Thank you to NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for giving me the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Broken Wish. I have not read anything from Julie C. Dao before, but I must say that I like her storytelling. This book has the essence of Disney stories, but with a bit of a darker ending.

I really enjoyed the characters within this book. Though not everyone was fully developed, the reader can get a sense of the personalities of each character. The most developed character I would say is Mathilda, the witch of the North Woods, and she was one of my favorite ones in the entire book. Her ability to cast spells is something that she’s made some mistakes with, but she has a genuine heart. However, so many can’t see pass her past mistakes, which I think speaks volumes to the theme of acceptance in this book.

Aside from the theme of acceptance, there is also a great lesson about not caring what others think. So much of Mathilda’s loneliness was what others may think about those who spend time with her. Because townspeople called her a witch, going to Mathilda’s house “wasn’t okay.” However, when getting to know Mathilda better, it’s easy to see that she’s misunderstood and people were simply afraid of her.

Due to this being a Disney fairy tale, there were several plot points that were fairly predictable. Without giving too much away, breaking promises lead to severe consequences and dabbing into too much magic can lead to some devastating results were a couple of predictable story beats. In addition, there were certain characters who appeared one way and then we learn their true colors. These were also not very surprising.

With all of this being said, I did enjoy reading Broken Wish. I especially thought it was cute that the author gave a small nod to the Brothers Grimm here. I will definitely look into Julie C. Dao’s other books! I would recommend this quick read to those who enjoy fairy tales written in a Disney-style way with a bit of darker ending.

I received a copy from Netgalley for an honest review.

In the fashion of a fairytale, Broken Wish (The Mirror, #1) is a story about friendship, the implications of a broken promise, and the power of magic. I appreciated the premise of the story and liked Dao's descriptions, especially the settings, like the forest and Mathilde's cottages.

Journeying with the characters, I was annoyed with Agnes for breaking her promise but liked Elva and Mathilda and their growing friendship, which teaches a positive message about connecting with others, free of judgement and prejudice. There were some transitions that could've been smoother and areas where the dialogue felt stilted. But, overall, this was a nice story with positives messages that I believe can be enjoyed, especially by middle grade readers.

Thank you, Netgalley.

This is a retelling of a combination of several classic fairy tale themes. Set in the mid 1800s, with references to the stories the Brothers Grimm are compiling, this engaging tale includes witches, magic, inborn and learned abilities, and universal themes such as friendship, keeping promises, family and relationships, and trust for those around you. Oskar and Agnes leave their home because of a bad family situation, and purchase a cottage near the village of Hanau. Their nearest, and somewhat mysterious neighbor, Mathilda, leaves them a housewarming gift, which begins an ongoing correspondence and exchange of gifts between Mathilda and Agnes. Eventually they meet, and Mathilda, while denying she is a witch, as the village believes, offers to help them with their dearest wist: to have a child. She has only one condition; that Agnes remain her friend. Due to Oskar's concerns about the village gossips, Agnes breaks her promise, with consequences that extend through her entire life, and affect her entire family, even the village - but most particularly her daughter, Elva. In classic fairy tale fashion, what goes around, comes around - leaving Elva to decide how she will resolve the issues she has inherited. An enchanting story based on elements of several classic fairy tales.

I am not going to lie, I loved it. And I'm way past the age of young adult, but I love fairy tales, and the cover is what drew me. The Mirror: Broken Wish does an excellent job in leading us into the magic of fairy tales. It shows us in an easy to read narrative about morals and magic and decision-making.

I love that Elva has a love of art. I wish that it had been touched upon a little more. I felt that she was a very real feeling/ well developed character in a fairy tale novel. I thought this was a fast and sweet read and the perfect escapism on a hot sunny day. I definitely recommend this book to lovers of fairy tales, regardless of age.

I would like to thank Julie C. Dao, Disney Publishing Worldwide and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel and exchange for a fair and honest review.

Every family curse starts somewhere. This one just so happens to involve a stunning story about women at the margins of society—women who seek acceptance, form life-changing friendships, and stand up for each other even when it puts them at odds with the people they love.

The Mirror is an upcoming four-book Disney series that follows the descendants of one cursed family. Their history spans four cities and nearly two centuries, taking us from a tiny German town to the speakeasies of New Orleans, to San Francisco and finally the skyscrapers of post-9/11 New York. And Broken Wish kicks off this saga off with a flourish.

Hanau, Germany, 1848: Agnes Heinrich befriends a mysterious woman on the hill, the one they call witch. The friendship that blossoms between Agnes and this woman, Mathilda, is pure and uplifting—until the day Agnes betrays Mathilda with cruel coldness, breaking a promise that will haunt her family for generations.

Hanau, Germany, 1865: For sixteen years, Elva Heinrich—Agnes’s daughter and the result of her betrayal nearly two decades ago—has struggled to repress her magical abilities: when she looks into a reflective surface, the visions she sees will inevitably come true. But when she glimpses a devastating future for her family, Elva ventures into the mysterious North Woods to find the only person who can help and understand her now: the witch Mathilda.

I think in a lot of ways, the women of Disney find themselves fighting for the same fervent wish: to be accepted for who they are. It’s certainly the case for bookish Belle, who simply wants a Gaston-free life to read and love her father. Mulan literally fights for the right to unabashedly own her accomplishments and bravery. Merida and Pocahontas strive to control their own destinies, albeit in different ways, while Elsa isolates herself in ice and fear because she believes that she will never be accepted for who she is: a woman capable of world-altering magic.

With this rich legacy before them, Mathilda and Elva grapple with similar dilemmas. Mathilda lives deep in the North Woods, shunned by the townspeople of Hanau and surrounded by a miasma of cruel taunts and rumours. Meanwhile, Elva leads a seemingly normal life in Hanau with her loving family and handsome Willem—but all her life, Elva has been told she is unnatural and dangerous. When Mathilda teaches Elva the value and beauty of her abilities, and Elva in turn coaxes hope for friendship into Mathilda’s heart, the girl and the woman help each other make that wish—acceptance—come true.

And Broken Wish captured these themes with utter lyricism. Julie C. Dao’s prose is tidy and lush, sketching out scenes and details without much fanfare but with great vividness. I get major Shannon Hale and Gail Carson Levine vibes from her writing and world-building—but most of all I see the same themes that make Elphaba from Wicked someone who is heartachingly compelling.

Mathilda’s loneliness is so palpable throughout the book. She has fortified her heart with thorns to ensure that she cannot be betrayed again—not by a man she once dared to love, not by a friend she loved enough to trust. Like Elphaba, Mathilda is pushed and pressed and goaded into becoming the very thing she never was: cold and hardened.

I really adored this one, y’all. Mathilda and Elva let no man come between them—though many try—and that was SO uplifting. And though their ending is far from happy, their love for each other ends up changing each of them… for good.

CONCLUSION: Broken Wish gives voice to the women at the margins of fairy tale society, in a story that’s both gutting and uplifting. I absolutely CANNOT wait to see how the story will continue—in New Orleans, with a Heinrich boy and a Black girl with enchanted shoes…

A sweet fairytale of a story. Elva's mother befriends the local witch. The two women strike a bargain. The witch will help the mother attain her heart's desire. In return the mother will not forsake their friendship. That promise is broken and the rest of the story deals with the consequences of that broken trust.

The book is about being different and learning to accept that difference whether or not the rest of society does so.

As with all fairytales, this book is suitable for adults as well as young readers.

I was given a free ARC. I am leaving my honest review.

The Mirror: Broken Wish is a dark fairytale/fable in the vein of Grimm. What starts with a sweet relationship between Agnes and Mathilda spirals in a warning about promises and the consequences of breaking them and on another level the themes of friendship, betrayal, prejudice and isolation are woven in.

The writing is magical, transporting you with perfectly chosen details into the world and allowing you to both see and the women as well as their surroundings. It wasn't what happened with Agnes and Mathilda that really swept me away, when perspectives shifted to Elva I was unable to put the story down.

Elva, like Mathilda, has gifts, though what made them such strong characters was their inner beauty and strength. These were the kind of women who are true heroes. They are taken from one end of the emotional spectrum to the other simply because the magic they possess scares/is judged as evil by everyone, even ones you would least expect. Every aspect is painted with a lovely juxtaposition of hope and heartbreak.

The tension holds steady through but as the end neared I found myself holding my breath and frustrated that I couldn't read faster as my heart raced with anticipation. That end, my emotions, the power. If you like a darker edge in your fairytales/fables this is must read.

I can't wait to get my hands on the next part in this series.

I have always loved Disney movies, characters, books ect.. so I was very excited to find a book combining my favorite elements of fantasy and Disney! This book was fast-paced and easy to follow along, it would be great for pre-teens to adults alike! This book takes place in the late 1800’s Germany in a small village by a magical forest. The main character Elva is a 16 year old girl who is kind and spirited but also had a secret...she can see the future on reflective surfaces (water, mirrors, ect.)! Her parents fear for her safety and tell Elva not to tell anyone what she can do, out of fear people will think her a witch. They have witnessed how badly anyone thought to be a witch is treated. Elva keeps them to herself until one day she sees a terrifying vision of a storm that will destroy everything her family has! She decides to take matters into her own hands and seek the help of Matilda, a witch who once thought of Elva’s mother as a friend. This story contains lessons such as importance of family and friendship, the power of prejudice, and the consequences of broken promises. I can’t wait for the next book to see what happens next!


#TheMirrorBrokenWish #NetGalley

What a great start!
Book #1 in a new series by Disney publishing. This had everything I love in a tale. The Storyline was captivating, and did not disappoint once. Family, friendship, love, good & bad (according to some of the characters). Don't want to give away much but ties into some German Grimm, magic, mirrors, snow white, witches. Fantastic story all around and I absolutely cannot wait for the next one. I would love to add it in print form to my collection and the rest of the series if they are just as well written. I received a digital copy of this in exchange for my honest review from netgalley and Disney publishing.

I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved Julie C. Dao's previous books and so I knew that she knows how to do a great fairytale. This one doesn't take place in some mystical land but in Germany so there is some realism mixed in with the magic. This reads like a Grimm fairytale, which I like, and even mentions the Grimms a few times and their search for tales.

This story is all about promises and what happens if you break them, especially when a witch is involved. I liked Agnes (who starts of the story). She is a nice person but was too easily influenced by popular opinion and so breaks her promise to Mathilda after Mathilda helped her with her problem of not being able to have a child. Magic has consequences, especially when it is because of a broken promise and acts in unpredictable ways. This time it is a special child, Elva and a curse of three.

Most of this book is about Elva and her powers trying to break the curse and protect her family and be with Mathilda. I enjoyed this read very much even though it was a bit dark and sad with the hate of the other townspeople. It has strong characters and I liked Elva and Mathilda. I hope I can read the next books so I can find out what happens!

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Hyperion for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed reading this book and the rich language and descriptions drew me in right away. I loved the way the magic was woven in throughout the story and I could never guess what was going to happen next. The story follows Elva, a sixteen-year-old girl, who has visions of the future. When she sees a terrifying vision one night, she knows she has to do whatever she can to stop it from happening. As Elva is looking for a way to change the future she stumbles upon a magic mirror and a witch. She learns more about her magic and the witch, but the lines between friend and enemy starts to run together and Elva finds herself scrambling to make everything right before it's too late. The magic mirror concept was my favorite part and the only thing I didn't like about this book was the ending. I loved everything up until then. My actual rating is 4.2 stars. (review published on June 12, 2020)

The first in Disney's new 4-author series following a family's curse through the ages, Broken Wish is a dark YA fairy tale, reminding me much of Disney/ABC's tv show, Once Upon A Time. Tracing back to the very beginning of a family curse, the story follows a German girl named Elva, as well as her relationship with her village and a supposedly evil witch.

In this novel, not all things are as they seem. Throughout the book, my favorite character quickly became Mathilda, Elva's friend and rumored witch - not only did I appreciate their friendship, but also the fact that Julie C. Dao chose to break the norm, using Mathilda as a good magical force as well as addressing the problem of "othering" those who are different. While I would have liked to see Elva's love of art a bit more, I really appreciated how Dao used her narrative to set up the series. I personally liked learning more about Hanau and Elva's life, and though getting to the conflict/curse took some time, I didn't mind this as this is a four book series (had it been stand-alone, I would have felt differently).

Overall, I loved reading this departure from the typical YA fairytale, excited by the unique twist to the genre!

Julie Dao is better than The Mirror: Broken Wish, you guys. This book is everything I hate: An excruciatingly slow build to a cliffhanger ending, redemption that’s never actually earned, and people doing things that are objectively Not Very Smart. Long ago, Elva’s mom Agnes was friends with the suspected witch Mathilda, but their friendship ended when Elva’s dad and the town warned Agnes away. Mathilda was so hurt she left the town for good, but Elva makes up her mind to find the witch when she discovers she has supernatural powers of her own. Mathilda reluctantly agrees to help Agnes’s daughter, but magic is still suspicious in their little village, and it’s only a matter of time before Mathilda — and Elva — find themselves in big trouble. So much build up, so little reward. So much foreshadowing, so little action. I wasn’t a fan.

Julie C. Dao sets the bar high with Broken Wish, a stunning and skillful introduction to the world of The Mirror, Disney's new fractured fairy-tale series written by four different authors that follows a family curse through the ages.

In the mid 19th century, a young couple move to the small village of Hanau, Germany looking for a fresh start. When local gossip indicates that their newly-befriended reclusive neighbor Mathilda is the fearsome witch of the North Woods, in order to preserve their social standing they decide to break their promise and end the friendship -- but only after getting her help to have children after a long struggle with infertility.

Years later, 16 year old Elva has a terrifying vision and decides to seek out Mathilda, hoping for help in controlling her ability as well as a way to prevent her vision from coming true. Along the way, in the witch's old cottage, she finds an enchanted mirror that was left behind when Mathilda moved.

Over time, Elva learns more about magic and forms a strong bond with Mathilda, coming to see her as a sort of aunt. When Elva's concern for her family leads to another broken promise, she inadvertently sets a catastrophic chain of events in motion.

~“There’s power in a promise, no matter who you make it to. The most powerful are made when magic is involved. If you break one of those promises, you release its energy into the world.”~

As with Dao's previous books, this story is beautifully written. However, it was a little slow in the beginning so it took a bit longer for me to get into it than I expected, but the backstory was integral to the plot so I'm not complaining.

Social interactions and the relationships between characters feature prominently throughout the book; it's through these that the author tackles themes such as bullying, prejudicial behavior, and emotional manipulation. I'll refrain from going into detail in the interest of avoiding spoilers, but there's plenty here for the reader to unpack and think about.

It was refreshing to see that the somewhat unorthodox friendship between Elva and Mathilda was the primary focus, as opposed to the more common romantic entanglements typically seen in fairytales.

Overall, Broken Wish is an incredibly solid start to what is sure to be an exceptional series. Dao deftly weaves a spellbinding tale exploring the dichotomy of deep friendship and family loyalty, the inherent power of words spoken and promises made, and how fear of the future can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

**Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! All opinions are my own.**

I'm so excited about this series and Julie Dao does not disappoint. Magic always comes at a price in fairy tales, and in Broken Wish, one family must pay the an impossible price for a broken promise. Dao sets up a world suspicious of magic and outsiders, and with kind Elva and prickly Matilda, we see the consequences of prejudice drive forward the cost of magic. I can't wait to what happens in the next installment!

Broken Wish is the perfect dark fairytale.

The first of a new four-book series from Disney Books, Broken Wish by Julie Dao kicks of The Mirror series with flying colors. Strong women, fateful choices, prejudices, myth and magic will have readers swept off their feet in this Brothers Grimm-esque tale.

Broken Wish is described as a fractured fairytale, which means the feeling of a darker Disney – with an almost Tim Burton-inspired atmosphere – fills the pages from beginning to end. The witch’s warmth is juxtaposed by the ugliness of misconception that floods the local rumor mill. (This comparison reminded me of the dreary land of the living starkly contrasted by the lively, colorful, music-filled underworld in Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride. Inverting assumptions is always remarkable.)

‘Family curses start somewhere’ is the tagline and perfectly foreshadows an engaging introduction to Dao’s story. The protagonist-shift in the early chapters was my favorite feature of the book and had me surprised in every good way. I happily encountered many other intriguing twists and turns as I read on and wandered closer to the North Woods.

Baking and blankets; tea, supper and the exchanging of letters fosters a coziness and special friendship between Agnes and Mathilda, and Elva and Mathilda, which transported me to the cottage-filled town of Hanau, Germany in the 1800s – and rallied me to their cause.

But the coziness stops there.

Risky bargains based on unpredictable magic heighten the intensity of an already-dangerous, discriminatory environment. Not only accepting but embracing people who are different from you should not be that hard. It just should be. Not to mention all the wonderful things we can learn from one another… Elva’s wide-eyed optimism and infallible spirit draw you in – you cannot help but care about and vouch for her. She wants the best for her family, friends and the townsfolk. But at what cost?

Change is not so simple when the threat of the gallows looms large. Plus, things are not always what they seem. Heartbreak, rejection and loneliness can only be ousted by hope which hovers just out of reach.

Still, we read on, hoping along with Dao’s inviting characters and looking forward to what books 2, 3 and 4 have in store. If they are anything like Broken Wish, our eyes will be glued to the pages right until the very end.

Thanks to Disney Publishing Worldwide for providing a digital ARC of The Mirror Broken Wish in exchange for an honest review.

I am obsessed with Grimm Fairytales. Always have been, always will be. The Mirror: Broken Wish does an excellent job translating the magic and morals of Grimm stories into a narrative perfect for teen and tween readers. The whole idea of Disney recruiting a different YA writer to write each book in this quartet had me really interested and this book did not disapoint.

The main thing that bothered me was Elva's supposed love of art that was brought up a once or twice at the beginning of the story and then not returned to. Honestly, due to the style of the book I don't think the character even necessitates a discussed 'outside of plot convenience' hobby. She feels real in the way most fairy tale characters do and you can get invested in Cinderella without hearing about her love of sculpting.

This book was amazing! Strong plot! Powerful characters! A plot that held my attention the entire time!!!! I couldn’t put it down. I needed to find out what happened next!

#TheMirrorBrokenWish #NetGalley
Excellent read for tweens and teens, but anyone would enjoy this story.