The Forbidden Wish

Synopsis
Zahra is a powerful jinni, hidden away in a lost city for five hundred years, until one day she's found by a thief named Aladdin. Promised freedom by the jinni king if she completes a special task, Zahra finds herself falling in love with Aladdin. But love between humans and jinni is forbidden, with terrible consequences. Will she chose love or freedom?

Review
This is a wonderful retelling of Aladdin. Jessica Zhoury's vibrant writing drew me in, creating a lush, magical world populated with interesting characters and complicated history. The story is written as if Zahra is talking to her long-dead friend Roshana, who was once a powerful queen, and it works.

Zahra is a beautiful character: fully sympathetic, strong and powerful, but with insecurities and regrets. She has lived a long time, seen kingdoms rise and fall, and struggles to redeem a love she once betrayed. Overall, Zahra fights to protects those she loves. Besides her character, I loved her playful personality and quick wit, and how she could shape shift (some of the havoc she causes by doing so was hilarious).

Aladdin is similar to the well-known Disney version in name only. He is also a well-rounded character; a poor boy who seeks vengeance for the death of his parents, but along the way he finds something better to live for. His character is there mostly as a love interest for Zahra, as the women do the fighting in this novel (something else I loved).

Princess Caspina and her Watchmaidens are fierce, kick-ass warriors that seek to better the kingdom. Caspina especially is a strong woman, fighting to rule on her own, away from the poisonous grip and nefarious plans of her uncle Sulifer and her misogynistic cousin, Darian.

The love story is central to the plot but not the sole focus. It is well-paced, slow-burning, and the first couple scenes where they kiss were deliciously swoon-worthy! The pacing of the book was perfect, each event building to create more suspense and a sense of impending doom and drawing us closer to the characters.

Overall, an imaginative and exquisite retelling of a classic story. Highly recommend!!!

Rating
I give this book 4.5 stars.

Details
Genre: YA, Fantasy.
Language: None.
Sex: Just some great kissing!
Violence: Some fighting, not graphic.

Comments

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