The Wonder of All Things

I really loved Jason Mott's writing. It's almost poetic and full of heart making it a joy to read. I almost felt like the story was secondary to his beautiful writing and spot-on characters who live and breathe in his book. While not all that suspenseful, The Wonder of All Things still surprised me in unexpected ways. Mott leaves a lot of his characters 'uncovered' which gave me room as a reader to fill in the blanks. And the way he set up his characters, I had no problem believing their motivations, leaving their actions inevitable.This is the story of a young girl who displays a gift for healing after her best friend is mortally wounded following the small town's air show. Once Ava heals Wash, her life is never the same, and can never be the same which is the idea that Mott explores in his novel. Or, as I like to say, 'no good deed goes unpunished'.Desperate people flock to the small town to bring Ava their sick and wounded, revealing their true selves to the world. Lacking in faith, they try threaten to pull Ava apart in their grasping fear and lack of hope. With so much attention on her gift, Ava recoils from the crowds, hiding the fact she's draining away herself.Ava's father, the town sheriff is lost as to what to do about his daughter. He doesn't want to lose her to the world, but questions whether she owes the world her gift. The conflict in this good man is dealt with beautifully by the author and rang true for me as a parent.The Wonder of All Things will remain in my memory for a long time. It's a great book for a book club because there are so many questions to think about and discuss. This is the story of what it means to be human and fear the unknown, especially death.

During an air show in the small town of Stone Temple, NC tragedy takes place when a plane crashes in front of the spectators and two children are found in the rubble, alive, but one of them severely injured, 13 year old Ava and her best friend Wash. While the townspeople are trying to get to them, Ava makes her way to Wash and is overcome by his injury, hoping to stop or at least slow the bleeding Ava prays while placing her hands over his wound and miraculously finds she has healed him. When word spreads of Ava's healing powers the small town is filled to capacity with those seeking her help or ways to make money from her skill. Her father the Sheriff tries to protect his daughter but isn't sure how to proceed, while her step mother, pregnant and concerned that the pregnancy is ill fated wants what's best for Ava but also wants her help. But with each healing that Ava performs, no matter how small, it has taken a toll on her health and threatens her life. Very thought provoking read!

After reading “The Returned” I could not wait for Jason Mott’s next novel. I guess my expectations were too high. Although, “The Returned” left many unanswered questions, I still enjoyed it because it was such a great story. However, I was not expecting his next novel to follow that same M.O. of leaving the cause of things unexplained. The premise of the “The Wonder of All Things” is great, but the story just doesn’t go anywhere. It is a series of incohesive events. I only finished the book because I was waiting on the plot to tie together; but that never happen. It is not a bad story; it is just not a great story. Perhaps it will be made into a TV series, like The Returned”, so we can find out what the heck was going on.

Jason Mott produces another smash hit with his latest novel, The Wonder of all Things. Similar to his debut novel, The Returned, The Wonder of all Things is an intriguing story from the first page to the last. The characters are well-developed, likable, and most important for me, believable.The story centers on thirteen-year-old Ava Campbell who has miraculously healed her seriously injured friend after a disastrous event at a local air show. It is not so much that the event happened as much as how her life is affected by a consuming society obsessed with the girl’s abilities.I find it fascinating to read a story where the author has taken a single paranormal event, and develops a story surrounding it. A Must Read for anyone looking for the ultimate in “what if?” story telling. I look forward to much more from Mr. Mott in the future. Five Stars!

Well. Not my favorite manner of telling a story. I found it slow; circuitous; and wanted to jump ahead to dialog. The premise of the story is intriguing, but the process of the telling of the story was laborious. Some may find this to their liking. I tried to finish it quickly so I could get to another book that engaged me more emotionally and memorably than this one. That the premise was creative - I give the author kudos for that!

Beautifully written. Didn't want it to end and needed to know for sure what happened...loved it even with an ending I wasn't entirely happy with.

Jason Mott does a fabulous job in his follow up to "The Returned". He has a great way of reaching and expressing human emotion. I feel in love with the main character and her friend (that is a boy) for whose life she saved. I cannot say it was as good at "The Returned" but it tugs the heart strings just as much!

I feel like I don't have words strong enough to describe the beauty of this book. I would read this author's grocery list, he's so good.

A thought provoking book.

Quite a beautiful novel in concept and literary delivery. The theme or concept was an unusual one, its subject matter curious which is what compelled reading. Unfortunately, although this did not stop me reading, it decelerated a little occasionally and while the end was fitting in that it left one wondering, it also left a slight tang of disappointement. Although I would recommend this novel, appreciation of it would depend on the individual reader. Certainly its concept, beginning and over all theme was sufficiently interesting to encourage further reading as was the characterisation and setting. I do recommend it, rather than not, for as a novel, it is not easily forgotten.

The author leaves certain questions unanswered, which is perfectly fine. This book doesn't pass judgement on how or why Ava can heal. We can all explain it to our own liking.Also, it has a believable ending, which I consider important in a book.