Books › The Wishing Spell
The Wishing Spell
672 pages
A witty, fast-paced portal fantasy that breathes fresh, theatrical life into the fairy tales you thought you knew.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like stepping through a glowing doorway into a childhood imagination that has grown just a little bit sharper and more dangerous. The pace is brisk and quest-driven, pulling you through a vibrant tapestry of subverted folklore where familiar characters are given witty, theatrical makeovers. Beneath the playful snark and thrilling encounters with legendary villains, there is a deeply earnest emotional core anchored by sibling loyalty and the quiet ache of family grief. The prose is accessible and conversational, making it an effortless, cozy read despite the constant fantasy peril. It is a perfect escape for anyone who loves portal fantasies, clever fairy tale retellings, and the comforting warmth of a classic adventure.
- Mood
- whimsical
- enchanting
- nostalgic
- cozy yet perilous
- Tone
- witty
- playful
- earnest
- theatrical
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- sibling loyalty · grief and healing · the power of storytelling · subverted expectations · finding magic in the mundane
- The writing
- Accessible and conversational, blending theatrical humor with vivid, cinematic descriptions of magical landscapes.
- The arc
- Begins in the shadow of family grief and transforms into a thrilling, empowering journey of sibling reconnection and wonder.
- Who it's for
- Readers who crave clever, modern twists on classic folklore wrapped in a fast-paced, heartfelt portal fantasy.
Content notes
- parental death (backstory)
- mild fantasy peril
About the book
Frustrated by all the happy goofy representations of fairy tales? (Note: Chris began the concept for this book in his late high school years, which were much earlier than the copyright date of 2012.) Well, so was Chris. So, he decided to mix them up a little. This book has several of the standard fairy tale characters, such as Red Riding Hood, the witch who liked to eat children (Hansel & Gretel), Snow White, the Frog Prince, and more. The thing is, the Frog Prince is in hiding; Red Riding Hood is a snippy warrior-type (bounty hunter, if I remember correctly) on a mighty steed, Snow White is pregnant and rules over a very troubled kingdom of territories that the two children who hold the book that transported them to this crazy land must navigate to get to Snow White's castle. Most of the territories are extremely dangerous. This book is both hilariously witty (much like Chris himself) and thrilling (but not too scary). It is a delight for all ages.
Description from Open Library.
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