Book Review :: The Wish Granter by CJ Redwine

The Wish Granter by C.J. Redwine
ISBN: 0062360302
Series: Ravenspire #2
Also in this series: The Shadow Queen
Published by Balzer + Bray
on 14 February 2017
Genres: Magic, Retelling, Young Adult
Pages: 432
Goodreads

The world has turned upside down for Thad and Ari Glavan, the bastard twins of Súndraille’s king. Their mother was murdered. The royal family died mysteriously. And now Thad sits on the throne of a kingdom whose streets are suddenly overrun with violence he can’t stop.

Growing up ignored by the nobility, Ari never wanted to be a proper princess. And when Thad suddenly starts training Ari to take his place, she realizes that her brother’s ascension to the throne wasn’t fate. It was the work of a Wish Granter named Alistair Teague who tricked Thad into wishing away both the safety of his people and his soul in exchange for the crown.

So Ari recruits the help of Thad’s enigmatic new weapons master, Sebastian Vaughn, to teach her how to fight Teague. With secret ties to Teague’s criminal empire, Sebastian might just hold the key to discovering Alistair’s weaknesses, saving Ari’s brother—and herself.

But Teague is ruthless and more than ready to destroy anyone who dares stand in his way—and now he has his sights set on the princess. And if Ari can’t outwit him, she’ll lose Sebastian, her brother…and her soul.

Last updated on 13 June 2023

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What is The Wish Granter by C.J. Redwine about?

The Wish Granter is the story of Thad and Arianna Glavan. Their world is turned upside down when their mother is murdered, and they are forced to flee the city … and the royal family begins hunting them.

Unexpectedly, the royal family meets a mysterious demise, and Thad seizes the throne. But there’s more to his ascension than meets the eye (dun dun dun!). Thad struck a dangerous deal with the cunning Wish Granter named Alistair Teague, who tricked him into sacrificing his soul for safety and power. Classic bad guy, amiright?

Enter Arianna, our courageous and witty protagonist who isn’t thrilled about the whole princess thing. She embarks on a quest to break the wish and restore Thad’s soul. Alongside Sebastian, the kingdom’s new weapons master, Arianna delves into Teague’s dark schemes. But Teague knows Arianna’s weaknesses, and the stakes become increasingly dire with each passing day.

My thoughts on The Wish Granter

The Wish Granter was a really fun read, and as you can see by my star rating, it was a 3.5-star read for me (though 3 on Goodreads). I do love a fairytale retelling, but only if it’s done well (and I’ve read some great ones and some terrible ones), and I have to say, that this one was really excellent.

Arianna shines as a fearless and quick-witted main character, standing up for what she believes in and protecting those around her. Thad was a bit of a flake, but every story needs one, right? And then there’s Teague, the quintessential villain who embodies all the cunning and malevolence you’d expect from a Rumpelstiltskin-like character. Let’s not forget Sebastian, the charming weapons master, whose love story with Arianna unfolds beautifully on the pages.

“There’s a restless, pent-up power in the sea, and you know if it ever decided to stop respecting its boundaries, it could destroy you. But it does respect its boundaries. It stays where it should, so its power feels safe. When you stand here, surrounded by mystery and beauty and power, you feel safe.”

Redwine’s storytelling is rather enchanting. She takes familiar tales and weaves them into something fresh and exhilarating, captivating readers with her unique spin. And while The Wish Granter is the second book in the Ravenspire series, you can enjoy it without having read the first instalment. Although there are references to the previous book, they’re not many and that won’t keep you from enjoying this one.

If you’re a fan of young adult novels with a fantastical or fairy tale twist, The Wish Granter is a great option for your reading. Redwine’s storytelling will transport you into a world of magic and adventure, and yes, I definitely could have done with more.

Have you read The Wish Granter by C.J. Redwine? What did you think?

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Disclaimer: I posted my first written review of this book over on Blogger’s Bookshelf in 2017.