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jfortney23's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Incest, and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer and Miscarriage
ixris's review against another edition
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A very easy read, which would not be a bad thing except that the writer will repeat herself sometimes on the same page, sometimes in the next sentence. The amount of things I had to stop and reread because surely the redundancy was a misread on my part (it wasn't) was more than I care to admit and made the reading unpleasant at times.
The plot focuses on a woman who (to me, a person who spent nine years as a childcare aide) is the least believable depiction of a struggling poverty class worker let alone a childcare worker and how she is enamored with the MPDG of an old man who invites her to return to his Defunctland vibe private island and falling in love with his grumpy live in illustrator (Sorry she's not sunshine tho).
A lot of this was really trite to me but maybe I'm not the right audience. It was a coherent plot and structurally sound, and I quite liked the flirting scenes - our FMC and her MLI really had a good vibe overall.
You could spot this plot from space though.
The plot focuses on a woman who (to me, a person who spent nine years as a childcare aide) is the least believable depiction of a struggling poverty class worker let alone a childcare worker and how she is enamored with the MPDG of an old man who invites her to return to his Defunctland vibe private island and falling in love with his grumpy live in illustrator (Sorry she's not sunshine tho).
A lot of this was really trite to me but maybe I'm not the right audience. It was a coherent plot and structurally sound, and I quite liked the flirting scenes - our FMC and her MLI really had a good vibe overall.
You could spot this plot from space though.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Rape, Terminal illness, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Third act trauma dumpericj32's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- 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
This novel taps into the special kind of excitement that many lonely kids feel about their favorite books as an escape to a place where they can imagine their wishes coming true. The structure of the plot and overall sense of childlike wonder feels very similar to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, except it revolves around an eccentric and mysterious author of beloved children’s books. The first few chapters felt disjointed and jumped around quite a bit, introducing a lot of different characters, but once I met the young orphaned Christopher, I was invested. There are some holes in the plot and not all of the details really feel very realistic but if you suspend a little disbelief, it’s an enjoyable ride. I felt like the book set reasonable expectations that it would be a loosely realistic near-fantasy, in the vein of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, so I didn’t get bogged down in the questionable ethics and legality of Lucy’s relationship with Christopher when she was promising to adopt him while still being a teacher’s aide at his school. The relationship between Christopher and Lucy made me tear up more than once. I was less invested in the love story and the subplot with Lucy’s ex. The subplot about Lucy’s own sister and parents was interesting, but felt a little underdeveloped. I also wish that there had been a few more puzzles and riddles in the book, as I enjoyed solving those that were included. I definitely felt a rush of anticipation as the contest began, and the contest wasn’t quite as involved as fun as I’d hoped it would be. But this was overall a very engaging read with so much heart that I can’t be too critical. There is more wisdom than you’d expect in this kind of book about what it takes to find happiness and be brave and what things are worth fighting for.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Chronic illness, and Drug abuse
adventurebound7's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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
3.25
A love letter to children who loved reading and never quite grew up. This book really saved itself in the second half. What I liked best was Jack's way of caring about kids. What I liked least was the forced and unnecessary romance between two of the characters. A more subtle romance would have been more appropriate given the main plot point of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Death
Moderate: Cancer and Child abuse
chronic_listener's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer and Miscarriage
hdoomk's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Miscarriage, and Death of parent
hilivingston7's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It felt like a warm hug. Willy wonka meets Peter pan with a therapist. Love the nuanced approach to dreams and encouraging children’s spirits, while not promising life is fair. The letters from Christopher to the mastermind had me 😭
I think the critique of Lucy’s relationship with Christopher is fair, but also think the difference of one person who really cares can make in a child’s life. I also didn’t like that her love interest meets her when she’s underage.
I think the critique of Lucy’s relationship with Christopher is fair, but also think the difference of one person who really cares can make in a child’s life. I also didn’t like that her love interest meets her when she’s underage.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
karina_dreamsinwords's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I’m happy to report my 5⭐️ drought of July is OVER!!
I think I read this story exactly when I needed it. This had me crying many times, with a constant stream of tears for the last 25%. I can’t quite explain the hope & joy Meg Shaffer weaved into this delightful little gem, but this was an absolute pleasure to read.
This gave me the feels similar to one of my favorites— The House in the Cerulean Sea, so if you also loved that book, give this one a try.
I think I read this story exactly when I needed it. This had me crying many times, with a constant stream of tears for the last 25%. I can’t quite explain the hope & joy Meg Shaffer weaved into this delightful little gem, but this was an absolute pleasure to read.
This gave me the feels similar to one of my favorites— The House in the Cerulean Sea, so if you also loved that book, give this one a try.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer, Drug abuse, and Terminal illness
haileyhardcover's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The Wishing Game is perfection. A perfect blend of heartbreak and hope, wit and whimsy. I laughed, I cried. I raced to solve riddles and braved my own fears. I had so much fun on Clock Island.
I love stories that make you fall even more in love with stories. Books have been such an important part of my life, and I love when authors not only acknowledge what books mean to us, but write whole new stories just to honor and celebrate them! Who would we be without the books we’ve loved? I don’t care to know the answer.
The Wishing Game is like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory but for adults whose inner child is ready to come out. For a book set in the “real world” without any actual magic, it felt like I was reading a fantasy. Clock Island truly felt magical and is certainly a place where wishes do come true if you’re brave enough to ask.
I connected to this story personally on so many levels. You know a book was meant to find you when, halfway through, you’re already thinking about getting quotes and images tattooed on your body forever, because having them branded into your heart just isn’t enough.
The Wishing Game is perfectly paced and easy to binge-read if that’s your thing. It’s a quick read at just under 300 pages. Most of the chapters are quite short and even the longer ones move quickly enough that you don’t notice the difference. If you appreciate a good floppy paperback like I do, the publisher nailed this one - so easy to break in and then lays flat like a dream even from the first page! Also the cover?! Stunning! No notes.
In short, I highly, highly recommend The Wishing Game.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Bullying, Cancer, Homophobia, Incest, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and Outing
mj_86's review against another edition
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Chronic illness and Miscarriage
Minor: Cancer, Child abuse, and Drug abuse