Timmy's Review of Weatherboy by Theo Fenraven

For me as a teen reader, I thought Weatherboy was a great read. The story flowed nicely and the writing was uncomplicated. Even reading about more adult issues such as government and climate control, this book was easy to follow. I don’t mind a challenging book once in a while, but it was nice just to sit and read a book without having to look any words up, or reread a paragraph that was weighed down with metaphors and descriptions. That is not to say this was a boring read, because it wasn’t. There was something going on from the very first chapter, and it didn’t stop until the book was over. 

The story, though, read like a long prologue and I hope that there is more to tell about Tuck later. This was like reading the back-story about a future book. It explains how Tuck got the power to change the weather, what that ability did for him, and could do for the government and the world, but I feel there needs to be more of this story told. There were things left unsettled, a character left unexplained, and it’s my hope that it means there will be a second book to explain what was left open. 

I think Tuck was a very believable teen boy. He had worries, concerns, and fears that would match any 15 year old going through this situation. His friends, Holly and Mick, were also good characters, though they had little to do with the story as the book progressed. I would have liked to read more about them. To most teens, their friends are more important than anyone else is, so it’s unrealistic that they just faded out the way they did. 

Tuck seemed to have the perfect parents, which is a little unrealistic, but they did have a few failings that made them more human to me. To me, that was important to make them seem more real. They are laidback, and way too trusting of their 15-year-old son. They loved Tuck and I felt that strong connection from the book, but I think parents would fight more to keep their child from being used by the government. He had a bi-sexual grandfather who was living with his longtime male lover. They were a great source of information when Tuck had questions about his own sexuality, and very supportive when Tuck needed them. 

I did something I have never done before when writing this review. I had two close friends that had also read and reviewed this book, and I read both reviews. I don’t normally go looking for other reviews until after mine is posted because I don’t want to be influenced by them. But I decided to look at them because I was curious about what their take on the story was. I both agreed and disagreed with things they wrote, but there was one thing I really disagreed with. Tucks sexuality was important in this book. The book is not based on it and there is not a romance involved. However, a very important character comes about based solely on the fact that Tuck is gay. That’s all I’ll say on that, because I don’t want to give out spoilers. 

I give this book 4 marbles, and beg the author not to let Tuck’s story stop here. I would like more, please. I would recommend this book to anyone, but mostly to teens. It’s a light, easy read that is not boring or slow because the adventure flows nicely.~Timmy

Weatherboy is available in ebook at Amazon

A copy of this book was given to me by the author 

in exchange for a fair and honest review.

About Weatherboy:

After fifteen-year-old Tuck finds a Maya artifact while on vacation in Guatemala, his whole life changes. To his surprise, he discovers he can make it rain and snow. A local weatherman happens to be around when Tuck creates a waterspout near his home in Tarpon Springs, Florida, and the next thing he knows, someone from the Department of Homeland Security is picking him up at school and taking him to their offices in Orlando. From there, things only get weirder and more dangerous when he’s escorted to Washington, D.C.

With help from friends and family, Tuck tries to outwit government agents while staying one step ahead of the mysterious Rafe Castillo, the man assigned to ride herd on him. Tuck has an amazing opportunity to reverse the effects of climate change… but only if he stays alive long enough to do it.

Find Theo Fenraven on his blog, on Goodreads,

on Facebook, and on Twitter @Fenraven