Reviews tagging 'Terminal illness'

Bir Dilek Oyunu by Meg Shaffer

56 reviews

kimberleyw12's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Addiction, Cursing, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment

chronic_listener's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

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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

libby_l96's review against another edition

emotional hopeful relaxing medium-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? No

3.75

Oh this was just too sweet! 
I found the clock island themes a little corny at first, but once I got into it, the storybook element brought an added richness.
The cosy imagery made me want to snuggle up under a blanket with some cocoa (and it's 30 degrees c and humid right now!).

Until the last 40 pages, i didn't really feel my heartstrings tugged too hard, but the way the game is rounded off with Christopher facing his fear really got me in the feels. A bit of a far-fetched fairytale ending, but with enough ups and downs along the way to make it work.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death and Terminal illness

TW/ Narcissistic parent

chartle's review against another edition

emotional inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse

Minor: Drug abuse, Miscarriage, and Terminal illness

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.

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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. 

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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

sydneylmeyer7's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Racism, Terminal illness, Medical content, Death of parent, and Abandonment

mhilt17's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment

Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship

alyssamhartley's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Wow wow wow! I don’t even know what to say about this book. It made me smile, laugh, cry, sob, and feel things I haven’t felt reading a book in a long time. Books like this remind me of why I love reading so much!

This story is so warm and cozy, but also has a lot of hopeful suspense. All the characters are written so beautifully and I love the way Christopher was written because I find that it’s really hard to find a well-written kid.

I really connect to this main character about wanting to be a mom so badly, but the way she written is just so real and honest and I adore her. 

I couldn’t recommend this book enough! If you want a warm story that is going to keep you on the edge of your seat, this is the book for you!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment

Moderate: Alcoholism and Miscarriage

Minor: Terminal illness

runbeck's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Miscarriage, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Moderate: Addiction, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Abortion, and Alcohol