AS YOU WISH

Devastated by a recent breakup, Viola feels invisible. Her desperate wish to be loved and to belong summons a genie who, of course, grants her three wishes. But Viola is not about to waste her wishes on silly things like beauty, fame and riches. She wants to take her time. Unfortunately Jinn, her genie, is aging by the moment and is desperate to return to his timeless world. Alternating chapters told from Viola’s and Jinn’s points of view follow the evolution of their relationship as they begin to fall in love. Viola’s passivity and naiveté threaten, at times, to derail the story, but the unique plot and the addition of interesting secondary characters keep the narrative flowing. The occasional missteps into improbable dialogue and overly familiar scenes only minimally detract from this romantic and touching story of wishes come true. (Fantasy. 12 & up)