Customer Reviews

Instead of Three Wishes: Magical Short Stories (Puffin Short Stories)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Every single story in this book are filled with excitement and you don't want to put the book down! Each are a surprising magical tale for all ages. One story, a girl goes into a painting to find a treasure for someone. A surprising ending. I can't tell you how good all of the stories are. You have to read them!

In this collection of short stories, Turner treats readers to seven magical tales.

In "A Plague of Leprechauns," a small town is beset with leprechaun-hunting tourists whenever someone reports seeing one of the little green people. See what happens when a serious young artist arrives in town on the heels of a sighting.

"Leroy Roachbane" is a boy who is mysteriously thrown back in time to ancient Sweden. Asked whether he is a spirit or hero, he chooses hero. Soon after his arrival, there is a battle to be fought.

The "Factory" is a self-contained community in the middle of an unending city. John, the newest employee, is assigned a job operating a crane far above the factory floor. He soon learns that men rarely stayed in his position due to ghostly happenings.

"Aunt Charlotte and the NGA Portraits" is a fanciful tale, told by an old woman to her great-niece, of an adventure inside a painting.

"Instead of Three Wishes," Selene wishes to be left alone. The elf prince who promised her the wishes can't understand why she won't accept, so he tries to find ways to make her happy.

Kevin, your average school bully, is forced to live with "The Nightmare" after he and his pals try to frighten an old woman. Each night brings more fear until the dream can be overcome.

"The Baker King" is about a baker's apprentice who bears a striking resemblance to the late king's son. Will the young man's uncanny appearance help when outsiders threaten to take over the small kingdom?

Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, and always fascinating, these stories will intrigue young readers with a taste for the unusual. Each tale is cleverly written and believable in its own way. Some parents may take exception to references to drinking, but it is not a predominant theme and would provide a good talking point between parents and kids later. (i.e.: The difference between social drinking in a local inn versus routine drunkenness.)

If your child is too young for Poe but too old for Cinderella, this is a fabulous choice.

Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer
8/27/2006

Instead of Three Wishes, by Megan Whalen Turner, is a book for everyone. It doesn't matter whether you are six or sixty-six; this book brings out the inner child in all of us. The clever plot twists and fantasy worlds keep your mind on edge. Instead of Three Wishes is composed of seven mystical short stories that will amaze you. The second story is entitled "Leroy Roachbane." This story involves a child named Leroy. Every morning Leroy woke up and went into his pantry to kill off any cockroaches before his mother entered. One day after his daily duty, Leroy went to the store to buy boric acid and roach motels. On his way home, Leroy's bike skid on an ice patch, and he was knocked unconscious. Leroy's mind began to wander, and took him to a place in many ways similar to his own life. When Leroy regained consciousness, he discovered something out of the ordinary. This story was incredibly entertaining and mind boggling, as is the next story. The third story is called the "Factory." In short, this story concerns a new employee that will work the high crane at a local factory. For some reason, this job has been vacant often. One day while the employee was reading on his lunch break, he saw another figure that seemed to also be reading. In actuality, the figure was the ghost of a little girl who once lived on the factory lot. This story takes what we think we know and twists it into the unknown. "Factory" makes you wonder if there is an afterlife, in a fun and lighthearted way. The fifth story is the title story. This story is in some ways similar to the first story in the book. It involves a student who helped an unrecognizable elf prince cross a busy intersection. In return the prince offers the student three wishes. THe student declines the offer and moves on. Over the next weeks, the student and her dis abled mother recieved a handful of gifts, which they decline. In the end, the perfect gift is evident, the offer was so thoughtful, and the student could not refuse. This story was very interesting to read because of the personal connections. Everyone has tried to find the perfect gift, and this story just pulls those emotions together in a magical way. The final story is entitled " The Baker King." i personally found this story to be the most humorous and entertaining. The story involves an island country without a king. The elderly king sent his only son off to boarding school, but no one thought enough to ask where. After a short while, the king passed away, and the island was without a leader. The king's court decided it would simply wait for a letter from the prince. After nine years, a letter was finally recieved. But it was not from the prince. It was from a wanted bandit. The letter prolaimed that the bandit would king himself once he and his gang arrived in the country. With little time to spare, the minister of cultural events, Orvis, went out one night and accidentally ran into a baker. Orvis was convinced that the baker could very easily pass as the king. In the end, the baker became king for a day, but then chose to return to the bakery. This story has many interesting, funny, and clever parts. "The Baker King", also has a nice overall theme. The story shows, that being rich and famous is not perfect for everyone. Overall, this book was an amazing read. I would recommend this to any person who enjoys questioning the obvious.

In this book, the author tells her stories with the humor and down to earth style one would get if they were dicussing the tale with a friend over a cup of tea. The stories are fun, and creative. Who whould ever guess that a girl would turn down magical presents because she was content with her life? Then instead of marrying a prince, she goes to college. What a twist when another young girl is able to jump in a painting and meet it's inhabitents. Imagine a young bully changing his ways because dreams allow him to view himself through the eyes of others. Although the stories are based on classical fairy tales, the women are smart, strong, and empowered. There are no helpless maidens being rescued here.

I enjoyed this collection of short stories - they're not your typical fairy tales, for sure! Megan Whalen Turner tells unique stories with creative flair. I was actually kind of disappointed that these were short stories - I wished some of them were longer! Of course the Attolia books by MWT are AMAZING and you HAVE to read them, but these are great, too!

Instead of Three Wishes, by Megan Whalen Turner, is a book for everyone. It doesn't matter whether you are six or sixty-six; this book brings out the inner child in all of us. The clever plot twists and fantasy worlds keep your mind on edge. Instead of Three Wishes is composed of seven mystical short stories that will amaze you. The second story is entitled "Leroy Roachbane." This story involves a child named Leroy. Every morning Leroy woke up and went tinto his pantry to kill off any cockroaches before his mother entered. One day after his daily duty, Leroy went to the store to buy boric acid and roach motels. On his way home, Leroy's bike skid on an ice patch and he was knocked unconscious. Leroy's mind began to wander, and took him to a place in many ways similar to his own life. When Leroy regained consciousness, he discovered something out of the ordinary. This story was incredibly entertaining and mind boggling, as is the next story. The third story is called the "Factory." In short, this story cancerns a new employee that will work the high crane at a local factory. For some reason, this job has been vacant often. One day while the employee was reading on his break, he saw another figure that seemed to also be reading. In actuality, the figure was the ghost of a little girl who once lived on the factory lot. This story takes what we think we know ans twists it into the unknown. "Factory" makes you wonder if there is an afterlife in a fun and lighthearted way. The fifth story is the title story. This story is in some ways similar to the first story in the book. It involves a student who helped an unrecognizable elf prince cross a busy intersection. In returm, the prince offered the student three wishes. The student declined the offer and moved on. Over the next weeks, the student and her disabled mother recieved a handful of gifts, which they decline. In the end, the perfect gift is evident, the offer was so thoughtful, and the student could not refuse. This story was very interesting to read because of the personal connections. Everyone has tried to find the perfect gift, and this story just pulls those emotions together in a magical way. The final story is entitled "The Baker King." I personally found this story to be the most humorous and entertaining. The story involves an island country without a king. The elderly king sent his only son off to boarding school, but no one thought enough to ask where. After a short while, the king passed away, and the island was without a leader. The king's court decided it would simply wait for a letter from the prince. After nine years, a letter was finally recieved, but it was not from the prince. The letter was from a wanted bandit. It proclaimed that the bandit would king himself once he and his gang arrived in the country. With little time to spare, the minister of cultural events, Orvis, went out one night and accidentally ran into a baker. Orvis was convinced that the baker could very easily pass for the king. In the end, the baker becomes king for a day, but then chose to return to the bakery. This story has many interesting, funny, and clever parts. "The Baker King", also, has a nice overall theme. The story shows that being rich and famous is not perfect for everyone. Overall, this book was an amazing read. I would recommend this to any person who enjoys questioning the obvious.

I was intruiged by this book because of the especially creative cover, and the marvelous title. I feel that many books must have an intruiging title, and cover, while the reader in the beginning only sees the spine.This book had both. I began reading this short story collection,and was brought back to the edge of my seat with each story. A must-read!

Instead of Three Wishes is a collection of short stories by Megan Whelan Turner. On the cover is the simple quote "Delightful." and I am pleased to agree. These are simple stories, told simply and well. They leave plenty to the imagination while still bringing the reader from beginning to end without a single mis-step. I recommend them to anyone who wants to read short fairy tales with interesting endings that both meld with the modern world and can maintain timelessness. I will be giving this book to a thoughtful 10 year old with the expectation that his mother will enjoy it just as well.

I always love stories by Megan Whalen Turner: The Thief trilogy and the short story in the anthology book Firebird.

So I picked this one and read it as soon as possible. The witty and funny characters were there and unusual plots were told but somehow, I felt only a small elation. It might be because the stories were too short for any enchanting moments to develop and those were plentiful in The Thief trilogy.

Nevertheless, I am still looking forward to reading more 'heavy' books from the author.

I ordered this product and two days later it arrived. Furthermore, a special bonus was included. Never have I had such good service at amazon before. Thanks so much. I will probably shop again.