momwithareadingproblem's review against another edition
4.0
I received an eARC of this book via NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
A promising start to a new series, The Mirror: Broken Wish by Julie C. Dao is a prequel of sorts telling a story about a witch, her ill-fated friendship, and the by product of feuding. Elva is a young girl on her way to womanhood with a remarkable gift of foresight. She sees the future when she looks at her reflection, mostly through liquid. For her protection, her parents have taught her to keep her ability a secret. Don’t want the villagers burning a witch at the stake
A promising start to a new series, The Mirror: Broken Wish by Julie C. Dao is a prequel of sorts telling a story about a witch, her ill-fated friendship, and the by product of feuding. Elva is a young girl on her way to womanhood with a remarkable gift of foresight. She sees the future when she looks at her reflection, mostly through liquid. For her protection, her parents have taught her to keep her ability a secret. Don’t want the villagers burning a witch at the stake
kmspedden's review against another edition
5.0
*I received a free ARC of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
What a book.
It's honestly the first phrase that comes to mind with everything that Julie C. Dao writes. She weaves such amazing stories that you can't put the book down until you're done and once you are, you want more. Broken Wish was an amazing story weaving together the perfect start to a family curse that will flow through the four books in The Mirror series. Honestly the only thing I was disappointed in was that it took place in Germany because I love the settings for all of her other novels. but it was truly amazing. Everything in the story relies on choices. Whatever choice you make can change your life and the world around you. Elva's mother made the choice not to visit Mathilda after she took the tonic and later on Elva made choices of her own that changed everything.
Honestly I don't know how to describe everything without giving away spoilers which I don't want to do. Everyone should pick up this book and I can't wait to see what happens in Book Two which will be written by Dhonielle Clayton. I just can't believe I have to wait almost a year for it!
What a book.
It's honestly the first phrase that comes to mind with everything that Julie C. Dao writes. She weaves such amazing stories that you can't put the book down until you're done and once you are, you want more. Broken Wish was an amazing story weaving together the perfect start to a family curse that will flow through the four books in The Mirror series. Honestly the only thing I was disappointed in was that it took place in Germany because I love the settings for all of her other novels. but it was truly amazing. Everything in the story relies on choices. Whatever choice you make can change your life and the world around you. Elva's mother made the choice not to visit Mathilda after she took the tonic and later on Elva made choices of her own that changed everything.
Honestly I don't know how to describe everything without giving away spoilers which I don't want to do. Everyone should pick up this book and I can't wait to see what happens in Book Two which will be written by Dhonielle Clayton. I just can't believe I have to wait almost a year for it!
khaleesimod93's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Such a different story. It had so many elements to it. Witchy, fairy tales, and magic. The ending was my only complaint. It ended so abruptly and felt unfinished. But the rest of the story was so beautiful, heart breaking, and magical. The friendship between Mathilda and Elva was so beautiful. I wish there would have been more with them. Elva tried so hard to change things and it hurt her so much. She put so much faith in people and they betrayed her. Wilhem is disgusting and I'm so glad that he showed his true colors to Elva. I love the mix of fairy tales in this one. I hope Mathilda or Cay finds a way to bring Elva back.
lola1229's review against another edition
1.0
DNF. Reading for 3 weeks, and I’m still only ~50% through. Decent idea; but the JFC, get to the point already!
thewordswillchangeme's review against another edition
3.0
I received this ARC from the author!
The pacing was too slow for my liking, but the story telling is so creative!! You get lots of familiar fairytale elements here, like magical forests and a wishing well. Julie has made a fan out of me!
My favorite part of Broken Wish is the friendship between Elva and Mathilda! Their friendship is beautiful and lush!
I’ll be sure to read Dhonielle Clayton’s next book in the series when it comes out!
The pacing was too slow for my liking, but the story telling is so creative!! You get lots of familiar fairytale elements here, like magical forests and a wishing well. Julie has made a fan out of me!
My favorite part of Broken Wish is the friendship between Elva and Mathilda! Their friendship is beautiful and lush!
I’ll be sure to read Dhonielle Clayton’s next book in the series when it comes out!
alexiachantel's review against another edition
5.0
Dao’s writing never fails to sweep me away and Broken Wish was another perfect fairytale read! I didn’t want it to end!
Read if looking for:
a tale of friendship
magic mirrors
powerful vows
Read if looking for:
a tale of friendship
magic mirrors
powerful vows
jenayross's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
hadiqa01's review against another edition
3.0
The ending was epic just like the starting. I died find it stupid when she suggested that the witch should go for a trial etc. Like wtf? No one in their right mind would choose such route because duh witches were considered evil beings. Smh! That was the dumbest thing in the book *eye roll* plus I felt, their meetings, draggy :/.
And the witch reminded me of Maleficent :p.
And the witch reminded me of Maleficent :p.
canderson's review
3.0
I went out and purchased Broken Wish because I came across the second book in this series, Shattered Midnight, on NetGalley and I was intrigued. After reading, and then moving on to Shattered Midnight, you can read these novels as stand-alones since they take place generations apart from each other.
The novel was a quick read and of course beautiful, as fairytales normally are. This novel felt like a combination of Hansel & Gretel and Sleeping Beauty. Taking place in Germany during the late 1800s, magic and witchery are set loose. Broken promises lead to age-old curses and true love isnt't always what it seems.
Broken Wish is the first in the Mirror Series - a retelling collection that follows generations of those blessed with magic and the lives they have been simultaneously blessed and cursed with.
A fun, whimsy read. Recommended for those who enjoy retellings with roots firmly planted in the Grimm Brothers world.
The novel was a quick read and of course beautiful, as fairytales normally are. This novel felt like a combination of Hansel & Gretel and Sleeping Beauty. Taking place in Germany during the late 1800s, magic and witchery are set loose. Broken promises lead to age-old curses and true love isnt't always what it seems.
Broken Wish is the first in the Mirror Series - a retelling collection that follows generations of those blessed with magic and the lives they have been simultaneously blessed and cursed with.
A fun, whimsy read. Recommended for those who enjoy retellings with roots firmly planted in the Grimm Brothers world.