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snowbenton's review against another edition
3.0
Meg and Belch are killed in an explosion after they attempt to rob an old man, and while Belch goes to hell, Meg finds herself with a perfectly balanced record of good and bad deeds. Hijinks abound as she is sent back to earth to make amends and help the old man complete his wish list of regrets before he, too, passes on. It's a tale full of action and teen sass, and not much else. I was disappointed by how flat it was, considering Colfer crafted the entire world of Artemis Fowl -- I was expecting something of that caliber. Overall, not bad but entirely forgettable.
somewheregirl7's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to the audiobook version of this book. The voice work was phenominal and really brought the book to life. Overall this is more a story about characters than about the actual wish list itself. Cofler has created a cast of memorable and humorous characters that stand out and really add an extra touch of charm to this story. While the basic premise is far from original, the characters themselves make the story refreshing and new. This was a fun book and a great diversion. Well written and read.
aotora's review against another edition
4.0
This one was really good. I've read a lot of books about afterlife, angels and demons and the like and this one was one of the better ones. I really liked the characters, the only thing that sort of soured the book for me was the ending because it felt just a little bit rushed and like it needed more story.
kaydeeyaleni's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
squishies's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
Y'know, probably my least liked Colfer book. I didn't find Meg to be all that likeable - I may have thawed out a bit, but not by much by the end of the book.
At least there were a couple of fun bits.
Y'know, probably my least liked Colfer book. I didn't find Meg to be all that likeable - I may have thawed out a bit, but not by much by the end of the book.
At least there were a couple of fun bits.
melhara's review against another edition
3.0
"That's it," replied Lowrie. "That's the deal. That list is the only way to heaven," he paused pointedly, "for either of us."
When 14-year-old Meg Finn and her friend Belch were caught breaking into old Lowrie McCall's apartment, things took an unexpected turn. Meg and Belch ran off and subsequently died in an unfortunate gas explosion.
While Belch went straight to Hell, Meg was caught in-between. Her rap sheet was perfectly balanced with an equal number of good and bad deeds. In order to tip the scales, Meg was sent back to Earth to help Lowrie complete his Wish List (which is really more of a bucket list). If she succeeds, she would be sent to Heaven and if she fails, she will spend eternity in Hell.
While this was an entertaining story to read, I didn't understand why Satan went through all the trouble to recruit Meg to join him in Hell. Meg wasn't an evil kid and the "bad" stuff she did could be brushed off as mean pranks - certainly not evil enough to garner the respect of Lucifer himself.
I am also sceptical about the point system that Heaven and Hell uses. For every good deed, you get a plus point and for every bad deed, it's a minus. The point system makes it seem as though the good and the bad can be easily differentiated and it's all black and white... But we all know that reality is much more complex. However, I understand that this book is for children and pre-teens so I suppose it's best to keep the story simple and to the point.
susop's review against another edition
a review from Jennifer Huburt
"Meg Finn has led a miserable life. First, her mum died, saddling her with a useless, nasty stepfather. Then, angry and alone, Meg found herself committing acts of petty crime with dim-witted hood Belch Brennan. Finally, just as she was about to go straight to honor her sainted mum's memory, Belch went and got them both killed as they attempted to rob crabby old Lowrie McCall. And if that wasn't bad enough, now St. Peter and Beelzebub can't decide which way Meg is supposed to go. She is one in a million: a soul perfectly balanced between good and evil. Now Meg's got to go back and somehow tip the scales UP--the further, the better! To earn her wings, Meg's been assigned to help the last person she tried to hurt (Lowrie McCall) who has a wish list of wrong choices that he wants to make right. But Beelzebub can't stand the thought of a bad soul going good. So he sends back the soul of powerfully stupid Belch, (who went straight down without stopping) to muck things up for Meg and Lowrie. But Meg's got smarts on her side and more than just a few tricks up her insubstantial sleeve...
At times, best-selling author Eoin Colfer's Wish List reads like a head-on collision between Dawson's Creek and Touched by an Angel. But rabid fans of the Artemis Fowl books won't notice or care. This black comedy is sure to make every fantasy-reading teen's Wish List."
--Jennifer Hubert
I Enjoyed it, but it was not the best book i've ever read...
"Meg Finn has led a miserable life. First, her mum died, saddling her with a useless, nasty stepfather. Then, angry and alone, Meg found herself committing acts of petty crime with dim-witted hood Belch Brennan. Finally, just as she was about to go straight to honor her sainted mum's memory, Belch went and got them both killed as they attempted to rob crabby old Lowrie McCall. And if that wasn't bad enough, now St. Peter and Beelzebub can't decide which way Meg is supposed to go. She is one in a million: a soul perfectly balanced between good and evil. Now Meg's got to go back and somehow tip the scales UP--the further, the better! To earn her wings, Meg's been assigned to help the last person she tried to hurt (Lowrie McCall) who has a wish list of wrong choices that he wants to make right. But Beelzebub can't stand the thought of a bad soul going good. So he sends back the soul of powerfully stupid Belch, (who went straight down without stopping) to muck things up for Meg and Lowrie. But Meg's got smarts on her side and more than just a few tricks up her insubstantial sleeve...
At times, best-selling author Eoin Colfer's Wish List reads like a head-on collision between Dawson's Creek and Touched by an Angel. But rabid fans of the Artemis Fowl books won't notice or care. This black comedy is sure to make every fantasy-reading teen's Wish List."
--Jennifer Hubert
I Enjoyed it, but it was not the best book i've ever read...
k_lee_reads_it's review against another edition
3.0
This book was entertaining. Not up to the level of the Artemis Fowl series, but enjoyable even if not believable.
kba76's review against another edition
3.0
Simple, maybe, but a lovely story to illustrate the power of being good and looking out for others.
When we first meet Belch and Meg they are breaking into the home of an old man called Lowrie. He doesn’t give in as they expect, fighting back and causing a problem. Belch overreacts in his determination to play the tough guy and ends up blowing up a gas tank, killing himself and Meg outright.
The two teens are sucked into the tunnel and make their way towards their final destination. Belch is taken straight to Hell, but because she tried to save Lowrie at the last minute Meg is given the chance to return as a spirit and do something to sort out her situation.
In a rather simplistic but very entertaining story we watch Meg develop a friendship with Lowrie as they work together to try and right a number of wrongs.
Definite strains of Colfer’s humour throughout, and I think it would make a great primary school read to introduce people to Colfer’s style.
I enjoyed the characters and the attempt to explore some religious concepts in a light and engaging way.
When we first meet Belch and Meg they are breaking into the home of an old man called Lowrie. He doesn’t give in as they expect, fighting back and causing a problem. Belch overreacts in his determination to play the tough guy and ends up blowing up a gas tank, killing himself and Meg outright.
The two teens are sucked into the tunnel and make their way towards their final destination. Belch is taken straight to Hell, but because she tried to save Lowrie at the last minute Meg is given the chance to return as a spirit and do something to sort out her situation.
In a rather simplistic but very entertaining story we watch Meg develop a friendship with Lowrie as they work together to try and right a number of wrongs.
Definite strains of Colfer’s humour throughout, and I think it would make a great primary school read to introduce people to Colfer’s style.
I enjoyed the characters and the attempt to explore some religious concepts in a light and engaging way.
daria_nedelcu19's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyment ★★★★☆
Concept ★★★☆☆
Writing Style ★★★★☆
Characters ★★★★☆
Plot/Pacing ★★★★★
Ending ★★★★☆
Concept ★★★☆☆
Writing Style ★★★★☆
Characters ★★★★☆
Plot/Pacing ★★★★★
Ending ★★★★☆