Wishtress by Nadine Brandes
Fantasy. 464 Pages. 5 Stars
Synopsis:
She didn’t ask to be the Wishtress.
Myrthe was born with the ability to turn her tears into wishes. It’s a big secret to keep. When a granted wish goes wrong, a curse is placed on her: the next tear she sheds will kill her. She needs to journey to the Well and break the curse before it claims her life–and before the king’s militairen track her down. But in order to survive the journey, she must harden her heart to keep herself from crying even a single tear.
He can stop time with a snap of his fingers.
Bastiaan’s powerful–and rare–Talent came in handy when he kidnapped the old king. Now the new king has a job for him: find and capture the Wishtress and deliver her to the schloss. But Bastiaan needs a wish of his own. When he locates Myrthe, he agrees to take her to the Well in exchange for a wish. Once she’s fulfilled her end of the deal, he’ll turn her in. As long as his growing feelings for the girl with a stone heart don’t compromise his job.
They are on a journey that can only end one way: with her death.
Everyone seems to need a wish–the king, Myrthe’s cousin, the boy she thinks she loves. And they’re ready to bully, beg, and even betray her for it. No one knows that to grant even one of them, Myrthe would have to die. And if she tells them about her curse . . . they’ll just kill her anyway.
My Review:
Guuyyyssss, first off, is that cover not GORGEOUS?! Seriously, drool-worthy right there. That stunning cover cannot go unnoted.
Man, this book was a roller coaster of emotions! I learned early on (from A Time to Die) that Nadine doesn’t pull punches. She’s the kind of author who makes me a lil nervous cause I never know how far she’ll go to torment my beloved characters! But that’s one of the things I admire in her and aspire to emulate one day! But anyway, there were so many times in this book I was like “nooooo!” I was yelling at the book, y’all. And that climax *clutches my chest* It was so intense. The plot drew me in and trapped me. I already want to re-read it XD
I can’t lie, from the first page I was sucked in. The tone and events in the opening chapter mesmerized me. And the prose is just absolutely beautiful. There were several quotes I just wanted to soak in and enjoy. The world itself was dripping in so many tangible pieces. I loved how the culture came to life and the seasons played such an integral part in the story. Tonally this book just settled into my heart. I loved it. The Talent vs. Bane concept was so cool and as Nadine does, she took it to such a deep level that challenges and inspires me. Thematically, Nadine asks hard questions. She isn’t afraid of tough topics, but she tackles them with such grace.
Bastiaan! GUYS! Oh my heart. He stole it. And Runt. I adored his loyalty. Myrthe’s struggle was so raw and real. And Coralythe definitely put me on edge for like the entire book. I felt so wary of her and anxious about what she’d do next. AND. THE. ENDING. Okay, I don’t care what anyone else has said, it was perfect. Except it made me want more! I so very much hope Nadine returns to this world and shows us hopefully more of these characters!
Just go get it! Read it! Love it!
Content: there’s no swearing, some fantasy violence, some darker themes (balanced with sweet, beautiful, life-giving hope) that would be great for fostering discussions, and a heart-melting romance. I’d probably recommend 15+ just because there are some hard bits in here, but the book is clean and beautifully laced with truth.