Reviews

The Wish Granter by C.J. Redwine

dlewis85's review

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review

5.0

Where have those books been? How is it possible that these books existed and that I didn't know about them? These books are like everything I want and need books to be and I'm absolutely, totally, extremely, completely, utterly in love with both the ones I've read so far! I'm so glad that I ordered a signed copy from blood spell and can't wait to actually read it.

But fine, let me attempt to find words to describe why I think these books are perfection.

Firstly: These books are written in a beautiful way. It's the perfect mixture of easy to read and nicely flowing and fairytale like beautiful. It's just enchanting and has such a nice rhythm. On top of that: the dialogues all feel very natural and realistic, which is always a great plus in books.

Secondly: The plot and setting. We have this beautiful fantasy world where literally everything is possible. And then we also have the elements of a fairytale, in this case Rumpelstiltskin (with some slight beauty and the beast and Hansel and Gretel references). The elements of the fairytale are used and embedded in such a way that they still feel fresh and original and give loads of room for an gripping and intriguing plot.

Thirdly and lastly, but surely not leastly: The characters! CJ Redwine manages to really craft layered, complex and realistic characters. She takes the time to introduce those characters to us and and she gives them the time to get to know each other and build meaningful relationships. Therefore it's almost impossible not to root for them and for them ending up together and getting their happily ever after.

Gosh, why do I make myself wait a week before I can read the next book in this series? I WANT IT NOW!

jmatsumura's review against another edition

4.0

Fun book. I love that Ari is a pretty NORMAL person- she isn't overtly pretty, she isn't skinny, but she has smarts and isn't afraid to use them. I also appreciate that she is no Mary Sue. I also LOVE that Sebastian is an emotionally mature, though disgruntled, boy.

whosevita's review against another edition

4.0

This book is EVERYTHINGGGG. The characters, immaculate. I love the characterization of Sebastian in particular. His paranoia and how he hated to open up to people make so much sense. The world building, immersive. The names, just sound so good. I loveee how the original fairy tale was incorporated in the story. The only reason why it isn’t 5 stars is bc the ending was a little vague. Didn’t really know what was going on there. But besides that sooooo gooooddddd.

hobbiesofstefs's review against another edition

4.0

Loved this book!

I could not put this book down. It’s about the importance of family, and the family you make. It’s about strength of will. I love the charters. I think this book is even better the the first one in the series if that is possible. It is in the same world as the first one. It has a nod to the places and people we meet there but they are not in this book. Can’t wait to read the next book.

eireen's review against another edition

4.0

“Sometimes having courage means the hardest tasks fall onto your shoulders, and those leave the biggest scars.”

The Wish Granter adalah buku kedua dari seri Ravenspire. Tapi walaupun The Wish Granter adalah buku kedua, pada kenyataannya buku ini adalah stand-alone. Yang menghubungkan buku pertama dan kedua ini hanyalah crossover antara para karakter. Kol dan Lorelai dari buku pertama sempat muncul di chapter awal dalam buku kedua ini.

The Wish Granter mengadaptasi dongeng dari German yang berjudul Rumpelstiltskin. Di cerita originalnya, Rumpelstiltskin adalah dwarf yang bisa mengabulkan permohonan seseorang jika seseorang tersebut mau menukarkannya dengan barang berharga. Di akhir cerita originalnya, Rumpelstiltskin di usir dari kerajaannya.

Dalam buku The Wish Granter, Rumpelstiltskin yang ceritanya telah diusir dari kerajaan asalnya, datang ke kerajaan Sundraille dan menggunakan nama baru yaitu Alistair Teague. Ia pun bertemu dengan Thaddeus dan membantunya menjadi raja atas tahta Sundraille dan sebagai gantinya, jiwa Thad menjadi milik Teague dan akan diambil dalam kurun waktu 10 tahun kemudian. Adik Thad, Arianna, yang mengetahui hal ini berusaha untuk menyelamatkan kakaknya sekaligus mengusir Teague. Dalam menjalankan misinya ini, Ari dibantu temannya yaitu Sebastian dan Cleo.

Di awal buku, ceritanya nampak kurang menarik. Kurang hype kalau dibandingkan dengan buku pertamanya. Tapi aku mulai suka dengan ceritanya ketika masuk tengah buku. Aku suka bagaimana ceritanya mengalir dan si protagonist, Ari, berhasil membuat cerita ini jadi jauh lebih seru. C.J. Redwine berhasil membuat crossover di dalam bukunya terasa natural. Selain karakter dari buku pertama, ada karakter dongeng lain yang ikut muncul dalam buku kedua ini. Karakter tersebut adalah Hansel dan Gretel.

Masih sama dengan buku pertama, di buku kedua ini C.J. Redwine juga menceritakan background dari si antagonist, Teague. Ada sudut pandang dari Teague juga sehingga pembaca tidak hanya taunya dia jahat, tapi juga alasan dibaliknya. Intinya, tidak ada seorangpun yang dilahirkan jahat.

Aku menyelesaikan buku ini dalam waktu 3 hari, cukup cepat dan membuktikan kalau cerita di buku ini cukup seru. Endingnya pun bagus dan sayangnya ketika para karakter sudah mulai terasa dekat di hati, cerita ini malah harus tamat. I just hope I can see them, at least just a glimpse of them in the next book.

amybraunauthor's review against another edition

5.0

I absolutely loved this story! I truly didn't want to stop reading for any reason. Right from the get-go, we were introduced to great characters, a compelling and tense story, a fun world, and a swoon-worthy storybook romance. I loved this new take on Rumpelstiltskin and found his motives and ability to be ten steps ahead at all times made him a truly despicable villain. Ari was a fantastic hero, and I loved that while she was pretty, she also seemed like the kind of girl I could meet and be instant friends with (if nothing else, we would bond over love for bacon and cake). In equal measure, I adored Sebastien and his character arc. He was a tragic character, and not a typical hero. He was an absolute sweetheart, but definitely not someone to mess around in a fight. I could nitpick about some plot holes that seemed a little open or things that weren't covered that I wanted to be, but in all honesty, they're trivial and not worth mentioning when the core story and characters are so memorable and engaging. I can't recommend this book enough to people who enjoy fantasy retellings, and who are craving a book with an ending that will pull on every heartstring you have. Absolutely worth your time and money!

melanie_books's review against another edition

4.0

In the wake of tragedy, Thaddeus, the illegitimate son of the king is desperate to protect his twin sister Arianna. And Alistair Teague knows that desperation will encourage people to make wishes they wouldn't otherwise make - and he has big plans for Thad. Three weeks later, he is king and contracted to Teague for the next 10 years. But Ari is safe - or would be if she stopped trying to find a way to destroy the Wish Granter. When she's not snorting through Assembly meetings, she is studying the fae and learning self-defense from Sebastian, the new (unfairly distracting) weapons manager.

This book is the second in a series but really is a complete story on its own. Based loosely on the story of

Spoiler

Rumpelstiltskin

, the titular character is reimagined as a type of mob boss which was excellent. But the best part of the book though was Ari: she doesn't let anything stop her; when obstacles come up, she just figures out a way around them (reminiscent of Lia Mara from A Heart So Fierce & Broken.) Sebastian recognizes early on that his greatest asset in protecting Ari is the princess herself. His quiet strength and determination to do whatever it takes, no matter what it cost him, to help Ari made him such a great character. Overall, great characters and great reimagining of a story that isn't explored very often.

l_noona's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious sad tense medium-paced

4.75

mjoyced's review against another edition

2.0

I wanted this to be more like 30% Rumplestiltskin back story, but it was only 1%.