A WISH UPON THE STARS by TJ Klune

Mass Market Paperback?

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Date Published: November 28,2018
Genre: High Fantasy
Audio Book
Reviewed by Gabrielle (meingee#yahoo.com)
Weblink: https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/a-wish-upon-the-stars-by-tj-klune-10278-b
Obtained via publisher
Rating: 4 Hearts

It has been a year since Sam has left all that he knew and loved to go into the forest and learn magic from the Great White.  Now Sam has returned as a wizard, but he is afraid of the reaction he will get from those that he left behind. Sam did it all for them to help save those that need it and to try and heal from the pain and betrayal he suffered. Sam has always flown by the seat of his pants and continues to do so as he figures out just where he belongs and how to defeat the Dark Wizards. The time has come for Sam to step up and fight for what is right and to take back what was lost.

As strong as Sam is from the time he spent in the woods he still needs help in the fight against the Dark Wizards. I loved seeing all the characters come together in this time of need. They are an interesting bunch from a half giant and a gay hornless unicorn to wizards and dragons and all that comes in between. No matter their differences they all are fighting against one common enemy and look to Sam and the dragons for help. This story is full of outrageous and over the top characters that will endear themselves to you right from the start. Sam has gone through so much to get where he is now and faces the hardest struggles of his life. I loved Sam and his band of mischief makers and I could not wait to see what crazy thing they would do or say next. As much as this book had me laughing out loud it also pulled on my heart strings and made me cry at times.

This book grabbed my attention right off the bat and is full of emotions. The author does a good job of bringing you into this world, you can feel the pain and the happiness that Sam and the others go through. Narrator Michael Lesley brings everyone to life nicely. Each of the characters are distinct and different and their personalities shine through. If you enjoy a little Monty Python thrown into your magical fantasy than this book is for you. Sit back and let the glitter fly and enjoy yourself.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

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JOHN & JACKIE by TJ Klune

 

Publisher:               Dreamspinner Press          

Published:               July 25^, 2014

ISBN:                     978 1 62798 855 1

Genre:                   Contemporary Romance, M/M, Coming of Age

Book Format:          E-book

Obtained via:          Publisher

Reviewed by:          Helena Stone, helenastone63@gmail.com

Rating:                   5

         

When John and Jack first meet they are both twelve years old. John calls his new friend Jackie and a lifelong bond is formed.

Seventy-one years later Jackie prepares to give his husband and love of his life one last, and the hardest imaginable, gift.

Before the moment arrives the two men relive five important moments in their life together. Five moments which show, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the deep rooted love they share.

Giving the ultimate gift is the hardest thing Jackie has ever had to do. Sometimes love is too deep to not do what is right. Sometimes a loving connection is too strong to keep two souls who are meant to be together apart.

This book, so beautiful it was all I could not to race through it.

This book - I knew how it was going to end - and it was all I could do to keep on reading because I didn’t ever want to get to that ending.

This is the most beautiful of love stories. Two boys meet aged 12 and stay together for the rest of their lives. Because they love each other. Because they don’t need anyone else.

“No one else will call you that like I do. No one ever will. You hear that name and you’ll know it’s coming from me.” – John

John and Jackie’s story is shared in vignettes. We get glimpses of pivotal moments in their relationship. We’re there when they meet, for their first kiss, and when things almost go horribly wrong. We are present when they give each other the biggest gifts and we are present at the end, when after 70 years together John and Jackie have to say goodbye.

This story and the characters in it teeter on the edge of too good, too sentimental and too sweet a lot of the time. The fact that it never got too much is testament to TJ Klune’s writing skill.

“My name on his lips has always been my faith.” - Jackie

This book deals with a topic very close to my heart; the right to make our own decision about the time we die and the right of others to help us carry out our wish if we’re no longer able to do it for ourselves. The turmoil Jackie goes through as the end creeps ever closer was palatable. Jackie’s dilemma is heartbreakingly clear in this story. He doesn’t want the love of his life to suffer and hates seeing him in pain so the road ahead is clear, except that Jackie can’t imagine a life without John after seventy years together.

 “I still have days and weeks and months and years of things I need to say to him.” – Jackie

This book made me smile, laugh and cry. But even when I cried it was with a small smile on my face. It was impossible to not get charmed by the love between John and Jackie, even when that love lead to the most difficult action in Jackie’s life.

This was my first book by TJ Klune and I have to say I’m mightily impressed. I clearly have some serious catching up to do.

I want to add that for me it was impossible to read this book and not reflect on the medical nightmare TJ Klune and his partner Eric Arvin find themselves in. It gave this story added poignancy.

I guess my feelings about this book are best summarized as follows:

“Some books you read.

Some books you enjoy

But some books just swallow you up,

Heart and soul.”

 – Joanne Harris

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.