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A review by jenbsbooks
The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
5.0
I have over 3000 books on my "want to read" library list. I'm not sure what made me put this one on hold, but someone in one of my Facebook groups must have raved about it enough that I did. Just released in May, this has been a hit, and there were lots of holds. My hold came in ... I didn't even remember at all what the book was about as I started in.
It was a tad confusing to start ... there's a prologue with Hugo, on the island. We (the reader) and just dropped in, not really knowing who is who, where we are (even if one does read the blurb). Jack is the author, who is Hugo (we come to learn that he's the illustrator, somewhat of an assistant too).
Part 1 starts with ... in the text, it's in italics, in audio (I was listening but had the kindle copy too) it's a different voice (male narrator) ... this is an excerpt from one of the Clock Island books.
Chapter 1 ... we are introduced to Lucy and Christopher.
Chapter 2 ... Hugo
Then the chapters ... don't really rotate. Lucy's story dominates. The contest is revealed. Part 2 is reminiscent of "Willy Wonka" and a bit like [book:The Inheritance Games|52439531], riddles and clues. There are more excerpts from Clock Island books, and these books have their own little life, they feel real (a list of titles of all the books is given at the end). I feel like they exist out there somewhere, as does Clock Island, which is just a fun and clever creation of both this author and of Jack Masterson.
Normally, for me to rate a book 5*, I need to feel I'll really remember it. I hope I remember this. I like when I feel there are profound quotes that I want to highlight, take notes, discuss in a bookclub setting. I don't feel that a ton here. But ... this was more than a 4* read. It was delightful. It tugged at the heart strings. It was completely creative and unique. I've gotta go 5*. I've already recommended it to my mother.
One thing that bugged me ... SPOILER the whole thing is Lucy needs money to be able to financially support Christopher. Thus, winning the game is important. When that doesn't happen, and her sister offers her money, she says no (isn't Christopher important enough to say yes to that?) and then of course when Jack offers ... she says she can't accept (although she does accept his house/help) ...I know there's the whole contest thing, but Jack says he has more money than he knows what to do with, so why doesn't he just help rather than do the whole contest thing? It's always bugged me in [book:The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn|11697008] at the end, when Huck is rich ... why doesn't he just help Jim get his family?
Content Concerns: There was proFanity a couple times (3x), and we are aware that a couple of the characters have had sexual relationships in their past. But comparatively, I call this a completely clean read! :)
It was a tad confusing to start ... there's a prologue with Hugo, on the island. We (the reader) and just dropped in, not really knowing who is who, where we are (even if one does read the blurb). Jack is the author, who is Hugo (we come to learn that he's the illustrator, somewhat of an assistant too).
Part 1 starts with ... in the text, it's in italics, in audio (I was listening but had the kindle copy too) it's a different voice (male narrator) ... this is an excerpt from one of the Clock Island books.
Chapter 1 ... we are introduced to Lucy and Christopher.
Chapter 2 ... Hugo
Then the chapters ... don't really rotate. Lucy's story dominates. The contest is revealed. Part 2 is reminiscent of "Willy Wonka" and a bit like [book:The Inheritance Games|52439531], riddles and clues. There are more excerpts from Clock Island books, and these books have their own little life, they feel real (a list of titles of all the books is given at the end). I feel like they exist out there somewhere, as does Clock Island, which is just a fun and clever creation of both this author and of Jack Masterson.
Normally, for me to rate a book 5*, I need to feel I'll really remember it. I hope I remember this. I like when I feel there are profound quotes that I want to highlight, take notes, discuss in a bookclub setting. I don't feel that a ton here. But ... this was more than a 4* read. It was delightful. It tugged at the heart strings. It was completely creative and unique. I've gotta go 5*. I've already recommended it to my mother.
One thing that bugged me ... SPOILER
Content Concerns: There was proFanity a couple times (3x), and we are aware that a couple of the characters have had sexual relationships in their past. But comparatively, I call this a completely clean read! :)