Tag: The Wishing Game

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The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer

Robin’s Reviews – 2026

Book Summary

Photo of The Book Witch, a novel by Meg ShafferTHE BOOK WITCH by Meg Shaffer is a mix of cozy mystery, detective noir, and fantasy. Rainy March (and yes, she knows she sounds like a weather report) is a book witch. With her magic umbrella and cat familiar, she jumps into stories to protect them from the burners. Burners are those who try to destroy the book from the inside by wiping away pages until the story is gone forever.

black open umbrella

But there are rules for book witches. They can’t stay long because they could get trapped inside the story and change it by becoming a character. They can’t sleep, eat or drink inside the story, and they certainly can’t fall in love with a fictional character. After all, real people live in the real world and fictional characters live in stories.

But what if Rainy does? Fall in love with a fictional character, that is. When she meets the dashing hero of her favorite detective series, the Duke of Chicago, it’s love on both sides. Once the book coven catches on, they ban her from seeing him, or she will be expelled from the group and forced to give up her magical gifts.

As if that isn’t enough, her grandfather goes missing and a special book is stolen from their safe. Rainy finds herself in her own mystery, flitting from novel to novel to track down clues. The Duke and Nancy Drew join in to help solve the case. She hops in and out of familiar titles like The Great Gatsby, Alice in Wonderland, and a Nancy Drew book, The Secret of the Old Clock.

My Thoughts

THE BOOK WITCH was not what I was expecting. For a while, I wasn’t sure it was ‘for me’ because it felt like an old-time, noir, detective story— not my usual cup of tea. I’ve read and enjoyed Meg Shaffer’s other two books (unique and different from each other), so I kept reading. I’m glad I did. For me, I enjoyed the experience of diving in and out between fiction and reality and catching all the literary references. Even LaVar Burton from Reading Rainbow gets a mention! The deeper I went, the more the book delivered: a deeper plot than it first appears, unexpected twists, fun adventures, interesting characters, a romance, a mystery, and so much more. Each time you think you know what’s happening, there’s another twist.

Meg Shaffer delivers a quirky, unique book that crosses many genres. By the end it may have you questioning —What is reality? Maybe YOU’RE living in a book right now.

THE BOOK WITCH by Meg Shaffer comes out April 7, 2026. Pre-ordering is VERY helpful to authors. I suggest ordering through Bookshop.org since they help support small, independent bookstores across the country. You can order here.  Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC of this novel. The opinions are my own.

About the Author

Photo of author Meg ShafferMeg Shaffer is the author of THE LOST STORY and THE WISHING GAME, my personal favorite, which was a Goodreads Choice Awards finalist, a Book-of-the-Month Book of the Year finalist, a Barnes and Noble bestseller, a Reader’s Digest Best Book of the year and a USA Today bestseller. Meg holds an MFA in TV and Screenwriting and lives in Kentucky with her husband and two cats. THE BOOK WITCH is Meg Shaffer’s third book.

If You Like…

If you like the description of THE BOOK WITCH by Meg Shaffer, check out my past reviews on these recommendations: The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer, The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan, and The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young.

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The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

Robin’s Reviews5 Stars

THE WISHING GAME by Meg Shaffer is an adult novel, but it brought back the magical feelings of reading from my childhood.

I emotionally remembered that feeling of enchantment from reading books for the first time, like Harriet the Spy, Nancy Drew/The Hardy Boys, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, to name a few. Certain books touch the heart of a child.

Think back to books you read as a child. Now remember with your heart, not your mind. Were you enchanted by a story you couldn’t put down? Do you remember the joy as a story unfolded? Do you remember feeling proud of yourself for figuring “it” out? Did you want to escape into the world in that book? To become the character in the book? To finish a book under the covers with a flashlight after bedtime? Ever not want to come when called for dinner because you were reading? 

THE WISHING GAME will have you reliving all those feelings, but in an adult story. It’s easy reading, could be YA, but it also covers several heavier topics: childhood neglect, the foster system, running away, and childhood illness, to name a few. Meg Shaffer skillfully includes these tough problems in a way that doesn’t darken or weigh down the story. THE WISHING GAME by Meg Shaffer should definitely go on your adult bookshelf!

Summary of THE WISHING GAME

Jack “the Mastermind” Masterson is a reclusive, eccentric, and best-selling children’s author. He lives on Clock Island, the setting of his magical, mysterious children’s book series. In each of his books, a child has to make a wish and then find his or her way to the island. They are all brave children who then face their fears through riddles and games to get a chance at their wish coming true.

Five years ago, Jack mysteriously quit writing. Finally, he now announces he has a new book and will be running a competition for four adults. These adults were picked because, as children, they actually found their way to Clock Island after reading his books. Now, as adults, they will compete in a Clock Island game. The winner will get the one and only copy of Jack’s new children’s book to keep or sell. The publisher is already willing to pay six figures for it, but other interested parties may be willing to pay even more. Each contestant has a real need to win.

The protagonist of THE WISHING GAME is Lucy Hart. As a child, Lucy found comfort in reading the Clock Island series. It helped her through a difficult childhood. Now an adult, Lucy desperately wants to adopt seven-year-old Christopher, to give him the love she never had. She has been reading the Clock Island books to Christopher to help him through his own messed-up childhood. Lucy can’t afford to adopt him on her teacher’s aide salary. This contest could be the answer to both of their wishes. If Lucy wins, selling the book would provide all she needs to adopt Christopher and give him a loving, stable home.

My Thoughts

Jack Masterson and Hugo Reese are wonderful secondary characters. Jack, the author, is mysterious, and yet he’s that grandfatherly character. The twinkle in his eye hints at his joy in creating games and riddles. Hugo Reese, the long-time illustrator of the books, lives on the island with Jack. Hugo is ready to move on with his life, but when Jack hit a low and stopped writing, Hugo couldn’t leave him. He needs to know Jack will be okay without him. Hugo and Lucy develop a fondness for each other that grows into a sweet relationship.

THE WISHING GAME was endearing and wholesome. I thoroughly enjoyed this whimsical, mysterious book, although I wanted to get to the contest faster. The plot was a bit predictable, but I didn’t mind. It brought me something no other adult book has: I remembered in my soul what it felt like being a kid again, trying to solve the riddles right along with the competitors.

Interested in purchasing? Try here at Bookshop.org. They’re a wonderful website that supports the Mom and Pop bookstores nationwide.

Last Thoughts

Although the Clock Island books don’t actually exist in the real world, I would  LOVE to see Meg Shaffer try her hand at children’s literature to create them! What books bring back fond memories of childhood for you? I’d love if you shared below!

 

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@author.robin.shelley

Netgalley Professional Reader

 

 

 

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