“A fresh new fantasy, of an enchanting world.” – Wendy Orr, New York Times best selling author of Nim’s Island. When fifteen-year-old Esme Silver objects at her father’s wedding, her protest is dismissed as the action of a stubborn, selfish teenager. Everyone else has accepted the loss of Esme’s mother, Ariane – so why can’t she? But Esme is suspicious. She is sure that others are covering up …
But Esme is suspicious. She is sure that others are covering up the real reason for her mother’s disappearance – that ‘lost at sea’ is code for something more terrible, something she has a right to know.
After Esme is accidentally swept into the enchanted world of Aeolia, the truth begins to unfold. With her newfound friends, Daniel and Lillian, Esme retraces her mother’s steps in the glittering canal city of Esperance, untangling the threads of Ariane’s double life. But the more Esme discovers about Ariane, the more she questions whether she really knew her at all.
This fresh, inventive tale, the first in an MG-to-YA series, is an ideal read for 10-14 year olds. Esme’s Wish recently won first place in the fantasy category of the 2018 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards, which recognises excellence in children’s literature.
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Before starting this book, the reader is shown a charming map of a mysterious place named Esperance, capital of Aeolia, a map that hints at what’s to come. The story opens in our world, on the wedding of Esme’s father and her new stepmother, Penelope. Esme isn’t happy and she is unable to disguise it. She’s missing her mother, Ariane, who was lost at sea presumed dead. Esme is a lonely child, little liked by the villagers of Picton Island where her father is lighthouse keeper. An outsider, she wants nothing more than to find out what happened to her mum.
When Penelope’s sister, the despicable Mavis, moves in to mind Esme while her father has his honeymoon, Esme experiences strange headaches and dizzy spells. She has a vision of her mum and dad and is puzzled by it. Her anguish over her mother intensifies and she decides to take off to Spindrift Island where Ariane disappeared many years before. As her quest unfolds, Esme is swept unexpectedly into another world, the world of Esperance, where she makes new friends and continues her search.
What unfolds is a series of adventures large and small, of dragons and other mythical creatures, and of special magical gifts. To say more would spoil the enchantment.
Foster has a fluid, engaging narrative style. The writing is simply exquisite. The pacing, plot twists and characterisation are just perfect. Depictions of the city of Esperance are conveyed in vivid and captivating detail. The various threads and elements of the story are woven together beautifully, culminating in an ending filled with wonder and surprises.
This is a story of loss and searching, of ancient Greek myths, of the artistic temperament and supposed insanity, of minds capable of accessing the inner realms the rational mind cannot reach. Absorbing, enchanting, whimsical, Esme’s Wish is a story to lose yourself in. I would recommend this book to readers one and all. Thoroughly enjoyable.
The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever. —Jacques-Yves Cousteau
ESME WISH: A WONDROUS WORLD AWAITS.
Esme Trilogy Book 1.
Published by Odyssey Books in 2017, this is the author ELIZABETH FOSTER’S Debut Novel.
Genre: Fantasy Fiction.
Audience: MG to YA.
295 pages
33 chapters.
Available @amazonkindle for INR 76/-.
The 2nd part in the trilogy, released in Nov. 2019
ESME’S GIFT: A Thrilling Odyssey Awaits.
NoW LeT’s TaLk AbOuT tHe BoOk 1.
StOrYLiNe:
First & foremost, the book begins with a MAP of Esperance, the capital of Aeolia.
The story begins with the protagonist ESME’S father Aaron getting married in the church with Penelope, irrespective of esme’s disapproval, 7years after Esme’s mother- Ariane May Silver disappeared/ was lost at sea.
Esme lives in Picton Island. Point to be noted, Ariane- her mother was not born & bred in Picton. Her grandmother, the villagers disliked her mom for reasons unknown to her, to the extent that Esme had almost negligible friends in Picton.
Her father was a lighthouse keeper & ranger.
She has a cat, Reuben, who has now aged. A majestic Sea Gull, fav. of her mom, watches her at the church & then till she reaches her home & then again at the lighthouse where she remininces over her mother’s mystical paintings..
The language is simple but very descriptive & enchanting.
I am aMaZeD at the narration, it is fabulous!
Esme swears to find out, what actually happened to her mom! And from here her journey full of mAgiC begins!!
I looooved the author’s writing style, choice of words and narration.
I feel this book needs to be read by more people, it’s aMaZiNg!!
Full of magic, dragons, a strong-willed girl, friendships and love..this is one, Middle Grade to Young Adult Crossover, aWeSoMe-enchanting-consuming read.
Australian author Elizabeth Foster pens a middle grade fantasy novel, the first in a trilogy. Winner of best science fiction/fantasy book in the 2018 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards (recognizes excellence in children’s literature), Esme’s Wish is geared towards young teens (ages twelve and up).
In Esme’s Wish, fifteen year old Esme Silver objects to her father’s wedding, even though her mother has been missing for more than seven years. Others around her – including her father — are ready to move on. Esme believes her mother Ariane didn’t just disappear; her loyalty to her mother leads her to seek the truth. In her attempt to do so, she is swept into the world of Aeolia where she starts to retraces he mother’s footsteps. Untangling the truth reveals a different mother than the one she thought she knew. Can she uncover the truth and get the answers to her questions?
Foster creates a breathtaking world in Aeolia, with memorable characters and descriptive narrative. Aeolia is filled with blue water, orange dragons, sirens, folklore, and magical gifts, as well as an engaging storyline. Esme is determined to take a few clues and scour the books in the library until she uncovers more. Her determination is admirable. Having spent her childhood fairly isolated, she has to negotiate the waters of friendship as she interacts with Daniel and Lillian in Aeolia. There are three friends – there is no love triangle or romance. Friendship, buried secrets, adventure, and coming of age are central themes in Esme’s Wish. Plot twists occur when new clues are discovered.
Readers will look forward to the second book in this series, Esme’s Gift, 2020 winner of an Ippy Award.
I loved this beautifully written and beautifully imagined fantasy.
When we first meet Esmé, she appears much like many teenagers when confronted with a parent’s second marriage, especially when such a teenager is still grieving over the loss of her mother. But pulled forward by almost imperceptible threads, skillfully woven into the story, Esmé not only questions her father’s marriage but also becomes increasingly intrigued by the unresolved questions about her beloved mother’s life. Thus begins her journey into a fantastical world. This other world is enchanting, in some respects evoking images of Venice, with its endless mysteries, lovely shops, canals filled with black boats with golden rims, and twisted streets, and at the same time entirely new and fresh, richly imagined and filled with sirens, dragons, and inexplicable shadows. Esmé, at first distrustful and with a tendency to keep to herself, makes friends and learns to share with them, all the while actively working toward solving the mystery of her mother’s life and the threat hanging over the very existence of the world Esperanza. Having read the first in the series, I am curious to learn what happens to Esmé and Esperanza. Highly recommended.
I am not the targeted demographic for Emse’s Wish “ESME TRILOGY BOOK 1” and I will shout from the rooftops that this is a must read for any age.
The writing is magnificently visual, you can almost feel the wind from the sweeping dragons. The writing is, at times, poetic. The feelings the story evoked were unexpected and the desire to read more is overbearing (sometimes being an adult is hard).
This is marketed as a “middle grade” book but I seriously think that readers of similar “adult” series would enjoy this as well.
A poignant tale of a daughter’s love for her mother.
Esme’s Wish transports you to a world where dragons fly, sirens sing, and magic very much exists. Well written, much of this book is spent on world-building and the development of main character, Esme. Dashes of adventure keep the story moving and the reader engaged. With vivid descriptions and heartrending emotion it is a story for all ages.
First I want to say that I love young adult fantasy books and I am an older reader. This book was a wonder from start to finish and never once had me bored. Once I started reading I was pretty much unable to put it down. I would recommend this book to any fantasy reader who enjoys a satisfying fantasy read. Well worth the money and the time you will spend reading it. Now that I have finished this book I look forward to reading the sequel.
It’s hard to believe that Esme’s Wish is a debut from this author because it is just wonderful! I feel as if I have just returned from a trip to Esperance and am excitedly anticipating a return trip already!
When the story opens Esme is miserably watching as her father re-marries. It has been seven years since her mother’s disappearance and Esme has never lost hope, nor has she stopped wanting to go search for clues herself. While her father is away on his honeymoon she finds herself trapped with a vicious new relative. While Mavis is away Esme goes in search of clues which lead her on a magical journey into a world that she once believed only existed in her mother’s art.
In the world of Aeolia Esme finds new friends, plenty of intrigue and adventure and eventually she may just find her heart’s truest desire.
There is a cliffhanger ending so I’m more than a little bit glad that I hadn’t read this when it was first released! Otherwise I’d have had to wait for the next book in this series. Thankfully, I’ll now be able to dive back into Esme’s world.
Loved this book and I recommend it for everyone from tweens on up.
Disclaimer: I received a free ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
If I can see anything good coming out of this crazy time for me personally, it is doing things I don’t normally do, and that includes reading books that are outside my comfort zone, and being pleasantly surprised, and thoroughly entertained, with my picks. One of these outside-my-norm reads that captured my heart and imagination is Esme’s Wish by Elizabeth Foster.
Esme is a fifteen-year-old adolescent who has lost her mother to the sea, though no one is sure if she is truly dead or just missing. When her father remarries it lights a fire in Esme’s heart to fight to find the truth, despite everyone else giving up and accepting that she is dead and gone. It is this curiosity and thirst for the truth that sets Esmy on an unbelievable adventure in a world that she has always thought was the stuff of bedtime stories, and nothing more.
I am not one for stories of other worlds, or fantasies in general, but the world of Esperance, and its inhabitants enraptured me. Esme, and the whole cast of characters, were so fleshed out and lovable, it is impossible to not be bewitched with this majestic adventure.
The creativity of the author is astounding, and when you think about this being her first novel, it makes it all the more impressive! I loved how the story was wrapped up and yet left several questions unanswered, leaving you hungering to find out the outcome, which I am now impatiently waiting for, since it’s going to be awhile before I can get to the next book in the series.
Esme’s Wish was the perfect escape during these uncertain times, and gave me a great taste of another genre that I wouldn’t normally give a second glance. Despite being geared towards middle grade/YA, I think this is the perfect read for all ages and highly recommend!
*I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author and/or publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions are completely honest, and my own.
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
This well written YA fantasy takes readers on a magical journey as Esme tries to find answers about what happened to her mom. Esme and her mom has a really close relationship, and the suspicious feelings Esme strongly feels about her moms death, her dad’s new marriage, and things going on around her, she is determined to find answers.
Never being one to read a lot of fantasy, I don’t really know much about myths, dragons, and everything else that makes for a magical fantasy world. But I did enjoy this story. Author Elizabeth Foster does a really nice job of crafting a story that is sure to capture the young reader. The characters grew on me and they developed well as the story unfolded. I find myself wondering what happened. What will be the ending, and what secrets will be found by the end of this series. If you have tweens and teens at home. This would be a wonderful book for them to read!
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
A great fantasy series!
My rating is 4.5 stars
Esme’s Wish is the first story in a fantasy trilogy for young adults. Well-written with a compelling plot that drew me in; I wanted to know more and more as I followed Esme and her friends through the mysterious city of Esperance as she searched for answers about her mother’s disappearance.
Dragons and dreams. Sirens and shadows. Cities with canals for streets and water that can be breathed like air. This lovely tale is filled with enchanting creatures and an adventure leading Esme through dangers and mysteries. While some of the creatures are familiar from myths and fables, some were not and the story is imaginative and interesting.
While written for a younger audience, the language is not dumbed down as if middle-schoolers don’t know how to read, which delighted me to no end. Some of the words and language were terms I was not familiar with – some due to their use primarily in Australia and others simply because they aren’t a part of my vocabulary. This delighted me as well!
Esme’s Wish is very clean and with nothing I found objectionable or that would make me hesitate to share it with my young niece. While there was a fight resulting in the destruction of an enemy, it was detailed in a way that kept it from being gory or scary. There are references to mythology and gods – so if you prefer your child not reading stories with these things, do be aware.
I see that the second book in the series is already available and am looking forward to reading it. And can’t wait for the final book to be released!
Read my review of Esme’s Wish by Elizabeth Foster at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed reading this book. Esme was such a likable character and I got caught up in her search to uncover the truth about her mother’s disappearance. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me interested and the vivid fantasy world Esme unwittingly travels to was so well imagined I find it hard to believe Esprance is not a real place. I am looking forward to when the next book in the series is released so I can find out what adventure Esme and her new friends go on next.
Esme’s adventure in Esperance was absolutely a fun one. I enjoyed the magical city, full of dragons and many other wonders to discover. The characters had a great development and their friendship was really good. I rarely read middle-grade books, but this one was definitely a surprise. Also I loved the little bits of Greek mythology that were thrown in there. Overall a very enjoyable read that middle-grade fans should read.
My Thoughts on Esme’s Wish:
I wasn’t sure what I would think of this book when I first picked up my kindle to read. But then I was hooked. I couldn’t put it down. It was so compelling I had to finish it almost as soon as I’d started it. And then I had to go on Amazon and buy the second book because I could not stand to not know what would happen next to Esme!
You’re going to love this book about Esme! The poor girl had her mother disappear. Nobody ever found the body so they suspect she drowned but Esme doesn’t feel like she’s dead. She feels like her mother is just missing.
When Esme finds papers stating her mother was going to or at least should be committed to a mental institution her whole world starts to fall apart. As she gazes into a pool of water she sees something. When she reaches for it she feels herself sucked in. Now she’s going to drown just like her mother.
Instead of drowning, Esme is very much alive just in a separate world. Follow Esme as she searches for her mother and learns about her family and her past. What will Esme do with her gift? And how will she tell her father her big secret? Can she ever return to her own world knowing that her father has remarried and that her new mother and her family are against Esme?
Highly recommend this book. It’s wonderful and it is definitely one that I would let my teenage daughters read. Can’t wait for the last book in the trilogy to be released!
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from JustRead Publicity Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
Esme’s mother has been missing for seven years. While her father is ready to move on, Esme is not. She’s never given up hope that one day her mother will come home. Esme decides it is past time for her to investigate her mother’s disappearance. When she finds herself at her grandmother’s sea cottage, she is unexpectedly swept into the world of Aeolia. A land where dragons soar through the sky and magic exists. To Esme’s surprise, her mother often visited Aeolia. She begins to trace her mother’s journey, but not everything she learns will be pleasant.
This is an engaging adventure suitable for young adults, and it is age-appropriate for a younger reader. The bonds of friendship Esme forms are refreshing to read as romance does not enter the picture. I always say there is so much more to stories than developing a romantic relationship between characters. It is just as important for young readers to learn how to form friendships.
Esme was a well written and developed character. The emotions she felt as the realization that her mother spent time away from her, time that Esme would have cherished before she disappeared, made her so emotional and angry. The realistic emotions stood out to me and still linger in the back of my mind. Following Esme’s adventure was fulfilling and intriguing as she discovered more about her mother and the world of Aeolia. I do wish the secondary characters had been as well developed as Esme. But given the age range this book is for I don’t think the target audience will mind as much. I admit I am a highly detailed reader.
I would also have liked to see a bit more interaction between Esme and her stepmother. The reader gets a sense of how they feel towards each other, but don’t ever see it fully told in the story. Esme does interact with other members of her stepmother’s family, and I don’t blame Esme for not liking them. Esme’s new aunt is overbearing and doesn’t hesitate to try and erase Esme’s mother from their house.
The world-building of Esme’s Wish was wonderful. I could see myself in the city of Esperance, breathing in the sea salt air and marveling at the dragons as they played in the ocean. The culture and magic system were well explained. The magic of the world was unique, and I can’t wait to read more into this series to find out more about the world.
When I originally picked this one up I was interested in the description. I had been on a fantasy kick and thought this one would be a good one. I did go into this knowing that it was for young adults. I just wasn’t able to get into this story. I just couldn’t connect to the Esme and that made it hard to stick with this. I admit that I did skip ahead to the ending to see if it got any better. I just think that this book just isn’t for me.
I was given a complimentary copy of this ebook from the author, but was not required to write a review. The thoughts and comments are my own
Fifteen year old Esme Silver’s mother has been missing for several years. Everyone around Esme, including her father, say that her mother, Ariane, was lost at sea. But Esme begs to differ. She knows how careful her mother was and what a strong swimmer she was also. Something doesn’t add up. Esme protests her father’s remarriage and she is perceived as being a spoiled, rebellious teenager. But for Esme, it’s because she can’t accept or believe her mother is dead. She knows that there is more to it.
While her father is on his honeymoon Esme sets out to look for her mother. That is when her grand adventure begins. Esme is transported to a beautiful enchanting city where the blue water sparkles and the orange dragons lurk. Esme makes a couple of good friends along the way and together they are determined to find Esme’s mother. Esme’s love for her mother compels her and keeps her determined to be strong and forge ahead to find her.
Esme’s Wish is a true gem. It is an enchanting fantasy story full of adventure, excitement and danger. Author Elizabeth Foster has constructed a beautiful tale for young readers as well as adults. I was caught up from the very beginning and read continuously to the satisfying and conclusive end.
Esme’s Wish is likened unto J.R.R. Tolkien with a dash of Harry Potter. It is written extremely well and the creativity that went into this story is fabulous. The world that Elizabeth Foster has created is a wondrous, captivating and mysterious place filled with magic, creatures and boundless beauty.
In Esme’s Wish, there are countless descriptions that excite and delight the imaginary senses. The theme of familial love flows throughout the storyline. You won’t find any sappy romance in this story, which was a breath of fresh air to me. Only good friends working, surviving and enjoying an enchanted land in search for Esme’s beloved mother.
I have read many fantasy stories but Esme’s Wish is one of the best. The characters are likable and realistic. They are multi layered and well developed. They evolve and are woven within the storyline with creative care. There is plenty of feeling to keep the reader emotionally engaged and plenty of adventure to keep the reader exhilarated and enthralled.
Esme’s Wish is a tender and mesmerizing fantasy that readers of all ages will love. I couldn’t put the book down. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would read it again. That’s how good it is. Esme’s Wish is Elizabeth Foster’s first novel. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this series by this excellent writer.
Chick Lit Cafe highly recommends Esme’s Wish
Esme’s Wish opens with teenage Esme raising her hand to object at her father’s wedding – it is impossible to not be hooked right away!
Esme’s mother, Ariane, was presumed dead. Except Esme isn’t convinced that she’s dead and is determined to find out exactly what happened and where her mother is. She remembers stories of a magical place called Esperance, stories from her childhood, stories from her mother’s notebook. Angry, hurt, and lonely, Esme sets off on her own and finds herself on the journey of a lifetime.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved Esme’s determination and I loved the unbreakable bond between mother and daughter. Esme’s Wish overflows with creativity, imagination, and originality. It was also a nice escape from our digital age. There were no cell phones or modern technology in this story. It was all imagination and magic. I loved that and I loved this book. Excited for the sequel!
Read full review at: KaitsBookshelf.com
Esme’s Wish
This was an enchanting fantasy in Aeolia. Join Esme as she begins her journey in truly looking for her mother. This was so much fun to read. I am looking forward to the next in the series!
I was gifted an ARC in return for an honest review.
Esme’s Wish was provided to me free of charge. I am reviewing it voluntarily.
Esme’s Wish is a fun and exciting read. The world-building is done in such a way that it advances the storyline, rather than dragging it down. I would have liked more character development all around, but in this case, the lack of character complexity didn’t take away from story. Though the characters are teenagers, the book reads more like a middle grade offering. There is no romance, innuendo, or profanity. I look forward to reading the next book in the series and would recommend Esme’s Wish to any young reader who enjoys fantasy novels.