The Wishing Round

The Queen Trials #2

by Penelope Wright

Against enormous odds, Clio Fathom has advanced to the next round of The Queen Trials, along with dozens of other women and girls... some of whom are already making plans to kill her.

But first comes The Wishing Round, where three winners will receive the ultimate the chance to make one wish, which King Ergondy is bound by duty to grant... whether he wants to or not.

But not everyone is allowed to play in The Wishing Round, and those that do will learn.... be careful what you you wish for.

It just might come true.

Genres: Fantasy, Dystopia, Young Adult, Magic

326 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 13, 2022

About the author

Penelope Wright spent a quarter of her life on the east coast and the rest in Washington state. She worked her way through college in restaurants, hospitals, factories, and everything in between, finally graduating summa cum laude from the University of Washington after an absurdly long time. She loves both traditions and new experiences, and will try anything once, except skydiving, which is a hard no. She lives north of Seattle with her husband and two amazing teenagers.

Reviews

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's called "The Wishing Round" and yet it only leads up to it

I want to like this story, but there are a few things muddling it up for me. The heading of my review is the first. It is no spoiler to say she writes her wish out, but we don't know what is is she wishes for. We don't get to the actual "contest" that will reveal the winner(s). So basically, the entire book was a setup for the real story aspect of "the wishing round."

In my opinion, this should have been a novella in between books 1&2 or could have been part of book 1. I am a voracious reader, and I don't mind using Kindle Unlimited or purchasing a story if I like it enough. However, I don't like it when authors drag a story out into multiple books in which nothing story-centric happens. I feel like they are trying to get more money out of their fanbase and I don't like that one bit.

The second thing that is causing the story to drag and my interest to wane is the amount of inner dialouge that goes on in her head and even more so, the repetitiveness of it all. It's a litany of "Could it be that..." over and over. A good bit of it is the same question merely worded differently.

I like the main character well enough. She is tough and smart and well-written, and I like that while she is not afraid to adapt to her surroundings in order to stay in the contest, she is doing this while maintaining her individuality and morals.

I'll say this, I will be at least start book 3, but only because it is Kindle Unlimited. The storyline is a good one. If the story keeps dragging however, it will be the last book I read by this author.

[Pickyreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do find this series entertaining enough to keep reading to find out what happens. The most annoying part in the series is how Clio makes such a huge deal about being called a girl instead of a woman. I am in my fourties’ and I could care less if I am called a girl rather than being called a woman. It seems ridiculous to make a stink about it. Clio is 22 years old. Did she really think that her turning 18 that everyone would automatically know to call her a woman? When I was 22 I literally looked like I was 15 years old. So what if you are called a girl. If you were born with girl parts then you are a girl! Stop getting offended by every little thing! The other part that was annoying was that the author chose to give a synopsis (in Clio’s thoughts) of past events, even though we had already read about those events in the first book. The author also goes on and on about pointless details. It’s like, just get on with it. I do not need to know every detail of every little thing! Just get on with the plot!!!

[Angela Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read this Queen trail series

Will keep you wanting more see what happens next ... Clio and the rest and the cast of players.. What happens
for Clio who can she trust, what happens with the prince are they distent to be together, what about, her brother! All these questions in book 3.. And what are the deep scerets, about the king and his last 6 brides..
Queen trails are hard to put down, start today down load . See WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

[Nole4Life · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

PROS
- keeps you interested in finding out what will happen next

CONS
- though the book seems to go fast I wish we knew more. There are many secrets but we haven’t really learned anything. I’m ready for some answers. It’ll start dragging soon if info is not revealed.
- how is she in love with the Prince. They have spoken briefly only twice. This relationship should have been built up.

[Chaos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was that the edge of my seat the entire time!! I didn't know what Clio would do next. There are so many secrets to unravel. I have so many questions. Nothing is making sense. Who does Clio need to trust? What is going on? Absolute insanity! I loved every terrifying second. While there are so many similarities with other books, this author brought a unique perspective, and it worked. I cant wait to dive into book 3.

[Diana Davis · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Wishing Round (The Queen Trials Book 2) Kindle Edition

by Penelope Wright 

I borrowed this book via the Kindle Unlimited program and I am choosing to leave a fair and honest review

I read this book in hopes that Ms. Wright did not continue to nigh on plagiarize The Hunger Games. Unfortunately, many characters were again, flat out lifted, wholesale from the book and the movies. Luckily, the story line managed to veer off and so, I was able to read it without getting angry. Not so much for the third book, which I am half including here. I was unable to finish the third book because it began by lifting the plot of The Hunger Games, the setting of the Hunger Games, and some of the characters from the Hunger Games.

I am unable to recommend this series as I do not appreciate plagiarism. As such, I am leaving a 1 start out of 5.

[Sammy Motz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liking this series a little more after this book but man I will say the days are flying by where it makes it hard to keep track, it's only been 3-4 days since she left her locality by the end of this book. So much is happening from different areas that it is hard to keep straight. I loved the twists during this one and am looking forward to hearing more in the next book.

[Lesley Barklay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book continues straight on after the cliffhanger at the end of book 1. There is more minor contests among the contestants, still at the palace. Lots of pretty dresses, some more interactions with Snow. Clio's new "mother" starts to show her true colours, and we are introduced to the Wishing Round (although we don't get into it yet).

This book also ends with a cliffhanger.

[Pen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I flew through this book! Loved the vibes, loved the story, there were some good twists and turns and I came to like Clio even more. I was once again shocked when I read the last sentence cause I hadn't realised how far along I'd gotten. I read on ereader but I usually clock the tracker, but I was so caught up in the story I didn't even notice. On to the next!

[Suzanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Hunger Games + The Selection

How does nothing happen in this book, just like book 1, until the last 25 pages? And then the book just suddenly ends when the author has given the reader about 50 more questions and zero answers? It’s a frustrating reading experience.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wishing for more

This one drowned on and on with repeated information and scenes that were unnecessary. If it hadn’t ended with such a cliffhanger and 100 questions unanswered, I wouldn’t have bothered picking up the next book.

[Mary Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent drama!

Clio is magnificent web she's angry. After all she has been through and all of the puzzles she has to decipher... She finally gets to writs her wish...but er anger once again...overcomes her common sense . who will save her now? The Prince ?

[Michele Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick read. Exciting as we learn more about the "knowing" Clio has and the girls prepare for The Wishing Round. All is not as it seems as certain characters become introduced and we learn more about the King's handsome and much younger brother, Prince Relicant.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whatttt? So many new questions and I have no idea what direction Wright is going to go next. Fair warning, the book goes pretty slowly, as in, I think only a day or two transpired, but it is engaging and I didn't want to put it down.

[Bri · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good finished in one day!

So good. I can't wait for the next book. I could not put this down. Book was incredibly detailed it felt like I was there.

[Krista Prichard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course the book ends on a cliffhanger and the next one doesn't come out until October 2023😑

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable story

I enjoyed the story as it developed. It has the flavor of the Mockingbird. The secrets and drama between the women was very interesting.

[Jennifer Dominguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting

I liked all the what-ifs in this book. It always kept you guessing. I would recommend this book to my friends 100 percent.

[Melissa Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Queen Trials kept me reading almost all night. Couldn’t put it down. Very “Hunger Games” type story. Can’t wait for the next book to come out!!!!!

[Catherine Blaber · Rating 5 out of 5]

v good

Can’t wait for the next book! It was well written and the characters are very compelling, can’t wait to see what’s going to happen next!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m really invested in this series

So far so good. I like the story, the pacing is good, so if the author doesn’t jump the rails with the story line, I’ll be a happy camper.

[K Chandwani · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a good book, and I can see the hunger games meeting the selection but god damn it, all 4 of these books could’ve been 1 book and the author should’ve given us more spice than this BS.

[Jacqueline S. Hemminger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this series! One if THE BEST princess trials I've read. Am so upset the last book doesn't come out till December!

[Anjie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to give it more stars but it is dragging!

[Sydney Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Still too much like Hunger Games, and the Wishing Round has barely gotten started by the end. It is a quick read.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

So enjoyed, I couldn't put it down...

[Michelle Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing writing. This author makes you never want to put the book down. Characters are people you can imagine in your mind clearly. Would be a great movie.

[Bobbie Gonyaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

I love this series! Definitely grabbed my attention. I cant wait to see what happens next. I'm already looking for book 3.

[Guscilla Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the first book in the series. This one was okay.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impossibly better than book 1

I'm enjoying this series SO much!! It's captivating and exciting!! I can't put this book down long after I should have gone to sleep!