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c4tluvrr3's review against another edition
5.0
if i don’t get buried with this book by my side i will haunt you watch your back.
literaryanna's review against another edition
4.0
Let me start by saying I've been absolutely OBSESSED with Aladdin and 1001 Nights re-tellings lately, so THE FORBIDDEN WISH caught my eye immediately. It's a great spin on the story of Aladdin, whether you're familiar with the original tale, or the Disney version, you'll see a lot of similarities and recognize many of the plot points.
My favorite part of Khoury's version has to be that the jinni is a woman. A kick-ass-punch-you-in-the-throat-turn-into-a-snake-and-bite-you woman. Zahra as she's named is THE BEST. Seriously, she takes shit from no one and despite being slave to the lamp has he fair share of fun with some of the wishes commanded of her. While she is technically incapable of going against her master, she knows how to manipulate wishes to her own advantage and has no shame in admitting it.
There are other amazing women in this story too - Caspida, is a hero in her own right. She's bold, fierce, and incredibly intelligent. Part of me would really love to read a short story, or novella, purely about Zahra and Caspida going on some kind of insane adventure together while leaving Aladdin at home to tend to whatever it is he has going on now.
Needless to say, I highly recommend THE FORBIDDEN WISH for anyone who enjoys fantasy, fairy-tales, strong women, and a bit of romance. A great read, I just wish there were more!
My favorite part of Khoury's version has to be that the jinni is a woman. A kick-ass-punch-you-in-the-throat-turn-into-a-snake-and-bite-you woman. Zahra as she's named is THE BEST. Seriously, she takes shit from no one and despite being slave to the lamp has he fair share of fun with some of the wishes commanded of her. While she is technically incapable of going against her master, she knows how to manipulate wishes to her own advantage and has no shame in admitting it.
There are other amazing women in this story too - Caspida, is a hero in her own right. She's bold, fierce, and incredibly intelligent. Part of me would really love to read a short story, or novella, purely about Zahra and Caspida going on some kind of insane adventure together while leaving Aladdin at home to tend to whatever it is he has going on now.
Needless to say, I highly recommend THE FORBIDDEN WISH for anyone who enjoys fantasy, fairy-tales, strong women, and a bit of romance. A great read, I just wish there were more!
papalbina's review against another edition
3.0
Le pondría 4 estrellas si hubiese usado menos la expresión "a thousand and one", acabé frita, de eso y de que a la jinni, que no es humana y me lo dice constantemente, le duela la cabeza o se quede sin aire en los pulmones...
eso sí, me ha gustado mucho la historia del anillo.
eso sí, me ha gustado mucho la historia del anillo.
someday_linda's review against another edition
3.0
2,5-3 stars
I reaaaally wanted to love this book because I‘m a big fan of Aladdin but like it just was to hurried? I didn‘t feel like I had the time to get to know the characters or to even like them.
I reaaaally wanted to love this book because I‘m a big fan of Aladdin but like it just was to hurried? I didn‘t feel like I had the time to get to know the characters or to even like them.
kaelysbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
I love retellings.. And Aladdin has always been in my top favorite Disney movies, so of course I had to pick this up- but I definitely didn't expect to love this book as much as I did. Oh my, this story was just so enchanting.
The characters were freakin' AMAZING. Our main protagonist was so lovely and wise.. And also a badass! Our Aladdin was snarky and adorable - just like I wanted. The side characters were just as amazing (and yay for all the girl power!).
The plot was so interesting. There were so many things that happened that I didn't expect, and so many things that just wove together to give us an amazing conclusion. The romance was great. The friendship aspect was beautiful.
Why does this have to be a standalone?! I WANT MORE!
The characters were freakin' AMAZING. Our main protagonist was so lovely and wise.. And also a badass! Our Aladdin was snarky and adorable - just like I wanted. The side characters were just as amazing (and yay for all the girl power!).
The plot was so interesting. There were so many things that happened that I didn't expect, and so many things that just wove together to give us an amazing conclusion. The romance was great. The friendship aspect was beautiful.
Why does this have to be a standalone?! I WANT MORE!
lurdes_oliveira's review against another edition
4.0
This book is beautifully written, filled with magic on each page. As far as retellings this gets the price for more well-balanced. Between creating a fresh new story and also having subtle echoes of something familiar.
This book is a retelling of Aladdin, but the genie is a girl! And the story is told through her perspective.
I really didn't have high expectations about this book and it completely caught me off guard. It has amazing worldbuilding, beautiful and sometimes almost poetic language, wonderful characters that you just can't help but love. This book is funny, but it still keeps you in constant tension.
Although this book explores a variety of themes, the thing that really captured my heart was the female characters. There were women who were strong, women who made mistakes, women who were just women who were trying to do what was right. And the best part these girls are not enemies!
They grow in strength when they come together and support one another. No petty slut-shaming or woman-hating. From the jinni to the mortal women, there is a mutual respect and admiration. So many authors could learn from this book.
The forbidden romance aspect of this story was also really good! I’m a fan of forbidden love trope and this one quickly sucked me in. It was cute and pleasant to read.
Aladdin's and Zahra's stories cross and intertwine so seamlessly. The bond that they share was wonderful and I love how it developed from them being very wary and cautious around each other, to becoming friends and supporting and encouraging each other.
This book is a retelling of Aladdin, but the genie is a girl! And the story is told through her perspective.
I really didn't have high expectations about this book and it completely caught me off guard. It has amazing worldbuilding, beautiful and sometimes almost poetic language, wonderful characters that you just can't help but love. This book is funny, but it still keeps you in constant tension.
Although this book explores a variety of themes, the thing that really captured my heart was the female characters. There were women who were strong, women who made mistakes, women who were just women who were trying to do what was right. And the best part these girls are not enemies!
They grow in strength when they come together and support one another. No petty slut-shaming or woman-hating. From the jinni to the mortal women, there is a mutual respect and admiration. So many authors could learn from this book.
The forbidden romance aspect of this story was also really good! I’m a fan of forbidden love trope and this one quickly sucked me in. It was cute and pleasant to read.
Aladdin's and Zahra's stories cross and intertwine so seamlessly. The bond that they share was wonderful and I love how it developed from them being very wary and cautious around each other, to becoming friends and supporting and encouraging each other.
jopcy's review against another edition
3.0
“Have I told you I love you?” he whispers.
I smile. “Not since this morning.”
“Unforgivable. I will tell you every hour of every day.”
Esta historia fue toda una montaña rusa, el principio me atrapó, luego ya no quería leer y después volví a sentirme en conexión con todo, a pesar de las altas y bajas puedo decir que esta historia me gustó.
El mensaje que deja esta historia sobre el poder de la mujer es muy valioso y palpable, la enseñanza que nos deja este libro me ha gustado mucho y agradezco haberlo leído hasta el final y no haberlo dejado en DNF.
Zahra es la protagonista y narradora de la historia, sinceramente me ha gustado muchísimo ver su perspectiva de esta historia, jamás había leído un retelling de “Aladdin” y siento que este ha sido muy bueno, el giro que la autora le da al cuento original ha dado en el punto y mantiene a los lectores a la expectativa de lo que podría suceder.
Aladdin como personaje me ha enamorado, siempre, tanto el cuento, como en la película Disney, me he sentido encariñada hacía su personaje y agradezco de todo corazón que la autora haya construido a un personaje tan apegado pero a la vez tan diferente de lo que ya conocemos. Aunque aquí no es el principal, podemos decir que sí tiene su mérito y cumple un papel muy importante para el desarrollo de toda la historia, estoy muy contenta con él.
Ahora, sobre los demás personajes como Caspida y sus Vigilantes, puedo decir que me han parecido maravillosas. La manera en que demuestran ser más de lo que se cree que podría ser una mujer es lo que más contenta me dejó y me encantó que pudieran lograr todo lo que se propusieron.
En fin, obviamente me hubieran gustado que ciertas cosas fueran diferentes pero no todo puede ser perfecto y sinceramente me siento satisfecha con la historia que encontré en este libro.
kacie_marria's review against another edition
5.0
Pretty much perfect. The characters were phenomenal. Loved every minute of it!
greatolcatsby's review against another edition
3.0
For thousands of years Zahra is the most powerful jinni until being trapped in a lamp for the past 500 years in a city that has been long forgotten. She thinks that the hope for seeing the outside world again and be free of her lamp would be impossible until a boy named Aladdin comes in the desolate city and finds her lamp.
After Zahra has been summoned, she has been given a quest that, if she succeeds, she will win her freedom from the lamp forever. Will she betray the person she’s slowly growing to love for her own needs or save him and his home from the wrath that will come if the order she was given fails?
This may be an Aladdin retelling but the story isn’t about the street-smart thief we all know. Instead we get to see the jinni’s side of the story and the way that was done was very engaging. Zahra may be powerful, but she is also a dreamer for the outside world and freedom, and we she’s filled with much guilt over a woman she considers a sister who she calls Habiba. The way the story is told was unique because it sounded as if Zahra is actually talking to the friend and is constantly addressing her by name or by Habiba. We get to see more of their relationship during the course of the book and everything about it is so touching.
Even though Aladdin is flirty, mischievous, he’s also very loyal with a need for revenge due to his haunting past.
The book mentions that Zahra falls in love with Aladdin, but I couldn’t really feel the relationship between the two. They fit into each other’s lives just fine as friends but I couldn’t really see how their relationship really began.
One of the best things about this book is the girl power. So many strong female characters! Caspida is a strong-minded princess and just like her band of watchmaidens, they’re feisty and know how to take down anybody who gets in their way.
After Zahra has been summoned, she has been given a quest that, if she succeeds, she will win her freedom from the lamp forever. Will she betray the person she’s slowly growing to love for her own needs or save him and his home from the wrath that will come if the order she was given fails?
This may be an Aladdin retelling but the story isn’t about the street-smart thief we all know. Instead we get to see the jinni’s side of the story and the way that was done was very engaging. Zahra may be powerful, but she is also a dreamer for the outside world and freedom, and we she’s filled with much guilt over a woman she considers a sister who she calls Habiba. The way the story is told was unique because it sounded as if Zahra is actually talking to the friend and is constantly addressing her by name or by Habiba. We get to see more of their relationship during the course of the book and everything about it is so touching.
Even though Aladdin is flirty, mischievous, he’s also very loyal with a need for revenge due to his haunting past.
The book mentions that Zahra falls in love with Aladdin, but I couldn’t really feel the relationship between the two. They fit into each other’s lives just fine as friends but I couldn’t really see how their relationship really began.
One of the best things about this book is the girl power. So many strong female characters! Caspida is a strong-minded princess and just like her band of watchmaidens, they’re feisty and know how to take down anybody who gets in their way.
suburbrat's review against another edition
3.0
the only thing keeping me from giving this 5 stars in the length. just a liiittttttllleeee too long at the end. but, beautiful and a truly creative retelling.