Scan barcode
rylaenna's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Miscarriage
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. I’m 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: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
melchncookies's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Cozy mystery.
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Child death, Drug use, Miscarriage, and Death of parent
kencil's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Drug use
kpflea's review against another edition
- 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: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Miscarriage
notbrhymes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
What a beautiful, beautiful story brimming with love and whimsy and so much humanity. My heart was broken and repaired multiple times throughout this novel and I think it is such a feat when an author can accomplish that while also having an otherwise interesting story.
I read this in one sitting and I couldn’t be happier that I decided to ignore the other books that I had due back to the library much sooner & I picked this one up instead.
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Drug abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer
knightylight's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Medical trauma, and Pregnancy
Minor: Homophobia and Pedophilia
This book feels like a coming of age movie- but if coming of age happened when you were 26+- mixed with the feeling of watching a Hallmark Christmas Movie. There's a lot of heavy themes here, but there's also a lot of heart and fun moments too. A lot of these characters have been through a lot of terrible things- sadly not anything unusual in our day and age. But despite all of it, it's definitely a story about hope, and "finding your village" as the story puts it. This book is a good contemporary fiction for those wanting to be reminded of the importance of community and making wild wisheskarapillar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Eating disorder
mdavis26's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Incest, Miscarriage, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
caseylovett's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Minor: Child death, Drug use, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Abandonment