When I was younger, my favorite thing to read in the world were fairy tales. Those could be old fairy tales that have stood the test of time, or they could be new fairy tales that were written in recent decades as authors imagined worlds where good and evil were locked in a fight to the death that always ended in the death of evil and triumph of goodness. Reading this book was a callback to that younger version of myself. I think there were several things about this book that the younger me would have appreciated. I think she would have genuinely enjoyed the story and would have deeply enjoyed and even been surprised at the elements that seem more predictable to me now, and I think she would have loved the emphasis on sibling strength and unity--especially among sisters. I think this book would have given her a pleasant afternoon.

There were several things, however, that detracted from my reading experience as an adult that I think would have also bothered the younger me (although not nearly to the same degree). First, the book was told almost entirely using "telling" and not "showing" language. This made it extremely difficult for me to connect to the characters and see the world through their eyes. It also meant that some of the character development and even the diversity included in the book felt out of place because there wasn't any build-up or "lived experience" as the reader for what the characters experienced or were struggling with. As a result, the included diversity decisions felt more forced than a natural part of the worldbuilding, which made those scenes even more jarring to me as the reader. Second, there was a secondary plot introduced part of the way through the book that I just really struggled to understand. I'm still not sure what those chapters had to do with the main story as they never quite tied together in a way that made sense. It seemed like a valuable story, and I can think of several possible reasons why it potentially might have been included, but I really couldn't definitively tell you what it had to do with the main storyline or why it was included in this book rather than published as an entirely separate short story.

Some parents may want to know that this book does talk about topics like transgenderism and the existence or lack thereof of a gender binary and may want to take that into consideration based on the kinds of conversations their kids are ready for surrounding those topics.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rounding up to four stars.

While this is categorized as middle grade, I think it feels more appropriate for the earlier end of that age range, although it could certainly be enjoyed by any reader looking for this type of story.

I requested this after reading a glowing review on Goodreads and I think that may have set up some high expectations that were not met. Now I am trying to think about the intended audience for this review.

For everything I liked, there was a counterpoint that didn't work as well for me. For example, the inherently positive tone and vibe of the book is like a warm hug for the reader but it led to an almost complete lack of tension, despite there being plenty of villains and problems for the protagonists to solve. Similarly, the book was beautifully inclusive and provided many different types of lovely representation, but again, with the lack of tension in the story, most of the representation lacked any depth. And while I liked what the story was trying to do with allegory for social justice, capitalism etc, it just sort of scratched the surface.

I'd recommend this book to read with younger kids and I think it could spark some good early conversations about the themes the book is hitting, creating opportunities for deeper conversations in the future and when reading other books.

I read this to see if my children would like it. It was a good read for young readers starting to read more chapter books.

In a fantastical, fairy tale land, there are a group of 5 sisters, each with a talent towards arts, such as painting, cooking, writing, and such. Soon, the king falls ill and passes and the queen soon follows after giving birth. Now the sisters must figure out how to protect the citizens of their kingdom though they are no longer the rulers of the realm.

This book is so cute and feel good. It is middle-grade and reads like a fairy tale which I am perfectly content with. There is a “big baddie” and there will be a hero, so in my thoughts, it ticks all the boxes to meet the criteria.

However, there is more to meets the eye within this book and how it broches topic such as inclusion, compassion, and fighting for justice. I wish the author had lived long enough to see people enjoy her work. I hope it resonates well with the audience it finds and I do hope her positive message will linger.

I wholeheartedly support and recommend this book. If you need a fairytale or feel good story, this one is not too long and will leaving you feeling hopeful and happy in all the best of ways.

‘“We faeries have a saying, born of centuries as outcasts and drifters."

"Family is heart, not blood," the three faeries murmured together.’

'Wishing Well, Wishing Well' begins like a fairy tale, narrates itself like a fairy tale, and has many of the familiar structures and narrative decor of a fairy tale. It is also a story that undoes a lot of the rigidity of classical fairy tale while still maintaining its glamour.

As someone who is generally not too keen on this style, I was impressed!

With a large cast of characters, the main story's narration focusing mostly on the eldest sister, Alex, made it easy to follow. I enjoyed the interweaving of adventurous scenes with slice-of-life moments that brought home the message that resisting oppression must come from all sides - from grassroots efforts to direct action to making bigger ripples within policy.

While I thought the language was more suited to younger readers, the themes in both the main story and the secondary story-within-a-story, featured as a pause between chapters further into the book, held enough nuanced layers for the intrigue of adult readers.

I think this one is a beautiful book to read out loud to or with kids.

It is femme-empowering, without demanding sacrifice. Queer and trans affirming, without slipping into carricature. It is wonder-filled, with a voice that's both gently attuned and powerful in its stance against harm. Highly recommended for an easeful, fun read or as a gift for the child/inner child of someone who could use some warmth in their days.

Thank you to Atthis Arts and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for an Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wishing Well, Wishing Well is a sweet and wholesome middle grade fantasy novel. The narrative follows the five Corona princesses, sisters that are tasked with saving their half-human, half-faerie kingdom from a corrupt, usurper king. After the untimely deaths of their parents, and the apparent loss of their younger brother/the kingdom’s heir, the princesses, led by eldest sister Alex, do their best to keep their kingdom afloat and bring joy and comfort to their former subjects.

This story was such a refreshing read. While it doesn’t shy away from tackling darker and deeper topics such as political corruption, parent loss, poverty, and grief, it was uplifting to read about Alex and her sister’s acts of kindness, their strength in the face of corruption, their unique personalities that simultaneously maintain and break the mold of the strong female character, and their determination to stand up for what they believe. Each of the princesses, as well as their brother, have an affinity for a form of art that informs their personality. These skills also aid them in taking down the corrupt king, Jean Claude – a beautiful allegory for the importance of art and the preservation of culture.

While this is a middle grade work, I think it would be loved by readers of any age, interest, or gender. Cho has successfully written a wonderful story that has the ability to connect with a wide-ranging audience. I’m excited to read whatever Cho writes next!

"Why not err on the side of compassion?" -Jubilee Cho, Wishing Well, Wishing Well

On the surface, Wishing Well, Wishing Well is a fairytale-style story about five princesses who must save their people from a corrupt king. That alone makes a fantastic story, and in reality, it's also so much more than that. This is a tale of embracing your true self, rebelling against injustice, and injecting compassion into everything you do. Bound up in a beautiful blend of a vaguely medieval setting modern themes, and fantastical elements, Wishing Well, Wishing Well is a truly unique novel for all readers.

I must first discuss how much I adore all five princesses of Bellarossa. When I first picked up this novel knowing that it follows five princesses, I'll admit I was skeptical. I expected the princesses to fall into one of two unfortunate categories: they could easily blend together, utterly indistinguishable from one another, or they could become bland archetypes in an attempt to differentiate them. Luckily, neither of these was the case. Each sister has a strong, distinct personality without being an archetype. Jubilee Cho infused each one with just the right amount of personality and unique complexities to really bring them to life.

The sisters' individuality contributes to this novel's incredible representation of strong women. Instead of portraying "strong women" as a monolith, Cho goes the extra mile to show how women of different ages, identities, abilities, and personalities can all be strong in their own right. We see women who are shy, artistic, analytical, transgender, natural leaders, neurodivergent-coded, and so much more represented as being change-makers. The variety enables a broad range of readers to see themselves represented as both powerful and valuable.

This type of representation is infinitely valuable for readers of all ages. It is so refreshing to see a wide assortment of identities living their lives, doing good deeds, and experiencing joy and fulfillment. And in the case of marginalized identities, such as the neurodivergent-coded and transgender characters, this is done without the need to put their suffering under a microscope or exploit them in any way. These characters are allowed to simply exist without their identity being the main focus of the story. While stories focusing on marginalized groups are necessary and important (and I'm a huge fan of them!), we also need more books like Wishing Well, Wishing Well.

"Every new challenge he faced always seemed insurmountable at first, but that just made it all the more rewarding when he finally triumphed." -Jubilee Cho, Wishing Well, Wishing Well

While the story is told through the lens of the five princesses, the world it presents is also so much bigger than them. The kingdom of Bellarossa is wrought with corrupt politicians who seek for the rich to get richer at the expense of the poor. Who has power is determined by money, ego, and knowing the right people, rather than by actual merit. The new, evil King Jean-Claude creates a state of desperation for his people in an attempt to get them to turn on one another. It is heartbreaking to watch the beloved kingdom fall into shambles, but equally motivating to see the Bellarossians work together to take it back.

It is rare to see such a nuanced social commentary woven into a book that, on its surface, is aimed at young readers. And yet, regardless of a reader's understanding of politics, the themes can be universally appreciated. The nuances of governmental corruption may only get through to more mature readers, but everyone can understand the lessons about caring for others. Compassion is a sentiment that is explored time and time again through different characters and actions, ensuring that it gets through to the audience.

This novel does more than just build up a corrupt government; it focuses more on characters who are motivated to tear it down. Each of the five princesses has an affinity for a different art, and they use these skills to save their kingdom. I love how even though the sisters all have their own projects, they all see themselves as working together. Their methods of rebellion may be different, but their goal is still the same. And it is their differences that strengthen their cause, since no one project is more important than the other. In this way, Cho provides readers with a strong message about activism: a wide variety of outlets, permeating every corner of our culture, will reach the most people and have the greatest impact.

Wishing Well, Wishing Well is a glorious celebration of human goodness. It inspires a passion for the arts, for humanity, and for a better world.

This novel is great for all ages: kids may latch onto the fairy tale aspects, teens will love the themes of empowerment, and adults will be enthralled by the corrupt politics and power struggles.

I would recommend this book to literally anyone. I know that's a broad statement, but I mean it with my whole heart. This novel will touch your soul in unexpected ways and awaken a desire to do more for the world. This is exactly the type of novel that everyone should be exposed to.

"This world we live in is full of magic. Simply thriving with it. Magic that can be found anywhere and everywhere, but only if you have the faith to look." -Jubilee Cho, Wishing Well, Wishing Well

I won't lie, I absolutely judged this book by the cover because how could I not? It's beautiful! But luckily, the story on the inside was just as lovely. So magical and whimsical with a bit of a dark undertone (age appropriate) and a great message to keep it interesting