Book review: The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

My Rating: 4.5⭐ 

“I want to live on a magical island with my favorite author and be his sidekick……”

Who wouldn’t want that? Twenty-six-year-old Lucy Hart, remembers the time she ran away from home at the age of thirteen to meet Jack Masterson, a famous children’s book author whose Clock Island series captured the hearts and imagination of generations of readers. She did meet the author, though her plans to stay with him didn’t quite pan out. The series remains her favorite and she shares that love with seven-year-old Christopher a student of hers, recently orphaned and now in foster care. Lucy carries the pain of an unhappy childhood and cares deeply for Christopher. She dreams of becoming his foster parent and eventually adopting him. However, her meager income as a teacher’s aide and less than suitable living arrangements make her an unsuitable candidate for the same. When her favorite author invites her to participate in a contest to win the only copy of his new manuscript, written after an almost six-year hiatus, Lucy jumps at the opportunity to visit Clock Island, Masterson's private island in Maine that is modeled after the setting for his books. Not only is she excited to meet her favorite author once again but winning the contest would greatly improve Lucy’s financial situation and thus, her chances of being approved as a guardian for Christopher.

“What did the kids in the books have to do to get their wishes? First, they had to make a wish. Then they had to get to Clock Island. After that, they answered riddles or played strange games. Then they had to face their fears.”

On Clock Island, Lucy meets her co-contestants – three others like herself who had once run away from unhappy situations at home when they were children to meet “The Mastermind” who they believed had the power to make their wishes come true. Now as adults, they are back at Clock Island and they all have their reasons for wanting to with the contest. Lucy also meets Hugo Reese again, the illustrator for the series. Jack’s contest consists of a series of games and riddles and ultimately just like the characters in his books, a special challenge wherein they would have to face their fears. But news of Jack Masterson’s new book is making waves and there are scheming lawyers, book collectors and publishers to get their hands on that coveted manuscript. Lucy has a lot on her plate –dodging shady people with their shadier offers, her dynamic with Hugo, the stress of winning the contest and securing a future for Christopher and herself- and it’s not going to be an easy ride.

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer is a beautiful story. Remember Willy Wonka? Instead of a chocolate factory, here get to have a look at Masterson's “writing factory” fully equipped with a huge collection of typewriters and his raven, Thurl Ravenscroft, also his “co-writer”. The narrative is shared for the most part from Lucy’s perspective and a few chapters from that of Hugo with excepts from one of the Clock Island books interspersed throughout the narrative. Jack Masterson is a quirky character with a heart of gold. Lucy Hart is endearing and I was invested in her story from the very beginning. Her journey is one of catharsis and growth. The dynamics between the Jack and Hugo and Lucy and Christopher - the friendship, concern and empathy and sense of family will touch your heart. Christopher did seem a bit mature for his age but his reservations can be explained by the trauma he has endured. I also liked that the author also looks at the potential perils involved when impressionable minds are influenced to embark on risky ventures. Some moments will break your heart and others will have your heart singing with joy. Overall this a lovely story that touches on themes of family, childhood, loss, kindness, love and sacrifice.

As an introvert who grew up with her nose always in a book (Enid Blyton books, The Trixie Belden series, and The Chronicles of Narnia were among my favorite childhood series) and an adult who struggles to keep from squealing with excitement every time she visits The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Disney World (I read the Harry Potter books when I was well into my twenties), I was captivated by this story and the idea of Clock Island as the reclusive author’s not—so—humble abode. Meg Shaffer does a brilliant job of highlighting the role that books play in the lives of children (and adults) and the refuge they provide and in doing so reinforces the fact that books remain your constant companion through the darkest of times. Though not fantasy per se, this story is magical in its own way. Read this book with your heart and you won’t be disappointed!

Many thanks to author Meg Shaffer, Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine and NetGalley for the much-appreciated digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is due to be released on May 30, 2023.

“The stories write us, you see. We read something that moves us, touches us, speaks to us and it … it changes us.”