Meg Shaffer

The Wishing Game

Rebecca Briesemeister

Lucy Hart, you are going to be fine. You are going to be even better than fine. You are going to be loved like you deserve to be loved. And you are going to bave a very magical life (if you want it; feel free to say no, as magic always comes with a price). Don't give up, Lucy. Always remember that the only wishes ever granted are the wishes of brave children who keep on wishing even when it seems no one is listening because someone always is. Someone like me. Keep wishing. I'm listening. 

He screamed. She screamed. When you gotta scream, you gotta scream.

"Oh, hes Albus Dumbledore, Willy Wonka, and Jesus Christ all rolled into one." If Dumbledore, Wonka, and Christ had depression and drank too much.

"Pacient?" She shook her head, laughed biterly."Since I was a litle girl, you've been promising Id be all right when 1 grew up. I am not all right. And now you bring us here to play this game for what? Because you think we're like kids in your stories who'll do anything you tell us to do? Even Clock Island is fake. Therere no storms in the bottles, and the train tracks go nowhere. Nowbere. Christopher is real, though. He mat- ters to me a billion times nore than any book, any game. And I'm not going to tell him that he has to wait until he grows up to be happy. He's going to be happy now, even if it kills me to make him happy" 

"Ive always believed that children should never have to worry about adults, that something's gone very wrong when they do"

"Why do only brave kids get their wishes granted?" she asked. "Because only brave children know that wishing is never enough. Yo have to try to make your own wishes come true.”

Angel 🖤

‘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 somewhere always is,’

He gave her that smile again, the smile that made the sun shine a little brighter.

Sarah

Four kids came here because they read a book that inspired them to be brave enough to ask for help. There is nothing braver than a child asking for help And bravery like that deserves rewarding

"That must have been hard. You should be proud of yourself"

"I’m a doctor. I was top of my class. I dont have to listen to this." Dustin raised his hands and stormed off, saying, "Bye. I'm out of here.”

"Can you come back to Clock Island? If you're brave enough, perhaps you”ll get that wish granted too.”

 "Why do only brave kids get their wishes granted?" she asked. “Because only brave children know that wishing is never enough. You have to try to make your own wishes come true." 

"Before we begin, let me say how wonderful it's been for me to have you all here. You kids, I mean. Not the lawyer.”

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. 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.

A Novel

this book was a super easy read and pretty cute overall.

why was the relationship even mentioned between hugo and lucy when she was 13 and he was 21. yes nothing happened back then but her calling him sexy……… and then they end up together and he makes comments about how grown up she is……. weird asf sorry

the overuse of the word sexy in general. maybe that’s just a pet peeve of mine but like cmon

ik the message is probably about how you need to ask for help and it takes a village to raise a kid blahblah but the overriding message i heard was you need to have rich connections and a guy to sort out all of your legal issues or you’re never going to be able to find happiness. like.. ok

this book was a super easy read and pretty cute overall.

criticism:

why was the relationship even mentioned between hugo and lucy when she was 13 and he was 21. yes nothing happened back then but her calling him sexy……… and then they end up together and he makes comments about how grown up she is……. weird asf sorry

the overuse of the word sexy in general. maybe that’s just a pet peeve of mine but like cmon

ik the message is probably about how you need to ask for help and it takes a village to raise a kid blahblah but the overriding message i heard was you need to have rich connections and a guy to sort out all of your legal issues or you’re never going to be able to find happiness. like.. ok

Jordan Chan 

Esse pode não ser o melhor livro já escrito, mas ele é como o melhor abraço que deixa o coração quentinho

Pedro Rodarte

Lauren R

Rebecca Hurd

This magical little story was everything I didn’t know that I needed…characters were amazing!! Plot was truly incredible and now I want to read the Clock Island series and visit Clock Island!! Tick-Tock Welcome to the Clock!!

a cute read that’s inspired by charlie and the chocolate factory! would recommend if you need a hopeful pick me up

Ianna Chia

Overall, I liked it, but I feel like it struggled to have a consistent tone. It wasn't light enough to be exclusively for young readers, but wasn't deep enough to be purely adult. The quote on the cover calling it "dark" is just not accurate. I would have liked to also see more of the actual game and gameplay, but after finishing the book, I sort of realize that the game itself wasn't really the point of the whole thing Jack was doing, so maybe that makes sense? 

Michelle Hruby

I can’t help but roll my eyes every other page with how the characters speak in this book as if they’ve been given all the most clever responses. The framing of the wildly inappropriate relationship of the main character and her student that she wants to adopt don’t make this a bad book, but they certainly don’t make it enjoyable to read through. 

Palpebra 

4.5 stars

oh this book was so lovely. like a warm hug. i also want jack masterson to be my dad. and hugo be mine too. basically i just want to be lucy.

and christopher, what a sweet angel. he deserves the world. god i wish the books from clock island were real because they sound so comforting, like a combination of roald dahl and lemony snicket.

this book was so healing for your inner child i enjoyed it very much.

I really enjoyed the set-up and everything about Clock Island. But I wanted it to focus more on the riddles and competition aspect. I also wanted more POVs. The book hinges on the 26yo MC reallllly wanting to adopt one of her students she met working as a Kindergarten Aid & I struggled with that side-plot.

Amelia

I liked it! It was a cute story. The ending had me tearing up when Lucy's wish came true. Becoming Christopher's mom and becoming Jacks sidekick. And, of course, the added bonus of falling for Hugo. I felt like there was maybe something missing. I just can't place it. But still a 4 star rating.

allison chen

so warm.. the romance subplot was also a nice surprise

This book has Hallmark Movie vibes and I mean that as the highest compliment. It’s earnest and sweet and easy. The characters are the kind of charming from the best Hallmark properties and the little island they inhabit straight out of a dream. I love Clock Island and devoured each bit of lore about the books within the books. I really enjoyed the Westing Game when I was younger and this gave me the same vibes. Although there were stumbles, particularly when it came to when past memories/information were revealed and the frankly perfectness of our protagonist, the ending is very satisfying so I forgive it those little trips. The last scene with her sister did get me in the feels. I liked what it had to say about personal perspective, even though I think the third person narrative didn’t allow the full potential of that theme.

Emma Miller

         My online book club selected this book for July 2023, otherwise it wouldn’t have really been on my radar (though it was a Book of the Month club add-on option, so I would have read it eventually).  Because it wasn’t at the top of the TBR, I really didn’t have high expectations.  I was pleasantly surprised!

            Many many years ago, I watched a movie about five kids that got invited to a candy wonderland.  I’m sure, at this point, that many people have seen that movie, or the remake that came much later.  This book is like the adult version of that movie (also based on a book, however, I never read it….don’t judge me).  I absolutely fell in love with this book after the first five pages.  I was immediately able to identify the similarities between the two stories, and my inner child burst forth with joy.  The biggest difference is that Jack, the literary genius behind the game, was truly a benevolent and kind man, with nothing but good intentions. 

            I thoroughly enjoyed Lucy’s character, from beginning to end.  She was one of those rare gems of a fictional person that was truly just a good person.  We don’t see a whole lot of those in fiction, unless the character in question is a child, but not even children are immune to being characterized as evil.  Lucy is open, honest, curious, and possibly a tad too trusting, but it worked for her.  I enjoyed reading about her journey through the games on the island, and her budding romance with the mysterious artist.  She was just delightful.

            I enjoyed all of the other players as well, even the guy who wasn’t the nicest.  In the end, this is just a neat story about neat people who did neat things.  It’s a rare type of story, and I loved every page.

Kristen Claiborn

         My online book club selected this book for July 2023, otherwise it wouldn’t have really been on my radar (though it was a Book of the Month club add-on option, so I would have read it eventually).  Because it wasn’t at the top of the TBR, I really didn’t have high expectations.  I was pleasantly surprised!

            Many many years ago, I watched a movie about five kids that got invited to a candy wonderland.  I’m sure, at this point, that many people have seen that movie, or the remake that came much later.  This book is like the adult version of that movie (also based on a book, however, I never read it….don’t judge me).  I absolutely fell in love with this book after the first five pages.  I was immediately able to identify the similarities between the two stories, and my inner child burst forth with joy.  The biggest difference is that Jack, the literary genius behind the game, was truly a benevolent and kind man, with nothing but good intentions. 

            I thoroughly enjoyed Lucy’s character, from beginning to end.  She was one of those rare gems of a fictional person that was truly just a good person.  We don’t see a whole lot of those in fiction, unless the character in question is a child, but not even children are immune to being characterized as evil.  Lucy is open, honest, curious, and possibly a tad too trusting, but it worked for her.  I enjoyed reading about her journey through the games on the island, and her budding romance with the mysterious artist.  She was just delightful.

            I enjoyed all of the other players as well, even the guy who wasn’t the nicest.  In the end, this is just a neat story about neat people who did neat things.  It’s a rare type of story, and I loved every page.

I picked this up on a whim, and I'm so glad I did. It felt so nostalgic and whimsical. I felt like I could go to the bookstore and find the Clock Island books alongside the Boxcar Children. Shaffer's writing was so easy to fall into, and I read this in one sitting because I didn't want to put it down. Lucy wasn't a perfect main character, but she was so earnest that you couldn't help but root for her. I loved her relationship with Christopher, and wanted to see them happy. I also liked seeing the romance bloom between her and Hugo. He was such a curmudgeon, but I loved it. Aside from the characters, I thought the plot was also well done. Jack comes across as a Willy Wonka-type character; he's eccentric, mischievous, and always seems one step ahead of everyone else. I still don't fully understand his reasoning behind singling Lucy out, but I loved how it all wrapped up. If you enjoy feel-good, found family stories, then this is a must-read.

Heather Harrington

This novel does a fantastic thing. It celebrates childhood whimsy and the power of stories while acknowledging that children can be deeply hurt during their formative years. I loved the light hand that Shaffer used and the nods to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Boxcar Children—a feel-good story.

Cheri McElroy

Four whimsical stars.

This novel does a fantastic thing. It celebrates childhood whimsy and the power of stories while acknowledging that children can be deeply hurt during their formative years. I loved the light hand that Shaffer used and the nods to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Boxcar Children—a feel-good story.