The Wishing Game - SFBA Book Club

304 pages

Published May 30, 2023 by Ballatine Books.

ISBN:: 978-0-593-59883-2

(1 review)

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.

“Meg Shaffer’s beautiful novel is part Willy Wonka, part magical realism, and wholly moving.”—JODI PICOULT

Make a wish. . . .

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, 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 …

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.

“Meg Shaffer’s beautiful novel is part Willy Wonka, part magical realism, and wholly moving.”—JODI PICOULT

Make a wish. . . .

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, 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. . . .

Just when Lucy is about to give up, Jack Masterson announces he’s finally written a new book. Even better, he’s holding a contest on his private island where four hand-picked readers will compete to win the only copy. At age thirteen, Lucy fled her unhappy home and showed up on Jack Masterson’s doorstep, hoping to live with her favorite author. Thirteen years later, a sky-blue envelope arrives with Lucy's name on it, postmarked "Clock Island."

For Lucy, a chance to read the first Clock Island book in years is a prize worth fighting for, but the possibility of winning, selling the manuscript, and securing a better future for her and Christopher means everything.

But first, Lucy must contend with ruthless book collectors, wily opponents, and the distractingly handsome (and grumpy) Hugo Reese, illustrator of the Clock Island books and Jack’s only friend. Meanwhile, Jack “the Mastermind” Masterson is plotting the ultimate twist ending that could change all their lives forever.

. . . You might just get it.

1 edition

KnitAFett reviewed The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

oof

2 stars

I have a few things to say on this book. I'm going to try to explain these in a way that won't spoil the book.

Overall, I found the book to be fun, easy-going and well paced. It's like an adult version of Willy Wonka but instead of going to the chocolate factory, these adults get invited back to Clock Island (which all of the contestants has previously ran away to) to partake in a mysterious game. This did not bother me. I saw the ending coming from the first quarter of the book, but I still found it enjoyable to get through.

Now I have 2 major gripes with this, and 1 minor one. I'll save the minor one for last since that's the more spoilery one.

First up is Lucy, a teacher's aide; and Christopher, a child in foster care. I could not stand Lucy right from the …

I have a few things to say on this book. I'm going to try to explain these in a way that won't spoil the book.

Overall, I found the book to be fun, easy-going and well paced. It's like an adult version of Willy Wonka but instead of going to the chocolate factory, these adults get invited back to Clock Island (which all of the contestants has previously ran away to) to partake in a mysterious game. This did not bother me. I saw the ending coming from the first quarter of the book, but I still found it enjoyable to get through.

Now I have 2 major gripes with this, and 1 minor one. I'll save the minor one for last since that's the more spoilery one.

First up is Lucy, a teacher's aide; and Christopher, a child in foster care. I could not stand Lucy right from the getgo. It wasn't her character so much, but the fact that she has adamantly told Christopher that she is going to be his mom while she's struggling to even be an adult on her own. This is truly disturbing to me because I could not even begin to think it would ever be ok to make promises that big to a child ever, especially when you're having a hard time just taking care of yourself. She is blindsided when the social worker tells her she should give up on it because she would not be a stable environment for him. So she was making these big plans to adopt/foster him herself and telling him she was going to without actively having a serious discussion on what that would entail and what she would need to do to make it happen. 🤦‍♀️ I wanted to yell so many times during these moments.

Next up is Lucy and Hugo. Their relationship gave me some ick. Now, it's not the age gap that did it, because really it's not super crazy, it's the fact that he met and interacted with her as a teen and is now lusting after her that just didn't really make me want to root for them. YMMV on this one obviously.

SPOILERY MOMENT This one is very much just a me issue. So for the minor gripe, it bothered me that Amanda drowned on her way to the island and that it was all wrapped up nicely with NDAs and everything to protect Jack. Now, I know that Jack made it clear that he was not happy with the outcome of that and it's what caused him to stop writing. But it still just didn't sit well with me.