#the wishing game

[bigdreamsandwildthings]

Excited to read more from Meg after loving The Wishing Game 🖤

[sawthefaeriequeen]

‘God –or whoever is in charge of this planet—got drunk on the job one day and decided to give me the gift of writing. The way I see it, I have two choices. I can set that gift on a high shelf so it won’t get dinged up and nobody can make fun of me for playing with it.’ He smiled until the crinkles at the corners of his eyes were deep enough to hide state secrets. ‘Or I can have fun with it and play with the gift I was given until the engine burns out and the wheels come off. I decided to play. I suggest you do the same, young man. Go paint or draw or collage or whatever you want to do. Come back when there’s smoke coming off the canvas. And for God’s sake, go have some fun. Please?’

-The Wishing Game, Meg Shaffer

[bookcoversaroundtheworld]

The Wishing Game - Ukraine

[bangbangwhoa]

books I’ve read in 2023 📖 no. 065

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

“The only wishes ever granted are the wishes of brave children who keep on wishing even when it seems no one’s listening because someone always is.”

[dani-ellie03]

You guys. This book is absolutely delightful. I read the entire thing with a huge grin on my face. 10000/10.

[readinthedarkpod]

We don't promote bullying here. Except when one of us hasn't listened to Hozier's new album. Then, it gets personal. (Stream Unreal Unearth on Spotify you heathens!)

We promise, though, there is book talk happening as well. We discuss very good (and very bad) mental health representation in books, another sad and pathetic man to add to our collection, and our wildly impractical novel protagonist jobs!

Follow the hosts at @hazelsheartsworn @figonas @laequiem @adxmparriish

Books Discussed: The Heart Principle by Hellen Hoang The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

Books Mentioned: Two Wrongs Make a Right by Chloe Liese Take a Hint Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss Magic Tree House by Mary Pope Osborne A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron

[bookishpixiereads]

Currently reading The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer.

Anyone else finding the Lucy/Christopher relationship odd. Lucy is delusional or is that just me?

[mad-who-ra]

I aspire to be Jack Masterson kinda crazy writer.

[kbkirtley]

The Wishing Game - Meg Shaffer

My number 2 2023 release is The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer.

This is why I read books. To be transported to another place where anything feels possible. Children’s books are full of this, but so many books for adults don’t capture that same magic, even when they’re taking place in a more fantastical world, they don’t make you feel a part of that magic. But that’s exactly what Shaffer does with The Wishing Game. I found myself feeling nostalgic for a series that never existed, envious of the characters in the story that they got to experience the Clock Island books for themselves. George MacDonald said that he didn’t write books for children, but rather for those who were childlike, be they five, fifty, or seventy-five. I haven’t read a new book in a long time that felt like it was truer to that sentiment than The Wishing Game. Like Jack Masterson himself, Meg Shaffer is able to transport the reader, not just to this world she’s crafted or to Clock Island, but back to childhood itself, if only fleetingly. You may be able to tell how the book will end a few chapters in, but the magic of stories isn’t in the ending, but in the journey the author leads you on to get to that destination.

Shaffer lets the reader join Lucy, Christopher, Hugo, and Jack on the Clock Island Express for her debut journey. I’ll remember the stories of plenty of books I’ve read this year, but I don’t think l’ll hold the feeling that came with reading any of those other books as closely as I’ll hold the joy and wonder I felt reading The Wishing Game and I can’t think of a higher praise.

[thechanelmuse]

My Book Review

This book is...something. Sometimes when people give novels rave reviews that I end up feeling differently about, I close my book half-squinting in confusion and wonder "Is it me?" This time? Nah, it ain't me for a fact. It's them.

Here's the blurb:

Years ago, a reclusive mega-bestselling children’s author quit writing under mysterious circumstances. Suddenly he resurfaces with a brand-new book and a one-of-a-kind competition, offering a prize that will change the winner’s life in this absorbing and whimsical novel. Lucy Hart knows better than anyone what it’s like to grow up without parents who loved her. In a childhood marked by neglect and loneliness, Lucy found her solace in books, namely the Clock Island series by Jack Masterson. Now a twenty-six-year-old teacher’s aide, she is able to share her love of reading with bright, young students, especially seven-year-old Christopher Lamb, who was left orphaned after the tragic death of his parents. Lucy would give anything to adopt Christopher, but even the idea of becoming a family seems like an impossible dream without proper funds and stability. But be careful what you wish for. . . .

Feels all innocent and shit. Does it tug at your heartstrings?

Good things: I like the story within a story aspect of The Wishing Game that delivers a Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory-esque journey for adults filled with riddles and childlike wonder. A writing factory.

But, at the same time, 👀...there's some weird stuff going on here. Forget about the unpredictability within the story that aims to be a heartfelt, feel-good tale with serious themes of foster care and childhood neglect. For one, our 26-year-old main character, Lucy, displays an obsessive relationship with Christopher, who she longs to adopt, that readers may dismiss as inappropriate behavior because of the whimsical elements 🥴. Keep your lips to yourself and sit that boy in a chair.

And not to mention the budding romance between Lucy and Hugo, the illustrator of the fictional Clock Island series within this book...who first met when they were 13 and 25, respectively 🥴...and whom young Lucy found to be a "sexy punk artist" 🥴. I need you to understand this book has time jumps from past to present. *squints*

It ain't me. *bangs gavel*

SN: This is my 108th book this year.

[oracleofmadness]

Lovely story! It was a purely whimsical tale that really brightened my day!

Lucy has some grand plans but not a lot of money. However, her favorite childhood author creates a competition that only 4 lucky people can participate in on his magical Clock Island. The winner will receive the one and only copy of a new book by this author, giving them a chance to make millions.

This story almost reads like a contemporary fairytale at parts. I really enjoyed this but did think certain aspects were a bit underdeveloped and therefore just too farfetched, particularly the very real world aspects.

Recommend this as a fun and enjoyable read!

Out May 30, 2023!

[bigdreamsandwildthings]

📖🌲📚☀️

[nikoco11]

AAAGHHHHHHHHHHH

finally finished this i’m happy!!!!!! she’s one of my favorite designs in game and my favorite designs i’ve ever drawn wahaahaaaa

[passionforfic]

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

This is a sweet novel about second chances, healing and making wishes come true. It has a good balance between magic, romance and realism. The perception of the child and the look back as adults, crash in this story, balancing them both out. I think the story is really sweet and magical in its own adulting kind of way.

I recommend it.

[chipchopclipclop]

autonomy

[signourneybooks]

Pocket Reviews | Part 3 | Non-SFF

Nearing the end of 2023 I discussed the idea of mini reviews with Jenna from Falling Letters I believe (but don’t pin me down on that). I read so much and don’t always have the time nor enough opinions to write a whole review on them. But it also feels like a shame not to adress them at all. So now this new feature is born in which I will share mini reviews of all the other books that I read…