The Wish-Eater

by Claire Luana

There is no greater pain than a wish unfulfilled— a truth Elodie Mercer and Sebastian Beringer know all too well. After four long years of trying for a child, Elodie’s hopes of motherhood have all but consumed her.  She’s convinced a baby will save her loveless marriage and help banish her husband’s demons. Sebastian’s suffered his own secret pain—watching Elodie married to the wrong man for all these years.

So when a stranger comes to their quiet village with a fantastical tale of a mythical, wish-granting creature, Elodie latches onto the story as her salvation. Driven by the desperate desire to see their wishes fulfilled, Elodie and Sebastian embark on a dangerous quest to find the Wish-Eater, only to discover that there are things worse than a wish unfulfilled, after all.

From the author of the Confectioner Chronicles comes a stand-alone fairy tale romance that explores the complexities of love and family, the true flavor of folklore, and the cost of the slow erosion of hope.

Genres: Fantasy

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 26, 2022

About the author

Claire Luana grew up reading everything she could get her hands on and writing every chance she could. Eventually, adulthood won out, and she turned her writing talents to more scholarly pursuits, going to work as a commercial litigation attorney at a mid-sized law firm. While continuing to practice law, Claire decided to return to her roots and try her hand once again at creative writing.

She has written and published five series, the Moonburner Cycle, the Confectioner Chronicles, the Mythical Alliance, the Knights of Caerleon, with Jesikah Sundin, and the Faerie Race, with J.A. Armitage. She lives in Cle Elum, Washington with her husband and two dogs. In her (little) remaining spare time, she loves to hike, travel, binge-watch CW shows, and of course, fall into a good book.

Check her out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/claireluana/

Reviews

[laur gluchie]

I’ve received a digital Advance Reader’s Copy of this book through the author. This has not affected my rating in any way.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wish-Eater is a bit different than the typical action/adventure fantasy Claire Luana writes, but was captivating and riveting all the same. This Adult Fantasy came from some of her personal struggles and played more like a women's fiction romance in a fantasy world, which might not appeal to some of her regular readers (especially some younger readers who might find the subject manner un-relatable), but I didn't mind. I was compelled to see how it played out with fleshed out characters, with Elodie being my favorite, and a fast paced story with some action sequences, and easy to follow prose, and ended up with a flood of emotions and great life lessons about desire and love. The author's note at the end really got to me as well. Highly recommend a look.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful fairytale romance. Imagine being able to have a wish to get the one thing that you absolutely yearn for, the one thing that you think will fix everything wrong in your life. Well that’s what Elodie and Sebastian thought they could do after hearing about the wish-eater. They embark on the quest of a lifetime, a crazy journey to find said creature only to discover that it’s not all about dreams and wishes and that love does exist. The storyline holds your attention throughout, the characters are relatable and some are even likeable but not all and I have to say that I did enjoy this!

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adventure. This story was packed with life lessons, amazing characters, action and romance. Going on the journey with Elodie and Sebastian was absolutely fascinating and I couldn’t absorb the words fast enough. Elodie is an amazingly strong woman and I loved everything about her. I was sucked into this book from the beginning and it was impossible to put down.

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The location gave be major Italy vibes, mixed in with a bit of Norse mythology. The whole book seems to be about being incomplete without children, which I didn't really enjoy. I especially struggled to understand Elodie wanting a baby with Willum. He'd become so horrible to her. However, I really liked the characters and the writing is still wonderful. I think I just really enjoy the author's fantasy books so much more. I was expecting this to have some more fantasy but turned out to be almost pure romance which I'm not so keen on.

[IM211 -Scattered thoughts- · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC from being a part of the author's Street team. All thoughts and opinions are of my own. Thank you Claire Luana for this awesome opportunity to read your work.



Review in a gist
Beautiful cover, we have a realistic MC, but the world building is slightly lacking, we only get few sentences of what happened in the past that led to the state MC is in now, which made a bit hard to sympathize with her aside from her apparent struggles.
Plus, I wasn't expecting this book to be a sort of Domestic Fantasy, it had elements of mediaeval or olden days life presented here with veins of possible magic involved. I felt the fantasy element and the non fastasy elemst were at odds at eachother, we have chapters normal, mundane life
going on with just mentions of magic then we suddenly dive into the wish hunt that got over too soon. OR perhaps that's how the story was supposed to be but it wasn't something I really enjoyed.


~ Review in Detail ~


The Wish Eater revolves around Elodie, a young married but alas barren woman who feels she's on the verge of losing control of what her life should be like. Her husband is disabled and who's very keen on drowning in in self pity and booze. It's just another year of celebration when Elodie learns of the wish eater and she begins to hope that. There's a way, after all, to end her misery, to fix all her problems.
I was really hoping she or her husband or the other guy or Agatha would be the wish eater....
But the path to the wisheater lies with the sojourner, this guy is sly and he he not only scams her but complicate s her home life as well.




However, in midst of it all there's a lot of stuff happening: some I liked others not so much unfortunately

I liked the authors take on infertility, how Elodie viewed other people how she being around families who seem to have it all, around children... It was refreshing to see this discussed from all the aspects in Fantasy genre.
I liked how the author showed us glimpses of how her husband would sway from being good to No good, (it was not all "he's a monster" ).
Then we have Sebastian, personally he's annoying, hes a good friend, but his internal monologue about how good and perfect Elodie is from literally every aspect he can imagine, .... It's a bit creepy.

Elodie siblings and her brother in law were the best characters here, their interactions were funny, supportive and wholesome.
Agatha was mysterious, we do delve into that later on but I really wish she was the wish eater....

The quest to fulfill Elodie hearts greatest desire... Was tedious, long, Sebastian confused her, Sojourner misled her and annoyed her. She was hesitant about magic and concerned if she had enough time in her hand before she'd be cleaved from her husband.



When she finally gets on with the quest her husband shows up...... Things get ugly and messy, then simultaneously they meet the wisheater, obviously the husband screws up. All of their wishes are ripped away, they are in deep trouble....
Then comes the confusing aftermath and then the happy ending.


The book had a lot of things going on altogether and one after the other, it covered good amounts of Important topics to a near realistic level, but it didn't fully incorporate with with fantastical element of the story, or vice versa.

I apologize, but I couldn't get on with the "un brother" or "daughter,

" What in the Un-Brother’s cursed name is going on here?"

Thank the Daughter.


Seriously, it felt out of place and didn't make much sense tbh.

The Ending
Now the wish eater appeared at the last one third of the book and hat bit was susepenceful and totally worth the wait. It was clear the wish eater was no fairy got mother and would get what he wanted in returned no matter what. And for sure he'll dupe you into making a choice that's irrevocable and not pretty...

However, the events following that kind of went downhill here for me again.
We have Elodie and Sebastian dealing with the new life they got, fully believing whatever happen with wisheater had changed everything... But had it?

Okay, I appreciate both the characters got the time to recalibrate themselves before they stepped into a new life, but.... It's the end of the book and I was getting impatient, and frankly my opinion of Sebastian didn't improve and also given that we were just few pages away from the end, their "recalibration period" felt a bit rushed and hollow.

However, the ending did have a good powerful message about how love isn't just a wish, its deeper and stronger but the ending itself felt bit too convenient and stereotypical for me.



In a nutshell, The Wish Eater is a story about heartfelt wishes that seem impossible to ever see the day of light but the power lies within you, and it takes time, tears but most of all a supportive family and good friends; who stand by you while you pave a new way out for yourself.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

"That was her story. And there was no escaping it."

This book is set in an old town set in their ways, set in their belief that women are a husbands property and are meant to give the husband a baby. But Elodie has been struggling for four years trying to conceive with her drunken husband. Blaming herself for everything, she isn't trying hard enough, she should be able to hold up herself and her husband. So when she finds a way to finally have her wish granted, Elodie knew she had to try.
Sebastian has watched Elodie marry the wrong man and has kept his yearning for her a secret but as he embarks on the adventure to find the Wish-eater with her, he's feelings only grow.

This book was written during the authors struggles with infertility and so of course this is a book close to her heart, and reminds her to keep on going, it really is such an empowering read. And there were so many wise q
uotes that I loved.

This was such an empowering read and I highly recommend it! The only reason I rated it three stars was because this was an adult fantasy romance, with romance being the main plot line. It was also definitely aimed at the older audience with issues of infertility being the main focus, this was the reason I didn't immediately connect with Edolie and found her annoying at times, because I am young and not at all thinking about this.

But if you love:
✨ empowering stories about women
✨ "who did this to you" trope
✨ overcoming infertility issues
✨ lessons about desire and love
✨ dual POV romance
Then you should definitely read this book!

The world was simple but enjoyable to read about. I loved all the side characters and their struggles and the world against women but they overcome it and create their own business trope. This was a fast paced and captivating read that I really did enjoy.
I loved Sebastian and Josephine! They were such great characters! And while Elodies decisions annoyed me at times I learnt to love her because I don't know what this feels like and I learnt to understand where she was coming from.
The ending was amazing, I just loved it all happily ever after and the way it came about as well! Like how they actually waited before getting together and not just immediately got together after the husband died

One thing I will say is I struggled with the abortion part, and how Elodie acted because that really put me off, of course I don't know how it feels but it was really annoying to me because it was Josephine's body and she should choose! Like she accepted it later on and saw how selfish she was but that annoyed me...

Anyway this was such a great read that has a lot of good lessons, that captivated me throughout the whole thing and made me fall in love with Sebastian!

Thanks to the author and BOMM for the gifted copy!
~Abby



TW: mentions of rape, abortion, infertility issues, death of partner

[darling_book_mage · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: ★★★½

"Sometimes being alone is better than being married to the wrong person. You always have a choice."

✶ The Wish-Eater felt more like a fairy tale than a fantasy book, but then again fairy tales are fantasy. It primarily focuses on the romance side of the story with a slight touch of fantasy (the wish-eater creature). The book is being told in Elodie Mercer and Sebastian Beringer's POV.

✶ First reaction: I want her out of her marriage.

✶ Elodie's character has been suffering for so long, unable to become a mother after four long years of marriage. She's stubborn and convinced that a baby will solve the problems in her marriage. So, when a stranger comes into town talking tales about a wish-granting creature, Elodie latches on to the story as her salvation. I honestly felt bad for Elodie and for all the hardships that she went through BUT my gods, she is stubborn . I wanted to yell at her (in some scenarios). Like, hello! a baby is not gonna solve the issues in your marriage girl!! Also, you really need to get out of that marriage! She definitely DID NOT deserve all the sh*t she went through. I'd have to say that as stubborn as she was, she was also strong because I mean she went through all that.

✶ Then there's Sebastian Beringer, who has been in love with Elodie since forever ago. I actually really liked him and wanted the best for him. He is a sweetheart and always willing to help Elodie. He is definitely a better match for Elodie than Elodie's current husband. YOU CAN'T CHANGE MY MIND.

✶ The only thing that I thought in my opinion, is the lack of background story. Like why did Sebastian not confess to Elodie before she got married? Did he even try?

✶ I really enjoyed the way the wish-eater ended because its HEA. I always like my HEA.

[Amy Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author has this writing thing mastered, over and over again I am blown away by the descriptiveness of the story, no matter whether you’re reading about the world in which we are residing during the duration of the novel, or the characters that we have befriended along the way. This is the third novel that I have read by her and I really don’t think I will be able to ever get enough. Though I’m upset this is a stand-alone novel, it may very well be my favourite one thus far. I myself, have been struggling with secondary infertility for the last few years, and understand the doubt and insecurities that can cause. This really allowed me to connect with Elodie, who was an amazing character all on her own.

This Wish-Eater idea, is one that exists among all walks of life, perhaps not exactly, but we all want to believe that there’s an ‘easy’ way to make our wishes come true and hang on to that belief in hopes that one day we will stumble or work towards it. The adventure that Sebastian and Elodie embark on is one for the books (literally and figuratively,) and allow for them both to discover more of themselves than they even thought possible. The connections made within these pages and the relationships, along with the hardships are relatable, goose bump worthy, and put simply, addictive. I applaud this author and look forward to future adventures. Couldn’t recommend highly enough! P.S. The ‘From the Author’ section had me spilling tears all over the place. Thank goodness I read on a Kindle.

[Mikayla Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book isn't my usual type of read but I've loved this authors other books so I decided to check it out. I really loved the almost fairytale like story and location with little touches of darkness and some pretty thorny subjects tackled. It helps that the MC Elodie was immensely likable and it's a testament to the writing that I (as someone with zero maternal instincts) really felt and understood her desperation to be a mother.

The family dynamics were a really lovely touch and didn't shy away from the not so rosy side of relationships and how they can conflict with each other. Funnily enough, the Wish Eater barely features in the story and the quest to find it occurs pretty late on. The book has much more of a character driven story than an action driven one and that definitely works in its favour.

I personally would have preferred a different ending but to be honest once the story is wrapped up the ending is more of an epilogue anyway so it seemed like more of an add on that intrinsic to the wider story. I wasn't wild about Elodie being pregnant at the end but I understand why the author wanted to give her a happy ending. I liked how her character progressed and by the end of the book she seemed to have realised her worth wasn't dependent on having a child and happiness without motherhood wasn't the impossibility she once thought it was.

The Wish Eater is a truly lovely book that manages to remain somewhat whimsical and otherwordly while weaving in some harsh threads of bleak reality.

[Lorrene Huisman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing in in every which way! In my honesty, that is an understatement . The author wrote a story that not only captivated me, but wrote a story that flowed ever so nicely, as well as there were no gaps in the writing, everything made sense, and the words fit perfectly with every scene!

I loved the compelling intrigue that this book gave to me as I read. It was as if a essence of its own nature surrounded me as I read through. Maybe eerie in its own way. It was as if at times I knew something unexpected or eye opening could end up happening. The fantasy aspect of this book was not only appealing, but beautiful and mysterious in its own way. Let me not forget to add in the action that mixed with the characters in the world they resided in was beyond amazing. I loved this book so much. Also enjoyed reading and watching Elodie and Sebastian start off as the characters they were, and become by the end the characters that they became! Wonderful character growth! Loved that and this book!

Again, amazing book that truly sucks you in and holds you close to the point where you can feel its own heart beat. Wonderful writing by a truly talented author, and the story line was spot on in truth. It was a wonderful read that exceeded my expectations! Highly recommend this must read book/author!

[Kerry carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this fantasy romance story. The author does a great job of mixing romance with fantasy. I really related to the part of the story of Elodie’s struggle to become a mother after going through this myself. The author handled this situation in a delicate moving way and Elodie's story really connected with me.

Everyone wants things in their life that they can't have. All Elodie wants is to become a mother, her marriage is an unlovable one and she feels a baby will help reconnect her and her husband but every year the baby doesn't appear.

Sebastian also has a wish he wants and thats the love of Elodie. Obviously due to her circumstances that wish can't be fulfilled.
However, when Elodie hears a story about a mythical creature called a Wish Eater Sebastian decides to join her on the quest to find it so that her wish to be a mother can come true.

As the pair go on their adventure of a creature that may not even exist they realise that the love they were trying to find could have been in front of them all along.

[Kayla Kearney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely not what I was expecting but really good nonetheless! This is my first read by this author and I am definitely a huge fan. She is really great at conveying how the characters are feeling throughout the story, so much so I felt like I was right there along with them living their experiences.

As someone with medical issues that may prevent any future pregnancies of mine, I very much related with Elodie in her struggles that pushed her into looking for alternatives, making her pursue the services of the ‘Wish-Eater’ that has mysteriously shown up in her village. As the book continued, I was sucked in further and further, wondering if her desire to have children would come to be as the book made many twists and turns.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book. I loved the fantasy aspect of it and how the author managed to modernize it in a way they people would be able to relate to. Will definitely be reading more by them in the future!

[Allyson Ware · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first novel I have read that was written by this author, and I can confidently say I was not disappointed. The detail is immaculate, although I will say I struggled with that at the beginning. The story is realistic, which is both good and bad. Good because it is relatable and gives an important outlook on certain situations for those who may have never experienced them or those who have yet to have the opportunity to experience them. And yet bad because it can be triggering for those who have experienced these situations. It is important for readers to understand that this is a fictional book, even though it may be relatable.

The Wish-Eater is so fast paced once you delve into Elodie and Sebastian's world. I would recommend this novel to any fantasy and fairy-tale lovers out there! To be completely honest with myself, I typically skip the author's note at the end of a book, but just like the rest of the novel I was drawn in. Bring tissues when you get to that point!

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wish-Eater is a fantasy fairy tale romance with messages hidden within. Claire has created a unique world that is not always light hearted. It is a world of pain and suffering for Elodie as she yearns for a better life and finding a mythical, wish-granting creature she has only heard rumours about. It is also a story about hope and heart's desires but beware because just like a genie in a bottle not every wish may turn out how you expect it. The cast of many characters are a mixture of funny, crazy and loveable, quirky and grumpy, and some you will love and some you will not.

Does such a create exist? Where does one even start to look for one such creature? Will Elodie learn is that the true power for change is within her?

Grab a copy and find out what happens on this adventure or misadventure.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fantasy romance had a fairytale feel to it, which held me captivated from start to finish. I liked the added folklore elements to the storyline, and I felt immersed in the world the author has created, due to the descriptive narrative. The suspense really built as the story went on, and the journey to find the mythical, wish-granting creature, which is shrouded in myth continued. I liked the main characters, Elodie and Sebastian, and really felt for them, especially Elodie and her wish to have a child and become a mother. Elodie’s desperation for a baby really came across in the story, and I felt as though I was there with her and Sebastian when they embarked on their dangerous quest to find the ‘Wish-Eater’. This was a heartwarming and at times heartbreaking story which dealt with a sensitive issue, in Elodie’s wish for a baby. An engaging read, which I recommend.

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fascinating. It's all about what happens when you have wishes that haven't been realized and the lengths that a person will go to have them come true. There are so many fascinating characters that drew me right into this story from the very first page. Elodie and Sebastian are craving a better life and they think they have finally found the perfect way to get it. They embark on a journey to find a mythical creature to bring their wishes to life. Will they get what they are searching for or will they find out the meaning behind the saying be careful what you wish for because you just might get it and it might not turn out the way that you hoped and expected that it would. I really enjoyed the way that this story incorporates fantasy, romance, and monsters all in one incredible book.

[Jo Frizzell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I don’t know what to say first, because when I started reading this book, I was immediately enthralled. This author brilliantly wove this amazing world with characters that are so relatable! I wanted to know them, interact with them, and see their world. Elodie in particular is an amazingly strong female lead, who has excellent role models both in Pepa and Agathe. Willum’s story made me ache for him, but I truly wanted to meet Sebastian. His and Dion’s friendship was so genuine and I loved it as much as Elodie and Josephine’s sisterly relationship. The relationships within the family and town, the doubt within the characters’ normal lives, and the hope brought by a story were just truly beautiful. It’s a story that gave me Inkheart vibes, so if you liked those stories, I’m sure you’d enjoy this one.

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an author that I have enjoyed reading from the first book. I enjoy being pulled into the story by her writing style and her attention to details. This is a fantasy story that comes to life on each page. The characters are creative and pop off the pages. They are strong, supportive characters that truly made the story for me. This is a story where wishes are taken and the characters take you on an adventure where we see something worse than eaten wishes. It is a great engaging story that is not only fast paced but hard to put down. This is a story that is full of fantasy creatives and action. I enjoyed the growth of the plot which made the story easy to read. This is an entertaining story that I highly recommend.

[Susana Duarte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this story and was impressed by the fact that even though it doesn't seem like a mega epic tale it did in fact kept me a lot interested in knowing what would happen next and how all the actors would play the cards they were dealt. The theme is all about desires, the ones so powerful and "unmoral" that one cannot even allow themselves to think about them.
I liked this story a lot because it mixes a lot of genres like epic tale, romance, thriller, fantastic, joined together by a moral story that is not boring at all because you have no ideia how the story will end even though you know how you wanted the story to go.
I wont disclose the ending, so you will have to read it all to find out.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh. This book has had made feel all the feels! All of Elois's frustrations and heartbreak were mine, and every glimmer of hope she felt, I felt as well. I wanted to take her and wrap her in a warm blanket and never giver her away. Sébastien was literally meant for her! He brought her joy and kept all of her secrets. He goes on this adventure just for her. Seeing them grow together only made me root for them more! The writing was well done and I was pulled in from the start. I devoured this book in a day and still wanted more! I will definitely be adding this author to my reading list!!!

[Kerry Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to pick up a new book by this author. And when I read the description of this story I knew I was going to love it. From the moment I started reading I was completely hooked. The book was well developed and intriguing. I loved how the author made it feel quite exciting and mysterious.
The characters fit with the book so well. They were interwoven in a clever way and really keep your attention. This author has firmly become one of favourites and I never hesitate to pick up a book she was written. This is yet another example of why.

[Jan farnworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Wish-Eater is a change of pace from the fantasy novels I read from Claire Luana. This one, I say, falls more solidly into a romance story with hints of fantasy. I did not fall as hard for this story as it seems to drag in some places and the drive behind the characters fell a bit flat for me. Our main character Elodie is plagued by the desperation to have a loving family and is holding firm to the dream of having a child and a loving husband. When she hears the story of the wish-eater, she is sure all her problems will be solved with a simple wish. What unfolds next is a desperate quest for the book that contains the story and then locating the mysterious creature. The ending includes the most powerful message that love isn't just about wishes and dreams, but how much more substantial and deeper it is, and you need to look beyond the surface of things.

[Jamie Truex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read by this author and she is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. Again I was quickly sucked into her world and wasn't able to put the story down and get proper sleep! This was a bit different than the first book I read as it has some deeper messages that may not mean the same to her younger readers. I found myself a bit emotional reading The Wish Eater. So bravo. Highly recommend this book.

[Amelia Stansell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book I could not stop ready. The author wrote these characters very well, we can tell how they are feeling and vividly see what they are doing. This one reminds me of an adult fairytale. The Wish-Eater comes into town and Elodie jumps at the chance to make a wish. She longs to be a mom. She has an obstacle to get through to make her wish come true, she learns so values along the way. I highly recommend this book.

[Ashley Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again this author made me stay up way to late to finish one of her books! The story was amazing and can hit close to home for some people. It's a story of struggle and wanting something so bad, you will do just about anything to get it. Eliode made me want to shake her sometimes but she is a strong main character. This book is one of my tops so far of 2022.

[SaviLeeLind · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was nothing like I had imagined. It truly took me on a magical adventure from start to finish, and made it difficult to even put down! Elodie was the sweetest and most selfless character you could dream of!! The entire cast of characters helped bring this amazing book to life, and while the ending was not what I expected I truly enjoyed the story as a whole

[Jennifer Lil'n Dunski · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an incredibly crazy story! Filled with heartbreak, obsession, love and loathing. It's a journey of discovery and self love. I wish the author had made it clear which character was speaking, but I worked through it. Beautiful story

[Cleocutie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story full of romance, self discovery and learning to love yourself.

[Jane McGarry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A highly enjoyable fantasy read. The pacing and worldbuilding were very well done. Can't wait to read more from this author.