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May 29, 2018forbesrachel rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
The Forbidden Wish has an unusual power dynamic between its two main characters Zahra and Aladdin. Unlike most female/male romances, Zahra is clearly the more powerful of the two. The lavish description exudes magical strength, and even though she is enslaved to the lamp, and therefore her master, she is clever enough to turn wishes on their head when she wants. But with Aladdin, she decides not to, something about him calls to her. Aladdin himself is not intimidated by powerful women, rather he is confidant enough in his own skills that he can respect them for theirs. He also doesn't treat the jinni as his slave. As their relationship develops, and as their only chance at freedom becomes tied together, they more eagerly rush to defend the other. The world that Maas' has created focuses on power dynamics in other ways too. The people versus the privileged, inner court politics, the human versus the supernatural, and even a person's own struggle between what they want versus what they need. Zahra's past mistakes haunt her, she constantly refers back to her Habiba as she narrates her tale (one example of the positive female relationships displayed throughout). Above all, she desires to be free and to not repeat history, but Aladdin shows her that what she truly needs is something different. The romance between the two may not have been a strong point, but The Forbidden Wish has a setup and characters that are sure to please many Fantasy/Romance readers.