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kelly_e's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Author: Meg Shaffer
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 5.00
Pub Date: May 30, 2023
T H R E E • W O R D S
Comforting • Whimsical • Hopeful
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Lucy Hart knows better than anyone what it’s like to grow up without parents who loved her. In a childhood marked by neglect and loneliness, Lucy found her solace in books, namely the Clock Island series by Jack Masterson. Now a twenty-six-year-old teacher’s aide, she is able to share her love of reading with bright, young students, especially seven-year-old Christopher Lamb, who was left orphaned after the tragic death of his parents.
When Jack Masterson announces he’s finally written a new book. he decides to hold a contest at his home on the real Clock Island, and Lucy is one of the four lucky contestants chosen to compete to win the one and only copy. For Lucy, the chance of winning the most sought-after book in the world means everything to her and Christopher.
💭 T H O U G H T S
There are times when the perfect book falls into your hands at exactly the right time, and that is exactly what happened to me with The Wishing Game. I was in need of a feel-good, warmhearted, and fun book, and that is exactly what I got! I picked this book up while my nieces and nephews were here for the week, yet I instantly knew it was the type of book that needed my undivided attention. So, I set it aside until I could do just that, and then devoured it.
From very early on this story gave me The House in the Cerulean Sea vibes. There is sufficient character development in order for each unique one to worm their way into my heart, especially the ever-grumpy Hugo. The special bond between Lucy and Christopher made me smile.
Yes, aspects of their relationship were unrealistic when you take into consideration legal aspects of teacher/student relationships, yet I was unable to suspend my belief on this manner. I love Jack was an author and the concept of the puzzles and riddles was just so much fun. Clock Island was such a magical place and I cannot blame Lucy for wanting to escape real life to live there.
Jack and Hugo
The Wishing Game is a beautiful reminder of the healing power of books. With themes of courage and found family, it's one of those book I'll remember for years to come. I wouldn't say fantasy is a genre I gravitate towards, and despite being fairly predictable, this novel had just the right fantastical elements to capture my heart. Perfect for all ages, it's highly likely it will be making an appearance on my 2023 Favourites list comes years end.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• T.J. Klune enthusiasts
• fans of the found family trope
• readers in need of a feel-good story
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"The stories write us, you see. We read something that moves us, touches us, speaks to us, and it…it changes us."
"Sometimes the thing we want most in the world is the thing we’re most afraid of. And the thing we’re most afraid of is often the thing we most want."
"When you gotta scream, you gotta scream."
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Addiction, Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Terminal illness
foster care, adoptionsydoodle's review
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Pedophilia, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Abortion
alastaire's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Miscarriage, and Grief
Minor: Domestic abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Terminal illness
tcameron85's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Terminal illness
kcrockford's review
- 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? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Chronic illness, Miscarriage, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer, Death, and Terminal illness
Minor: Drug abuse and Drug use
bringmybooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ B̷O̷R̷R̷O̷W̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗬𝗣𝗔𝗦𝗦 ✨
I loved the idea of this novel, I loved the characters, I loved the island setting, I …. liked the book okay enough.
That being said, I truly don’t think it should have been marketed for adult readers.
I think that the pure simplicity of loving books and how much magic books hold for us will make this book work for a lot of people, and there are parts that brought a huge smile to my face, but it just missed the mark a bit overall.
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
Minor: Addiction, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
louisekf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Drug abuse, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, and Alcohol
gondorgirl's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Minor: Addiction, Child death, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
kwaterlander's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be following this author for more.
The main characters aren’t very diverse, in my opinion. There are some minor side characters mentioned that add to the diversity, but not much.
Moderate: Child abuse and Death
Minor: Child death, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, and Terminal illness
juffnstuff's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Miscarriage and Pregnancy
Minor: Terminal illness