From the publisher: "When a hidden prince, a girl with secrets, a ragtag group of unlikely heroes, and a legendary firebird come together…something wicked is going down.
Many years ago, the magical Kingdom of Avalon was left encased in ice when the Snow Queen waged war. Its former citizens are now refugees in a world mostly devoid of magic. Which is why the crown prince and his protectors are stuck in…Arizona.
Prince Alexei, the sole survivor of the Avalon royal family, is hiding in a town so boring, magic doesn’t even work there. Few know his secret identity, but his friend Tala is one of them.
A new hope for their abandoned homeland reignites when a famous creature of legend, the Firebird, appears for the first time in decades. Alex and Tala must unite with a ragtag group of new friends to journey back to Avalon for a showdown that will change the world as they know it."
Tala Warnock lives in a world where not only are fairy tales real, but The Wizard of Oz was based on a true story. While the kingdom of Avalon has fallen, its heir Prince Alexei lives right down the street from her and is one of her best friends. But then that's no accident: Tala is a Makiling like her mother, a spellbreaker who has the ability to shut down magic in her immediate area... or would, if she could learn how to do it reliably. Helping to protect Alex from the Snow Queen's minions is sort of her job.
Magic barely works in Invierno, AZ anyway though, so as long as both of them keep a low profile and she keeps Alex's secrets (he's gay, and his kiss can turn people into frogs), they shouldn't have much to worry about. But of course things don't last, and soon they're on the run from ogres, living shadows, ICE agents, and worse. Can they make it back to Avalon, set things right, and install Alex as the king he was meant to be? Well, you'll have to read it to find out of course!
Wicked As You Wish blends together fairy tales, political intrigue, witty humor, diverse representation, and an unflinching look at modern social issues into a deep and action-packed story. The book draws inspiration not only from fairy tales and stories like Alice in Wonderland but also Filipino culture, world mythology, and important issues like immigration and prejudice.
This book will appeal to readers who enjoy seeing a new modern twist on fairy tales, especially those looking for something a bit meatier than Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles series. Chupeco drops readers into the thick of things and only explains a bit at a time, so it can take awhile for readers to understand what's going on. But for those who stick around through the detailed setup will find a solidly plotted, action-packed story that promises to only get better in future books.
Wicked As You Wish is available in Galesburg Public Library's Young Adult collection.
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