Reviews

Draw the Dark by Ilsa J. Bick

4saradouglas's review against another edition

2.0

This was a strange book. The plot itself wasn't bad, and I liked the characters well enough, I guess I just didn't like the writing. Ilsa Bick occasionally used words that were "SAT words" for lack of better explanation. I'm all for expanding vocabularies, but even as a well-read adult, occasionally I had a "huh?" moment with her language. She also shows her age several times, bringing up things like Natalie Wood (who died even before I was born, and I'm way older than her target audience), which I think would turn off readers. The book also got long and boring in places. The ending was just weird and out of place. It seems like she just watched some sci-fi movies and said, "Yeah, that's how I can end this thing." I wasn't a big fan.

julianna_schock's review against another edition

4.0

I liked the history part and the telepathy part and the psychology of this book. It was interesting, it was new, and it was fun. But I wasn't crazy about the surrealistic part, with the whole part about Christian's mother and the sideways place. I felt it was too confusing and it didn't flow well with the theme. But despite that, I really enjoyed it.

mojadeadejokun's review against another edition

4.0

Great book but I hate the ending... But still a great book

allmadhere106's review against another edition

4.0

Christian has the ability to reach inside of someone's head and draw their nightmares, the things that they want to forget. When he accidentally reaches into the wrong person's mind, he uncovers truths about the small town he lives in, including murder and the horrors of the camp that held PWs during WWII. It's an exciting mystery that doesn't fully reveal everything until the very end though some readers may find the descriptions and images a bit too graphic.

cook_memorial_public_library's review against another edition

4.0

Recommended by staffer Heather B.

Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/record/C__Rb1413522__Sdraw%20the%20dark%20bick__Orightresult__X2?lang=eng&suite=pearl

librariann's review against another edition

4.0

Ages 12+ (language, violence)

Spooky and atmospheric, although a little hard to follow at times. The pages kept turning. A thinking man's "Morpheus Road."

sirensaria's review against another edition

I stopped at page 170. I just couldn't subject myself to it anymore. While the writing was decent, nothing made sense. Random info kept being force fed to the point where it actually made my head hurt. I hate giving up on books, but this is one I just can't finish.

marc_le's review against another edition

3.0

Very interesting and mysterious, and that ending man. Damn.

jeannemurray3gmailcom's review against another edition

4.0

Really creepy! Christian believes that he has the power to draw a person's death. He feels great guilt over this.

Very dark book. - A lot of death. Interesting historical facts about German prisoners of war in Wisconsin.

mr_cain's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

It is truly a wild ride from start to finish and this is the novel that got me into Ms. Bick. It is THAT good.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Antisemitism

Minor: Death of parent