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A review by morethanmylupus
The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
adventurous
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? No
5.0
What if Willy Wonka, eccentricities and all, was a children's book author?
I love books about mysterious children's book authors, and this one did NOT disappoint. I stayed up reading this until 3am (on a work night!) because I couldn't put it down.
Jack Masterson is mysterious, full of little riddles, and more than a little kooky. He's a recluse who lives on a circular island that he's designed to match the places in his Clock Island series. But Jack has a big heart and he tries to help the children who write to him. That's how we end up with a big contest with 4 children he helped in the past competing to win the rights to a brand new, long-awaited, Clock Island book. The have to solve riddles, prove their knowledge of the books, and face their biggest fears to win.
Lucy Hart is our main character and while she loves Clock Island, her true purpose in competing is to make some money so she can adopt Christopher, a foster child who already sees her as family. This found family theme carries throughout the book in so many ways for a number of characters. It's beautifully done and doesn't feel forced (as can often happen with found family themes).
If you like riddles, stories about found family, and mysterious children's book authors I highly recommend this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the opportunity to review this book ahead of publication. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
I love books about mysterious children's book authors, and this one did NOT disappoint. I stayed up reading this until 3am (on a work night!) because I couldn't put it down.
Jack Masterson is mysterious, full of little riddles, and more than a little kooky. He's a recluse who lives on a circular island that he's designed to match the places in his Clock Island series. But Jack has a big heart and he tries to help the children who write to him. That's how we end up with a big contest with 4 children he helped in the past competing to win the rights to a brand new, long-awaited, Clock Island book. The have to solve riddles, prove their knowledge of the books, and face their biggest fears to win.
Lucy Hart is our main character and while she loves Clock Island, her true purpose in competing is to make some money so she can adopt Christopher, a foster child who already sees her as family. This found family theme carries throughout the book in so many ways for a number of characters. It's beautifully done and doesn't feel forced (as can often happen with found family themes).
If you like riddles, stories about found family, and mysterious children's book authors I highly recommend this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the opportunity to review this book ahead of publication. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse and Child death