I thoroughly enjoyed this dark fairy tale-esque fantasy. The story takes place in Germany in the 1850s. This is the story of Elva, a girl with the magical ability to see into the past and the future when she looks at a reflection. Elva’s family has been cursed. For every two good things that happen to them, something really bad happens. Elva discovers that perhaps it is a broken promise her mother made years ago that is the cause of this curse. This is also the story of Mathilda, the fabled witch in the woods, and Elva asks for her help in understanding and using her magical ability.

I really enjoyed how elements of various Grimm’s fairy tales are woven throughout. There is even an awareness in the background of the story that the Brothers Grimm are going around collecting fairy tales.

I love that this is going to be a series, I assume following different generations of this family as they deal with the family curse. Because of Elva’s ability to see into the future, we even get (very) brief glimpses into what is yet to come in the future books of this series. Each book will have a different author, which is neat, but the other three have their work cut out for them because Dao did an awesome job on this one.

This is an amazing original fairy tale that I cannot wait to continue with. It follows a young girl who has visions and is living in a time where any sort of magic is feared and ridiculed. Our girl befriends the feared witch in the woods so that she can improve her magic and try to stop one of her visions from coming true.

This is a great tale of friendship and shows well how ignorant people can be when faced with people who are different than themselves. The magic was interesting and well placed. The main character was lovable and bold. I can't wait to continue with this series!

Star Rating: 3.75-4

The Mirror project promises to be an ambitious and interesting project, one I'm definitely intrigued to see how it progresses. Four generations. Four stories. I love this concept of a cross-generational fairytale and it all starts here with Broken Wish. Because every family curse starts somewhere.

Broken Wish is the beginning of this saga, and the one I foresee being the most traditional fairytale-esque. Centered in late 1800s Geremany, it definitely unveils the beginning of a Disney-dark fairytale. Witches, spells gone wrong, and unpredictable magic, all under the flag of fighting what it means to be different. My biggest qualm is that this story, while enchanting and very much feels like the beginning of a Disney movie franchise, is just that: a beginning. Instead of standing on its own as it's own book, Broken Wish very much feels more like a prequel novella, with the real, true story on its way.

The characters are all archetypes you know, and not all of them have much depth. The story is easy to digest in the way that Disney encourages their books to be: clean prose and straight forward story. It's YA in the way of the Twisted Tales series, which also means the writing level is more geared towards younger YA readers and MG-aged readers.

Still, I'm honestly still excited for the stories to follow. While this is more like an introduction, I love the concept of this interconnected, multigenerational story. There's so many symbols and the like that I'm eager to see how they're carried over, and the next installment already sounds like it will promise heavier topics while extending the witchy feel outside classic Grimm Bros. era and into 1920s New Orleans.

Even though Broken Wish as a standalone doesn't feel as strong of a story as it could be, it has all the potential to hold the keys to a magnificent unraveling as The Mirror series continues!

From the first sentence I loved this book. I like the author’s style and the plot is well done. The cover is beautiful but it’s also a little small and I can’t fully see all the details online.

I find myself slowly getting sick of stories that don't seem to have any overarching effects on anyone but themselves and their family. This book is, in one word, boring. Not a lot happens, and even though it's only 320 pages, it feels too long. None of the characters seem to have a reasonable motivation for what they do to themselves and to other people. I couldn't finish it, so the rest of my criticism may be wrapped up, but here's what really annoyed me. Why doesn't Elva tell her parents when she gets blackmailed? Her family is super affluent, and the person who blackmails her is a farm boy. Who would the townspeople side with? We all know the answer. What does Elva want in life? She seems to just be floating around, doing whatever suits her fancy, and not really having any motivation to do anything. There was absolutely no foreshadowing to the betrayal she goes through, and there was not enough build up for me to really care when it happened. The biggest issue I had though, is WHY DIDN'T MATHILDA JUST LEAVE? Like really, everyone hates you, why not move to a less bigoted town, or how about a city? Why does she stay when she stays alone all day every day with people coming by to threaten to kill her? It makes absolutely no sense. Also, why did Elva's mom just drop Mathilda? She knew there would be a curse and did it anyway. And then anytime anything bad happens, she rues the day, as if she didn't totally bring it upon herself. And did she try to go make amends? Of course not! It made no sense. If they became friends again, the promise may have held up, but her mom, like the rest of the characters, doesn't seem to care about anything but vanity and how people will view them, even over the safety of her children. Overall, this was a serious disapointment.

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.

When I started this book I was expecting a fairy tale story, which meant I was expecting a light happy ending. The ending I got ruined me instead. Dark and light elements are weaved into this tale with grace. The themes were more complex than I thought they would be at first. You join Elva as she learns what it means to live as herself in the world, and as she navigates her relationships. Everyone wants something different from her, and its hard for her to be herself. Watching her try to become her authentic self while advocating for kindness was endearing. I highly recommend this book.

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!

Thanks to Disney Publishing Worldwide for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Broken Wish is about Elva, a sixteen-year-old girl who can see snippets of the future. She has tried to hide it her whole life, but when she realizes that she can use it for good, she starts to purposely use her powers. She seeks out “The Witch Of The North Woods” wanting answers to all of her questions. They soon become very good friends, and teach each other a lot about the magic world and the human world.

I loved Broken Wish. The plot was interesting, and so were the characters. The magic was woven into the story in a really neat way. The consequences and rules for the magic were believable and fascinating. My favorite character was definitely Mathilda, Elva’s friend and suspected witch. She was slowly built into the story, and became Elva’s loveable mentor. One of the things I liked most about Broken Wish was that most of the books that take place in the 1800’s were written in the 1800’s, which means they're somewhat hard to understand since they were written in a different time period. Broken Wish however, was very easy to follow.

My only problem with the book was the anti-climactic ending and the cliffhanger. See, if you are expecting something really big at the end, then you're not really gonna get much out of it and the book will just end on you. But, when you look back, you realize there was a really big climax, you just hadn’t noticed it because it was too short. Then, there’s the cliffhanger. Now I don’t have anything against cliffhangers, but it’s really confusing when you read the synopsis for the next book and think: WHAT? See, we don’t get another book for a year, so I think that Julie C. Dao shouldn’t have put a solo book ending on the first book in a four-part series.

But, overall, Broken Wish was an amazing, appealing, and captivating book that almost anyone who likes dark fairy tales will love.

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.