Review: As You Wish

I have no (good) reason why it look me so long to post this, sorry:(

As You Wish by Jackson Pearce

Published: by HarperTeen- 8/25/09

Pages: 304

Series of Standalone? Standalone

Debut? 2009 Deb

Summary (from GoodReads):

Ever since Viola's boyfriend broke up with her, she has spent her days silently wishing—to have someone love her again and, more importantly, to belong again—until one day she inadvertently summons a young genie out of his world and into her own. He will remain until she makes three wishes.

Jinn is anxious to return home, but Viola is terrified of wishing, afraid she will not wish for the right thing, the thing that will make her truly happy. As the two spend time together, the lines between master and servant begin to blur, and soon Jinn can't deny that he's falling for Viola. But it's only after Viola makes her first wish that she realizes she's in love with Jinn as well . . . and that if she wishes twice more, he will disappear from her life—and her world—forever.

Jackson Pearce spins a magical tale about star-crossed lovers, what it means to belong . . and how important it is to be careful what you wish for.

Wow. I am writing this review with some time between the time I read this and now, and I am still in awe. What a great debut! And though 2009 was full of fabulous debut books, this is definitely a contender for my favorite 2009 debut!
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Before diving into more about the book, I'm going to give you a little back story. In early 2009 when I came across the 2009 Debs site, I also came across Jackson Pearce. I found her blog and it was so outstandingly funny that I had begun to "stalk" her. {Not in a creepy way- she lives to far away from me for that anyhow.} I began to check her blog everyday to see if there was a new post, and then continue to check it multiple times throughout the day. (Please note this is wayy before I started a blog of my own or had come across the wondrous book blogging community.) I then found her YouTube which was full of even more hilarities. Which led to my EXTREME want need for her book. (Closer to the release date I even checked my library's online catalog constantly to see when it was coming in- which took FOREVER btw.)
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Needless to say going into this book I was extremely psyched and had high hopes for this book. And the best thing was that this book did not disappoint, but instead it made me aware of new levels of awesome I hadn't known of before.
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As You Wish is a fast-paced read that digs its claws into you with it's hook and will keep you immersed the whole time with its epicness of action.

Literally from start to finish I was utterly captivated, there was no way I was going to be able to put it down- not even for a minute.

In addition, the characterization used by Pearce was fantastic. Usually theres at least one character/ character fault I don't like in a book, and I'm not sure how she did this, but Pearce was able to make me love every single character. Even the characters who weren't designed to be "liked" I still loved.

Viola. Oh my word, I ♥ Viola. She was truly an exceptional character. I really identified with her (though not her situation) and due to her relatability was able to connect with the book on a whole new level.

Jinn. Dibs! I looooooooove Jinn! If I were to ever find out that jinns are real, he would be mine. I can't even put it into words why he's so awesome. Sure he's cute, hilarious, and oh so sweet, but theres also something I can't put my finger on that makes him so awesome.

Lawrence. Again, I looooove him! He was so cute, I want one of him for my self.

Now, the ending. Gahhh! I don't want to give anything away, but I was supremely happy with the ending. It was a happy ending minus the "Disney" style happily ever after that are so often correlated with happy endings. Basically, it ended happy but not in a predictable over-dramatised way.

All in all, As You Wish was a wonderful read, and debut nonetheless. I don't know if you got the picture already but everything- the plot, the romance, the writing, the characters, the originality, the ending, the EVERYTHING- was simply fantastic. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a good "light" fantasy read*, but leaning more towards girls than guys.

When Hooked: Immediately.
Hookability: (10/10)
Writing: (9.5/10)
Characters: (9.5/10)
Plot: (10/10)
Originality: (9.5/10)
Romance: (9.5/10)
Ending: (9.5/10)
Remembarable: (9.5/10)
Recommendability: (9.5/10)
Enjoyability: (10/10)

Overall: (9.23/10)

(If you're a "letter person" 96.5/100= A)

*I am in no way trying to say that this is a "light" book that is shallow and lacks depth, because this is certainly not the case. I am only saying that as a fantasy novel it is on the lighter side in regards to the fantasy aspects of it.

Want More Jackson Pearce? Her sophomore novel Sisters Red, the first of a series, is set to release in Hardcover on July 7th, 2010 from Little Brown for Young Readers. The sequel Sweetly will release on an undetermined date in 2011.

You can find Jackson Pearce on:
her website/blog (http://jacksonpearce.com/)
her twitter (@JacksonPearce)
or on GoodReads (where she is a member)

You can find As You Wish at:
GoodReads / Borders / Barnes&Noble / Amazon / Indie