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sarahflanders's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Grief, and Death of parent
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
brittonmc1221'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
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Drug use, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism and Miscarriage
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
lovelymisanthrope's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
"The Wishing Game" follows Lucy Hart. Lucy is a struggling twenty-six year old who is trying everything in her power to save up enough money to be able to provide for herself and prove that she is worthy of adopting seven-year-old Christopher. Both of Christopher's parents are dead, and Christopher just cannot seem to find stability in foster care. Lucy is the one person Christopher really trusts, and they bond over a beloved children's series, Clock Island, written by Jack Masterson. When opportunity presents itself to solve riddles and win Jack's latest book, Lucy enters the challenge, and she wishes with all her might that she can win for her and Christopher.
This was a really beautiful story that highlights how important it is that children grow up with love, and that they are encouraged to never stop believing in the power of a wish. It was devastating to see Lucy struggle to build a life "good enough" for her to adopt Christopher. She has such a pure heart, and she has devoted her whole life to trying to make this happen. It really saddens me that someone with such amazing intentions is denied the right to adopt. Why shouldn't her heart be of bigger consideration? Why are there no programs to help assist her in the process?
I loved that the majority of the book centers around riddles, and not just any riddles, but riddles that are centered around a children's book series. What made it all the more fun was that the reader could play along with Lucy and try to figure out the riddles with her.
I felt like this book was well written and had an interesting plotline, but ultimately the characters were a little flat to me. I think it is great that Lucy wants so badly to adopt Christopher, but I think realistically a twenty-six-year-old would have more "fun" in her life. Jack also seemed kind of one dimensional to me. Yeah, he is eclectic, but something just felt "too much" for me AND "too little".
The *almost* ending broke my heart, and then the true ending seemed too good to be true, but I was happy to see where the characters ultimately ended up.
I enjoyed my time reading this book, and I would recommend it to book lovers who like to read about book lovers.
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Child death and Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse
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
bookcasey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, and Abandonment
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer, Child death, Medical content, and Medical trauma
kitausu's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, and Suicide attempt
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