The anticipation was palpable as I turned the first page of Wicked As You Wish. After all, who could resist the allure of Peter Pan's Neverland or Alice's Wonderland springing to life off the pages?

Yet, as I delved deeper into the narrative, the promise of enchantment gradually waned. The concept of fictional universes commingling with reality had initially sparked a sense of exhilaration in me. With each page, however, the tale took a downward turn, transitioning from a promising adventure to a tiresome endeavour. 

It's not that the writing lacked flair; on the contrary, it was often beautifully crafted. However, the plot felt convoluted and overwhelmed with details, making it challenging to follow. As a fervent fan of complex narratives and political nuances, I found it disheartening when these elements became too compressed and chaotic.

My initial enjoyment and curiosity were slowly replaced with a sense of bewilderment and frustration. I was hopeful that these were mere bumps in the road, but alas, my optimism was misplaced.

The world-building, a critical element in any fantasy narrative, fell short of my expectations. I longed for the whimsy of Wonderland and the thrilling danger of Neverland, as vividly portrayed in their original stories. Every glimpse into these familiar worlds reignited a spark of excitement in me. But, unfortunately, these moments were fleeting, leaving me yearning for more.

The characters, too, lacked depth, missing that spark that makes readers root for them. The originality that shone through at times was overshadowed by their one-dimensional portrayal.

In the end, Wicked As You Wish held the potential to be extraordinary, but it did not quite hit the mark. I was left with a sense of disappointment and frustration, a feeling of what could have been, had the narrative not lost its way.