Esme’s Wish (Esme Series #1) by Elizabeth Foster

Publication Date: October 30th 2017

Publisher: Odyssey Books

Read Date: May 24th 2018

Genre: Fantasy / Middle Grade / YA

Pages: 252

Stars:5/5

“A fresh new fantasy of an enchanting world.” – Wendy Orr,author of Nim’s Island and Dragonfly Song.

When fifteen-year-old Esme Silver objects at her father’s wedding, her protest is dismissed as the action of a stubborn, selfish teenager. Everyone else has accepted the loss of Esme’s mother, Ariane – so why can’t she?

But Esme is suspicious. She is sure that others are covering up the real reason for her mother’s disappearance – that ‘lost at sea’ is code for something more terrible, something she has a right to know.

After Esme is accidentally swept into the enchanted world of Aeolia, the truth begins to unfold. With her newfound friends, Daniel and Lillian, Esme retraces her mother’s steps in the glittering canal city of Esperance, untangling the threads of Ariane’s double life. But the more Esme discovers about her mother, the more she questions whether she really knew her at all. 

This fresh, inventive tale is an ideal read for younger teens.

Esme’s Wish is first in the series really sets its level of creativeness and inventiveness that blurb promises. Book is Middle Grade fantasy that can also enjoyed by YA readers. It was about lust for power vs love and doing a right thing for greater good and mainly about daughter-mother love with a struggle of teenage girl in finding truth behind her mother’s disappearance, discovering the world she knew only in stories which was bigger part of her mother’s life, and her trust and love for her mother that takes her through many challenges on the way of her quest. 

Esme was teenage girl but what I really liked about her was she was not like typical teens- grumpy or sarcastic. She did rebel against her father who was moving on, stopped searching for her mother and now marrying Penelope. But her rebellious nature was genuine. She couldn’t move on or believe and was suspicious regarding her mother’s disappearance as her father never revealed the truth. People kept secret from her. She was nice, kind, strong, conscious and instinctive. Ooh and I loved her gifts. It was amazing.

Her friends Lillian and Daniel were amazing. They eventually became friends she never had whom she can rely on and trust for anything. Lillian was bit timid, less adventurous but sweet and kind who stick to Esme no matter how dangerous the situation was. Daniel was fun, lively and cheerful, and adventurous.

Esme’s mother- Ariane– was missing and so all about her we know by the Esme’s search and her memory of her mother before she went missing. She was great artist and was nice. As Esme got to know more about her, along with her me too felt some things weird about her actions. But I have feeling the next books of the series reveal more about her nature and actions. Same goes with Esme’s father- Aaron. I have few questions regarding his actions as well. Let’s see how these two parents turn out and react in next books. I’m excited to hear their story from their end that I’m sure will come in next books.

That world building was so creative and awesome. Esme and her father lived in small village on a Picton Island that was a part of an archipelago. It was described nicely specifically the people of the village. The major part of the book was set in the other world that is Aeolia that she found accidentally during her search for her mother. This world had everything you would love to read in fantasy world- It had its own history and myth that was based on Greek mythology, Dragons, Sirens, people with magical gifts, creatures, and many other things which was even more interesting to read. I loved to read Aeolia’s history and its origin and all the info about this new world. Oh and there is a map as well.

Everything was depicted amazingly with stories and all required explanations. Most amazing thing about the book was, readers get to know all the answers they seek and expect from the book. Nothing was left unexplained and yet there was feeling that you will find more about the world in next books. Another best thing was no romance. 

All characters were great. Those three teens were a bit more mature than I expected. Esme did learn lot in this book about her mother, her gift, and specifically about friendship. Author gave all satisfactory info on characterization with the surety that you will find more about them in next books

Third person narration made the world even broad. Esme’s feelings, grief and curiosity, doubts and her fierce determinations on finding her mom was remarkable. I couldn’t guess a thing how she will find her mother and where the clues that she got from people of Aeolia will lead her. Author created suspense so nicely that it had cozy mystery feeling. As I said earlier, along with Esme I also doubted her mother’s sanity and actions on certain points.

Twist and turns were unpredictable. Climax and end was amazing. Author put all the pieces of puzzles so smoothly. End was minor cliff hanger. There is hint on what you will find or expect in next book but makes you curious to know how that will happen. All in all climax and end were satisfactory.

I don’t have any complains for the book. It turned out as great as was promised and I have great expectations from the next book of the series ‘Esme’s Gift’ that I eagerly want to read.

Overall, Esme’s Wish was refreshing focusing on daughter-mother love with creative and unique world that will take the readers of this genre to a new adventure. I definitely recommend this book.

Author: Elizabeth Foster 

To know more about author click HERE.

Purchase Link: Amazon.com / Amazon.in

*** Note: I received review copy of this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to author for giving me a chance to read this book. ***

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