downs. Some parts are very upbeat and alive as you feel the rush, and others are very boring. Maybe the author chose to write like this as a certain style? Overall, I think this a very good read and is wonderfully written, a perfect book for climax lovers.
This book was very interesting to me because of the protagonist Jake. He has the personality of a 5 year old child not afraid to do anything. His crazy fetish for his stunts shuts him out of the real world and puts him in absolute bliss. Salmone, a girl who cares a lot for Jake is constantly on the mission to save his life is a brave, daring girl. Her personality is cold and I think she's absolutely amazing. I do admit this book like Jake, has it's ups and downs. Some parts are very upbeat and alive as you feel the rush, and others are very boring. Maybe the author chose to write like this as a certain style? Overall, I think this a very good read and is wonderfully written, a perfect book for climax lovers.
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