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Future Tense
In the ten years since his parents died in a fire he predicted but couldn't prevent, seventeen year old Matt is trying to stay out of trouble, biding his time until he graduates and ages out of foster care. All he wants is for the world to leave him alone so he won't be tortured by seeing someone's future he's powerless to change anyway. But his plans for keeping himself aloof fail when he interrupts a vicious attack on Amara, a girl he recognizes from school. Despite his best attempts to push her away, he can't ignore the connection they've formed. That's when glimpses of Amara's dangerous future start to invade the present — a future he fears is his fault. Now Matt has something to lose again . . . and something to fight for.
ebook
First published February 5, 2014
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About the author
L.J. Cohen
17 books162 followersLJ Cohen is the author of eight novels across the science fiction and fantasy genres and was among the first wave of indie writers to qualify for SFWA membership. DERELICT, the first book in her Halcyone Space series, was named a Library Journal self-e select title and book of the year in 2014. Her ninth novel, LITANY FOR A BROKEN WORLD will be published in February of 2025.
A retired physical therapist, LJ now uses her clinical knowledge and skills to injure characters. She serves on the board of Broad Universe as well as several local non-profits in her community. In addition to her creative work as a writer and role as a community organizer, she is also a potter and fiber artist. She lives on a homestead farm in central MA and is extremely proud of her tractor riding and tree pruning skills.
A retired physical therapist, LJ now uses her clinical knowledge and skills to injure characters. She serves on the board of Broad Universe as well as several local non-profits in her community. In addition to her creative work as a writer and role as a community organizer, she is also a potter and fiber artist. She lives on a homestead farm in central MA and is extremely proud of her tractor riding and tree pruning skills.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 15, 2014
I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
The premise of this book was interesting and the story was easy to read with its simplistic writing style. Readers of any age will be able to get through it quickly.
The plot had an interesting concept with Matt seeing bad things before they happen but having no control or ability to change the outcome. I did find that the story dragged in places and some key parts to the story were skimmed over. Matt's self loathing did get on my nerves after a while and I wanted to reach into the pages and give him a shake. I understand that he had a rough life and that seeing things that you don't want to can be overwhelming but he spent way too much time thinking negatively.
The story between Matt and Amara was a little under developed in my opinion as well. It would have been nice to read more about their developing relationship and connection. I feel it would have been a much more realistic story if more time was spent on it.
Over all it was a cute story that I think young readers will enjoy.
The premise of this book was interesting and the story was easy to read with its simplistic writing style. Readers of any age will be able to get through it quickly.
The plot had an interesting concept with Matt seeing bad things before they happen but having no control or ability to change the outcome. I did find that the story dragged in places and some key parts to the story were skimmed over. Matt's self loathing did get on my nerves after a while and I wanted to reach into the pages and give him a shake. I understand that he had a rough life and that seeing things that you don't want to can be overwhelming but he spent way too much time thinking negatively.
The story between Matt and Amara was a little under developed in my opinion as well. It would have been nice to read more about their developing relationship and connection. I feel it would have been a much more realistic story if more time was spent on it.
Over all it was a cute story that I think young readers will enjoy.
March 20, 2016
Matt has a superpower, and he hates it. Not only does it show up randomly, he can't control it or direct it or change it. Knowing the future leads to heartbreak and fear, feeling helpless. It's a superpower he wishes didn't exist.
When he sees a future event for a girl, Amara, he's desperate to stop what he sees happening to her, but everything he does seems to push her closer to the disaster rather than away.
That's a lot of weight on a 17-year-old boy in the foster car system. When he meets Amara's grandmother, Rose, he's baffled by her ability to see the future like he does, but with far less detail--she only gets a fortune teller's vague visions. One thing Rose can teach Matt is how to read the clues of what leads to an event. Maybe that little bit of foretelling will help Matt control his visions.
Future Tense is an absorbing YA read (adult language warning). Matt is a good kid. We readers are rooting for him throughout. We also hope he gets the girl and learns how to use those Tarot cards.
My only complaint, and it's small, is that I felt too much time was spent in Matt's head. While he's tortured by re-runs of events he saw but could not prevent, we readers don't need to go through them every time. Yes, we know what the smell of smoke means after the first three or four mentions. Leave the fifth through umpteenth in Matt's head and show us what's happening to him in the moment. The action is well-done and easy to visualize.
Like YA paranormals with tortured teens trying to overcome obstacles? You'll like Future Tense. The end is satisfying, but does allow for additional books in the series. I'd love to see Matt learn to control his visions and begin to use them for good.
When he sees a future event for a girl, Amara, he's desperate to stop what he sees happening to her, but everything he does seems to push her closer to the disaster rather than away.
That's a lot of weight on a 17-year-old boy in the foster car system. When he meets Amara's grandmother, Rose, he's baffled by her ability to see the future like he does, but with far less detail--she only gets a fortune teller's vague visions. One thing Rose can teach Matt is how to read the clues of what leads to an event. Maybe that little bit of foretelling will help Matt control his visions.
Future Tense is an absorbing YA read (adult language warning). Matt is a good kid. We readers are rooting for him throughout. We also hope he gets the girl and learns how to use those Tarot cards.
My only complaint, and it's small, is that I felt too much time was spent in Matt's head. While he's tortured by re-runs of events he saw but could not prevent, we readers don't need to go through them every time. Yes, we know what the smell of smoke means after the first three or four mentions. Leave the fifth through umpteenth in Matt's head and show us what's happening to him in the moment. The action is well-done and easy to visualize.
Like YA paranormals with tortured teens trying to overcome obstacles? You'll like Future Tense. The end is satisfying, but does allow for additional books in the series. I'd love to see Matt learn to control his visions and begin to use them for good.
April 14, 2014
Really awesome concept, great characters. Main character deals with a lot of real, emotional problems while having a supernatural "gift" (or curse depending on how you view it). Well written and well developed. Only reason for four stars: There was a part in the middle where the story dragged a little bit as Matt came into his own. Fun overall story.
April 30, 2014
I received this through First Reads Giveaways.
Overall, I liked it. The plot was a bit slow and draggy in places, and at times, the main character's self-loathing and constant second guessing of himself really annoyed me. But overall, it was a fun book to read.
Overall, I liked it. The plot was a bit slow and draggy in places, and at times, the main character's self-loathing and constant second guessing of himself really annoyed me. But overall, it was a fun book to read.
September 14, 2018
Matt is 17, going on 18, and haunted by visions of the future. As a kid, he'd had a vision of a fire, and soon after, his parents had died, leaving him an orphan, in and out of foster homes. Mr and Mrs Powell, who foster other children than Matt as well, are good people, but Matt worries that his visions of death and pain would envelop anyone he cares for—and they would die horribly--and so all he looks for is to 'graduate' foster care when he hits 18. He's trying not to rock the boat.
Then he meets Amara, and Amara's great-aunt. Amara's in his school, and their first encounter is Matt inadvertently and anonymously saving her from a group of bullies. The more Amara tries to understand what Matt is about, the more he tries to push her away. Not that he can. Amara's blind great-aunt reads tarot cards, and sees the 'gift' in Matt.
Now, that's the point at which I would normally flap my hands in exasperation and abandon the book, because, I mean, tarot? One step below astrology, the way I look at it. I mean, I was looking at a fantasy book, not a superstition book.
But LJ Cohen's writing dragged me into the story ("the willing suspension of disbelief"). By the time this came up, I was totally involved with the characters, and I wanted to know how a happy ending could possibly be pulled out of those dark and dangerous visions. It's a fantasy book, and tarot is just a prop for parts of it. You could replace it with potions if that makes you feel happy. (LJ Cohen later told me on her Google+ profile that she uses tarot as a plot-advancing device and does not advocate it, so there. And yes, that does mean the author is accessible to fans).
Suffice to say that said happy ending occurs, after a breathless rush through a fast-paced story with characters you really care about, credible villains, heroic actions, and suitable comeuppance for the wicked. Which is not to say it's a bloodless story. People get hurt, some badly. It's all very credible and real, and you feel every emotion along the rollercoaster of the story.
Do I recommend this book for young adults of all ages?
Do I, indeed!
Then he meets Amara, and Amara's great-aunt. Amara's in his school, and their first encounter is Matt inadvertently and anonymously saving her from a group of bullies. The more Amara tries to understand what Matt is about, the more he tries to push her away. Not that he can. Amara's blind great-aunt reads tarot cards, and sees the 'gift' in Matt.
Now, that's the point at which I would normally flap my hands in exasperation and abandon the book, because, I mean, tarot? One step below astrology, the way I look at it. I mean, I was looking at a fantasy book, not a superstition book.
But LJ Cohen's writing dragged me into the story ("the willing suspension of disbelief"). By the time this came up, I was totally involved with the characters, and I wanted to know how a happy ending could possibly be pulled out of those dark and dangerous visions. It's a fantasy book, and tarot is just a prop for parts of it. You could replace it with potions if that makes you feel happy. (LJ Cohen later told me on her Google+ profile that she uses tarot as a plot-advancing device and does not advocate it, so there. And yes, that does mean the author is accessible to fans).
Suffice to say that said happy ending occurs, after a breathless rush through a fast-paced story with characters you really care about, credible villains, heroic actions, and suitable comeuppance for the wicked. Which is not to say it's a bloodless story. People get hurt, some badly. It's all very credible and real, and you feel every emotion along the rollercoaster of the story.
Do I recommend this book for young adults of all ages?
Do I, indeed!
April 14, 2014
This review is for the Kindle edition ebook.
Disclosure: I was given my copy of this book by the author as a review copy.
Suspense, crime, and visions of the future combine to create a good story in this coming of age book about trying to do the right thing.
His parents died in a fire he could not stop, 10 years ago. Now he is trying to keep more people he knows from dying. If he could stop seeing things, he would. The visions are worse then anything could ever be, and pretty soon, he can get out of the foster care system. He just needs to stay out of trouble, which appears to be impossible this year.
I really liked this story. I like the way the author was able to explain the visions the hero has. I was glad to see adults take up the side of a good kid, who appears to turn troublesome. This coming of age story gives a good two-sided view of how life can go topsy-turvey, when someone is really trying to do the right thing.
LJ Cohen writes because teens and young adults need books to read. The better those books are, the more they want to read them. This is one of the best.
I recommend this book to teens, young adults, and other readers that enjoy a good book. It is a coming of age story, that might help the reader understand that not every wrong thing a teenager does is necessarily wrong. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Disclosure: I was given my copy of this book by the author as a review copy.
Suspense, crime, and visions of the future combine to create a good story in this coming of age book about trying to do the right thing.
His parents died in a fire he could not stop, 10 years ago. Now he is trying to keep more people he knows from dying. If he could stop seeing things, he would. The visions are worse then anything could ever be, and pretty soon, he can get out of the foster care system. He just needs to stay out of trouble, which appears to be impossible this year.
I really liked this story. I like the way the author was able to explain the visions the hero has. I was glad to see adults take up the side of a good kid, who appears to turn troublesome. This coming of age story gives a good two-sided view of how life can go topsy-turvey, when someone is really trying to do the right thing.
LJ Cohen writes because teens and young adults need books to read. The better those books are, the more they want to read them. This is one of the best.
I recommend this book to teens, young adults, and other readers that enjoy a good book. It is a coming of age story, that might help the reader understand that not every wrong thing a teenager does is necessarily wrong. I look forward to reading more from this author.
October 19, 2016
A great novel is one that guides you along while giving your mind enough space to not only fill in the spaces but also personalise the story. Future Tense does that in its terse and minimalist but clean and precise style. It shows a hard situation without judgement and lets your mind play with it. It also highlights the struggle every teen goes thru, as well as the potential of seers without telling you if they're right or not. And I love the play on words in the title itself!
August 15, 2014
I absolutely loved this book. The characters felt real, there were no unnecessary kissy-mc-kissing scenes to populate the pages, and the plight of the main character made total sense. I loved the diversity of characters and the gritty feel to some of it.
It was very well done.
It was very well done.
May 18, 2016
This book was on my kindle for month I'm glad I read it now. I liked the characters and love building. I wanted more, I was not so happy with the open ending, I'm hoping there will be a sequel.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews