As You Wish

By Jackson Pearce

Ever since Viola's boyfriend broke up with her, she has spent her days silently wishing—to have someone love her again and, more importantly, to belong again—until one day she inadvertently summons a young genie out of his world and into her own. He will remain until she makes three wishes.

Jinn is anxious to return home, but Viola is terrified of wishing, afraid she will not wish for the right thing, the thing that will make her truly happy. As the two spend time together, the lines between master and servant begin to blur, and soon Jinn can't deny that he's falling for Viola. But it's only after Viola makes her first wish that she realizes she's in love with Jinn as well . . . and that if she wishes twice more, he will disappear from her life—and her world—forever.

Jackson Pearce spins a magical tale about star-crossed lovers, what it means to belong . . . and how important it is to be careful what you wish for.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperTeen
• Release date: Apr 27, 2010
• ISBN: 9780062011060

Jackson Pearce

If Jackson Pearce had three wishes, she would wish for wisdom, patience, and for life to be a little more like a musical. She began writing when the school librarian told her there weren't any books that contained a smart girl, horses, baby animals, and magic. Her solution was to write the book herself. Jackson currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with a slightly cross-eyed cat and a lot of secondhand furniture.

Reviews for As You Wish

[oxlabyrinthxo-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I like this book, it's different and fun. It takes the whole genie idea and makes it more modern.

[abbylibrarian_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

When Viola's best friend and boyfriend came out to her and they broke up, she felt like she would never be whole again. All she wished for was to stop being Invisible Girl and find the group where she fit in. But when a genie arrives to grant her three wishes, Viola can't decide what will make her happy. And the longer she puts off wishing, the more she grows to like Jinn. But she has to wish eventually and when she does, Jinn will leave her world forever. I was really afraid that my expectations would be too high for this book because I've been following Jackson Pearce's vlogs and looking forward to AS YOU WISH for so long. I shouldn't have worried because this book is fabulous! Funny and sweet, the perfect blend of romance and magic. I really, really enjoyed it. Highly recommended. (Better review to come soon on my blog.)

[chaoticbooklover · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is not a book that I could easily put down. I only stopped reading twice, once to get the kids ready for school and once to cook dinner. I loved the light hearted plot, and even though it isn't something I normally read, I was glad to have picked it up.

[mirandalg14 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not her best, but not horrible.

[jami_leigh · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Plot: 3 1/2 stars
Characters: 3 1/2 stars
Style: 4 1/2 stars
Pace: 4 stars

Rounding up because it's adorable. This is the kind of book my 12 year old self would have fallen in love with. Smart, funny, relatable characters, lighthearted but with a serious thread or three. Bonus half star also for having a gay character who isn't a stereotype!

[theamwriter · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is my review for the book As You Wish by Jackson Pearce. About the book:Ever since Viola's boyfriend broke up with her, she has spent her days silently wishing—for someone to love her again and, most important, to belong again—until her wishes inadvertently summon a genie named Jinn out of his world and into her own. He will remain until she makes three wishes. But it's only after Viola makes her first wish that she realizes she's in love with Jinn . . . and that if she wishes twice more, he will disappear from her life—and her world—forever.Jackson Pearce spins a magical tale about star-crossed lovers, what it means to belong . . . and how important it is to be careful what you wish for. My Review:I loved reading this book. I know that this is not the original cover but I think the publishers and the author made a fine choice to change the cover to this one (the final one). The starry night sky as part of the cover is good because the jinn in the story likes to look at the stars in the sky while he waits for Viola to make her next wish. I think this book is beautifully written. I loved the characters, the plot, and I even loved the ending. I got a little teary-eyed around the time in the book where Viola made her 3rd and final wish. But I still enjoyed reading this book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves, romance, magic, and a little mystery their reading.

[krissy724 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I freakin loved this book!! As You Wish is a perfect book to read over and over again while cuddled in a blanket on a rainy day! Viola, who was dumped by her boyfriend, Lawrence last year, has never been able to get over it. Even though her and Lawrence are best friends, she still feels betrayed. She's lonely and unhappy, and wishes she belonged--Enter the magical genie Jinn! Just like in the classic, genie fairytale, Viola gets three wishes that Jinn has to grant.Viola and Jinn fall in love, but after she makes her three wishes, Jinn will be gone from her life forever. I could not put this book down because I needed to know what happened. If Jinn and Viola did not end up together, I was going to throw my book across the room....**SPOILER ALERT**....I did not throw my book across the room! The ending was perfect!Many times in books, the lead female character bothers me. They are too winy to deal with. Viola complains a lot about feeling invisible and not belonging since Lawrence came out of the closet and broke up with her, but let's face it, this is something that every single teenager has felt. We all at one point or another in our life has felt "invisible in a crowded room". I admired Viola. I thought Viola was strong, selfless, thoughtful, and smart. I also enjoyed Lawrence's character. He was sweet and caring, and brought a lot to the story. Jinn was my favorite. He started off as kind of a sarcastic douche, but once he opened up, it was easy for me (oops, I mean Viola) to fall in love with him! I could not stop picturing Jinn as Aladdin, who I had a childhood crush on, even though he was a cartoon. I know, lame. The only thing I did not like about this book is the cover. The publishers could have done so much with the cover of this novel. But whatever, the book was still amazing!Jackson Pearce is a wonderful, funny, and talented writer. As You Wish was her first book that she wrote while in college (which in itself is really cool!). I've read and reviewed Sisters Red already and I am excited for Sweetly, due out in August 2011!

[sithereandread · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

AS YOU WISH, by Jackson Pearce, was a sweet treat with a genie to match. This story had an Aladdin-esque vibe to it except the wisher was a angst-filled teenage girl who just wanted her life to be fulfilled, be careful what you wish for...Right from the beginning I was captivated by this charming story of love and magic. After reading Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce (and loved it!), I needed to read more of her work. Pearce's stunning story made me laugh and cry throughout and I will definitely be adding it to my bookshelf.Viola was a genuine girl-next-door who did not want to be invisible anymore. She wished her life was different and in popped Jinn, a handsome, young genie who wanted nothing more but to be back home. Viola opened Jinn's eyes to the kinder and more thoughtful side of humans. Viola and Jinn were such a great couple because of their differing natures and because they were never afraid to be honest with each other.I enjoyed the character progression that Viola went through in terms of how she saw her world after making a wish. The quote, "The grass is always greener on the other side," comes to mind. Jinn's magic worked on illusions and Viola saw that even if you change the picture, deep down the problem still remains.I loved reading both Viola and Jinn's perspective. I really liked the world of Caliban that Pearce created. It seemed like the most beautiful place and the fact that jinn don't age there was an interesting concept. The lack of human emotion that a jinn possesses made some difficult exchanges between Viola and Jinn, but this created the charm of the book.Overall this was a fantastic read, and I highly recommend it to anyone who is lacking a little magic in his or her life.

[elentarien · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Interesting premise. A bit too 'teen angsty' for my taste, though. The ending was good, although I did not find it entirely satisfactory. Over all. . .I wouldn't bother reading it again.

[ssalach21 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I had previously read Jackson Pearce's second novel, Sisters Red, and I loved it. There's something about the way she writes that just draws the reader in. Since reading Sisters Red, I've been very excited and interested in reading As You Wish. I wanted to see how her writing differs, and if I enjoyed her first book as much as her second, or if what I really enjoyed was the fairy tale retelling. I am very pleased to say that I am not in the least bit dissapointed. I don't need to tell you what As You Wish is about, it's pretty clear from the summary. What I can tell you though is that Jackson Pearce is an artist. Her words flow like it was an effortless task for her to write them, and we all know that writing a book is anything but effortless. If you haven't read one of her books, you should. It didn't take me long to finish it, probably 5 hours total. The characters are fun and enjoyable, and even when they are sulking there is just the right amount of emotion. The main character Viola, she's smart. She thinks about her actions before she goes forward with anything. And Jinn is sarcastic, which I find quite charming. While I seem to enjoy books where the girl is head over heels for the guy and shes just plain stupid, there's something about a book where the girl is actually intelligable. If you are looking for a fun, quick read, that is enjoyable and written extremely well, then I recommend this book for you! I have high hopes that you won't be dissapointed.

[thekaisu · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Reading this book is like one hell of a rollercoaster ride.The opening paragraph was really good. I think its what really got me into reading this. I also like the way Jackson Pearce wrote it using Jinn and Viola's alternating points of view. I don't think I've ever read a style like that recently. I like taking a sneak peek into what they were thinking, what they were feeling.And this is probably the first novel I've read in a while where I got really pissed off with the female protagonist. Really. I wanted to hit Viola in the head really really hard. Right, as if she's the only one in the world who feels like she doesn't belong, whose boyfriend turned out to be gay and decided to just be a friend. I get it, its hard to just go back as friends, but didn't she tried to stop and think that maybe it was her own fault that she feels she didn't belong? That maybe if she just tried she'd be able to "belong" again?I hate how she blamed Lawrence for "breaking" her. I love Lawrence. I think I loved his character more than I loved Viola. I think if there was ever a "victim" in their relationship, it wasn't really Viola. It was Lawrence. He had sacrificed a lot because he loved Viola, but not the way she loved him.I give props to Jackson Pearce though. The way she wrote Jinn is just marvelous. It's like going through a process while reading. He was just a Jinn, someone who doesn't have enough individuality to even deserve a name. But when he started feeling jealousy, the yearning to age, to be like Viola, I was sad and yet happy for him at the same time. He was feeling different, and it scares him so much. What he feels for Viola scares him.I'm not sure if its a good thing I am hating Viola as I read through the book. Hating and pitying her at the same time, actually. She is so messed up, and it was her own doing. Jinn and Viola's relationship confuses the hell out of me. But the tender moments in between makes me smile. A lot. Then suddenly I feel for Viola, then I'm not pissed off anymore. I felt sad and torn when she had to choose between Lawrence and Jinn. And I cried when Viola finally remembered who Jinn is. "I forgot" she said. And yeah, I cried. Wow, emotional rollercoaster. You're good, Jackson Pearce. Really good!If this is how I'm going to feel everytime I read her book, then I'd better grab a copy of Sisters Red soon!

[erinwalk_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A fresh concept and a sweet love story. Pearce's writing style is inviting and accessible and the characters were very well-crafted. A great book for someone who wants something thought-provoking but not too heavy.

[trishalynn0708 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book was so fun! Who wouldn't want a genie? I really enjoyed Viola's character in this story, she was very fun.The story goes by chapters and alternates between Viola and Jinn, the genie. I really like books like this because you get to see how each person reacts to the same thing. And they are always totally different.I really liked Jinn in this book as well. He starts off as a total pain, being short with Viola so he can get back to Caliban where he came from. But as the book goes on he lightens up. And so doesn't his feelings for Viola.Viola changes in the book too. At first she just wanted to be popular and fit in, but after Jinn grants her wish and gets what she wants she realizes that isn't what she wanted and misses things the way they were.This is a really good book for teens, it shows that not everything you want is what you get.

[nyxennadine · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was my second time reading this book. And that's a shocker because I have never read a book more than one time. The first time I read As You Wish I was entranced with Jackson's story-telling. I loved how the words seemed to flow so smoothly and endlessly. This debut novel really had me going. It got me to laugh, cry, and yell endless profanities at Aaron, a supporting character.It all starts with a simple girl, Viola. Now, Viola isn't an outcast or a freak. She is a regular teenage girl who has friends but she can't see that because she thinks she doesn't belong. She feels as if she doesn't belong with anyone or to any group at school because her ex boyfriend-now best friend Lawrence- told her he was gay before they were about to do "It." Ever since that fateful night all Viola wanted is to have someone to love her to feel like she belongs in this world. She wishes endlessly which causes a jinn, or genie, to magically appear.Viola now has three wishes to make but she doesn't know what to wish for. Not knowing what to wish for causes Jinn, the genie, to stay on Earth longer which makes him grow and age. Because in Caliban, Jinn's world, it's as if time stops. No one ages; no one grows. But as soon as they step foot on Earth they do. As Viola doesn't wish that's just more time Jinn has on Earth. But as time slowly progresses, Jinn finds out that being human isn't bad and that having human emotions isn't either, especially when they are directed to Viola. But it isn't until Viola makes her first wish that she starts realizing her feelings for Jinn. Everything after that is like a blur for Viola as she is finally "accepted" and feels like she belongs. But the only problem is Viola coming to terms with her feelings for Jinn. Not only that but she is slowly losing her time with Jinn as an ifrit starts pressing her to wish, making Jinn go back to Caliban.It seems like this story won't have a happy ending, but on the contrary, there is. I just loved how this novel made my emotions go haywire and I loved that I could definitely relate to some characters. Viola was a bit stubborn at times and I just wanted to yell at her for being clueless at times. I fell in love with As You Wish from beginning to end. I loved every word in this novel and I was extremely sad to finish it. I want Viola and Jinn's story to continue. Overall I rate this Five Stars.

[ricky21_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As you wish is a delightful, endearing tale. It tugged at my heart, and made me smile and laugh in some places. It was a really quick read, but it held such meaning and promises in it. When Jinn had to leave, my heart called out to him and Viola. Their pain was so poignant, and Jackson displayed it so clearly. This book is one my new favorites.

[ylin20621 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wow! It just seems that in the short of a few days I’ve uncovered a lost treasure trove of books. As You Wish was sweet but with a touch of sadness. Viola goes through a breakup with a best friend since childhood because, you guessed it, he’s gay! It seems that all the good man are always gay, taken, or, you know, “mythical”. She goes through a change that leaves her sad, but just lonely. She can’t find her place where she belongs, giving herself the nickname Invisible Girl. Sure everyone’s nice to her but it felt that she’s not whole when Lawrence broke up with her. Then Jinn comes along… Viola was a perfect main character. She grew throughout the entire novel. Jinn was such a swoonful man. In general I thought the progression of the storyline was smooth. This entire setup was nicely done that gave an ease of effortlessness. Magically delicious. Honestly there isn’t much I can say about this book, just pick it when it comes out! Overall: Awesome!

[ericajsc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

At first glance, this looks like a pretty light read: girl pines for her ex-boyfriend, she’s granted three wishes, and suddenly there’s a new romance on the horizon. It is a quick and easy read, but don’t let that fool you. There is more in this story beyond what’s just on the surface. The story is told through both Viola’s and Jinn’s points of view, and their voices are distinct enough that this works. Pearce deftly captures the deepest emotions of both narrators. I don’t think the book would have worked as well if it had only been told from one perspective, because the changes Viola and Jinn made in their thinking about each other happened slowly, with a thought here and a glance there. Also, without Jinn’s side of the story, there wouldn’t be the excellent descriptions of Viola’s power over him as his master, like the way her question yanks at him “like being struck and dragged along the sand by a wave.”I found Viola to be a relatable character in that she’s paralyzed because she overanalyzes what she does, which happens so often when confidence is low. It’s not just coming up with three wishes that is difficult for her; she wants to change how she expresses herself in her paintings but she can’t really figure out how to make the changes, so she plays it safe. Her lack of confidence, whether that came from her breakup with Lawrence or if it was always there, is the biggest obstacle in the way of becoming who she wants to be. Watching the progression of her character is like watching a slowly unfolding rose. This book addresses important issues like being true to yourself, thinking about other people over your own desires, and what truly makes a person whole. But what I love is that it’s not a story that beats the message into the reader. I wouldn’t say it’s subtle, necessarily, but it’s not so overwhelming that it pushes out the sweetness of the story. I think the lessons in this book are ones everyone needs to be reminded of every now and then.

[alliebeth927 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

As You Wish was exactly what I wanted and expected- cute, fluffy, and sweet. Viola is very much an 'every girl' kind of character, making it easy to relate when the person she thought would be the love of her life becomes just a friend instead. She struggles to put herself back together after the heartbreak, and unwittingly calls a genie to her service. The love story between she and Jinn is sweet, if predictable. All in all, it's a fun book that would be totally appropriate even for very young teens. It's also much shorter than it looks (huge type, double spaced), which makes it perfect to devour easily in an afternoon.

[ethel55_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A really wonderful story about high schooler Viola, whose desire to fit in calls forth a jinn at school one day. Turns out, not all genies live in bottles and jinn return to their "homeland" of Caliban after granting three wishes for their master. Viola humanizes the jinn, who becomes Jinn for the story. Jinn breaks a few rules as well, taking Viola's personal feelings into account a little too often.

[librarymeg · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book was a clever and sweet riff on the classic forbidden/doomed love story, and was inspired in part by Shakespeare's "The Tempest." Viola is a high school student who has been plagued by a feeling of invisibility ever since her current best friend/ex-boyfriend, Lawrence, broke up with her by coming out. It's enough to throw anyone for a loop, but Viola has never fully recovered. She feels broken, lonely, and out of place with no idea of how to get back to her old self. Her fervent wishes to belong have the miraculous result of summoning a jinn to grant her, you guessed it, three wishes. The biggest problem is that Viola has the feeling that wishing to be popular will only make her feel like more of a loser, which means that the jinn is stuck in limbo while waiting for her to wish.The sweet love story that develops as Viola and Jinn find their common ground is not really surprising, but kept my interest anyway. There are still some roadblocks, as there must be in any good love story, and it may be that I'm just not that creative but I truly wondered how the author would resolve things. It was a satisfying conclusion, although I wouldn't have minded a few dozen more pages. But that's just me. I really liked this one. It's a bit more lighthearted than troubled love stories like Twilight, but will probably appeal to a similar audience.

[senfaye · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Title: As You Wish Author: Jackson Pearce Publisher: Harper Teen Number Of Pages: 300 Publication Date: August 25th, 2009Synopsis from back of book: A MAGICAL TALE ABOUT STAR-CROSSED LOVERS, WHAT IT MEANS TO BELONG… And HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR.Ever since Viola’s boyfriend broke up with her, she has spent her days silently wishing—for someone to love her again and most importantly, to belong again—until her wishes inadvertently summon a genie out of his world and into her own. But it’s only after Viola makes her first wish that she realizes she is in love with Jinn. . . and that if she wishes twice more, he will disappear from her life—and her world—forever.Review: As You Wish was such a fast paced, romantic, witty, and all around incredible story! I loved every minute of it.The story starts out with Viola, who’s ex-boyfriend is also her best friend. Their relationship, is sort of awkward at first, but as the story progresses you see how much Lawrence and Viola care for each other. Viola and Jinn’s relationship, was something you would see in a movie, they slowly fall for each other, and then something or someone is trying to keep them apart.As You Wish for my was un-putdownable! I had to keep reading to find out what happened next!! Another thing I enjoyed, was how Viola liked to paint, since I love painting, so by adding that in Jackson made Viola more relatable.Near the end of the book I got anxious to see what would happen to Jinn and Viola, and I almost cried, (for two reasons, that if I shared would spoil the ending!) and it had one of the best endings.Overall, Jackson wrote a story with characters that seem real and relatable. As You Wish is truly unforgettable.I recommend this book if you like romance, magic, and young adult novels.

[stephxsu · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

After her best friend and boyfriend, Lawrence, breaks out with her by coming out, Viola has desperately wished to feel as if she belonged to something meaningful and passionate again. Her strong desire summons Jinn out of his genie world to grant her three wishes.Jinn just wants to get the wishes over with so that he can return home to the safe and predictable loveliness of Caliban. Viola holds off on wishing, however, unsure of what it is she wants, exactly, and Jinn is forced to remain in the mortal world with her. As the days pass, Jinn comes to care for her more than he has ever cared about anyone before, and Viola finds that she can’t live without him.But when Viola makes her third and final wish, Jinn will be forced to leave her life forever.Sounds like the synopsis for the next Disney movie, right? Maybe—but it’s one that would appeal to both the children AND the parents. AS YOU WISH took me by surprise with its sincere charm, lighthearted humor, and the best kind of romance.The development of Viola and Jinn’s from master-genie to romantic love was extraordinarily well done. It was subtle and likable, like a romantic comedy movie unfolding before your eyes, except in words. It seemed completely natural for them to start off wary of one another and then to develop into friends, and finally something more. It is rare nowadays to find a romance that doesn’t start off from insta-connection and physical attraction, so Viola and Jinn’s relationship stands out to me in the best way.Likewise, supporting characters are also realistic. With the exception of maybe Aaron, I could believe in the genuineness of the characters’ interactions with one another. Lawrence in particular is a standout secondary character, one whose fate post-story we can actually feel ourselves caring about.Perhaps the greatest thing about AS YOU WISH, however, is Jackson Pearce’s effortless narration. How many authors can truly tell a charming story out of a concept that rides the fence on being sweet and too saccharine? AS YOU WISH didn’t read like a forced novel to me, but more like me experiencing a good friend’s story, or living out my favorite romantic comedy. I found myself crying through the ending, so involved was I in Jinn, Viola, and Lawrence’s story.Don’t be fooled by its childlike cover and fairy tale premise. AS YOU WISH makes you believe in wish-granters and the fact that love can triumph all. This is magical realism at its best, completely worth the list price, and one of the best love stories I’ve read all year.