Name: Wish
ISBN: 9780545139052

Alexandra Bullen

After her vivacious twin sister dies, Olivia Larsen, a shy teenager, moves with her parents to San Francisco, where she meets a mysterious seamstress who grants her one wish, thanks to a magically-crafted dress.

A Novel

Wish

Manda

In Alexandra Bullen's debut novel, Wish, Olivia Larsen is starting life in a new school and a new city. The reason behind her families big move is not what most would expect. Last summer, Violet, Olivia's twin sister, passed away. Moving to San Fransisco is a fresh start for Olivia and her parents, but not necessarily the start Olivia is ready for. When a visit to a seamstress brings her three wishes, Olivia can't help but wish for Violet back. With her sister by her side again and two more wishes to make, Olivia has to learn to live life and take things as they come. A tale of sisterhood, loss and living life to the fullest, Wish is more than just a fairy tale.


I really enjoyed this novel. I decided to read it solely on the fact that it had a pretty cover and the synopsis sounded like a fun and relaxing, Young Adult read. I was pleasantly surprised when I was immediately drawn into this story and had a hard time tearing myself away. For the most part it's a funny and bubbly story of young love, fairy tales, and magic, but there is also a bit of a tear jerker and some emotional times. The characters are lovable and enduring and you will absolutely adore Olivia. She has this amazing charisma and personality that makes her an fantastic lead character. I was expecting major fluff and a quick, easy read and I got so much more. I can honestly say that Wish is up there with my favorite books so far in 2010 and I can't wait to read more from Alexandra Bullen. This has been an amazing year to date for YA novels and Bullen's debut novel, Wish, is among the bests.


Review originally posted on my blog Draw A Blank.
 
Disclosure of Material Connection: I got this book from my local public library! I can say whatever I want. :)

Alexandra Mellas

Original Language: English
Publisher: Point
Country: USA
Publication Date: Jan-2010
ISBN: 978-0545139052
Page Count: 336

If you could have anything, what would you wish for? The impossible...or a real chance at being happy? Olivia Larsen's twin sister, Violet, is dead. Olivia knows nothing that can change that . . . until the day she receives a beautiful dress. The dress doesn't just look magical: it has the power to grant wishes. And all Olivia wants is her sister back. But Violet's return isn't what Olivia expected. As love, secrets, betrayal, and a haunted past collide, Olivia begins to wonder what a wish is worth . . . and if her life will ever look the same.

Wish is the debut novel of Alexandra Bullen. It follows the story of Olivia, a young girl struggling to deal with the death of her twin sister, after her family moves to California. In Olivia, Bullen has created a protagonist Readers want to empathise with. She is a sweet and self-concious girl who feels neglected by her DYI Father and workaholic Mother. 

Wish is a fantastic find, in a carbon copy Twilight world of supernatural young adult fiction. Olivia develops through the book and learns how to live and cope with Violet's death.

Fashion is a central theme of the novel. Posey, the magical seamstress who gifts Olivia with the dresses, stands in the role of Fairy Godmother to Olivia's Cinderella. Clearly fashion as a magical tool is not a new one yet Bullen manages to weave it into a whole new story. Three dresses, three wishes. Bullen's novel is riddled with subtle fairy tale references making the idea a more poignant one. 

The one thing I really admired about Wish was the emotion. When Olivia was sad, I felt sad, when Olivia felt guilty, I felt guilty too. There is one particularly intense family moment towards the end that had me in tears. Bullen has learnt how to share her character with her readers.

An excellent debut novel, Wish is a great read for a young adult audience. Read more about Posey and her magical dresses in Wishful Thinking (released Jan 2011).

Wish A Novel

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