Book Review: Limited Wish by Mark Lawrence
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Book 2 of Impossible Times
Publisher: 47North (May 28, 2019)
Length: 222 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
I’m loving the quick release schedule for these books, because it meant I was able to jump right into Limited Wish almost immediately after finishing One Word Kill and I was definitely looking forward to continuing the story of Nick Hayes and his friends. Following the events of book one, our protagonist has beaten his diagnosis of cancer and is now enrolled in the prestigious Mathematics program at Cambridge, following in his brilliant late father’s footsteps. It is 1986 and Nick is looking forward to beginning a new chapter in his life as a university student, but still he maintains close ties to his mother and his group of D&D friends at home. Of course, things haven’t exactly been the same between them anymore, not since their brush with time travel, and considering what they’ve all been through, that’s not too surprising.
As it turns out though, Nick’s adventures are far from over. At school, he meets a fellow student who seems strangely familiar, though he’s pretty sure he’s never seen her before. Comprehension dawns as he realizes that his past shenanigans must have caused several disruptions through time, and now life as he knows it is in danger of unraveling unless he can get the gang together again to fix the very fabric of reality—with the help of some unexpected and impossible allies to boot.
Oh, reviewing a time travel book is always so frustrating, because how do you explain the best parts without spoiling things? Multiple possibilities, mind-bending paradoxes, uncanny precognition, communications from the future…this book has it all. I think it’s safe to say if you enjoyed One Word Kill, then Limited Wish will appeal to you for all the same reasons, but with the stakes even higher this time, the difference is that you will likely get hooked much faster and much harder. No small amount of credit is also due to Mark Lawrence for this, for as always, he writes in a style that is easy for readers to grasp and to grow addicted to, so you just can’t help but keep turning the pages. Even the driest and most complex of theories seemed straightforward and superbly, unendingly fascinating in his hands, and as a result, I finished Limited Wish in about a day. It’s also a fast-paced and rather short novel, so that helped as well.
Again, the characters stole the show in this one. Nick Hayes as a protagonist is likeable and sympathetic, to the point where you almost have to resent the author a little for putting this sweet kid through the wringer. Though if you’ve read Mark Lawrence, chances are you already know his characters are no strangers to hardship, given his penchant to throw seemingly impossible obstacles before them. It’s what makes reading his books so worth it. Limited Wish hooked me in because I already felt close to Nick, and it was both joyous and heartbreaking to see him be presented with another challenge. Like One Word Kill, this sequel strikes a fine balance between the entertaining action and the emotional, poignant gut-punch moments. It makes you really feel for Nick, simultaneously making him a character you want to cheer for, as well as to wrap around in protective arms in order to shield him from all the pain and uncertainties of life. At the same time, the story is also full of these wild and incredible scenarios that make you wonder what you would do if you were in the protagonist’s shoes, coming face-to-face with people from his past and present. That is to say, despite its moodier moments, this is a really fun read that contains plenty of lightness to balance out some of the life-altering confusion and angst.
So what else is there left to say, besides I can’t wait to see what else this series has in store for us! I’ve been a fan of Mark Lawrence for a long time, but the last couple of years has seen his writing and storytelling evolve to a whole new level, with the proof of that happening right before us in the Impossible Times trilogy. Bring on the third book, I say, because I’m loving it. With Dispel Illusion due out before the end of the year, I’m just glad the wait won’t be too long!
More on The BiblioSanctum:
Review of One Word Kill (Book 1)
The BiblioSanctum 
I should read this series!
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You should! You’ll like Nick a lot more than Jorg 😉
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Man, Lawrence writes fast!
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He does! Though I think he may have had this trilogy finished or close to finished when he sold it – but still, that’s no small feat considering he was also putting a book out each year in his Grey Sister series!
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Great eeview! I really should pick up this series, it sounds amazing!
(Www.evelynreads.com)
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I find it very enjoyable! And its’ one of his more accessible works 😀
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I remember how much you liked One Word Kill, so it’s great to hear that this sequel lived up! I usually somewhat dread sequels because they tend to lose stakes and characters along the way, but seems Mark Lawrence is really hitting his stride? I can always admire an author who branches out into other genres and still keeps the quality up. 😉 Excellent review!
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Yup, I love sequels that live up to their predecessors! I wasn’t surprised that I would enjoy it too though, I was seeing reviews everywhere that praised this one for being as good as or even better than book one! So glad to the hype is real, hehe 😀
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I haven’t read even one book by him, yet I feel like I already respect him hugely! 😂
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I have really got to read this series! I just have so many I need to get to!
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I know how that’s like, my TBR is always growing 🙂
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He must be a fast writer because it seems there is always a new ML book out! Glad this continues to be a strong series😁
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Yeah, he’s definitely on fire this year. I think he must have sold this trilogy finished or close to finished though, because of the relatively fast release schedule.
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A character one feels compelled to root for, and a nice one as well, seems the polar opposite of young Jorg – even though I understood where he came from, I could not warm to him no matter what. So I believe I will enjoy reading about Nick… 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
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Oh yes, Nick is a far cry from Jorg! I’m glad Lawrence has been getting away from writing unpleasant characters like that, lol. I mean, I liked Jorg for being as complex as he is, but I can only take him in small doses 😉
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It seems to me that this series is a real winner Mogsy! But I confess that I am far from a fan of time travel …
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Time travel books can be tricky! They don’t always work for me either, which was why I was pleasantly surprised that this one did 😀
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Definitely a series I need to check out ASAP. I’m still hesitating on waiting till the 3rd one comes out as well before diving into these though. Great review!
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Ooh I can’t wait for this now. I was going to read this next and ended up starting something else, but this one is DEFINITELY gonna be next lol. I love that it sounds just as good as the first one. And of course the time travel and multiple possibilities elements sound amazing.
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I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did! I saw on one of your recent blog posts that you finished it, or are close to done? Ahh, I can’t wait to hear your thoughts! 😀
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He’s really come out with this sequel pretty quickly! Glad your enjoying these books!
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Yup, there was only like a month or so between the release dates of books 1 and 2. But looks like we have a bit longer of a wait for 3 😀
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I’m loving how quickly these books are coming out too. I do agree that reviewing time travel books is tough though! And I’m really looking forward to Dispel Illusion as well 😀 Awesome review!
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I’m looking forward to seeing how this all concludes – although can you really ever conclude a series where the characters can come and go from any point in time and from multiple realities! I love the characters in this series and also the pure, unadulterated sense of chaos.
Lynn 😀
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