An enjoyable coming - of - age fantasy. ( )

The first of a new series, this title begins when Virginia (Ginn) is turning 13. Unbeknownst to her, she has the power to have her wishes granted, beginning with winning an important basketball game and changing her new cell phone from pink to green. We learn about the unconventional Lawson family, with several adopted children, caring parents, and a wise grandmother. There is some suspense when the Grimm family tries to ensnare Ginn and her powers, and she finds out whether her crush Caleb, a Grimm cousin, can be trusted. This fantasy is straightforward, somewhat suspenseful, and portrays a positive and wholesome family. ( )

Fun little YA fantasy. Innovative and clever. It is very YA with fairly thin characters lots of charm and little actual depth or threat, but remains fun for all that.

Virginia misses a crucial last minute shot at her school's basketball game. Distraught she hides in the locker room and wishes with all her heart to have made the shot. Hence she's somewhat staggered to be greeted by her celebrating team mates. Likewise on her 13th birthday she's astonished that her much wished for new phone, a appears, and b is the exact shade she most desires, when a cursory search show's such a model isn't normally made. AN en counter in her dreams, and a discussion with her gran soon lead to the inescapable conclusion that she's actually an adopted half-genie, full of magic potential, and heir to her ancestor's vast store of magical books hidden in a lamp. But such knowledge doesn't come without cost, and it appears that an ancient Order is searching for her (or at least people like her) to use the treasures and her ability to wish, for their own ends.

The ancient evil Order plot device is somewhat hackney'd, as is the limp explanation of why they don't have more power. But Virginia's just finding her way around magic, so her foes can't be too strong yet. Sadly we also don't get much cleverness in the way of artfully fulfilling wishes that technically obey without bringing the intended result - which ought to be the highlight of any genie based story. Limitless magic also appears to be present, which will need carefully reigning in later in the series before any plot puzzle can be solved by just magic it away. There seemed to be an initial ban on genie's using magic to aid themselves, but this is contradicted in the opening.

Ideal YA for younger readers who aren't that picky about the detailed mechanism of how it works. It's a fun read with some good banter and engaging characters, hopefully the rest of the series really takes off. ( )