This book is a wild, layered ride through parallel realms, ancient magic, and the heavy weight of choice. Narrated in part by a clever, time-hopping feline named Cat, the story follows the intertwined destinies of Mythral, a powerful yet emotionally walled-off wizard; Kit, a teenage girl aching for purpose and adventure; and MorKano, a dark wizard with revenge in his veins. The Realms are split into three, each with its own rules, power structures, and secrets, an attempt to keep dark magic in check.

What hooked me right away was the voice of Cat in the prologue. It’s cheeky, philosophical, and just a little smug. But in a good way. The book immediately signals that it’s going to toy with time and ripple effects like they’re ingredients in a magical stew. The nonlinear timeline and concept of the Time-Path was mind-bendy, but the kind of bend I enjoy. It reminded me of those “what if?” moments we all have but raised to a cosmic level. And yet, this isn’t just high-concept fantasy. It’s also deeply human. Mythral’s loneliness, especially his regret over not taking on an apprentice sooner, made him more than just your typical “wise old wizard.” He’s flawed, proud, and sometimes a bit of an idiot, in a good way​.

Kit absolutely stole my heart. She’s smart, a little stubborn, and full of questions that hit home. Her diary entries feel raw and real, like a teen on the cusp of something big, with no idea just how big it’s about to get​. She doesn’t come from magic. She doesn’t know her past. But she walks into this magical bookshop and takes that leap anyway. Her dry wit and fierce independence reminded me a bit of early Hermione Granger, if Hermione had been way more annoyed about not having an adventure yet.

The writing itself has got this whimsical edge to it, like a fairy tale told by someone who’s lived through a few too many of them. There’s a bursty rhythm to the storytelling, jumping between realms and characters, sometimes even doubling back in time. At first, it’s a lot. But once you’re in the flow, it works. One moment you’re reading Mythral brooding in a cold underground chamber, the next you’re watching a blue-gray cat manipulate the fabric of fate with an exasperated sigh​. And MorKano is your classic megalomaniac with daddy issues, and yet there’s a calculated patience to him that makes him genuinely chilling. He’s not the cackling type, he’s the slow-burn villain, the kind who would rather humiliate you before destroying you.

Wishes and Choices is more than just a magical adventure, it’s a meditation on responsibility, consequences, and whether we’re brave enough to make the hard call when it counts. The story dances around the idea of fate and free will, but it doesn’t drown in its own philosophy. Instead, it gently nudges you to ask, “What would I do?”—without giving you the easy answer. I’d recommend this to fantasy lovers who enjoy stories with heart, brains, and a talking cat that may or may not be a god. Especially great for fans of His Dark Materials, A Wrinkle in Time, or early Harry Potter, but with a slightly older, more introspective twist.

Pages: 264 | ASIN : B0DP2X8RKM