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All That Glitters #12
Diamond Wishes: An Aladdin Retelling
A mute guard, a chatty parrot, and a diamond ring that could change it all...
Few people have heard the legend of the wondrous wishing diamond, and even fewer have wasted their efforts searching for it. Kya could care less about jewels unless they can sell for enough money to feed her and her mouthy parrot. Her chronic fainting spells make it impossible to hold down a real job, and difficult to escape the guards when a charming stranger interrupts her heist.
Caught and caged, Kya admits defeat as she wastes away in the palace prison. Not even befriending a royal guard can get her out of her chains, but a deal with a smooth-talking nobleman might... It would seem that the boy from the market isn’t the only person on a diamond hunt.
If anyone can find a diamond ring in a cave full of treasures, it’s a jewel thief, but that doesn’t mean she knows how to use it. Wishes gone wrong and a power struggle between royals quickly trap Kya once again, but this time as a fake princess. Even a counterfeit diamond can sparkle, but can it fool a treasure hunter? Life as a royal sure does have a nice ring to it, if you can live long enough to wish for a crown.
Diamond Wishes is a standalone, no-spice, fairy retelling and is a part of the series "All That Glitters." A collection of 12 treasure-themed fairy tale retellings full of adventure, romance, and glittering gold.
Few people have heard the legend of the wondrous wishing diamond, and even fewer have wasted their efforts searching for it. Kya could care less about jewels unless they can sell for enough money to feed her and her mouthy parrot. Her chronic fainting spells make it impossible to hold down a real job, and difficult to escape the guards when a charming stranger interrupts her heist.
Caught and caged, Kya admits defeat as she wastes away in the palace prison. Not even befriending a royal guard can get her out of her chains, but a deal with a smooth-talking nobleman might... It would seem that the boy from the market isn’t the only person on a diamond hunt.
If anyone can find a diamond ring in a cave full of treasures, it’s a jewel thief, but that doesn’t mean she knows how to use it. Wishes gone wrong and a power struggle between royals quickly trap Kya once again, but this time as a fake princess. Even a counterfeit diamond can sparkle, but can it fool a treasure hunter? Life as a royal sure does have a nice ring to it, if you can live long enough to wish for a crown.
Diamond Wishes is a standalone, no-spice, fairy retelling and is a part of the series "All That Glitters." A collection of 12 treasure-themed fairy tale retellings full of adventure, romance, and glittering gold.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 19, 2025
19 people are currently reading
291 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
July 3, 2025
Okay I was not expecting that.
This is probably my favorite Abigail Manning book to date. The characters were beautiful, the world and ideas behind the story were incredible, and the plot twists were at the same time unexpected and understandable.
I love how a major part of the relationship was built on trust. I feel like trust is a very important thing in any type of relationship, and seeing how the romance in this was based around trust and knowledge of each other was cool.
Another cool part of this book was the character development. I think that Kya was a very well built character, from her wishes to her weaknesses. I also like how the story was set up in such a way that true love and romance are more important than the instant attraction.
I did not see the plot twists coming (maybe because I was reading it so quickly?) but they were great! They made this story unique.
I love how the main male character truly cares about Kya and helping her be her best self. And the side character parrot is one of my favorites!
I received this book as an ARC copy. This is my honest review.
This is probably my favorite Abigail Manning book to date. The characters were beautiful, the world and ideas behind the story were incredible, and the plot twists were at the same time unexpected and understandable.
I love how a major part of the relationship was built on trust. I feel like trust is a very important thing in any type of relationship, and seeing how the romance in this was based around trust and knowledge of each other was cool.
Another cool part of this book was the character development. I think that Kya was a very well built character, from her wishes to her weaknesses. I also like how the story was set up in such a way that true love and romance are more important than the instant attraction.
I did not see the plot twists coming (maybe because I was reading it so quickly?) but they were great! They made this story unique.
I love how the main male character truly cares about Kya and helping her be her best self. And the side character parrot is one of my favorites!
I received this book as an ARC copy. This is my honest review.
October 28, 2025
Overview:
Language 🤐: Clean
Romance ❤️🔥: Kisses only (non descriptive)
Violence ⚔️: Sword Fighting, chases, prisoner (Nothing was overly descriptive)
⚠️Just Neglect that is expected in Aladdin, Some Harassment⚠️
Tropes/Micro tropes
- Single POV
- Prisoner to Princess
- Gender Swapped Aladdin
- Plot Twist
- Save Each other
My Thoughts:
Initial:
This was such a fun and unique Aladdin retelling! Kept me guessing and thoroughly enjoying the story!
Final:
It's been a few months but I remember this book totally took my attention and I could not put it down! There was so much about this book to absolutely love! There were twist that I was not expecting in the absolute best way! This was a first book for me by Abigail but absolutely will not be the last of hers I read!
I love the character development and how Kya grew throughout the whole story! She's a fiery character who you can not help but love and root for. The final few chapters of this book are my favorite and I just absolutely loved how this love story played out and the twist and turns that played into it! It was such a delight and had me smiling like a fool!
If you love action packed, gender swapped fairytale retellings that keep you on your toes this is one you definitely do not want to miss out on!
Thanks so much to the author for the ARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own!
Language 🤐: Clean
Romance ❤️🔥: Kisses only (non descriptive)
Violence ⚔️: Sword Fighting, chases, prisoner (Nothing was overly descriptive)
⚠️Just Neglect that is expected in Aladdin, Some Harassment⚠️
Tropes/Micro tropes
- Single POV
- Prisoner to Princess
- Gender Swapped Aladdin
- Plot Twist
- Save Each other
My Thoughts:
Initial:
This was such a fun and unique Aladdin retelling! Kept me guessing and thoroughly enjoying the story!
Final:
It's been a few months but I remember this book totally took my attention and I could not put it down! There was so much about this book to absolutely love! There were twist that I was not expecting in the absolute best way! This was a first book for me by Abigail but absolutely will not be the last of hers I read!
I love the character development and how Kya grew throughout the whole story! She's a fiery character who you can not help but love and root for. The final few chapters of this book are my favorite and I just absolutely loved how this love story played out and the twist and turns that played into it! It was such a delight and had me smiling like a fool!
If you love action packed, gender swapped fairytale retellings that keep you on your toes this is one you definitely do not want to miss out on!
Thanks so much to the author for the ARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own!
July 10, 2025
Manning has written another masterpiece! While the story started out slowly for me, I didn't want to put it down after about chapter 3. I was sucked into the world she created with the wishing diamond and Kya's adventure in trying to help her prince while stopping the villain from taking the throne. As usual, plot twists abound and some great one-liners that make you laugh. I adored the parrot, he cracked me up the whole time and Jean is such a fun guard. Definitely one of my favorite Aladdin retellings!
July 20, 2025
This was a delightful gender swapped retelling of Aladdin! I love the small changes to the story that gave it its original yet Aladdin-like flair, and I’m still amazed at how Abigail Manning can create multiple plot twists in a small book and make it make sense. If you love enemies to lovers, PLOT TWISTS galore, sweet no-spice romance, banter, and an adventurous + sassy FMC, read this now!
August 13, 2025
Nice! I called 2 of the 3 big twists. I'm glad to see I was right. That third one knocked me off my feet!! What a great read!
November 10, 2025
One of my favorite retellings of Aladdin by far!!!
July 11, 2025
Abigail did it again! Aladdin is one of my favorite fairytales, but this retelling is even better than the original. It was captivating from the beginning and kept my attention through the entire book. Just when I thought I figured out a plot twist, she threw a different one in that made it oh, so much better. Diamond Wishes is a role switched tale that has romance, mystery, action, and so much more. I highly recommend reading this fairytale retelling.
I received this as an ARC book, but the thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received this as an ARC book, but the thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 30, 2025
I thought I saw the twist coming from a mile away. And I did. But I failed to notice the other two ENORMOUS twists this book sprung on me! This was a really great Aladdin retelling with just the right tweaks to make the story fresh! I would like to mention, though, that I found the world building really strange, like there was no thought put into it at all. I had heard somewhere that Abigail Manning was good at twists, but somehow I was still surprised that yep, she is!
July 6, 2025
Diamond Wishes by Abigail Manning is the next of many ARCs I have received from the All That Glitters multi-author series of fairy tale retellings. This gender-bent retelling of "Aladdin" gives a fresh new take on the story, and not because it's about a female thief. It follows a similar premise to many other gender-bent retellings of "Aladdin," in which a thief is transformed into a princess with the help of some magic and joins a group of potential royal prospects for a prince. However, the third act takes the story in an entirely new and surprising direction that I never saw coming, much like Abigail Manning's other retellings.
Kya is an orphaned thief who has been dodging the guards her whole life with a combination of skill and luck, as well as a mute guard she nicknames Jean, who was always looking out for her. Her pet parrot, Kipu, occasionally provides assistance as long as he can keep his beak shut. One day, Kya is propositioned by a mysterious man to sneak into the royal treasury and steal a magic wishing diamond that she finds on an expensive-looking ring. Although she gets caught in the act, Prince Adir comes to her rescue by telling the guards she is a visiting princess who is competing for his hand. Suddenly, Kya gets the royal treatment and some up-close personal time with both Jean and Adir. She must figure out whom to trust to protect the dangerously powerful ring hidden in an oil lamp before it's too late.
This book starts out like any other gender-bent "Aladdin" retellings, but it takes the story in a completely new direction that I cannot discuss without spoiling. All I can say is that the pleasant and unexpected twists were built up nicely throughout the story. The romance was subtle, but well done, and the author does a good job of making Kya a likable character despite being a thief, which can be challenging. The one thing the book lacked was female companionship. I would have liked to get to know some of the other princesses competing for Adir better. However, it was a pretty fast read and did a great job telling a complete story in a comfortable amount of time.
I liked that this book borrowed several lesser-known elements from "Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp" that weren't in the Disney adaptation, but used them differently. It cleverly incorporated both the ring and the lamp from the original fairy tale, as well as the mysterious uncle who sent the main character on a quest to retrieve these items. Although this story made him the prince's uncle and not the thief's, the reference to the fairy tale was very much present. The "genie" character was incorporated in a clever and unexpected way that will probably make readers laugh when they figure it out. Overall, this was a fun story full of surprises for those familiar with the original fairy tale.
Diamond Wishes is a delightful and unexpected retelling of "Aladdin" that offers a fresh take on the classic tale. With its clever incorporation of original elements and surprising plot twists, this book is a must-read for fans of fairy tale retellings. Kya's likable character and the subtle yet well-done romance make for an enjoyable read. While it may have benefited from more development of the supporting characters, the story is well-paced and engaging. Overall, Diamond Wishes is a fun and surprising addition to the All That Glitters series.
Kya is an orphaned thief who has been dodging the guards her whole life with a combination of skill and luck, as well as a mute guard she nicknames Jean, who was always looking out for her. Her pet parrot, Kipu, occasionally provides assistance as long as he can keep his beak shut. One day, Kya is propositioned by a mysterious man to sneak into the royal treasury and steal a magic wishing diamond that she finds on an expensive-looking ring. Although she gets caught in the act, Prince Adir comes to her rescue by telling the guards she is a visiting princess who is competing for his hand. Suddenly, Kya gets the royal treatment and some up-close personal time with both Jean and Adir. She must figure out whom to trust to protect the dangerously powerful ring hidden in an oil lamp before it's too late.
This book starts out like any other gender-bent "Aladdin" retellings, but it takes the story in a completely new direction that I cannot discuss without spoiling. All I can say is that the pleasant and unexpected twists were built up nicely throughout the story. The romance was subtle, but well done, and the author does a good job of making Kya a likable character despite being a thief, which can be challenging. The one thing the book lacked was female companionship. I would have liked to get to know some of the other princesses competing for Adir better. However, it was a pretty fast read and did a great job telling a complete story in a comfortable amount of time.
I liked that this book borrowed several lesser-known elements from "Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp" that weren't in the Disney adaptation, but used them differently. It cleverly incorporated both the ring and the lamp from the original fairy tale, as well as the mysterious uncle who sent the main character on a quest to retrieve these items. Although this story made him the prince's uncle and not the thief's, the reference to the fairy tale was very much present. The "genie" character was incorporated in a clever and unexpected way that will probably make readers laugh when they figure it out. Overall, this was a fun story full of surprises for those familiar with the original fairy tale.
Diamond Wishes is a delightful and unexpected retelling of "Aladdin" that offers a fresh take on the classic tale. With its clever incorporation of original elements and surprising plot twists, this book is a must-read for fans of fairy tale retellings. Kya's likable character and the subtle yet well-done romance make for an enjoyable read. While it may have benefited from more development of the supporting characters, the story is well-paced and engaging. Overall, Diamond Wishes is a fun and surprising addition to the All That Glitters series.
July 2, 2025
Diamond Wishes is honestly one of the best Aladdin retellings I have ever read. This was a gender-swapped Aladdin retelling that was full of danger, excitement, romance, and shocking plot twists that I never saw coming.
Kya was such an amazing character. She might be a thief but she still has a straight moral compass, which I loved. Her personality was also amazing and she is the kind of person that brightens up the room and is full of joy and hope, even though her life has been terrible. Her optimism really made me love her character, as well as all her witty remarks and her desire to always see good in others.
Adir was also a really well-thought out, 3-dimensional character who really enhanced the story. He had his own motivations... and the plot twist at the end, I never saw it coming!
And then there's her guard, Jean. I loved him so much. He was always so stoic and never talked. It was so shocking when he talked at the end of the story and revealed who he was. That caught me completely by surprise (in a really good way)! I love how Jean was always there by her side, supporting her, and taking care of her.
The plot was also incredibly intriguing and kept me hooked the whole way through that I finished reading it in only an hour! I love how Abigail mixes both the Disney version of Aladdin but also includes elements from the original Aladdin story, such as the ring (original) hidden in the lamp (Disney). It was such a great mix and I really enjoyed spotting all those elements. I do wish that the book had been longer and that we got to see more of Kya's life at the palace, mixing with all the other princesses and nobles there, but the pacing of the story was really good and the book felt like it was the right length for the story that needed to be told. I just wish that I could have continued reading it forever.
I've read so many books by now and I've gotten really good at judging characters and guessing the plot twists that might be coming, but this book... I never even guessed until halfway through the story and later at the end when her guard revealed himself. That just shows how amazing Abigail is at surprising and unexpected plot twists!
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the author. I was not required to leave a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Kya was such an amazing character. She might be a thief but she still has a straight moral compass, which I loved. Her personality was also amazing and she is the kind of person that brightens up the room and is full of joy and hope, even though her life has been terrible. Her optimism really made me love her character, as well as all her witty remarks and her desire to always see good in others.
Adir was also a really well-thought out, 3-dimensional character who really enhanced the story. He had his own motivations... and the plot twist at the end, I never saw it coming!
And then there's her guard, Jean. I loved him so much. He was always so stoic and never talked. It was so shocking when he talked at the end of the story and revealed who he was. That caught me completely by surprise (in a really good way)! I love how Jean was always there by her side, supporting her, and taking care of her.
The plot was also incredibly intriguing and kept me hooked the whole way through that I finished reading it in only an hour! I love how Abigail mixes both the Disney version of Aladdin but also includes elements from the original Aladdin story, such as the ring (original) hidden in the lamp (Disney). It was such a great mix and I really enjoyed spotting all those elements. I do wish that the book had been longer and that we got to see more of Kya's life at the palace, mixing with all the other princesses and nobles there, but the pacing of the story was really good and the book felt like it was the right length for the story that needed to be told. I just wish that I could have continued reading it forever.
I've read so many books by now and I've gotten really good at judging characters and guessing the plot twists that might be coming, but this book... I never even guessed until halfway through the story and later at the end when her guard revealed himself. That just shows how amazing Abigail is at surprising and unexpected plot twists!
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the author. I was not required to leave a review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
June 27, 2025
I absolutely adore this book! Here are a few reasons why:
1. Kya is an amazing main character. In this genderbent Aladdin retelling, she is a witty and clever thief, and I absolutely love her sense of humor! In addition, she clearly has a moral compass and shows great depth throughout the story. The way things end for her is also wonderful, but I won't spoil them here!
2. I love the return to some of the original Aladdin tale that differs from the Disney movie while still containing some similarities! (When you read it, you'll understand what I mean.)
3. Magic operates in a fascinating way in this book, deviating from the fantastical to something that feels much more grounded and simultaneously more threatening. It was a subversion on the typical Aladdin story that I enjoyed.
4. The plot twists and turns like a delightful roller coaster. While some of the turns are ones that you can somewhat see coming, others had me caught off-guard in the best way. Even the twists I wasn't sure I liked ended up being masterfully woven until I saw the reason behind them and enjoyed them.
5. The love story takes a while to unmask, but in the best way! While I won't discuss it too much, I will say that I was highly pleased that it was swoony without any spice.
6. The descriptions and details were vivid, drawing you into this world and all its enchantments.
Overall, I loved reading this book and am honestly tempted to reread it with the context of the plot twists that I now know. It was very well-written, and if you love either the original Aladdin or the movie, you will find something to enjoy in this book.
1. Kya is an amazing main character. In this genderbent Aladdin retelling, she is a witty and clever thief, and I absolutely love her sense of humor! In addition, she clearly has a moral compass and shows great depth throughout the story. The way things end for her is also wonderful, but I won't spoil them here!
2. I love the return to some of the original Aladdin tale that differs from the Disney movie while still containing some similarities! (When you read it, you'll understand what I mean.)
3. Magic operates in a fascinating way in this book, deviating from the fantastical to something that feels much more grounded and simultaneously more threatening. It was a subversion on the typical Aladdin story that I enjoyed.
4. The plot twists and turns like a delightful roller coaster. While some of the turns are ones that you can somewhat see coming, others had me caught off-guard in the best way. Even the twists I wasn't sure I liked ended up being masterfully woven until I saw the reason behind them and enjoyed them.
5. The love story takes a while to unmask, but in the best way! While I won't discuss it too much, I will say that I was highly pleased that it was swoony without any spice.
6. The descriptions and details were vivid, drawing you into this world and all its enchantments.
Overall, I loved reading this book and am honestly tempted to reread it with the context of the plot twists that I now know. It was very well-written, and if you love either the original Aladdin or the movie, you will find something to enjoy in this book.
August 12, 2025
I regret not having picked up an Abigail Manning book earlier.
Diamond Wishes had everything I wanted in a book. Plot twists, strong characters, betrayal, and talkative birds.
The two selling points for me on this book were that A) it was an Aladdin retelling, which was one of my top 3 Disney movies, and B) the talkative bird, Kipu. The book started off with so much intrigue and got me hooked from the first paragraph. Jean coming to rescue a young girl when the rest of the guards had left her to die - brilliant. Their friendship that they had built over the many years was incredible to read, and seeing how much Kipu loved Jean had me going "Aww" more often than I could count. Kipu was also the reason I was laughing out loud while reading - he's silly, has no filter, and has dramatic flair.
Kya having fainting spells was a wonderful reminder to readers that many of us have invisible illnesses that, upon first glance, you wouldn't know about. It was wonderful inclusion and helped make Kya a more "real" character. Her sense of humour often reminded me of Robin Williams, which brought me a sense of nostalgia.
The second half of the book was hitting me with plot twists left and right - I was told that Abigail Manning is the queen of plot twists, but oh my goodness! I was sitting on the edge of my seat, holding my breath the closer I got to the end of the book.
And the romance... I was kicking my feet and giggling because they OH MY GOODNESS! The romance!
I am glad I have more of Abigail Manning's work in my kindle library because I need MORE from her!
Diamond Wishes had everything I wanted in a book. Plot twists, strong characters, betrayal, and talkative birds.
The two selling points for me on this book were that A) it was an Aladdin retelling, which was one of my top 3 Disney movies, and B) the talkative bird, Kipu. The book started off with so much intrigue and got me hooked from the first paragraph. Jean coming to rescue a young girl when the rest of the guards had left her to die - brilliant. Their friendship that they had built over the many years was incredible to read, and seeing how much Kipu loved Jean had me going "Aww" more often than I could count. Kipu was also the reason I was laughing out loud while reading - he's silly, has no filter, and has dramatic flair.
Kya having fainting spells was a wonderful reminder to readers that many of us have invisible illnesses that, upon first glance, you wouldn't know about. It was wonderful inclusion and helped make Kya a more "real" character. Her sense of humour often reminded me of Robin Williams, which brought me a sense of nostalgia.
The second half of the book was hitting me with plot twists left and right - I was told that Abigail Manning is the queen of plot twists, but oh my goodness! I was sitting on the edge of my seat, holding my breath the closer I got to the end of the book.
And the romance... I was kicking my feet and giggling because they OH MY GOODNESS! The romance!
I am glad I have more of Abigail Manning's work in my kindle library because I need MORE from her!
July 15, 2025
Reader’s Notes:
– this is part of a series, but meant to be read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Kya’s point of view
-Kya frequently has dizzy spells & passes out (has been happening since she was young)
Review:
I flew through this book! It was so good and I loved that Abigail Manning did a gender swap for the Aladdin characters (so the princess is a prince & the thief is a woman). I also loved that Abigail Manning made me question myself at points in the story! I thought I had everything figured out and then she’d do a light mention of something that would have me rethinking my original thoughts on how the story would play out! 😅 I loved it so much!
Summary:
Kya grew up on the streets, stealing what she could to help pay for food for herself and her parrot companion. With her chronic fainting spells, she can’t hold down a job so thievery is her only real option. Though still not the best one with the fainting. And when a dashing stranger gets in the middle of her next score, Kya finds herself caught by guards for the first time.
Thinking she’ll never be released, Kya resigns herself to life in prison. But then, a noble gives her an offer she can’t refuse. Find him the wishing diamond of legend in the midst of a treasure trove and he’ll give Kya her freedom.
It should be easy with her knowledge of jewels, but when yet another person walks into her scheme Kya finds herself trapped in a new way: as a fake princess. With eyes on her from all sides, will she be able to find someone to trust enough to get her out one last time?
– this is part of a series, but meant to be read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Kya’s point of view
-Kya frequently has dizzy spells & passes out (has been happening since she was young)
Review:
I flew through this book! It was so good and I loved that Abigail Manning did a gender swap for the Aladdin characters (so the princess is a prince & the thief is a woman). I also loved that Abigail Manning made me question myself at points in the story! I thought I had everything figured out and then she’d do a light mention of something that would have me rethinking my original thoughts on how the story would play out! 😅 I loved it so much!
Summary:
Kya grew up on the streets, stealing what she could to help pay for food for herself and her parrot companion. With her chronic fainting spells, she can’t hold down a job so thievery is her only real option. Though still not the best one with the fainting. And when a dashing stranger gets in the middle of her next score, Kya finds herself caught by guards for the first time.
Thinking she’ll never be released, Kya resigns herself to life in prison. But then, a noble gives her an offer she can’t refuse. Find him the wishing diamond of legend in the midst of a treasure trove and he’ll give Kya her freedom.
It should be easy with her knowledge of jewels, but when yet another person walks into her scheme Kya finds herself trapped in a new way: as a fake princess. With eyes on her from all sides, will she be able to find someone to trust enough to get her out one last time?
July 5, 2025
This new Aladdin retelling caught my attention from the start! The shorter length of the book allowed me to enjoy it in one (reasonable) sitting which was nice. Kya spent her life suffering from a mysterious illness and surviving on thievery with the assistance of a friend who happens to be a royal guard. Kya had a distinct personality that made the book enjoyable to me. I also loved Kipu, her grey parrot! Jean was fascinating along with the two princes.
The plot was good though at times felt a little fast since the book was on the shorter side. I really liked the way Manning used a diamond instead of a genie. Naming the guard Jean was a fun hidden gem too. The only reason I decreased my rating to four instead of five stars was because, although I loved the twists, the ending confused me. It felt a bit like instalove at the end. Also, Prince Jeturan was only two years older than Prince Adirion, but the way he was addressed made him seem much older which made it harder for me to remember. This very well could be a me problem; other readers may be just fine. Without giving away the plot, while some of the princes' and the guard's actions hid the ending well, they felt out of place to me in retrospect. However, I still liked the book and would definitely recommend it!
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The plot was good though at times felt a little fast since the book was on the shorter side. I really liked the way Manning used a diamond instead of a genie. Naming the guard Jean was a fun hidden gem too. The only reason I decreased my rating to four instead of five stars was because, although I loved the twists, the ending confused me. It felt a bit like instalove at the end. Also, Prince Jeturan was only two years older than Prince Adirion, but the way he was addressed made him seem much older which made it harder for me to remember. This very well could be a me problem; other readers may be just fine. Without giving away the plot, while some of the princes' and the guard's actions hid the ending well, they felt out of place to me in retrospect. However, I still liked the book and would definitely recommend it!
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
July 7, 2025
✨ ARC Review — Thank you to the author for the advanced copy! ✨
Diamond Wishes was such a fun and fresh take on an Aladdin retelling—I was completely captivated from beginning to end. With unexpected twists, clever worldbuilding, and characters that shine, this book had me hooked.
Kya completely stole my heart. She’s sharp, resilient, and layered, and I loved watching her journey unfold. The friends-to-lovers element was so well done, and the combination of forced proximity, hidden identity, and “touch her and die” vibes added so much tension and emotional depth to the story.
And of course, Kipu the parrot was a hilarious and heartwarming addition—easily one of my favorite side characters!
This is a no-spice, clean fairy tale retelling that still delivers on emotional payoff, action, and charm. It’s the kind of story that reminds you why fairy tales continue to captivate us—with a fresh twist and a whole lot of heart.
If you enjoy sweet romance, creative retellings, and stories full of magic, heart, and adventure, Diamond Wishes is definitely one to add to your list.
Diamond Wishes was such a fun and fresh take on an Aladdin retelling—I was completely captivated from beginning to end. With unexpected twists, clever worldbuilding, and characters that shine, this book had me hooked.
Kya completely stole my heart. She’s sharp, resilient, and layered, and I loved watching her journey unfold. The friends-to-lovers element was so well done, and the combination of forced proximity, hidden identity, and “touch her and die” vibes added so much tension and emotional depth to the story.
And of course, Kipu the parrot was a hilarious and heartwarming addition—easily one of my favorite side characters!
This is a no-spice, clean fairy tale retelling that still delivers on emotional payoff, action, and charm. It’s the kind of story that reminds you why fairy tales continue to captivate us—with a fresh twist and a whole lot of heart.
If you enjoy sweet romance, creative retellings, and stories full of magic, heart, and adventure, Diamond Wishes is definitely one to add to your list.
July 27, 2025
Abigail Manning takes the cute but rather tired tale of Aladdin and turns it on its head in the best possible way in this masterpiece! I love that the Aladdin character - Kya (pronounced K-eye-a) was a female in this story - I haven't seen that before! And I loved how the author wove all the elements from the classic tale (carpet, cave of treasures, genie, villain, thievery) into her own diabolically clever storyline. Kya is a brave and clever young woman who supports herself and her (extremely funny and cheeky) parrot through stealing, often with the secretive aid of a mute guard (Jeanie! lol) who helps her fleece people sometimes. Knowing her motivations for thievery gives the reader a sympathy toward this character they might not otherwise have felt, and seeing her chronic fainting spells increases that warmth toward her. She is delightfully flawed and human and ever so snarky! Through a chance encounter on the streets she ends up falling for an enigmatic stranger, but there is more to him than meets the eye! By a strange twist of fate she finds herself first imprisoned in a dungeon (with a not very talkative and fairly fragile skeleton) and then masquerading as a princess in the palace while searching for a specific diamond ring that can grant wishes - and that more than one person is after, not all for honourable reasons! As always, the twists in this tale had my brain falling out of my head (how does Abigail DO that?! EVERY TIME?!) and I needed a couple of days to recover from the whiplash. Don't worry, my brain is now safely reinstalled where it belongs but I have no doubt I'll have to pick it up and dust it off again after the next Abigail Manning book. This little novella may be fairly short but it packs a punch and I would advise you to read it when you don't have to do life too much cause you will find it next to impossible to put down!
July 18, 2025
Another book in the All that Glitters series and it’s an Aladdin retelling…only Aladdin’s a girl.
“You seem like the type of person who would be fun to love.”
Highlights
Kipu the parrot
Thieves
Jean the Guard
Prince Adir
Treasure galore
The Ball
Wishes
Enemies
Adventures
Twists
“I only wish to lend you my strength.”
I really enjoyed this story and all the characters, plot twists and more. Kya is a thief who ends up in prison until the prince's uncle decides to make her find the Wishing Diamond, the same one the prince wants.
“We all have obsessions, Nephew. Don’t act as if yours are any nobler than mine.”
I don’t want to put in any spoilers, but the tension through the story and the young romance was delightful. Kya really doesn’t know how to help everyone or stop the wishes from playing out wrong. Who does she trust? Can she pretend to be a princess and solve the mystery?
“It was always my duty to protect you. But it’s been my honor to care for you.”
“You seem like the type of person who would be fun to love.”
Highlights
Kipu the parrot
Thieves
Jean the Guard
Prince Adir
Treasure galore
The Ball
Wishes
Enemies
Adventures
Twists
“I only wish to lend you my strength.”
I really enjoyed this story and all the characters, plot twists and more. Kya is a thief who ends up in prison until the prince's uncle decides to make her find the Wishing Diamond, the same one the prince wants.
“We all have obsessions, Nephew. Don’t act as if yours are any nobler than mine.”
I don’t want to put in any spoilers, but the tension through the story and the young romance was delightful. Kya really doesn’t know how to help everyone or stop the wishes from playing out wrong. Who does she trust? Can she pretend to be a princess and solve the mystery?
“It was always my duty to protect you. But it’s been my honor to care for you.”
May 2, 2025
Every time I read one of Manning’s books, I recall that I heard her once referred to as the queen of plot twists. It’s a well-earned monicker. Diamond Wishes certainly threw me for a few loops, and it was delightful. I read the book in one sitting, and enjoyed every moment. (Well, I was figuratively on the edge of my seat for a minute a couple of times…)
Humour, beauty, diamonds in the rough. Diamond Wishes is a beautifully crafted work of art that I am so happy I was able to read.
Violence: none really to speak of, though you do hear of how a hand might be cut off as a consequence for being caught stealing. There is also a skeleton in a dungeon.
Romance: so clean. I think there are maybe two kisses, and they are brief and not descriptive. I would totally let anyone read this who wanted to, regardless of age
I read an early copy of this, but am totally buying the paperback.
Humour, beauty, diamonds in the rough. Diamond Wishes is a beautifully crafted work of art that I am so happy I was able to read.
Violence: none really to speak of, though you do hear of how a hand might be cut off as a consequence for being caught stealing. There is also a skeleton in a dungeon.
Romance: so clean. I think there are maybe two kisses, and they are brief and not descriptive. I would totally let anyone read this who wanted to, regardless of age
I read an early copy of this, but am totally buying the paperback.
July 28, 2025
Kya is just a street rat, surviving by pinching gold jewelry from unsuspecting royalty with the help of her only two friends: a mute guard and an overly talkative parrot. After a close escape from the city guards with a new friend, a nobleman in disguise, Kya ends up in prison. A mysterious and handsome stranger releases her from her jail and sets her free in the sultan’s vault. His demand? Find a mythical wishing diamond and he’ll set her free. But Kya ends up caught between two rival heirs to the throne with no idea who to trust.
“He kissed me like it was the only thing he had ever wished for.”
This story was more adventure than romance and I really enjoyed the mystery at the center of the plot. The parrot was probably my favorite character.
A cute story that looks into the dangers of wishing for whatever we want.
No swearing
Imprisonment, threats of death
A couple sweet kisses
“He kissed me like it was the only thing he had ever wished for.”
This story was more adventure than romance and I really enjoyed the mystery at the center of the plot. The parrot was probably my favorite character.
A cute story that looks into the dangers of wishing for whatever we want.
No swearing
Imprisonment, threats of death
A couple sweet kisses
October 24, 2025
imaginative twist on a well known fairy tale
Rating: 4.5⭐️
Abigail Manning takes well known fairytales from our childhood and gives them her own unique twists and fabulous turns of character and plays on the themes.
This is one of the "All That Glitters" series and is , as all of her stories are, a no-spice, clean romance.
Diamond Wishes turns Aladdin into Kya, a female thief with a humorous, snarky parrot companion.
All That Glitters- 12 books/different authors:
Tainted Beauty by Alesha Adamson
Stolen Magic by Camille Peters
Amphibian's Kiss by Lichelle Slater
Rapunzel's Gambit by Mary Mecham
Golden Goose by Lea Doué
Siren's Treasure by Suzanna Fowers
Rose Crown by Nina Clare
Feathered Thief by J.M. Stengl
Snow Bound by C. J. Brightley
Gilded Locks by Julene Johnson
Lost Starlight: A Peter Pan Retelling by Kayla Eshbaugh
Diamond Wishes: An Aladdin Retelling by Abigail Manning
Rating: 4.5⭐️
Abigail Manning takes well known fairytales from our childhood and gives them her own unique twists and fabulous turns of character and plays on the themes.
This is one of the "All That Glitters" series and is , as all of her stories are, a no-spice, clean romance.
Diamond Wishes turns Aladdin into Kya, a female thief with a humorous, snarky parrot companion.
All That Glitters- 12 books/different authors:
Tainted Beauty by Alesha Adamson
Stolen Magic by Camille Peters
Amphibian's Kiss by Lichelle Slater
Rapunzel's Gambit by Mary Mecham
Golden Goose by Lea Doué
Siren's Treasure by Suzanna Fowers
Rose Crown by Nina Clare
Feathered Thief by J.M. Stengl
Snow Bound by C. J. Brightley
Gilded Locks by Julene Johnson
Lost Starlight: A Peter Pan Retelling by Kayla Eshbaugh
Diamond Wishes: An Aladdin Retelling by Abigail Manning
January 3, 2026
I received an ARC of this book and am leaving a review voluntarily.
First off, don’t let the amount of time I spent on this book make you think it’s slow or anything like that. Last year had a LOT going on for me so it took me so much longer to get through books than usual. I actually reread this, start to finish in just a few days, which I think will be most people’s experience.
A gender swapped Aladdin retelling, I really love these characters. Kya, our main character, is a lot of fun to spend time with and I appreciate how her history absolutely makes sense for how she acts. She’s cautious, reluctant to trust but you really can’t blame her.
The other characters you are going to be surprised by in the best ways. I don’t want to give anything away but be prepared for some twists. The genie and magic and characters relationships are all such an amazing take on the familiar ideas.
And the bird Kipu? I will defend this glorious bird to the end of the world.
First off, don’t let the amount of time I spent on this book make you think it’s slow or anything like that. Last year had a LOT going on for me so it took me so much longer to get through books than usual. I actually reread this, start to finish in just a few days, which I think will be most people’s experience.
A gender swapped Aladdin retelling, I really love these characters. Kya, our main character, is a lot of fun to spend time with and I appreciate how her history absolutely makes sense for how she acts. She’s cautious, reluctant to trust but you really can’t blame her.
The other characters you are going to be surprised by in the best ways. I don’t want to give anything away but be prepared for some twists. The genie and magic and characters relationships are all such an amazing take on the familiar ideas.
And the bird Kipu? I will defend this glorious bird to the end of the world.
July 19, 2025
Diamond Wishes by Abigail Manning
🔸️A diamond ring
🔸️A royal guard
🔸️A caught thief
🔸️A palace prison
🔸️Sweet romance, kisses (no spice)
Genre: Fairytale fantasy
A gender swapped Aladdin retelling. If anyone can find a diamond ring in a cave full of treasures, it’s a jewel thief, but that doesn’t mean she knows how to use it...
I loved this one! Caught my attention right away, but the best part is when the twists start coming! Seriously, Abigail Manning is my favorite author for plot twists. I especially loved Jeanie (palace guard) and Kipu (parrot). This is definitely one I need to reread in the future! Highly, highly reccomend!
Standalone in the All That Glitters series
Opening line: "I once wished for a better home, and then I woke up with lungs full of smoke."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
ARC, published July 18 (all opinions are my own)
🔸️A diamond ring
🔸️A royal guard
🔸️A caught thief
🔸️A palace prison
🔸️Sweet romance, kisses (no spice)
Genre: Fairytale fantasy
A gender swapped Aladdin retelling. If anyone can find a diamond ring in a cave full of treasures, it’s a jewel thief, but that doesn’t mean she knows how to use it...
I loved this one! Caught my attention right away, but the best part is when the twists start coming! Seriously, Abigail Manning is my favorite author for plot twists. I especially loved Jeanie (palace guard) and Kipu (parrot). This is definitely one I need to reread in the future! Highly, highly reccomend!
Standalone in the All That Glitters series
Opening line: "I once wished for a better home, and then I woke up with lungs full of smoke."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
ARC, published July 18 (all opinions are my own)
July 24, 2025
This gender swapped Aladdin retelling was phenomenal! There were some fantastic surprises that made it unique while still honoring the source material.
Kya is a thief living on the streets with only the help of her parrot and her silent friend Jean. After meeting a handsome stranger and a short stint in prison, Kya finds herself at the palace pretending to be a princess. Who can she trust and where is the legendary wishing diamond?
Highlights:
Kipu the parrot
Jean the guard (strong, silent, and sweet)
The scene when Kya throws a punch
I love Kya for being an honorable thief. I love her strength.
“I’d stolen a lot of things in my life. Mostly jewelry, food, and the occasional coin purse, but never in my life had I stolen an entire kingdom.”
This was an ARC, all thoughts are my own.
Kya is a thief living on the streets with only the help of her parrot and her silent friend Jean. After meeting a handsome stranger and a short stint in prison, Kya finds herself at the palace pretending to be a princess. Who can she trust and where is the legendary wishing diamond?
Highlights:
Kipu the parrot
Jean the guard (strong, silent, and sweet)
The scene when Kya throws a punch
I love Kya for being an honorable thief. I love her strength.
“I’d stolen a lot of things in my life. Mostly jewelry, food, and the occasional coin purse, but never in my life had I stolen an entire kingdom.”
This was an ARC, all thoughts are my own.
June 23, 2025
ARC Review:
Ms. Abigail has done it again! She is known as the plot queen and this story does not disappoint! Join in the adventure of a thief being caught (hey, she’s just trying to put food on her table!), but ends up becoming a fake princess in search of the wishing diamond for the wicked nobleman, Jeteran. Do yourself a favor and read this one immediately! Fantastic!
[When asked about being a thief and Kya’s abilities]
Adir: “Do you do this often?”
Kya: “Am I alive?” I asked. “Fed? Clothed? Not dying of thirst?”
Adir: “Um, yes.”
Kya: “Then it would be safe to assume that I do this often,”
Tropes:
🧁Cinnamon Roll MMC
😏Spunky FMC
🪶Feathered Friend/Side Kick
💎Treasure Hunting
😈 Villain to Vanquish
👑 Pauper to Princess
🚫 No Spice
❌ No Explicit Language
Ms. Abigail has done it again! She is known as the plot queen and this story does not disappoint! Join in the adventure of a thief being caught (hey, she’s just trying to put food on her table!), but ends up becoming a fake princess in search of the wishing diamond for the wicked nobleman, Jeteran. Do yourself a favor and read this one immediately! Fantastic!
[When asked about being a thief and Kya’s abilities]
Adir: “Do you do this often?”
Kya: “Am I alive?” I asked. “Fed? Clothed? Not dying of thirst?”
Adir: “Um, yes.”
Kya: “Then it would be safe to assume that I do this often,”
Tropes:
🧁Cinnamon Roll MMC
😏Spunky FMC
🪶Feathered Friend/Side Kick
💎Treasure Hunting
😈 Villain to Vanquish
👑 Pauper to Princess
🚫 No Spice
❌ No Explicit Language
June 29, 2025
Diamond Wishes brought out the best of the Aladdin retelling and added its own twist. I always enjoyed Abagail Manning’s stories and was thrilled to be a part of this wonderful story of the wishing Diamond!
Kya is Aladdin in the story, where she has her trusty parrot, Kipu, as her faithful friend through her stealing adventures. (Abu the monkey) One day, she has to escape the guards, only to end up in prison. When she is released to find a treasure in the sultan’s vault, her whole world changes.
I wish there was more romance between her and the male lead. I really enjoyed this story and loved every second. I am a sucker for romance so it felt like there could have been more but it played out wonderfully still.
I received a copy of this ARC for my honest review.
Kya is Aladdin in the story, where she has her trusty parrot, Kipu, as her faithful friend through her stealing adventures. (Abu the monkey) One day, she has to escape the guards, only to end up in prison. When she is released to find a treasure in the sultan’s vault, her whole world changes.
I wish there was more romance between her and the male lead. I really enjoyed this story and loved every second. I am a sucker for romance so it felt like there could have been more but it played out wonderfully still.
I received a copy of this ARC for my honest review.
July 7, 2025
I LOVED this Retelling of Aladdin and all it wonderful characters and unexpected plot twists! This story was really fun and I really liked Kya as well as her amusing parrot Kipu. This story also had a lot of intriguing male characters as well and I was happy with how everything turned out but it kept me guessing for awhile about who to root for or trust. I look forward to reading many more fairy tale retellings by Abigail Manning in the future.
I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the author through the All That Glitters ARC Team and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free advanced reader copy of this book from the author through the All That Glitters ARC Team and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 9, 2025
I loved this book! It was such a great novel and a perfect fit into the All That Glitters series. Abigail Manning retold the popular tale of Aladdin in such a new and different way and I absolutely loved how Kya grew and developed over the novel. I loved all the twists and turns of this novel, especially at the end where there were so many new revelations and discoveries that kept me hooked on the story. Kya and Jett were also so perfect together and I loved how their relationship grew and developed as Kya was unaware that Jett was living a double life. This was an incredible read and I absolutely recommend it to anyone who loves sweet, clean fairy tale retellings with a unique perspective!
July 18, 2025
Abigail Manning has a great new book releasing tomorrow and you don't want to miss it!!
📚
A mute guard, a chatty parrot, and a diamond ring that could change it all...
📚
This is an Aladdin retelling like I have never read before and I LOVED it!! Abigail Manning is rapidly becoming one of my favorite authors. I love how she takes a classical take and turns it on its head!
📚
If you love clean fantasy stories as much as I do, this book is sure to be a hit!
📚
This book was given to me by the author, all opinions are my own.
#newrelease #newrelease #cleanfantasyromance #multiauthorseries #aladdinretelling
📚
A mute guard, a chatty parrot, and a diamond ring that could change it all...
📚
This is an Aladdin retelling like I have never read before and I LOVED it!! Abigail Manning is rapidly becoming one of my favorite authors. I love how she takes a classical take and turns it on its head!
📚
If you love clean fantasy stories as much as I do, this book is sure to be a hit!
📚
This book was given to me by the author, all opinions are my own.
#newrelease #newrelease #cleanfantasyromance #multiauthorseries #aladdinretelling
September 1, 2025
Most excellent! This is by far the best Aladdin retelling I’ve read. It’s fast-paced and gripping, with many twists and turns along the way. I love the FMC’s quirky personality and her interactions throughout the book. For being a thief, she really is a great character.
This is a fairy tale, so of course there is a romance, but it actually takes second stage to the events of the story. The book (really more a novella) is thoroughly entertaining, and I ended up reading it in one sitting.
Highly recommended!
Content:
There’s no foul language, sex, or violence. The romance is limited to a couple of chaste kisses. There is magic. There is no mention of faith or God
This is a fairy tale, so of course there is a romance, but it actually takes second stage to the events of the story. The book (really more a novella) is thoroughly entertaining, and I ended up reading it in one sitting.
Highly recommended!
Content:
There’s no foul language, sex, or violence. The romance is limited to a couple of chaste kisses. There is magic. There is no mention of faith or God
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews