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A review by outsidestar
The Forbidden Wish by Jessica Khoury
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Where has this gem of a book been my whole life?
I’ll tell you where: sitting in my TBR pile.
This is a retelling of Aladdin and I was kind of skeptical going into it because there are few things I love more than a good retelling. But they are hard to get. Why? Because they’re tricky. You need to be able to stick to the bones of the original tale so that it reads like a retelling and not something entirely different, but you also don’t want to be telling the same story all over again. And this one was absolutely flawless.
I’ll tell you where: sitting in my TBR pile.
This is a retelling of Aladdin and I was kind of skeptical going into it because there are few things I love more than a good retelling. But they are hard to get. Why? Because they’re tricky. You need to be able to stick to the bones of the original tale so that it reads like a retelling and not something entirely different, but you also don’t want to be telling the same story all over again. And this one was absolutely flawless.
“I am a jinni, Aladdin. Never think I am anything but heartless”
We still have Aladdin, who finds the magic lamp and wishes to become a prince in order to marry the princess. And we still have the evil vizier who dreams to become all-powerful and rule over everyone else. But we also have Zahra, the jinni inside the lamp. It is through her eyes that we are told this story and it’s beautifully done.
“Wishes have a way of twisting themselves, and there is nothing more dangerous than getting your heart's desire.”
We’re thrown into a world where the humans and the jinn have been at war for 500 years. A world where jinn are made and every wish comes at a price. We get not only a slow burn, beautiful romance, but also a lot of magic, jinn politics and a fearless princess who needs no man to help her rule. And we get the story of what happened 500 years ago between Zahra and the Queen of the Amulens, to whom she tells this story.
“Even a thief may have honor, and even a jinni may have a heart.”
I don’t know what it is about the whole Arabian, 1001 nights vibes but it gets me every time. It kinda reminded me in some way of The Wrath and the Dawn (which I realized I really need to re-read because I remember nothing about it). It has the same atmosphere that captivates you and just sucks you in. And they’re both heavy on the romance. All I can say is that if you liked one, you will most probably like the other. And if you haven’t read them, do yourself a favor and go pick them up right now.
“He is the sun, and I am the moon. We must stay apart or the world will be thrown out of balance.”
I loved this, in case it wasn't clear enough.