Reviews

Drawn by Marie Lamba

yodamom's review against another edition

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5.0

4.4 stars
I went into this book totally blind. It had been on my kindle for years, unread. I went overboard with downloading freebies for a while. Don't judge. I've been randomly picking a book by tittle alone and reading them most have been meh reads, this one wasn't.
What an amazing time travel, mystery, suspense, love story. This book took me, shook me, and kept me up all night. I was always in the edge of my seat, nibbling on my cuticles, heart thumping, breath rapid, the answer was there just another page, stage. Who was the real villain ? What changes had she caused to the future ? Can they find a way to be together ? The best part is it's not all HEA there are some tissue box moments.. No worries, the end is so good. I never saw it coming. I love this author's writing, she paced everything just right for this reader. There was just enough, of everything to entrance me in her world. Will read this author again asap.
One slightly negative point had me going ??? She wasn't a major character I just don't like undone dangling bits. Where is the mother, and what was her story ? I feel like that chapter was dropped. There was a lot of story about her leaving but never an answer. Did I miss something ?

amethystbookwyrm's review against another edition

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3.0

This and my other reviews can be found at http://amethystbookwyrm.blogspot.co.uk/

Michelle De Freccio and her father have just moved to England and all Michelle wants is to be normal and not be known for having a psychic mother and a brother who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. However she soon starts drawing a knight called Christopher from the 1400’s. As she starts getting drawn into his world, she does not know if this is real or if she is going crazy.

Drawn is a fun Young Adult read about time travel and a timeless love. It was slow to start but picked up a bit as the book progressed. I wish there was more far-reaching consequences to the butterfly-effect in this book as it would have been more interesting than the little bits seen in Drawn.

I liked Michelle as she is a strong person even though she is an outcast, which makes really easy to connect to. I just did not like Christopher although I cannot put my finger on why, maybe because most of the book you did not know if her was real or not and good or not.

I did not like the ending and wished Lamba would have written it differently. I would recommend this to people who like Timeless by Alexandra Monir.

perilous1's review against another edition

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3.0

Full Review for RT Magazine - March 2012 edition

3.5 Stars (Were that allowed.)

First-person present tense telling through the eyes of Michelle, an outcast American girl and recent transplant to a posh private academy in England. After her mother's abandonment and her older brother's struggles with schizophrenia, she feels that she and her father have been given a chance to start over in a place where their 'freak' reputation isn't known to anyone. But that reputation seems determined to haunt her, literally, in the form of the castle-dwelling ghost of a young nobleman named Christopher. The bond they form forges a connection between the 1400's and present day, and Michelle discovers that she may be able to alter the past—for better or worse.

Drawn holds an intriguing premise, and a double-edged theme threaded through with luminous forethought. The prose is casual, even playful. And the cross American/British culture made for a flavourful addition to the plot.

I appreciated the consistent rules of interaction while Michelle is visiting the past. For instance: she cannot touch or be seen by anyone but Christopher. And she cannot pick up objects unless they are not being touched by someone—when she does pick up an object, to everyone else, it disappears. There is also a compelling bit of detail about Michelle being able to 'taste' whatever person or object that passes through her. Though the rules seemed slightly different for Christopher—an aspect which was never really explained.

While descriptions are solid, readers may find it a bit difficult to connect to the main character on an emotional level--making it challenging to become fully immersed in the story. For someone who's survived the life of a social reject, Michelle seems distressingly slow on the pickup regarding peer interactions. Even after she's met Christopher and accepted that she is somehow traveling back to medieval times, she remains a bit maladaptive to the cultural and century-gap.

The ending, however, is endearing without being sappy. And there is a resonating depth to the overall message that offers a satisfying degree of closure.

thecozyreaderwbo's review against another edition

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5.0

Procurement
Review copy supplied by the author.

My Grade
Plot: 5
Setting: 5
Writing: 5
Originality: 5
Characters: 5
Romance: 5
Overall: 30/30!
Title/Cover Bonus: 2

Overall
A fun, historical time travel full of creativity, beautiful scenes, and an engrossing mystery.

First Line
I pull the zipper up the back, sealing myself into the dress.

Most Memorable Scene
I loved the first time Michelle meets Christopher. Also, Michelle is attacked in an alley and Christopher helps her.

Plot
I fell in love with the entire story. I loved learning about Christopher’s time and the political issues that make up most of his issues. Michelle’s brother, while a small role, had a huge impact on me and I loved how his presence is increased by the end of the book.

Setting
Set in London, the setting was mostly amazing. The castle that Michelle meets Christopher in is spectacular. And going back in time during that setting? Brilliant. I’m a huge fan of historical books or movies that center around this era of armored knights welding swords.

Writing
I had no issues with Marie’s writing. I enjoyed hearing the story from Michelle’s point of view. I loved how she seamlessly integrated the two worlds.

Originality
I haven’t read too many time travel books and none that had such pure romance and a true mystery element to it. Michelle and Christopher’s relationship unfolds magically. Their first encounter is a favorite scene of mine. I truly didn’t know what had happened! I thought for sure that Christopher was going to be a vampire! With his clothes, his strong frame and the disappearing act he pulled I thought for sure he was paranormal. I was excited to be wrong.

Also, Michelle’s ability to time travel and the way it happens is very unique.

Characters
Michelle is pretty much a normal teenaged girl. She’s in a new school, meeting new people. She befriends a few guys: William, the son of the owner of Wallingford Academy, who plays a decent role in Michelle’s story and Roger Mortley, a not so popular guy but a very nice guy for sure, also plays a big role in Michelle’s life. She’s wonderfully creative at drawing.

Michelle meets Christopher at the castle. He’s a knight, sexy and super chivalrous.

Romance
I always find romances that blossom from time traveling bittersweet. Because I always think, how is this possibly going to turn out good in the end?

Their romance was very beautiful and endearing. I didn’t want to see it end.

Title/Cover Bonus
The title is just fine, however, the cover, while fitting, isn’t amazing.

Ending
I can say for sure that the ending was not what I was expecting but it was perfect.

thecozyreader's review against another edition

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5.0

Procurement
Review copy supplied by the author.

My Grade
Plot: 5
Setting: 5
Writing: 5
Originality: 5
Characters: 5
Romance: 5
Overall: 30/30!
Title/Cover Bonus: 2

Overall
A fun, historical time travel full of creativity, beautiful scenes, and an engrossing mystery.

First Line
I pull the zipper up the back, sealing myself into the dress.

Most Memorable Scene
I loved the first time Michelle meets Christopher. Also, Michelle is attacked in an alley and Christopher helps her.

Plot
I fell in love with the entire story. I loved learning about Christopher’s time and the political issues that make up most of his issues. Michelle’s brother, while a small role, had a huge impact on me and I loved how his presence is increased by the end of the book.

Setting
Set in London, the setting was mostly amazing. The castle that Michelle meets Christopher in is spectacular. And going back in time during that setting? Brilliant. I’m a huge fan of historical books or movies that center around this era of armored knights welding swords.

Writing
I had no issues with Marie’s writing. I enjoyed hearing the story from Michelle’s point of view. I loved how she seamlessly integrated the two worlds.

Originality
I haven’t read too many time travel books and none that had such pure romance and a true mystery element to it. Michelle and Christopher’s relationship unfolds magically. Their first encounter is a favorite scene of mine. I truly didn’t know what had happened! I thought for sure that Christopher was going to be a vampire! With his clothes, his strong frame and the disappearing act he pulled I thought for sure he was paranormal. I was excited to be wrong.

Also, Michelle’s ability to time travel and the way it happens is very unique.

Characters
Michelle is pretty much a normal teenaged girl. She’s in a new school, meeting new people. She befriends a few guys: William, the son of the owner of Wallingford Academy, who plays a decent role in Michelle’s story and Roger Mortley, a not so popular guy but a very nice guy for sure, also plays a big role in Michelle’s life. She’s wonderfully creative at drawing.

Michelle meets Christopher at the castle. He’s a knight, sexy and super chivalrous.

Romance
I always find romances that blossom from time traveling bittersweet. Because I always think, how is this possibly going to turn out good in the end?

Their romance was very beautiful and endearing. I didn’t want to see it end.

Title/Cover Bonus
The title is just fine, however, the cover, while fitting, isn’t amazing.

Ending
I can say for sure that the ending was not what I was expecting but it was perfect.

dixiesheffield's review against another edition

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5.0

i was so impressed by this book!! I couldn't put it down.. until practice came along and i couldn't read it but other than than my eyes were glued to my kindle.

This is a story about a girl that has just moved to england. Her mom left over a year ago and her brother is diagnosed with schizophrenia. Things are looking pretty bad but as long as no one knows of her life in Jersey everything is ok. One night at a party she sees this man at the castle and she is drawn to him. They lean in to kiss each other and all the sudden he is gone.

The characters were loveable and i guess you could say "hateable". They each had faults and you could see why they were like they were.

There is a mystery kind of thing going on in this book and it's the thing that really kept me reading (and of course the romance). The main character is trying to solve the murder mystery of an earl that lived 600 years ago through out the novel. I wasn't able to guess the murder plot at all.

The ending *sigh* i loved the ending. You're just going to have to read it to understand why i love the ending.

You really have to give this book a chance because i promise you if you are a romance time-traveling lover (? i guess that's what it is..) then you will like this book. So please read it. It's free on amazon so why not pick it up? It's worth your time! trust me
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