CORE Deception

by Jeremiah Friedli

The government sees everything. One teen sees a way out.

In a future Hawaii locked in a catastrophic ice age, the Centralized Objective Record Exchange watches every citizen from birth. CORE tracks heartbeats, conversations, purchases, and loyalty. No one escapes its reach. No one, until now.

Seventeen-year-old Seth Alvarez has lived under CORE's red-flag restrictions for two years, punished for a desperate act that cost his mother her life. When his thirteen-year-old sister Aliyana is ordered into Normalcy Testing, a government process from which few return unchanged, Seth knows time is running out. He has weeks to act before Aliyana disappears into a reeducation facility forever.

His only chance is a set of stolen incognito devices, technology so classified that only government gray ops are authorized to use it. Armed with cryptic clues left behind by a dead friend, Seth races through secret dead drops, geofence gaps, and a lawless urban wasteland to find the devices before the police, a corporate black-ops unit, and a blackmailing young investigator can stop him. Every step forward puts someone he loves at greater risk.

Joining him is Krystin Jakobsdóttir, his fierce and justice-hungry neighbor who has her own reasons for wanting to break CORE's grip on their lives. Together they push deeper into danger than either planned. But the further they go, the more Seth wonders whether technology is truly his answer, or whether God has been waiting all along for him to stop being afraid and simply trust.

Readers who love action-packed dystopian YA will

- A teen hero driven by guilt, faith, and fierce loyalty to family
- Pulse-pounding cyber heist action in a chillingly plausible future
- Multiple POVs that reveal the full human cost of a surveillance state
- A strong Christian worldview woven naturally into every chapter
- A cliffhanger ending that launches an unforgettable series

Perfect for fans of The Maze Runner and Calculated, CORE Deception is Book One of the CORE Series, a YA sci-fi thriller set in a world where the price of safety is freedom itself.

Book One of the CORE Series.

Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Dystopia

396 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 25, 2025

About the author

Get a free novella when you join Jeremiah's email list!

Author of the CORE Series and the 2025 Realm Awards Finalist CORE Deception, Jeremiah Friedli is a homeschool graduate, lifelong writer, ice cream lover, and native Texan who can imagine danger just about anywhere and anytime. He enjoys getting out in God’s creation, whether that’s hiking, camping, running, or just reading quietly on the porch. His favorite books—the kind he loves to write—are those annoyingly good page-turners that keep him up long after he really should have gone to bed. When he’s not browsing grocery stores for the latest deals on Blue Bell ice cream and frozen pizza, you might find him seated behind a large screen with one of his beloved spreadsheets or watching a movie with his family. Learn more and connect with him at jeremiahfriedli.com.

Reviews

[Kathy Brasby · Rating 5 out of 5]

CORE Deception by Jeremiah Friedli is a thrilling young adult sci-fi novel that pulses with tension and heart. This gripping tale follows 17-year-old hacker Seth as he battles a dystopian government to save his sister, armed only with a cryptic letter and his wits. Friedli crafts a world where every shadow hides a threat, and every choice teeters on the edge of disaster.

What sets this novel apart is its blend of high-stakes action and faith-based values. Seth’s courage isn’t just fueled by desperation—it’s anchored in a quiet, resolute belief in something greater. Friedli doesn’t preach. Instead, he lets Seth learn to lean on God as the story progresses.

The pacing balances intense hacking sequences with moments of reflection. For fans of dystopian thrillers with soul, CORE Deception delivers both excitement and inspiration.

[Cooper Hite · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is great dystopian sci-fi. With nonstop action, page turning events, and many powerful enemies, you'll find yourself cheering Seth on in his excitingly dangerous search for the devices that could change everything.

Jeremiah Friedli writes in a way that makes you want to discover the deeper meaning behind every sentence you read.


See my full review at "https://cooperhite.com/book-reviews/"

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

CORE Deception is an intriguing story with a plot that keeps you engaged. The characters are well-developed and the writing is easy to follow, making it a great choice for teenage readers who enjoy suspenseful storytelling. I highly recommend CORE Deception.

[Wayne Runde · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait for the sequel! I hear this is the 2nd book of the series and I'll have to check it out. Nevertheless, this book is well written and stand-alone. I love it is written in first-person and he alternates points of view by chapters. Jhalak comes in at Chapter 7, giving enough time to get to know the protagonists well before she comes into play.
I'm still curious about the CE Ice Age. I looked up how Hawaii was affected by previous Ice Ages and there is evidence that there were glaciers on Hawaii in the past. Good job!

[Texas · Rating 4 out of 5]

CORE DECEPTION - I usually don't read this genre, but this is an interesting story. I like the writing style, the story lines, and the characters. I like that God is part of the story. Source: I won a GoodReads Giveaway. 4*

[Teresa Lavender · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dystopian novel that feels like it could be a possibility. I would love to see this as a TV series.

[Amy Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing dystopian YA Christian story. Teenagers Seth and Kristyn live in a future version of the United States after an ice age has turned most of the world uninhabitable. The government tracks and controls all its citizens using sophisticated technology. Both Seth and Kristyn have lost friends and family to government oppression. Kristyn is part of a resistance movement and has lost her faith in God, for the most part. Seth is a hacker trying to save his sister from being sent to a re-education facility. He lives in fear, especially of what he can't control, but through the story he learns from his father's encouragement and teaching from the Bible to trust God when things are out of control (which is pretty much always). I definitely recommend this book to Christian teens. The audiobooks were well-narrated. The book ends with decent resolution, but definitely loose ends leading to a second book due out later this year (2026). I read/listened to the prequel ("Association") before reading this first book in the series, which I thought was helpful.

The author is a homeschool grad, a demographic I love to support. Search for his author website, check it out, sign up for his newsletter, and purchase from his online store if possible!

[Erin Dydek · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Friedli’s prequel novella, CORE Association introduced readers to the bitter cold of a semi-habitable region under CORE surveillance. This first full-length novel delves deeper into the dystopian world, following Krystin and Seth two years after the events in Association. The suspense keeps readers on edge as Seth tries to save his sister and evade CORE.

This book resonates with the theme of learning to trust that God is in control. In situations where there seems to be no hope, Seth must learn to trust that God’s ways are better than his ways, that God indeed has a plan and can be trusted even if that plan cannot be seen. It’s all about dying to self and surrendering to God in order to find freedom from fear even in the middle of a dystopian world. God doesn’t ask us to figure out how everything will work out, but to simply follow Him.

Packed with suspense and intrigue, CORE Deception is a thought-provoking and engaging read for young adults. This novel features a conclusive ending and sets the scene for the next exciting novel to follow. You’ll want to keep an eye out for the yet-to-be-released sequel.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook: I was engrossed in this story from the beginning until the end, and I couldn't drag myself away from the audiobook. I read the prequel, so I was aware of the dystopic world which the author had created. Since this book began two years later, there had been some changes in the lives of the main characters which made me sad. I liked Seth and Krystin and their families. I felt for them as they faced their trials and tribulations. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. I thought the dual narrations provided by Brion Kerry and Arianna Fox enhanced the story's entertainment. I was given a copy of the audiobook. I volunteered, without financial gain, to post this review which reflected my honest opinions regarding this audiobook.

[M. Boyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

CORE Deception grabbed my attention and wouldn't let go. I don't normally read dystopian, but the whole premise intrigued me - a future ice age limiting life to the areas near the equator, people being almost completely controlled by a corrupt government, and a pair of well-meaning teenagers with hacking abilities and connections with the resistance. I appreciated how clean the book was and that the main character made clear, but not in-your-face references to Christian morals. I recommend this novel to teens and adults who love a YA-sized serving of suspense and adventure.

[Calvin Johns · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy a well written story, based on sound biblical truth, with suspense and twist that will leave you on the edge of your seat, and will keep you up well past midnight reading it, that pulls the reader in page by page, with a hacker trying to save his family while keeping his own skin. Then the Core Series is for you!

WARNING!!!
This book will keep you up well past you bedtime and into the next day! I do not recommend reading it if you must wake up early the next morning or if you want to get more than an hour of sleep! Begin reading at your own discretion!

[Deanna Mosier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Futuristic teen adventures, with faith

I enjoyed reading this Christian futuristic young adult story. The reader is drawn into the story and you begin rooting for the teens as they try to delve into the technology that keeps them in line. It seemed pretty realistic, was easy to read, and I enjoyed the faith aspect.

[Laura Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story! Great writing! I enjoyed every minute of it.

[Darlene Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book I would recommend to anyone. There is no sex, drinking, or drugs. It makes you think about what could be in the future.

Darlene

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

i won this in a giveaway

[Clean Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written! A good read!
Looking forward to the next installment.

[Nicole Cleaveland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Won this in a giveaway. Well written story. Just not fully my cup of tea

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, the knowledge of technology and descriptive skills explained to a not so techie person was great. The message of God's redemptive grace, love, and truth are woven in wonderfully

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Really puts an ice age into perspective with modern technology and humans fighting for control in the warmest parts of the earth. Fascinating storyline that pulls a person in despite the long chapters at times. I read in 3 sittings. Christian perspective with a few verses/stories in to really bring in the feelings of the teens.