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A review by laurenjodi
The Wish Granter by C.J. Redwine
2.0
The Wish Granter
2 Stars
This retelling of Rumpelstiltskin does not live up to its potential mainly due to a lack of world-building and weak characterization.
As with the first book, there is little information on the various countries in Redwine's fantasy world. Aside from the fact that they exist, readers are not provided with any details about the different regimes, peoples, or species residing in each of the lands nor much about their geographic locations, climates, histories, or cultures.
In terms of the characters, the villain, Alistair Teague, is an overblown caricature of evil whose powers, actions and motivations do not make much sense. For example, To be a true fae, there should be some limits and restrictions that he is bound by.
Ari is an interesting heroine. To begin with, she is no cute and dainty princess but a strapping young woman who likes her food and engages in very unladylike pursuits including eavesdropping and head-bashing. Nevertheless, it is difficult to truly identify with her perhaps because she is rather clueless -, and never thinks of the consequences of her actions.
Sebastian is not the most original hero - big and brawny (check), brooding and tortured (check), instantly attracted to the socially awkward and curvaceous heroine (check).
All in all, there is nothing new or particularly engaging in this YA fantasy, and much of the book is a slow and tedious slog. Very unfortunate.
2 Stars
This retelling of Rumpelstiltskin does not live up to its potential mainly due to a lack of world-building and weak characterization.
As with the first book, there is little information on the various countries in Redwine's fantasy world. Aside from the fact that they exist, readers are not provided with any details about the different regimes, peoples, or species residing in each of the lands nor much about their geographic locations, climates, histories, or cultures.
In terms of the characters, the villain, Alistair Teague, is an overblown caricature of evil whose powers, actions and motivations do not make much sense. For example,
Spoiler
the terms of his contracts are quite arbitrary, i.e., he can deny wishes he doesn't like and renege on deals at any time.Ari is an interesting heroine. To begin with, she is no cute and dainty princess but a strapping young woman who likes her food and engages in very unladylike pursuits including eavesdropping and head-bashing. Nevertheless, it is difficult to truly identify with her perhaps because she is rather clueless -
Spoiler
she fails to make the glaringly obvious connection between Teague, her brother and the deaths of their father and his wife not to mention the murder of their mother and their exile.Sebastian is not the most original hero - big and brawny (check), brooding and tortured (check), instantly attracted to the socially awkward and curvaceous heroine (check).
All in all, there is nothing new or particularly engaging in this YA fantasy, and much of the book is a slow and tedious slog. Very unfortunate.