What do you think?
Rate this book
River of Ink #1
Genesis: Book 1 (River of Ink) by Helen Dennis
What if a teenage boy washed up on the banks of the River Thames, soaked to the skin and unable to explain who he is?
What if the only clue to the boy's identity is a sketch he made of a strange symbol?
Who would help him? Who would hunt him?
Who is River Boy?
When a mystery teenage boy emerges from the River Thames drenched, distressed and unable to remember anything about himself, he becomes the focus of worldwide media speculation. Unable to communicate, the River Boy is given paper and a pencil and begins to scribble. Soon a symbol emerges, but the boy has no idea why he has drawn it even thought it's the only clue to the mystery of his identity...
As the boy begins to build a new life under a new name, the hunt for his real identity begins.
A hunt which will lead him on a dangerous QUEST that he has only one year to complete ...
Introducing the first in a thrilling new series packed with this book has an illustrated narrative running through it, helping readers to solve the mystery alongside the characters in the story.
What if the only clue to the boy's identity is a sketch he made of a strange symbol?
Who would help him? Who would hunt him?
Who is River Boy?
When a mystery teenage boy emerges from the River Thames drenched, distressed and unable to remember anything about himself, he becomes the focus of worldwide media speculation. Unable to communicate, the River Boy is given paper and a pencil and begins to scribble. Soon a symbol emerges, but the boy has no idea why he has drawn it even thought it's the only clue to the mystery of his identity...
As the boy begins to build a new life under a new name, the hunt for his real identity begins.
A hunt which will lead him on a dangerous QUEST that he has only one year to complete ...
Introducing the first in a thrilling new series packed with this book has an illustrated narrative running through it, helping readers to solve the mystery alongside the characters in the story.
Paperback
First published January 7, 2016
17 people are currently reading
163 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 11, 2016
Teenage amnesiac whose enemies want him to remember.
Features a mother whose cleaning obsession is scary and a deaf brother, who is a just happens to be deaf character.
Entertaining but somehow lacked something.
Features a mother whose cleaning obsession is scary and a deaf brother, who is a just happens to be deaf character.
Entertaining but somehow lacked something.
August 3, 2017
3.5 stars.
Although it was a little slow to get started, it really picked up the pace.
There's a lot going on here, and once we get to the heart of who River Boy is it becomes a lot more engaging.
Wasn't convinced at the start, but I'm feeling I'll have to read the next in the series.
Although it was a little slow to get started, it really picked up the pace.
There's a lot going on here, and once we get to the heart of who River Boy is it becomes a lot more engaging.
Wasn't convinced at the start, but I'm feeling I'll have to read the next in the series.
October 25, 2021
Interesting read
April 20, 2017
Actual rating: 2.5.
Good concept with an interesting (Fulcanelli) angle—but could have been executed a lot better. It’s clear that (some) research was at least done on alchemy, which helped to bolster the theme and setting. Unfortunately, that does not save the writing from weaknesses.
There were too many overly dramatic phrases (“bile bubbling in the back of his throat” [bubbling?!]; “felt his stomach fold” [is this even possible?]; “Sweat pooled in the palm that still circled the bars” [pooled?—really?!]; “His heart was banging at the back of this throat”).
There was too much forced suspense rather than allowing suspense to build naturally. Pace and suspense in writing is an art. Fast pace, in particular, should not be downgraded to a collection of cheap thrills—it should be an outcome, not something explicitly tagged (like push-button canned laughter).
Good concept with an interesting (Fulcanelli) angle—but could have been executed a lot better. It’s clear that (some) research was at least done on alchemy, which helped to bolster the theme and setting. Unfortunately, that does not save the writing from weaknesses.
There were too many overly dramatic phrases (“bile bubbling in the back of his throat” [bubbling?!]; “felt his stomach fold” [is this even possible?]; “Sweat pooled in the palm that still circled the bars” [pooled?—really?!]; “His heart was banging at the back of this throat”).
There was too much forced suspense rather than allowing suspense to build naturally. Pace and suspense in writing is an art. Fast pace, in particular, should not be downgraded to a collection of cheap thrills—it should be an outcome, not something explicitly tagged (like push-button canned laughter).
April 1, 2016
3.5 stars.
I really liked how fast-paced this book was, because I do get in the mood for reading books full of action sometimes. I whizzed through this book, because there was always something happening. I liked the mystery part of this book, which isn't something I normally enjoy too much. However, the romance was basically non-existent and it was disappointing. I also did get confused at times and I didn't really connect to any of the characters. Most of the time I was being jealous about them living in central London.
I really liked how fast-paced this book was, because I do get in the mood for reading books full of action sometimes. I whizzed through this book, because there was always something happening. I liked the mystery part of this book, which isn't something I normally enjoy too much. However, the romance was basically non-existent and it was disappointing. I also did get confused at times and I didn't really connect to any of the characters. Most of the time I was being jealous about them living in central London.
December 10, 2019
Mystery surrounds Jed, the boy pulled from the River Thames. The first half of the novel spends a long time building Kassia's family set up, but the closing chapters are exciting and pave the way for the sequel. I anticipate a good quest series for eleven to fourteen year olds.
April 9, 2021
This book is definitely amazing, I love the characters and the authors writing style, the plot was exciting and intriguing to read. However, there wasn't much suspense, as the author was building the plot/storyline, characters and relationships. The author did this very well, however, the plot felt slow moving and there wasn't as much suspense as I hoped for, which caused me to not want to keep reading. Although there was minimal suspense, there was a cliffhanger towards the end which made me want to buy the 2nd book in the series. The author did a great job with this book, however, I would've preferred more suspense and action. if you are feeling discouraged to start reading the 1st book in the series, I do recommend you read it and continue reading it, since the 2nd book develops more suspense and action.
July 30, 2018
I must admit, I wasn't in the most readerly mood when I read this - but it was still somewhat of a let down to me.
It took me until halfway to get fully involved with the book and understand what the storyline actually was. When you look at the context and you realise who Fulcanelli is, it is interesting and does give a spark of originality to the book that I haven't seen before. However I wasn't compelled to read more and although the book ends on an obvious cliffhanger, I'm not sure I fully have the initiative to read on if I'm not completely raptured by the story. But each to their own I guess, I would recommend to someone who was invested in the genre.
Happy reading.
It took me until halfway to get fully involved with the book and understand what the storyline actually was. When you look at the context and you realise who Fulcanelli is, it is interesting and does give a spark of originality to the book that I haven't seen before. However I wasn't compelled to read more and although the book ends on an obvious cliffhanger, I'm not sure I fully have the initiative to read on if I'm not completely raptured by the story. But each to their own I guess, I would recommend to someone who was invested in the genre.
Happy reading.
February 17, 2022
the start was meh...
HOWEVER, once a few more protagonists got involved, the tension and relationship between the two characters, really had me hooked. I had just got into reading, and I find the genre, mystery a BIG YES. this has an authentic plot and has interesting parts that aren't cliche and generic. Therefore, this book had me hooked and finishing it in 5 days, and as a beginner, it's not something i would expect from myself.
this book is a "MUST READ", beginner to any level. Enjoy reading!!
HOWEVER, once a few more protagonists got involved, the tension and relationship between the two characters, really had me hooked. I had just got into reading, and I find the genre, mystery a BIG YES. this has an authentic plot and has interesting parts that aren't cliche and generic. Therefore, this book had me hooked and finishing it in 5 days, and as a beginner, it's not something i would expect from myself.
this book is a "MUST READ", beginner to any level. Enjoy reading!!
July 23, 2023
Overall decent book I would recommend to teenagers and young adults. Very slow to begin with which is why it took me a long time to finish but when it got going, it was both dramatic and intense. Some of the book was somewhat predictable but not fully which made it engaging but not boring. Not my favourite book but not bad by any means.
July 6, 2017
So I only began this book because it was a fifty pence bargain from school and I enjoyed it so so much! I was in a huge reading slump but this was exactly the sort of cheesy but interesting and exciting young adult book I needed!
March 5, 2019
The mystery runs a little slow to make the book into a series. My eleven YO and I read it together and it is unlikely we will be continuing the series. It really has the potential to be a good story, but drags too much for his age group.
February 25, 2017
A bit Davinci Code Jr., a bit something else ... not sure it all adds up but it did leave you hanging and wondering what will come in the sequel.
May 26, 2017
Although I wasn't fully 'hooked' onto it, I was still interested in finishing the book. The pace was slow, but it still developed well. There were lots of plot twists, and I really liked the concept.
May 26, 2017
took about 100 pages to get really drawn in and by the end, found it hard to put down
June 4, 2017
Decent, interesting read based around the motifs of alchemy in an urban setting plus...the mixed media news clipping really intrigued and excited me. It really makes the mystery going immersive.
November 25, 2017
Everything connected and made sense. I was jumping up and down by the end of the book because of the awesome plot and plan that unfoiled.
February 5, 2018
Fast paced thriller with theme of alchemy and the search for immortality.
June 17, 2018
I could not put this book down! I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.
September 9, 2018
At first this novel was not going to excite or even grab my attention.
I was very wrong. This novel had me turning pages faster than I could read them. Definitely going to read the second book.
I was very wrong. This novel had me turning pages faster than I could read them. Definitely going to read the second book.
October 13, 2019
It’s a great book. I love the idea of Time and the concept of death and living forever. 👍👍👍👍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2020
Love this book
April 28, 2020
This was a great book. I would recommend this to anyone who loves mystery and it was really easy to read. I will be reading the rest of the series in the future.
March 16, 2025
Interesting setup. Initially the story seemed boring and stretched, but half way through it gained momentum. As the Book came to an end, it felt that this book had very little part of the story.
October 9, 2024
Amazing!!!!
The early bird might get the worm but the second mouse get the cheese :)
I read it in one breath.
Unethical medical research, myths,witness protection program, family love, start of a big love...
The early bird might get the worm but the second mouse get the cheese :)
I read it in one breath.
Unethical medical research, myths,witness protection program, family love, start of a big love...
March 6, 2017
An entertaining and enjoyable mystery-thriller with a dash of alchemy thrown in for good measure. Not sure if I'll keep going with the series (Book 4 is coming out later this year), but no regrets in reading it.
April 25, 2016
In the case of River of Ink: Genesis by Helen Dennis we have a fast-paced story with lots of diversity (deaf brother, OCD mum, dead dad and a missing boy who has no memories), okay so maybe a little bit too much diversity, but somehow it kind of works and doesn't feel too obvious.
There's a whole lot of stuff do with alchemy and the elixir of immortality and an ouroboros which is interesting. The mystery elements are suspenseful enough to keep you turning the pages quickly to find out what happens next.
There are interesting black and white photographs between the chapters that provide some clues and information for the curious. And there are lots of great descriptions of London as they move around the city. Dennis blends a fascinating mix of history, philosophy and futuristic ideas.
Full review here -
http://bronasbooks.blogspot.com.au/20...
There's a whole lot of stuff do with alchemy and the elixir of immortality and an ouroboros which is interesting. The mystery elements are suspenseful enough to keep you turning the pages quickly to find out what happens next.
There are interesting black and white photographs between the chapters that provide some clues and information for the curious. And there are lots of great descriptions of London as they move around the city. Dennis blends a fascinating mix of history, philosophy and futuristic ideas.
Full review here -
http://bronasbooks.blogspot.com.au/20...
September 2, 2015
River of Ink is exactly the kind of book I'd have loved as a child - fast paced adventure, fantastic mystery, and a way to discover all kinds of things about alchemy and the secret symbolism associated with it. I'd highly recommend this book to any reader aged 9 upwards who loves an exciting page turner of a story, great characters and lots of action. Even better, it's the first book of a trilogy. Look forward to the next in the series.
January 31, 2016
I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to just about anyone that loves a good read. Helen Dennis is a very good writer and her other books: the Secret Breakers series, are also VERY good. Next River of Ink book is coming out in June and I can't wait!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews