Reviews tagging 'Death'

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

57 reviews

imfixintoread's review

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

4.5

This book is like being wrapped in a warm hug. It is such a feel-good read, despite having some heavy topics included in it. Definitely add it to your TBR!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Miscarriage and Terminal illness

Minor: Death

dkamada's review against another edition

hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

Really sweet story, seems like it’s targeted at a slightly younger audience, but I appreciate a feel good story where everyone gets their wish in the end

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Incest, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Terminal illness, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Abandonment

kimveach's review

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective 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

4.0

This was such a lovely book. I wish I could explain why I liked it so much, but it's really more of a feeling. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Minor: Cancer, Miscarriage, and Terminal illness

someryarns's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad medium-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Moderate: Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

Minor: Cancer, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Terminal illness

maddiehansen's review against another edition

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

The book was a more positive version of The Westing Game, but not executed as well. The depiction of the foster care system did not seem quite accurate, the relationship between a teacher's aid and a student was not safe, Capri-sun is clear, it covered many deep issues with mere mentions (miscarriage, PTSD, addiction, trauma, foster care system, adoption, rape, incest, abuse, alcoholism, miscarriage, poverty, disability, abandonment etc). It needed more research.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Rape, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

greatestheights's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Miscarriage, and Toxic relationship

katydid_karaoke's review

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-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? No

5.0

 Once I picked it up I didn't put it down, except long enough to do some of the things I needed to do around the house, but it was difficult. The Wishing Game is strongly inspired by Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and it doesn't shy away from that fact, referencing it a few times. The characters are all likable, even the "grumpy" one and the plot moves along at a nice pace. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Grief

Minor: Child abuse and Sexual assault

oxfordcommas91's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This book made me feel all the warm fuzzies. A grown up Willy Wonka, where our heroine competes to win the newest book by her favorite childhood author on his secluded island in New England. While there’s some fast paced adventure moments, this book is sweet and soft and can be savored with a nice mug of tea curled up on the couch. Easily binge-able, this is at its core an emotional tale of found family and the lengths we will go to in order to be loved. It has some heavy elements but isn’t sad, and handles complex topics of grief, illness, and even abuse with careful thought and consideration. It was a wonderful book to start the year with. I wish these people existed in real life, they are the types of characters you wish could come off the page and into your living room for a nice dinner party.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness

Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Toxic relationship, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Minor: Cancer, Miscarriage, Car accident, Abortion, and Pregnancy

savheath's review

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, and Abandonment

Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship

yvo_about_books's review against another edition

4.75

 Finished reading: December 12th 2023

"Always remember that the only wishes ever granted are the wishes of brave children who keep on wishing even when it seems no one is listening because someone always is. Someone like me. Keep wishing. I’m listening."

I kept hearing fantastic things about The Wishing Game, and after I saw it was nominated for the Goodreads Choice Awards I decided to give in and finally read it as I hadn't read ANY of the fiction nominations yet. I'm glad I did, because I can definitely understand the love for this story now! Whimsical, heartfelt, sad, hopeful... It is hard to put this story in a neat little genre box, but I can guarantee it will win over your heart and take you on the most incredible journey. There is a lot to love in The Wishing Game... I don't want to give away too much of the plot, but what I can say is that if you love a bookish story, you will be in for an absolute treat. Both the Clock Island books, its author AND illustrator play a key role in the plot, and I loved how it showed the power and importance of books for children and adults alike. The descriptions of the Clock Island itself are wonderful, and it gave the whole story that whimsical and magical realism feel without overpowering the plot. The story was a lot heavier and sad than expected, but this was balanced with moments of hope and even a dash of romance. The characters are a true delight, and part of the reason this book works so well... This is a story that will stay with me for a long time. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Abandonment