story craft

Genre: YA Fantasy

Format: Hardcover

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Favorite quote: “You and I both know that you are not to be underestimated. . . . You can do anything you set your mind to.”

Review:

Okay, I know in the last Ravenspire post I said I didn’t have a favorite, and generally speaking, I’m not even a fan of Rumplestiltski. But y’all. This book got me. CJ Redwine set the bait with a beautiful cover and compelling first book, and I bought it (literally) hook, line, and sinker.

One of the coolest things about this book is that neither our hero nor heroine or any of their friends have magic—but their enemy sure does, and oh boy, does he let them know it. Again and again and again.

Magic got our main crew into their mess in the first place, but they couldn’t use it to save themselves, so what were Ari (Arianna), Theo, Sebastian, and Cleo to do? The spunky Ari always has some kind of plan brewing, and that might just be the thing to save them all—if the overly cautious and protective Sebastian doesn’t put a stop to it, that is.

But when her brother’s life is on the line, Ari will give up everything, even her very soul, to see him and their kingdom freed from the tyrannical rule of Alistair Teague, wish granter and exiled fae.

Ari isn’t your typical princess. Born as the result of an affair of the previous king, Ari and Theo don’t quite fit into the royal world. Though Theo’s father taught him to rule just in case, Ari is the type to fill her purse with snacks and chocolate just to make it through all the ridiculous royal affairs. Honestly, I can get on board with that.

Then there’s Sebastian—precious, quiet, secretive, and shy royal weapons expert. He’d rather keep to himself of course, but Ari will have none of that. And once she works her way under his skin and into his heart, well, Sebastian won’t have it that way either.

These two and their will to overcome all while being self-sacrificing and incredibly lovable will make you wish they were your real life friends. You’ll certainly cheer them on in every misadventure, though.

This book was a bit heavier overall, so Redwine did a fantastic job of giving us comic relief through Ari. She’s real and relatable, quirky, and filled with good humor. I think that’s probably why she and Sebastian and Theo make an appearance in each of the following Ravenspire novels. I just couldn’t let go of them, and it seems Redwine couldn’t either. And after you read The Wish Granter, you’ll probably say, “Who can blame her?”

My take:

Nothing is ever so bad as it seems. Hold on to hope. Use your brain. You can overcome with the help of God and good friends. A little magic doesn’t hurt either.