My Goodreads review: The Wishing Game

[ankh_hpl]

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


[Disclaimer: I received an ARC through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.]

Although not a conventional fantasy -- no magic, no fae, no dragons -- this novel still felt more like fantasy than mainstream to me. And that's a very good thing, in this increasingly bleak
world.

The wishing game itself involves a young elementary classroom aide, Lucy Hart, and the little boy she's hoping to foster / adopt. She has no real chance of qualifying to do this. He has no real chance of becoming her son -- yet both, inspired by a magical children's book series about Clock Island, continue to wish. And, most importantly, to be brave.

The game quickly threatens to become reality. Lucy gets a chance to compete for the first-in-years new Clock Island book. The self-exiled writer of the books finally emerges. His devoted friend and cover artist sees a chance of getting on with his life. Three other players, all with their own compelling back stories, join the competition -- and the plot speeds on, sometimes feeling slightly removed from reality, but mostly delivering exactly what the reader is hoping for, thought seldom as expected.

Admittedly, there's also a sizable helping of darkness in this novel. Child abuse, neglect, and family tragedy figure prominently in all the characters' lives, but so does the comfort and wisdom only beloved books can provide.




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