Viola’s story was one I’ve heard much about. I’ve never read genies before – but loved Aladdin! – and was curious enough to finally pick AYW up. I can’t say I’m regretting my decision, but I do have a few qualms.
I’m not sure why this was rated YA lit. In all honesty, Viola, despite being a teenager on the brink of adulthood, just seemed plain and a little young for her age. Her quest for belonging was, although one every teenager struggles, a little immature. That being said, I don’t know anybody who’s been recently dumped by a guy because of his sexuality, so I could be judging her a little harshly. Still, I found Vi a tad on the young side and boring. Jinn was a pretty decent character. I don’t absolutely love him – would never fall to my knees in absolute awe – and actually thought him a bit bland. Nothing was unique about him, in comparing him to all the other amazing literary characters out there.
Which brings me to the writing style was another one of my misgivings. I don’t like dual narratives. As I think back on every dual-narrative I’ve ever read, I realize I’ve never outright LOVED any book with two characters in the spotlight, both with their words being spilled upon the pages in first person. *To name a few: Shiver, Personal Demons, Tempted. It reflects upon the authors writing poorly, in my eyes. I wonder why they don’t write a third-person story – is it because the market isn’t as great? – and then, not only do the voices begin to sound the same, but the scenes are often cut in poor places and I get confused between what just happened and what’s going on now and who’s doing the talking. In this case, Vi and Jinn sounded identical and had no difference between them to tell them apart.
And oh, am I sick of this storyline. I don’t know why I continue to read YA paranormal romance. I love the paranormal aspect – each author tends to have a unique take on X-named lore and I love figuring and piecing the pieces of their puzzle together – but the romance is beginning to fall flat. I know, I know: everyone wants to be a NYT bestseller and they think that writing something drier than Twilight will bring them to their happy place at the top. NEWSFLASH: IT WON’T. I don’t know how many more times I can take a boring male X-species character, one more otherworldly and opportunity-blessed than the drab human girl, falling quickly in love with, yes, that drab human girl. Do you catch my thoughts? I’m surely not the only one out there tired of the whole “I-love-him-but-it-goes-against-both-our-species-/natures-/lives.” Please. Enough already.
It was a quick read, but boring. I couldn’t keep my eyes on it and the ending was a total letdown. I picked up other books between reading this one and forgot what was going on here because it was so average. I never, ever do that. I’m always in either one story at a time or on top of both. It’s only redeeming qualities was the new type of paranormal – GENIES! Or, jinns. Whatever the name, though, it was a fresh take on the alien species and more fun than another vampire story – even though I love the newest vamp lore as much as the next person.
AS YOU WISH by Jackson Pearce
Audience: 10+ (okay. A very MATURE 10 year old, please and thank you. There’s some sex talk, but nothing a kid in fifth grade can’t take.)
Rating: 2/5
Recommend?: No.
*Of course, there are many wonderful additions to dual-narrative (Perfect Chemistry, Taken by Storm)