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millennialbookreview's review against another edition
2.0
Wicked As You Wish is a novel that I’m not sure how to feel about. I loved the idea and the writing itself was very good. However, it felt to me like the author was trying to introduce too many things, too quickly from the characters to the world and the story suffered from trying to do too much at once. Rin Chupeco put a great deal of work into creating this story and has a clear vision for the kind of story this series is going to tell. There’s an astounding amount of creativity on display in this novel. But the novel didn’t quite work for me. In short, this is a book that I’m not sure what to do with. Some readers will love this, and I might pick up the sequel out of curiosity.
My full review can be found here
My full review can be found here
boodles100's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
rovie_reads's review against another edition
4.0
I decided to pick Wicked As You Wish because The Bone Witch Trilogy, from the same author is one of my most favorite reads from last year.
I understand why some people may struggle a bit with the story and world building, but let me say this: I am really proud to have read and to be represented in a book like this as a Filipino. All those Filipino references from agimat and adobo to the abaniko and Katipuneros are so great (and a character who swears in Tagalog? Woah.) Knowing that readers across the globe get to have a glimpse of our culture brings me immense happiness. It showed the typical Filipino family dynamics and hospitality, and I dare you not to laugh and admire the rest or the Makilings.
I admit that the first few pages of the book was kind of hard to grasp, added to the fact that I was not in the right headspace to consume such magical elements, I decided to pause my reading. Then later this month, I pick it up again and once I read about the Bandersnatch, everything was fun and easy to follow. Kensington is my favorite!
I am used to reading fantasy books and I like how magical realism made me feel and think. The fairy tale references and the overall vibe of the book was whimsical and I absolutely had a great time. Not to mention the funny chapter names!
Overall, I am more thrilled to read the rest of Rin's books. And here's to more Filipino representations on our books!
I understand why some people may struggle a bit with the story and world building, but let me say this: I am really proud to have read and to be represented in a book like this as a Filipino. All those Filipino references from agimat and adobo to the abaniko and Katipuneros are so great (and a character who swears in Tagalog? Woah.) Knowing that readers across the globe get to have a glimpse of our culture brings me immense happiness. It showed the typical Filipino family dynamics and hospitality, and I dare you not to laugh and admire the rest or the Makilings.
I admit that the first few pages of the book was kind of hard to grasp, added to the fact that I was not in the right headspace to consume such magical elements, I decided to pause my reading. Then later this month, I pick it up again and once I read about the Bandersnatch, everything was fun and easy to follow. Kensington is my favorite!
I am used to reading fantasy books and I like how magical realism made me feel and think. The fairy tale references and the overall vibe of the book was whimsical and I absolutely had a great time. Not to mention the funny chapter names!
Overall, I am more thrilled to read the rest of Rin's books. And here's to more Filipino representations on our books!
emilygrace99's review against another edition
4.0
Narnia meets Disney fairytales in a comtepory setting like tv show 'Once Upon a Time.' I was immediately hooked on this story and it's diverse cast of characters. The witty banter, especially from Ken was amazing and had me laughing to myself, followed by questionable looks from the people around me. The world and magic system was a little confusing at first however, it is gradually built upon to a greater understanding and enhances the plot to a greater depth. That ending though......like what?!? Excited to see where the next adventure will lead our characters and who will be tested to make unthinkable sacrifices. Would definitely recommend!
bexsbookshelves94's review against another edition
2.0
This review and more can be found at:
Reading Under the Covers
I received an advance review copy for free from FairyLoot, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I first read a book by Rin when I read the Bone Witch and I struggled to get into reading it and the same happened here except when I pushed myself to carry on I like it a bit. With this book however I just couldn’t like it and now I feel bad for leaving this review.
I am not sure what my problem is with Rin’s book and I really don’t want her to take this personally but I just don’t like her writing. She writes books that have a lot of background and they start where you are just supposed to know what’s going on and it just confuses me and annoys the heck out of me.
I was originally drawn to this book when I read the blurb and was lucky enough to receive a copy from FairyLoot in my box. Now all was well until I started reading it and I just couldn’t get into it. I actually had to force myself to read and it just was an awful experience. I hate when reading a book just becomes a chore.
Don’t get me wrong the character’s were alright but there was just too much going on and way too much dialogue. Like seriously how much dialogue does one book actually need? I can tell you one thing for sure not as much as this book contained.
I think that’s where it lost me. You get bits and pieces about the background of this story and just lots of conversations. It just feels like it drags on forever. And the places in which the story does pick up it just drops off again.
I am not 100% sure whether there was actually a story line and that is mainly due to the fact that I got bored and zoned out. I kept reading the same bit over and over.
In all fairness though I did read it in a few hours mostly because I just wanted it off my TBR shelf.
If anyone can change my mind with a book that is good that this author has written please for the love of god tell me!
Reading Under the Covers
I received an advance review copy for free from FairyLoot, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I first read a book by Rin when I read the Bone Witch and I struggled to get into reading it and the same happened here except when I pushed myself to carry on I like it a bit. With this book however I just couldn’t like it and now I feel bad for leaving this review.
I am not sure what my problem is with Rin’s book and I really don’t want her to take this personally but I just don’t like her writing. She writes books that have a lot of background and they start where you are just supposed to know what’s going on and it just confuses me and annoys the heck out of me.
I was originally drawn to this book when I read the blurb and was lucky enough to receive a copy from FairyLoot in my box. Now all was well until I started reading it and I just couldn’t get into it. I actually had to force myself to read and it just was an awful experience. I hate when reading a book just becomes a chore.
Don’t get me wrong the character’s were alright but there was just too much going on and way too much dialogue. Like seriously how much dialogue does one book actually need? I can tell you one thing for sure not as much as this book contained.
I think that’s where it lost me. You get bits and pieces about the background of this story and just lots of conversations. It just feels like it drags on forever. And the places in which the story does pick up it just drops off again.
I am not 100% sure whether there was actually a story line and that is mainly due to the fact that I got bored and zoned out. I kept reading the same bit over and over.
In all fairness though I did read it in a few hours mostly because I just wanted it off my TBR shelf.
If anyone can change my mind with a book that is good that this author has written please for the love of god tell me!
isi__1's review against another edition
1.25
1.25*
The synopsis sounded so promising & interesting. Honestly, though, the weird mix of our real world and the different fairy tales didn't work for me at all.
This book was so convoluted/ confusing but still managed to be quite boring.
I felt like Rin Chupeco was just throwing a bunch of information at my head. Trying to keep up was so exhausting.
Furthermore, I couldn't care less about any of the characters or what happened to them. Alex was the worst of them all. I was constantly hoping for him to stop being a jerk about literally EVERYTHING.
The synopsis sounded so promising & interesting. Honestly, though, the weird mix of our real world and the different fairy tales didn't work for me at all.
This book was so convoluted/ confusing but still managed to be quite boring.
I felt like Rin Chupeco was just throwing a bunch of information at my head. Trying to keep up was so exhausting.
Furthermore, I couldn't care less about any of the characters or what happened to them. Alex was the worst of them all. I was constantly hoping for him to stop being a jerk about literally EVERYTHING.
pixiegnerd's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. An amazing read!
So many turns i didn't see coming.
So many turns i didn't see coming.
adorkablyrini's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this one. I gave it a second go, too. But I got 20% in and found I just wasn’t invested.
It wasn’t the characters, it wasn’t necessarily the writing. But the world. There were just so many different fables and fairytales and stories woven into this world that it just felt a little jumbled for me. Remember ABC’s “Once Upon A Time” tv series? How all the fairytales were intertwined? It felt a little like that, only you were shoved into the middle of a season without any “Previously on...” narrative to give you that foundation.
So I guess it’s the world building and exposé of it all? I truly wanted to like this — and I like Tala & her large family. I just didn’t feel like I was a part of that world Chupeco built to truly feel rooted in the story.
It wasn’t the characters, it wasn’t necessarily the writing. But the world. There were just so many different fables and fairytales and stories woven into this world that it just felt a little jumbled for me. Remember ABC’s “Once Upon A Time” tv series? How all the fairytales were intertwined? It felt a little like that, only you were shoved into the middle of a season without any “Previously on...” narrative to give you that foundation.
So I guess it’s the world building and exposé of it all? I truly wanted to like this — and I like Tala & her large family. I just didn’t feel like I was a part of that world Chupeco built to truly feel rooted in the story.