Reviews

River Boy by Tim Bowler

skis_vole's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

izzywill's review against another edition

Go to review page

1.0

(Spoiler alert)
The length of this book means it should have taken me half the time it did to read it, but I kept putting it off because I found it so utterly boring.
The characters are completely undeveloped, the "plot twists" are so predictable it almost made actually taking the time to read the book a pointless chore, the language used is dull and repeatedly cliche, and too much of the book is wasted on trying and failing to artfully describe nature, resulting in every inarticulate description of the forest sounding almost exactly the same.
When I reached a point in the book where a whole page is spent detailing the female protagonist's attempt to climb down off a large rock face which she easily climbed earlier (a section, it later turned out, that has no impact on the plot whatsoever), I felt so exasperated I skipped the page- something I have never done before whilst reading a novel.
Whilst the book may make some intriguing attempts at creating metaphors for life and it's worth, the majority of them range between blatantly obvious and making no sense. It feels as though the author is halfheartedly trying to conjure meaning from anything he can find, which, as anybody who has read a bad self-help book will understand, ends up sounding like a load of whimsical bullsh*t. The only part of reading this book I found remotely enjoyable was when I finally finished it.

shiprim's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

Pırasa gibi bir kitap. İyi olduğunu -ya da olması gerektiğini- bilirsiniz ama hiç tat almazsınız ya yemekten. İşte bu da böyle maalesef. Çok yavan bir üslup. Başarısız.

oviedorose's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious sad

4.0

thosedarkpages's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Very easy to read. Sadly I predicted the ending nearly straight away, but I guess all books can't, and don't need, a big twist at the end.

breannagoff's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

marshmallowpudding's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

A lot of my friends say this is a boring book, but I absolutely disagree.
This is a beautiful story. I was touched by Jess's love for her grandpa and her willingness to help him fulfill his wish.
The last chapters made my heart ache. I have lost loved ones in my life before, and I know how hard it is to let go and move on, so I can totally relate to Jess.

This is an exceptionally good book. Five stars!

katykkj's review against another edition

Go to review page

1.0

Couldn't even finish it. It was TOO simple, and there was nothing interesting going on.

(P 71)

faithwpeacock's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes

3.5

melplays9000's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Holy hell this was an experience. I reread this after 5 years and it made me feel all the feelings. I read it in one sitting and I loved it. I’ve read some of Tim Bowlers other works and I couldn’t help but feel this was quite similar to Frozen Fire with the whole concept of teenage girl, entranced by a mystery boy connected to her past. I did however like how calm the story was in comparison. This book didn’t try to shock you, it wasn’t going for the wow factor it was just a sweet story of a girl and her grandpa. I cried so hard while finishing this. 4 stars.