Synopsis
A mythical relic believed to have the ability to grant any wish.
A map, leading the way through ancient and sealed catacombs.
Gam Gam’s return to Capital City is not what she expected when she stumbles upon her first clue to the Wishing Stone’s whereabouts. Joined by Mina and her new friend Emil, along with the undead retinue of Nugget, Sloughy, and Gerald, they set out to uncover secrets that could unravel more than just their lives.
Review
A Necromancer Called Gam Gam was one of my favorite reads of 2024, so I was really eager to dive into Holcombe’s second installment of the Chronicles of Gam Gam. I often find that sequels struggle to live up to the first book in a series, but The Wishing Stone exceeded my expectations. Holcombe takes readers back into the world of the Eternal Empire, several months after the events of A Necromancer Called Gam Gam, bringing wonderful new additions to this fantastical, found family, delving into his characters’ magical abilities, and handling the complexities of growing through grief with immense kindness. Holcombe also creates a simply dastardly villain, and provides readers with the POV of a lovable, undead cat, “Nugget.”
While Holcombe’s writing is incredibly creative and endearing, I am continually impressed by his ability to work in and handle difficult topics. Throughout the novella, main character Mina learns more about and practices her neuromancy skills, and I was moved by the way that this growth in skill was portrayed. Holcombe was able to delve deeper into the grieving process with his characters by showing how love and empathy can be a catalyst for growth. Mina battles fear and sadness over the loss of her father, but learns that by leaning into memories and the support of others, rather than pushing them away, she’s able to help herself (and others) heal.
Holcombe’s Chronicles of Gam Gam is a light-hearted, fantasy series that really has a powerful impact. I love books that allow me some self-reflection, and while reading The Wishing Stone I found myself questioning a few things:
-How can I value the memories that I have created?
-What does it mean to support those around me who are grieving?
-Who are the people/what are the things that I can lean on in difficult times?
The Wishing Stone is a beautiful entry in a heartwarming, fun series and tackles grief, relationships, and the endurance of memories with incredible care. I would highly recommend this book/series to readers of all ages, but have your tissues nearby!
Thank you to the author for an eARC in exchange for an honest opinion/review. Opinions above are all my own.
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