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jesssalexander's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory if JK Rowling were Willy Wonka and wrote more like Lemony Snicket and the prize was the only edition of a final book in the series.
Overall it was really enjoyable, I really liked Jack and Hugo but the main character, Lucy, grated on my nerves. She was too prideful and unforgiving to ask for help, at the expense of the boy she was trying to adopt. The pain of her past impeded her from moving forward with her life. And she was too wishful and unrealistic to think up a workable plan for fostering. I was very sympathetic to the annoyingly upbeat social worker I guess. Oh and I did love her friend Teresa.
I will say this was an odd mix of being a whimsical cozy read and having some jarring adult content. On the one hand it has all the bookish requirements: atmospheric and fantastical setting, thin and eccentric old man, cats and knitting, warm fuzzy feelings about novels. On the other hand, there is a reference to child rape which I thought was out of place and didn’t truly advance the plot and some drug and alcohol abuse references.
Overall it was really enjoyable, I really liked Jack and Hugo but the main character, Lucy, grated on my nerves. She was too prideful and unforgiving to ask for help, at the expense of the boy she was trying to adopt. The pain of her past impeded her from moving forward with her life. And she was too wishful and unrealistic to think up a workable plan for fostering. I was very sympathetic to the annoyingly upbeat social worker I guess. Oh and I did love her friend Teresa.
I will say this was an odd mix of being a whimsical cozy read and having some jarring adult content. On the one hand it has all the bookish requirements: atmospheric and fantastical setting, thin and eccentric old man, cats and knitting, warm fuzzy feelings about novels. On the other hand, there is a reference to child rape which I thought was out of place and didn’t truly advance the plot and some drug and alcohol abuse references.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Addiction, and Alcohol
Minor: Pedophilia and Incest
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Abandonment, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, and Sexual assault
fkshg8465's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A friend recently asked for a recommendation for a feel-good book. Told her to read this one. Definitely a warm and fuzzy, and everything gets tied in a nice bow, though there are a few story strands that probably weren’t necessary. I really liked the lawyer character, even though she really only had a small supporting role.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Incest, Panic attacks/disorders, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Drug abuse, and Addiction
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Death of parent, Death, Gaslighting, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Chronic illness, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Miscarriage
ginkgogirl's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, and Pedophilia
momloves2read's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Chronic illness, and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction and Emotional abuse
Minor: Miscarriage and Alcoholism
abbyjme's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Going into this book, I felt the first few chapters real little slow, but it was all worth it for the way that I fell in love with all of the main characters. I truly admired how the story explored parenting and how the effects of our upbringing last a lifetime. Not even just parenting, but how literature can raise a child.
I saw the review VE Schwab left for this book and I could agree more “ Clever,dark, and hopeful—a love letter to reading, and the power that childhood stories have over as long after we’ve grown up”
I’m not gonna spoil anything but let’s just say I was happy scream crying while reading the last few chapters.
I saw the review VE Schwab left for this book and I could agree more “ Clever,dark, and hopeful—a love letter to reading, and the power that childhood stories have over as long after we’ve grown up”
I’m not gonna spoil anything but let’s just say I was happy scream crying while reading the last few chapters.
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Grief, Drug abuse, Abortion, Alcoholism, Addiction, and Death
sustainably_lucia's review
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed the whimsical nature of this book. It addresses some heavy topics with a layer of hope, love, and support around them. It is a beautiful story of found family and finding gratitude for our past, even though it sucked at the time. There were a few things that were overly simplified but I didn’t feel that it detracted from the overall story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Minor: Death of parent, Addiction, Chronic illness, Child death, and Alcoholism
turrean's review
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The runaway children theme was more than a little alarming. The idea of a TA at a public school breezily coming in late to work because since she knew there was a parent volunteer in the room was so absurd I snorted out loud. I was impatient at the single-mindedness of Lucy’s drive toward her vision of the future, and aghast at the way a child’s hopes were raised in such an unrealistic way.
…And since their happy ending literally (little pun there) needed the intervention of an eccentric multimillionaire philanthropist, and the just-in-time resolution of a child’s phobia,, I think “unrealistic” is putting it mildly. This actually read quite like a kid’s book with some sad scenes and some swear words added in.
The happy ending is clearly on its way from page one, and the honey-sweet story will make a great movie.
The happy ending is clearly on its way from page one, and the honey-sweet story will make a great movie.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Abandonment, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction and Child abuse
kpflea's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
LOVED this book. Emotional, heart-pounding, romantic, exciting; there are not enough words in my dictionary to describe the feelings this book gave me. MUST READ!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Child death, Drug abuse, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Cancer, Death of parent, and Drug use
Minor: Miscarriage