Title: The Forbidden Wish
Release Date: February 23th, 2016
Genre: romance, young adult, fantasy, retelling
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When Aladdin discovers Zahra's jinni lamp, Zahra is thrust back into a world she hasn't seen in hundreds of years—a world where magic is forbidden and Zahra's very existence is illegal. She must disguise herself to stay alive, using ancient shape-shifting magic, until her new master has selected his three wishes.
But when the King of the Jinn offers Zahra a chance to be free of her lamp forever, she seizes the opportunity—only to discover she is falling in love with Aladdin. When saving herself means betraying him, Zahra must decide once and for all: is winning her freedom worth losing her heart?
As time unravels and her enemies close in, Zahra finds herself suspended between danger and desire in this dazzling retelling of Aladdin from acclaimed author Jessica Khoury.
GUY! OH HOW MUCH I WISH THIS WASN'T JUST A STANDALONE!!
This book is about a Jinni, Zahra, who's been trapped in a lamp for a very long time in old ruins until our boy, Aladdin, stumbled upon the lamp and then that's when stuff starts going cray basically.
Guys I absolutely loved this book. I'm going to keep this review short and to the point.
If there's a book that's Arab based such as, The Wrath of the Dawn, The Forbidden Wish, and The Tiger's Curse, I will read those books because the setting and world is fascinating to learn and read about and I will automatically read any book set in that time period.
Since I've read many good reviews of this book and also wanted to read this in February, I finally picked up this book and I just really wish we could get more.
This book captured my attention from the page page. It gave off a mysterious and curious atmosphere that makes you want to know who is this Jinni and this boy Aladdin.
Oh Aladdin.
He is every bit of the Aladdin you see in the Disney movie. He's clever, charming, and witty. I enjoyed all the moments with him and Zahra whenever they banter or whenever they're saving each others hinds. I liked how in the beginning he didn't want to become a rebel and take down the monarchy since so many expect him and has the potential to like his parents attempted. He's a thief and a liar and a flirt and he knows it and he'll tell you with no shame.
I also love Zahra too! It's been awhile since I really connected and sympathize with a female main character and her decisions and actions were so real despite her being a Jinni who's made to deceive and lie.
The romance wasn't insta-lovey and there's no love triangles for those you despise them.
Like I said before, I'm keeping this review short and I recommend this book to anyone who's interested in Jinni, deserts, and a bit of retelling of the Aladdin.
In my opinion, I wish the book was a series maybe longer because I wanted to learn more about his world. I wanted to meet more Jinn and the citizens of Parthenia. I wish was more backstory to Caspida and her watchmaidens. I wish there were more moments with Zahra and Aladdin because I fell in love with so much of this world and I want so much more. This isn't a big issue in the big at all, the pacing was great and there wasn't tons of information punched in your face, and the ending was perfect but in my opinion, I just wish this story was longer and I know it would be a very good series too.
