An intricate and fascinating debut to Kova and Larsh's new urban fantasy series!
Society of wishes weaves a tale about, simply put, a magic club that exists outside of time and space, fostered by the force of parallel dimensions and what could be and what is.
Our Main character, Jo (Josephina) is a jaded and talented hacker in the year 2058. she makes a wish to save her friend after a botched job, and sacrifices her existence to The Society. It is made up of 7 members who alter the flow of events of the world based on the wishes they grant.
Society of Wishes is a good start to the series, however, only gives us the most basic of details but about the world and the characters. I had many MANY questions aside from the obvious mysteries the authors have made clear we are not to be given just yet.
Who is allowed to make wishes?
Who knows about how to make wishes?
Why does the society grant wishes in the first place?
Is being a part of society a method of punishment/atonement/reward for the members' granted wishes?
How does this living out of time and space really work and why did it start.
Are there other societies?
Tell me about the elves dang it!
My biggest peeve in this book was the romance. I wasn't really sure in which direction it was going. It felt like it was on the back burner, which is fine- considering Jo's circumstances, but instead it was hinted at with many characters and poorly done in my opinion. Honestly the book could have done without up till the the last couple scenes near the end.
I mean I think I know who the love interest is, and if it's who we believe it to be by the end, you're going to be left like a new Yorker in the middle of an Iowan cornfield. What the hell? Where did that came from? Where did these emotions come from? You've met him like twice!? WHERE DID THIS POTENTIALLY BUDDING ROMANCE EVEN COME FROM. I'm so confused I don't even know whether to call it insta-love or not.
Jo had many more positive and heart warming experiences with other members of the society, yet it seems the romance is going in the direction of her falling in love with the character she has the least amount of interaction and things in common with.
Also that steamy hotel scene, came out of no where and was quite unnecessary given that there was no build up to it. Feelings aren't magic. you can't bippity boppity boo them into existence in 5 seconds. THEY NEED TO BE BUILT ON EXPERIENCES.
Despite my conflict with the romance a d many questions, Society of Wishes was hard to put down. The prose was eloquent and felt appropriate for each character based on the time period they were born in.
I am not familiar with Larsh's writing, but I am familiar with Kova and her incredible world building and characters. While book 1 felt like a mild introduction and a basic highly predictable plot within the realm of urban fantasy, I have faith and ardently hope that the characters-aside from Wayne and Jo- get more depth and personality. Especially the elf. I like him.
Recommended for anyone with a love of fantasy and technology. This book begins the melding of these two genres in what I expect to be a mind-blowing and emotional quartet!