Wishbound

Leonie was born with magical powers; taken from her parents at a very young age, she was sent to live at the Wishmaker Institute. Here, other children with wild magic like Leonie have their powers tamed and trained. Once they reach the age of 12, they are sold to a rich family and Matched with another child. They are bound to their Match forever and are forced to give them all that they wish for.

At the age of nine, Leonie learns that she is to be Matched early. Determined to fight for her freedom, Leonie manages to escape from the Institute with the help of Jackson; he finds them a safe place to live, and for three years Leonie attends a normal school and finds a true friend in Cress, who has severe hearing loss. All seems well until, as Leonie's 12th birthday approaches, she receives a parcel in the post that changes her and Cress's lives and plunges them into danger.

Wishbound is a beautifully written, fast-paced magical adventure story. Leonie is a fabulous heroine, brave and fiercely loyal to her best friend Cress. Cress is also a lovely character, clever and feisty, she never lets her lack of hearing hold her back. She has taught Leonie sign language so that the girls can communicate, and their friendship is at the heart of the story.

We meet a great cast of villains who get more than they bargained for when they try to manipulate Leonie into sacrificing her best friend! The relationship between the two girls is almost tangible; they make mistakes and sometimes hurt one another, but in the end the love between them is unbreakable.

The book is written in short chapters, and is very accessible. The reader is drawn into the story from the very first page and the action never flags. Readers will find themselves rooting for the two friends as they travel from their homes to the city of London, pursued by their enemies. The story comes to a moving and satisfying conclusion, and sets us up very nicely for a sequel. I am already looking forward to meeting Leonie and Cress again. Highly recommended.

288 pages / Reviewed by Beverley Somerset, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 9+

Taken from her parents, Leonie, like other children with magic, lives at the Wishmaker Institute and when she is 12, she will be Matched with another child and become their Wishmaker. Leonie is determined to escape this fate and when it is decided that she will make an experimental early matching in an attempt to curb her rebellious nature, she manages to get away with the help of Jackson, the man sent to collect her. Together, they create a new life, one in which Leonie forms a close friendship with Cressida, her neighbour. However, on her 12th birthday, it becomes clear that the Institute is still on her tail and Leonie is forced to take a drastic step which changes her future for ever.

Wishbound is a marvellously magical read which should not be missed! Full of energy and impulse, feisty, rebellious and determined, Leonie - Leo - is a wonderful character! A true and loyal friend, her caring nature makes her someone who readers quickly engage with, rooting for her every step of the way as she fights for freedom and the right to use her own magic. Cress (Cressida) is equally appealing. With a reasoning and thoughtful nature, she balances Leo's impetuosity, making them a great team!

Cress is deaf and the two often use British Sign Language to communicate. At one point, Cress makes an impassioned speech about how she feels about sign language and being deaf which is really moving - and offering plenty of opportunity for discussion and developing empathy and understanding.

Once Matched, Wishmakers are bound to serve another, forced to use their magic to grant their most trivial and impulsive whims. For many Wishmakers, this becomes an abusive relationship with the one in power failing to view the other as anything more than their property. Even when Cress and Leonie become Matched in an attempt to escape Leo's fate, this is shown to be a corrosive relationship, giving readers plenty to think about!

Offering a fresh take on magical stories, Wishbound is thoroughly enjoyable and would make an excellent class read. The action-packed, exciting plot, with its detestable 'baddies' will have a class on the edge of their seats, eager to find out what will happen next, keen to discuss the story and share their ideas.

288 pages / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 9+