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3.23 AVERAGE
3.23 AVERAGE
sue_loves_to_read's review against another edition
3.0
Noah and Blaze live in the same village over 100 years apart. But the two teenage boys are linked by a river and a strange gift: they both compulsively draw images they don’t understand, that later come true. They can draw the future.
1860s – Blaze is alone after his mother’s death, dependent on the kindness of the villagers, who all distrust his gift as witchcraft but still want him to predict the future for them. When they don’t like what he draws, life gets very dangerous for him.
Now – Noah comes to the village for a new start. His parents are desperate for him to be ‘normal’ after all the trouble they've had in the past. He makes a friend, Beth, but as with Blaze the strangeness of his drawings start to turn people against him and things get very threatening. Will he be driven away from this new home – and from Beth?
Will both boys be destroyed by their strange gift, or can a new future be drawn?
A great story but just as I felt myself being drawn in the narrative would switch to the other boy. The chapters were too short for this to work well and I didn't feel as engaged as I could have been.
1860s – Blaze is alone after his mother’s death, dependent on the kindness of the villagers, who all distrust his gift as witchcraft but still want him to predict the future for them. When they don’t like what he draws, life gets very dangerous for him.
Now – Noah comes to the village for a new start. His parents are desperate for him to be ‘normal’ after all the trouble they've had in the past. He makes a friend, Beth, but as with Blaze the strangeness of his drawings start to turn people against him and things get very threatening. Will he be driven away from this new home – and from Beth?
Will both boys be destroyed by their strange gift, or can a new future be drawn?
A great story but just as I felt myself being drawn in the narrative would switch to the other boy. The chapters were too short for this to work well and I didn't feel as engaged as I could have been.
jadmo_11's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't really find Blaze's story as interesting as Noah's, and I thought they would be more connected than they were. However, I found this book reasonably enjoyable; the characters and the plot were intriguing and I got through it really fast.
absolutelydia's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Complicated
3.25
mochavonbee's review against another edition
3.0
This is a story of real-world magic, where somebody with a magical gift has to manage the gift in the real non-magical world. This is a premise I always find appealing and I enjoyed this story. There are two strands woven together, past and present which is also something that interests me.
Often though, the problem with two strands is that one works much better than the other. I felt this was the case here. The past strand was very strong and made, I thought, a more compelling story. Both strands were well-resolved and the conclusion to the story was satisfying.
Even though there were interesting elements and good characters in the present strand, it felt a little forced and the main character's backstory was hinted at for ages and I think everyone would have it figured out before it is finally revealed. I felt this let the book down a bit, which is why I've given it 3 stars.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and think this is an interesting author, whose work I'd look out for in the future.
Often though, the problem with two strands is that one works much better than the other. I felt this was the case here. The past strand was very strong and made, I thought, a more compelling story. Both strands were well-resolved and the conclusion to the story was satisfying.
Even though there were interesting elements and good characters in the present strand, it felt a little forced and the main character's backstory was hinted at for ages and I think everyone would have it figured out before it is finally revealed. I felt this let the book down a bit, which is why I've given it 3 stars.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and think this is an interesting author, whose work I'd look out for in the future.
writingwwolves's review against another edition
4.0
Hauntingly beautiful, this book gave me the chills, made me smile and made me want to cry. I love the history involved in the story and the characters fit their purpose perfectly. Ivory has created a book that really grips the reader and leaves them curious for more.
serendipity_viv's review against another edition
5.0
Originally posted on www.serendipityreviews.co.uk
I hadn't expected to read The Boy Who Drew The Future as quickly as I did. My TBR pile was practically toppling over, but I couldn't resist a sneak peak at the first chapter, when I received it. That was it. I was completely drawn into the story and couldn't put it down.
The author has a exquisite descriptive voice, that allows you to immerse yourself straight into the story. The book is told from two view points. Firstly we have the present day, where we meet Noah. You realise from the first chapter that Noah is carrying a lot of guilt, but you can't quite put your finger on what that guilt might be. All you know is that he feels his unusual talent is the root of this guilt. As the story unfolds you realise he blames himself for something which he couldn't possibly have controlled. He seems hell bent on making sure the situation doesn't happen again. His journey through the story is about learning to overcome his unnecessary guilt.
Noah's parents don't understand how special he is. Their reaction to his talent really surprised me, but I suppose no one wants their child to be singled out for being different and Noah's talent does attract a lot of negative attention when it becomes apparent. Personally, I think it would be awesome to be able to draw the future.
The second point of view in the book is Blaze's, an orphan from the 1800's with only his beloved dog as his companion. Blaze has the same talent as Noah, but during the 1800's, his ability was considered to be witchcraft. Blaze suffers for his talent. I adored Blaze, I really felt he had a beautiful soul.
There is another character who really touched my heart. Dog. Blaze's faithful companion. The author's descriptions of him, were so lifelike, I felt as much love for him as I did for Manchee in The Knife of Never Letting Go.
The river features heavily in the book and is a forceful link between both characters, connecting them over the time divide. The descriptions of the river, really bring it to life, making it feel like a character in its own right, creating a menacing and threatening presence at times.
I really enjoyed this beautifully haunting and unusual tale and look forward to even more from Rhian Ivory in the future.
I hadn't expected to read The Boy Who Drew The Future as quickly as I did. My TBR pile was practically toppling over, but I couldn't resist a sneak peak at the first chapter, when I received it. That was it. I was completely drawn into the story and couldn't put it down.
The author has a exquisite descriptive voice, that allows you to immerse yourself straight into the story. The book is told from two view points. Firstly we have the present day, where we meet Noah. You realise from the first chapter that Noah is carrying a lot of guilt, but you can't quite put your finger on what that guilt might be. All you know is that he feels his unusual talent is the root of this guilt. As the story unfolds you realise he blames himself for something which he couldn't possibly have controlled. He seems hell bent on making sure the situation doesn't happen again. His journey through the story is about learning to overcome his unnecessary guilt.
Noah's parents don't understand how special he is. Their reaction to his talent really surprised me, but I suppose no one wants their child to be singled out for being different and Noah's talent does attract a lot of negative attention when it becomes apparent. Personally, I think it would be awesome to be able to draw the future.
The second point of view in the book is Blaze's, an orphan from the 1800's with only his beloved dog as his companion. Blaze has the same talent as Noah, but during the 1800's, his ability was considered to be witchcraft. Blaze suffers for his talent. I adored Blaze, I really felt he had a beautiful soul.
There is another character who really touched my heart. Dog. Blaze's faithful companion. The author's descriptions of him, were so lifelike, I felt as much love for him as I did for Manchee in The Knife of Never Letting Go.
The river features heavily in the book and is a forceful link between both characters, connecting them over the time divide. The descriptions of the river, really bring it to life, making it feel like a character in its own right, creating a menacing and threatening presence at times.
I really enjoyed this beautifully haunting and unusual tale and look forward to even more from Rhian Ivory in the future.
hayaalovesreading's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0