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The Boy Who Drew the Future
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?
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?
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 17, 2015
18 people are currently reading
390 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
October 6, 2015
Such a haunting story! Noah and Blaze were both such compelling characters, you can't help but be sucked into their narratives as they weave together so beautifully.
March 24, 2020
This book is really interesting. It is a historical genre. I like the way it is written from two perspectives. It’s quite long and sometimes a complicated plot but I would still recommend for 12+.
October 16, 2015
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.
August 30, 2015
Originally posted here: https://heatherreviews.wordpress.com/...
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This haunting tale of two boys linked by a special gift will stay with you for a while once you’re finished. Subtle in its telling, The Boy Who Drew The Future draws you in with its intriguing build up and then ruins you emotionally by the end.
Noah has had to move because of his strange ability and the drawings, the constant drawings. When he befriends Beth, he begins to think that maybe he can be different, more normal and less of the freak that he believes himself to be. Blaze is an orphaned boy from the 1800s, living in an abandoned shed in the grounds of an empty manor house. His special drawings are the guilty pleasure of the village’s young women, but one in particular. Emilia won’t leave him alone until she gets what she wants, and she’s willing to go to any length to get it.
This book was honestly so much more than I had originally thought and it blew me away. Seeing the two different ways that the boys use and embrace their drawing gift was really interesting. Noah obviously doesn’t want people to know about his drawing – he’s worried they’ll think he’s a freak, that they’ll find out what happened in the past when he’s trying to start over – and his parents aren’t exactly helpful in that respect. It was heart breaking to see how his parents responded to Noah drawing. I understood their pain from the previous experience but it all seemed so harsh, I just wanted to hold Noah and hide him away from it all.
Blaze, even though his gift is generally accepted – albeit quietly and discreetly – embraces his talents and actively wants to help people. His relationship with his dog was beautiful – as an owner of a big black dog myself, I could relate. There was one chapter that broke me, I was crying openly. I don’t often cry at books, but any time this sort of thing is in one, I will blubber like a baby. I had to step away for a moment before I could continue reading.
The mixture of Blaze’s 1800 life and Noah’s present day was fantastic, with little factoids from Blaze’s world bleeding into the present day. Little things like Noah’s class visiting the workhouse where Blaze and his mother had been sent, or Beth praying at the gravestone of someone that Blaze helped really tied the two boy’s lives together in a wonderful way. I felt like it showed that even though they lived 100 odd years apart, their lives were still connected in small ways – especially through the gift that they shared.
A wonderful, atmospheric tale that tells the tale of two boys who just wanted to be accepted, The Boy Who Drew The Future will leave you emotionally drained in a good way after the rollercoaster of emotions it takes you through. Highly recommend, just keep the tissues handy!
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This haunting tale of two boys linked by a special gift will stay with you for a while once you’re finished. Subtle in its telling, The Boy Who Drew The Future draws you in with its intriguing build up and then ruins you emotionally by the end.
Noah has had to move because of his strange ability and the drawings, the constant drawings. When he befriends Beth, he begins to think that maybe he can be different, more normal and less of the freak that he believes himself to be. Blaze is an orphaned boy from the 1800s, living in an abandoned shed in the grounds of an empty manor house. His special drawings are the guilty pleasure of the village’s young women, but one in particular. Emilia won’t leave him alone until she gets what she wants, and she’s willing to go to any length to get it.
This book was honestly so much more than I had originally thought and it blew me away. Seeing the two different ways that the boys use and embrace their drawing gift was really interesting. Noah obviously doesn’t want people to know about his drawing – he’s worried they’ll think he’s a freak, that they’ll find out what happened in the past when he’s trying to start over – and his parents aren’t exactly helpful in that respect. It was heart breaking to see how his parents responded to Noah drawing. I understood their pain from the previous experience but it all seemed so harsh, I just wanted to hold Noah and hide him away from it all.
Blaze, even though his gift is generally accepted – albeit quietly and discreetly – embraces his talents and actively wants to help people. His relationship with his dog was beautiful – as an owner of a big black dog myself, I could relate. There was one chapter that broke me, I was crying openly. I don’t often cry at books, but any time this sort of thing is in one, I will blubber like a baby. I had to step away for a moment before I could continue reading.
The mixture of Blaze’s 1800 life and Noah’s present day was fantastic, with little factoids from Blaze’s world bleeding into the present day. Little things like Noah’s class visiting the workhouse where Blaze and his mother had been sent, or Beth praying at the gravestone of someone that Blaze helped really tied the two boy’s lives together in a wonderful way. I felt like it showed that even though they lived 100 odd years apart, their lives were still connected in small ways – especially through the gift that they shared.
A wonderful, atmospheric tale that tells the tale of two boys who just wanted to be accepted, The Boy Who Drew The Future will leave you emotionally drained in a good way after the rollercoaster of emotions it takes you through. Highly recommend, just keep the tissues handy!
September 14, 2015
100 years separate Noah and Blaze. But they have a connection – the river that runs through their village, and a strange talent – the ability to draw events that will happen in the future. But for both, this gift comes at a terrible price…
I was lucky enough to blag a proof of The Boy Who Drew the Future from Firefly Press, and I loved every word. If you like historical fiction with a magical, mysterious twist, you *need* to get your hands on a copy of this book! Spine-tingling, life-affirming and completely original, this is one of my favourite reads of 2015 so far.
I was lucky enough to blag a proof of The Boy Who Drew the Future from Firefly Press, and I loved every word. If you like historical fiction with a magical, mysterious twist, you *need* to get your hands on a copy of this book! Spine-tingling, life-affirming and completely original, this is one of my favourite reads of 2015 so far.
September 6, 2016
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.
June 24, 2021
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.
November 12, 2016
I have never read a book that drew me in as much as this other than the Harry Potter series. The plot was great and the story beautifully written, a fantastic read.
August 27, 2018
Good could have carried on a bit more though.
July 8, 2017
Actual rating – 3.5 stars
The storyline for this sounded so wonderfully creepy and fascinating that I had to give it a go. The story follows two boys, Noah and Blaze, who live in two very different times but share an unusual gift – they can draw the future.
While Blaze uses his gift to survive, Noah fears his and does all he can to repress it.
I should start by saying that I loved Blaze. His chapters were easily my favourite and I was a little disappointed that Noah was almost more of the MC and Blaze a secondary one because he got less page-time and had a smaller story arc. But, that being said, I did love his story. He's a young boy who has lost his mother and has no other family to help him. Trying live day by day, he uses his gift along with his skills at mixing remedies and medicines to survive by trading with the local villagers. But Blaze lives during a scary time, a time when people were still being drowned or burned as witches and the poor were sent to the workhouses. So he has to be careful with his gifts.
There is so much emotion from Blaze’s chapters, so much sadness, that it was impossible not to connect with him. After everything he's been through, and what he is still coping with, it's so easy to forget that he's just a young boy of 14 or 15. He shows such courage and perseverance. I loved him.
Noah’s story was less tense than Blaze’s but he had his own share of worries and sadness. His gift had cost him something precious in the past and because of that, he and his parents feared it. He struggles to control the drawing and it's not easy to explain the things he draws when people find out. There may not be witch trials anymore, but Noah still has his own dangers to face if his gift is discovered.
Noah was a pretty typical teen, and I liked that. He's just trying to adjust to a new school and a crush on a girl. He and Beth had a pretty authentic friendship-come-romance and I liked their interactions together.
One of the other reasons I preferred Blaze’s chapters over Noah’s was because of the drawings. Blaze embraces his gift and we get to read about him using it and find out a little more of how it works and how he controls it. Whereas Noah tries to resist his and doesn't want to discuss the drawings. Their ability to draw the future, and how that all worked, was just fascinating and I really wish we’d gotten to see more of it in action. It's such a unique idea.
A couple of little parts of the story were a bit predictable, but on the whole the plot kept me guessing and it was paced really well, only releasing little clues and hints like a breadcrumb trail. I did expect Blaze and Noah to be linked somehow, more so than they were , but I did enjoy the way their stories overlapped.
Definitely recommended if you like a tense, mysterious atmosphere with a splash of the paranormal.
The storyline for this sounded so wonderfully creepy and fascinating that I had to give it a go. The story follows two boys, Noah and Blaze, who live in two very different times but share an unusual gift – they can draw the future.
While Blaze uses his gift to survive, Noah fears his and does all he can to repress it.
I should start by saying that I loved Blaze. His chapters were easily my favourite and I was a little disappointed that Noah was almost more of the MC and Blaze a secondary one because he got less page-time and had a smaller story arc. But, that being said, I did love his story. He's a young boy who has lost his mother and has no other family to help him. Trying live day by day, he uses his gift along with his skills at mixing remedies and medicines to survive by trading with the local villagers. But Blaze lives during a scary time, a time when people were still being drowned or burned as witches and the poor were sent to the workhouses. So he has to be careful with his gifts.
There is so much emotion from Blaze’s chapters, so much sadness, that it was impossible not to connect with him. After everything he's been through, and what he is still coping with, it's so easy to forget that he's just a young boy of 14 or 15. He shows such courage and perseverance. I loved him.
Noah’s story was less tense than Blaze’s but he had his own share of worries and sadness. His gift had cost him something precious in the past and because of that, he and his parents feared it. He struggles to control the drawing and it's not easy to explain the things he draws when people find out. There may not be witch trials anymore, but Noah still has his own dangers to face if his gift is discovered.
Noah was a pretty typical teen, and I liked that. He's just trying to adjust to a new school and a crush on a girl. He and Beth had a pretty authentic friendship-come-romance and I liked their interactions together.
One of the other reasons I preferred Blaze’s chapters over Noah’s was because of the drawings. Blaze embraces his gift and we get to read about him using it and find out a little more of how it works and how he controls it. Whereas Noah tries to resist his and doesn't want to discuss the drawings. Their ability to draw the future, and how that all worked, was just fascinating and I really wish we’d gotten to see more of it in action. It's such a unique idea.
A couple of little parts of the story were a bit predictable, but on the whole the plot kept me guessing and it was paced really well, only releasing little clues and hints like a breadcrumb trail. I did expect Blaze and Noah to be linked somehow, more so than they were , but I did enjoy the way their stories overlapped.
Definitely recommended if you like a tense, mysterious atmosphere with a splash of the paranormal.
December 16, 2017
It isn't the best book, nor is it written that well. But it is a simple and nice plot, and very different from anything normal. I didn't like the modern side of it, and it's kind of creepy. but apart from that it was a very enjoyable, quick book.
October 6, 2017
This is one of the most unique YA books I've ever read, and I would urge anyone of any age to get a copy, settle down with a cup of tea and prepare to be completely absorbed.
I love dual narratives, even more so if they are in different time periods so this was already a winner for me after a couple of chapters! Noah and Blaze's stories interweave seamlessly, and as the current story progresses you discover more about the past which really does make it impossible to put the book down.
I tried to explain this book to someone at work at struggled to get across quite how brilliant it is!
It contains friendship, history, danger, something pretty darn spooky yet believable and somehow mixes it all together to create a story that I loved. I would really like to see an illustrated version of this book - to fully get into the mindset of both Noah and Blaze (no spoilers!). Jim Kay would be the perfect person to illustrate this as his drawings are stunning and evocative and would really capture the story and only enhance it.
This is actually the second time I've read this book, and if possible, I enjoyed it even more the second time around.
Read it now!
I love dual narratives, even more so if they are in different time periods so this was already a winner for me after a couple of chapters! Noah and Blaze's stories interweave seamlessly, and as the current story progresses you discover more about the past which really does make it impossible to put the book down.
I tried to explain this book to someone at work at struggled to get across quite how brilliant it is!
It contains friendship, history, danger, something pretty darn spooky yet believable and somehow mixes it all together to create a story that I loved. I would really like to see an illustrated version of this book - to fully get into the mindset of both Noah and Blaze (no spoilers!). Jim Kay would be the perfect person to illustrate this as his drawings are stunning and evocative and would really capture the story and only enhance it.
This is actually the second time I've read this book, and if possible, I enjoyed it even more the second time around.
Read it now!
October 5, 2015
Although marketed as a Young Adult book, and about two fifteen year old boys, I would be happy to recommend this for 11+ years. Ivory tells the story of two boys, 100 years apart, who both have a mysterious gift – they draw pictures that tell the future. For Noah in contemporary England this is something of a curse – his parents find his ‘gift’ troubling and try to stop it – he too finds it awkward and embarrassing, yet is compelled to draw. For Blaze, in the 1860s, his ‘gift’ is even more dangerous – the threat of being killed for witchcraft is very real.
In both her tales, Ivory depicts the conundrum of the teenager brilliantly – the dichotomy of the outsider, the teenager who wants to stand out from the crowd and be special and unique, and yet also wants to fit in and be part of the group. Alternate chapters tell the story of Noah and Blaze from the first person narrative perspective, stepping inside the teenagers’ heads. The tension builds throughout the novel as Noah is desperate to share the secret of his gift with Beth, a new friend; and Blaze moves closer to danger with every new fortune he tells. For me, the boys’ gift worked almost like a modern-day superpower – it enables the character to transcend and rebel against the constraints and powerlessness of childhood.
For the rest of my review please visit http://www.minervareads.com/?p=1622
In both her tales, Ivory depicts the conundrum of the teenager brilliantly – the dichotomy of the outsider, the teenager who wants to stand out from the crowd and be special and unique, and yet also wants to fit in and be part of the group. Alternate chapters tell the story of Noah and Blaze from the first person narrative perspective, stepping inside the teenagers’ heads. The tension builds throughout the novel as Noah is desperate to share the secret of his gift with Beth, a new friend; and Blaze moves closer to danger with every new fortune he tells. For me, the boys’ gift worked almost like a modern-day superpower – it enables the character to transcend and rebel against the constraints and powerlessness of childhood.
For the rest of my review please visit http://www.minervareads.com/?p=1622
April 30, 2016
I love stories set in the same location at different points in time, in my opinion one of the best is still 'Tom's Midnight Garden'. This story has a strong and distinctive sense of place and outsider characters with convincing inner lives, struggling to deal with their special but scary secret talent: the ability to draw unpleasant events before they happen. Scary too is the fact that the talent seems so out of their personal control: I loved the part where Noah goes roaming the house, in desperate search for pens and paper which have been deliberately hidden from him, like a junkie. The device of the intercut stories works well, prolonging the suspense at exciting moments - it's a real page turner. Taking things further, I would have loved it if the boys' stories had somehow hooked together in a way that meant something to Noah, if he'd garnered some awareness of this link with Blaze, but that's just a personal preference. I was very satisfied with how Noah and Blaze's stories worked themselves out, as I had been rooting for them both. A haunting and magical read.
December 6, 2015
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.
July 3, 2016
Noah moves the same village that Blaze lived in 100 years previously. They are connected by their supernatural ability to draw the future, and while in different centuries they are both haunted by the same fears, confusion and prejudice. The characters are very likable, the author has done well to build a well balanced cast within the story and the historical research is note worthy of being accurate. Ivory's writing style is beautifully inspiring , my favourite line from the book has to be: '
'Fate, destiny, the future, whatever you want to call it, unless you run fast, keep running and don't turn around to see who or what's behind you, it'll find you. It'll find you, catch you and trip you up until you stumble and fall.'
It is insightful of life, a perfect impression to give to younger readers. The theme of this book greatly resolves around this quote and I 'd highly recommend the book for anyone who likes a historical dramas and mystery seekers.
'Fate, destiny, the future, whatever you want to call it, unless you run fast, keep running and don't turn around to see who or what's behind you, it'll find you. It'll find you, catch you and trip you up until you stumble and fall.'
It is insightful of life, a perfect impression to give to younger readers. The theme of this book greatly resolves around this quote and I 'd highly recommend the book for anyone who likes a historical dramas and mystery seekers.
November 10, 2015
This book was very eerie and slightly different to what I normally read. It tells the tale of two boys, Noah and Blaze who both have the same gift: they see and draw the future. The story tells of their troubles and attempts to control their powers in two completely different times in history. They are linked in unexplainable ways centred on the little village where they live. It was a haunting story told by two vastly different yet remarkably similar characters. Noah seems, from the start to by hiding something which adds tension. What has happened to him in the past which forced his family to move and caused their fearful attitude towards him ? Read on to find the answer. You won't expect it.
November 30, 2015
An unusual story told by dual narrators more than a century apart. The characters were well defined, believable and likeable. The author had carried out a great deal of research and this shone through in the confident, competant way she described the scenes and settings. My only reason for giving 4 stars rather than 5 is that I kept expecting stronger links to be drawn between Noah and Blaze. However this did not stop the enjoyment of the story and I am happy to recommend it. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
November 19, 2015
The author gripped me from the prologue and I loved the concept of the two main characters drawing the future before it happens. The story was actually two interwoven stories: the first about a child from the past, Blaze, who must draw people’s futures in exchange for food and accommodation, and the second about a child from the present, Noah, who wants to forget his past and tries his best not to draw the future. It was a compelling read that left me wondering right until the end what would happen to the young boys and whether or not they’d have any control over their own futures.
June 11, 2016
I really had not planned to read The Boy Who Drew The Future so quickly. I intended to put it to the bottom of my 'to be read', it is a pile of alarming height... but something on the cover intrigued me so I could not resist a sneaky look at the first chapter, mistake I was completely drawn into the story and couldn't put it down.
December 13, 2016
A beautifully written book, although aimed at a teenage audience it still pulls a punch for adults, with its great story line, two boys Blaze and Noah each having personal problems in both their personal lives, they each share linked events from two different eras, each tackling their journeys in life.
November 25, 2018
3.5 stars.
Overall, I found this intriguing and quite haunting.
Noah's story is told well, especially his backstory, quite skilful in first person narrative, it being gradually revealed through conversations etc. I preferred Noah's story to Blaze's, but I don't think Noah was proactive enough in a way.
Overall, I found this intriguing and quite haunting.
Noah's story is told well, especially his backstory, quite skilful in first person narrative, it being gradually revealed through conversations etc. I preferred Noah's story to Blaze's, but I don't think Noah was proactive enough in a way.
January 25, 2016
Lovely blend of fiction and settings based on history. A pleasant change from the glut of teen dystopias.
May 28, 2017
I loved the link between past and present. Noah and Blaze were likeable characters as was Beth. I loved the book, I only wish it went on for longer!
February 6, 2018
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.
February 14, 2021
Noah and Blaze live in the same village, over 100 years apart.
Both boys have extraordinary gifts; they can draw pictures that show the future. But can they stop future events from happening?
This book offered a great premise, and I was happy to have come across it. Unfortunately, it turned out not to be to my liking.
I found the story not gripping enough to keep my interest and the plot lacked suspense, and seemed quite simple and predictable.
I think this book was aimed at a much younger audience, and while I don't usually find it problematic with most books in this genre, in this case, I think I was way beyond the age bracket.
I was deliberating between 1 and 2 stars, but in the end, I concluded that I just couldn't justify the higher rating.
My opinion is in the minority, so don't hesitate to check it out yourself.
Both boys have extraordinary gifts; they can draw pictures that show the future. But can they stop future events from happening?
This book offered a great premise, and I was happy to have come across it. Unfortunately, it turned out not to be to my liking.
I found the story not gripping enough to keep my interest and the plot lacked suspense, and seemed quite simple and predictable.
I think this book was aimed at a much younger audience, and while I don't usually find it problematic with most books in this genre, in this case, I think I was way beyond the age bracket.
I was deliberating between 1 and 2 stars, but in the end, I concluded that I just couldn't justify the higher rating.
My opinion is in the minority, so don't hesitate to check it out yourself.
September 5, 2025
i did enjoy this book quite a bit; noah's chapters were very engaging and i was hooked but i did get bored a couple of times during the chapters through blaze's perspective - i tried to get interested since the concept of this book is really cool but i ended up almost skim reading through blaze's chapters. im just going to say that my enjoyment of this book mightve been affected by me reading this book through sparx reader as homework. overall its a pretty good book
August 9, 2017
DNFd at 40 pages
I planned on finishing it because I was curious about the plot but I just really can't get past the writing. The dialogue is clunky and badly punctuated, it's really difficult to tell who is speaking sometimes because there's a whole paragraph of dialogue before we even know the character speaking is there, and the narrative is inconsistent.
I planned on finishing it because I was curious about the plot but I just really can't get past the writing. The dialogue is clunky and badly punctuated, it's really difficult to tell who is speaking sometimes because there's a whole paragraph of dialogue before we even know the character speaking is there, and the narrative is inconsistent.
April 15, 2022
I'm not really sure what to say about this book. For me personally, it was very odd, though a fascinating concept. Noah's story was more engaging than Blaze's, however, Blaze's story was an interesting insight into Victorian Britain. There were many concepts that I didn't quite understand, maybe because reading this book felt quite dreamy, foggy yet very colourful.
November 4, 2023
I liked the story, very original, but I didn’t enjoy the style of writing. I found the long sections of dialogue made following scenes difficult. I also didn’t get why he was hiding his secret from us as readers when we knew what it was from the title of the book.
Not a keeper I’m afraid. Will donate my copy.
Not a keeper I’m afraid. Will donate my copy.
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