Esme's Wish

by Elizabeth Foster

• ISBN13: 9781925652246
• Publish Date: 30 October 2017
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: AU
• Imprint: Odyssey Books
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 254
• Language: English

Reviews

[phyllish]

A great fantasy series!

My rating is 4.5 stars

Esme's Wish is the first story in a fantasy trilogy for young adults. Well-written with a compelling plot that drew me in; I wanted to know more and more as I followed Esme and her friends through the mysterious city of Esperance as she searched for answers about her mother's disappearance.

Dragons and dreams. Sirens and shadows. Cities with canals for streets and water that can be breathed like air. This lovely tale is filled with enchanting creatures and an adventure leading Esme through dangers and mysteries. While some of the creatures are familiar from myths and fables, some were not and the story is imaginative and interesting.

While written for a younger audience, the language is not dumbed down as if middle-schoolers don't know how to read, which delighted me to no end. Some of the words and language were terms I was not familiar with - some due to their use primarily in Australia and others simply because they aren't a part of my vocabulary. This delighted me as well!

Esme's Wish is very clean and with nothing I found objectionable or that would make me hesitate to share it with my young niece. While there was a fight resulting in the destruction of an enemy, it was detailed in a way that kept it from being gory or scary. There are references to mythology and gods - so if you prefer your child not reading stories with these things, do be aware.

I see that the second book in the series is already available and am looking forward to reading it. And can't wait for the final book to be released!

Read my full review at Among the Reads


I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own."

[Sarah Says]

The story starts off with a wedding, but unfortunately for Esme it is not a happy one. Esme lost her mother when she was only eight years old and has never been able to move on. Esme never truly believed her mother had disappeared at sea and spurred on by her father moving on, she decides the time has come to go off on her own and discover the truth. What she soon discovers is another world full of magic, myth and secrets. 

Back home Esme and her mother were always considered outsiders and as a child Esme struggled to find real friendship. On her journey Esme meets Daniel and Lillian, both offering friendship and whatever help they can. At first she finds it hard to believe that anyone would want to help her, let alone be her friend. She learns to trust in Daniel and Lillian as they join and help her on her journey.

The writing followed well, was easy to read and the story was steadily paced for the most part, kicking up with a action packed fast paced last few chapters. I raced through the last few chapters desperate to know how the story ends - and if that isn't a sign of a good story, then I don't know what is. 

The bad 'guy' was deplorable and the good 'guys' easily likeable. The setting for the story, a mythological wonderland. There were Dragons - always a plus. And they rode them - even more of a plus!

The ending gives us just enough resolution for it to be satisfying, but also leaves enough unanswered that it makes you really want to read the next book.

[tweetybugshouse]

This is a delightful Middle Grade story, it has mysterious, intrigue, and dragons. Ya have a whole world that you get introduce to and the perfect amount of mystery that you almost fill like a sleuth as you not only discover the new world you have this mysterious disappearance of Esme’s mom. Join Esme as she discovers all about her mom and where she been.