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brewdy_reader'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? Yes
5.0
๐๐ฐ๐ท๐ฆ ๐๐ต๐ฐ๐ณ๐บ โข ๐๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ฎ๐ช๐ญ๐บ โข ๐๐บ๐ด๐ต๐ฆ๐ณ๐บ
Pub Date: 30 May 2023
โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ (4.75 ๐ณ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐ถ๐ฑ ๐ต๐ฐ 5)
๐โ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐. ๐ธ๐๐โ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐. ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐.
โจ A book about books
โจ A love letter to parents
โจ A love story with no spice
โจ A story of second chances
โจ The power of imagination and hope
This will tug at your heartstrings. Iโm glad I saved it for this time of year, because it perfectly captures the magic of the season in a delightful feel-good package.
If Willy Wonka were reimagined as a childrenโs book author, eccentric and unpredictable as ever, but darker with more adult topics: foster care system, child abandonment, toxic relationships, poverty, miscarriage, and see trigger warnings below. When you read this you will experience the joy of seeing the world through the eyes of a child. Get your tissues ready!
TW: There is one reference to child abuse/molestation and child death (not graphic but a mention of). Without this I would have recommended it to my 10 year old as it has very similar vibes to some of the Roald Dahl beloved books of my childhood.
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Miscarriage
Minor: Child abuse and Child death
savheath's review
- 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
Graphic: Grief, Abandonment, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, and Sexual assault
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
4.75
"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. Iโm 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.
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
- 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
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, and Pedophilia
goodjollymissmolly's review
- 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? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Death of parent and Abandonment
Minor: Miscarriage
l_piller'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? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Death of parent, Abandonment, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, and Grief
Minor: Pedophilia and Miscarriage
momloves2read's review
- 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
Graphic: Abandonment, Chronic illness, and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction and Emotional abuse
Minor: Miscarriage and Alcoholism
boop123'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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Grief, Child death, Death, and Alcoholism
Minor: Pedophilia and Miscarriage
kptinydancer97'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? No
5.0
Moderate: Abandonment and Death of parent
Minor: Child death
sheritolley's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Alcohol