Wish You Dead by Rebecca Westcott Review (Gifted/AD)

Hello Readers,
 
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me access to an eBook copy of Wish You Dead by Rebecca Westcott in exchange for an honest review. Since the official publication was yesterday, this review will be spoiler-free.

Please note that I don’t own the rights to the cover image the image is being used under Fair Use for review and recommendation purposes, in accordance with sections 29 and 30 of the Copyright Act.
 
Happy Belated Publication Day
 
Title: Wish You Dead
Author: Rebecca Westcott
Genre: Contemporary Teen Thriller, Sapphic Romance
Pages: 368
Cover Image:


Synopsis: Mean Girls meets manifestation and murder...
 
A contemporary teen thriller with a sapphic romance, perfect for fans of Heathers, Sue Wallman and Holly Jackson. Sixteen-year-old Morgana Merrick is all about control. She's the most feared, powerful and popular girl at Avalon Academy, while her half-brother, Art, and his chilled-out group of surfer friends reign peacefully in the year above, known for their legendary beach parties. At one such party, an ugly encounter with one of Art's friends leaves Morgana shaken.
 
She retrieves the box under her bed filled with crystals, charm bags and her Book of Shadows, and asks the universe for justice to be served... As frenemy after frenemy wrongs or irritates her, Morgana manifests revenge upon them - and, to her surprise, it works. She feels invincible. Until someone ends up dead. Is the universe bending to Morgana's will? Or is someone else behind the attacks? And can she find out who it is, before anyone else meets a deadly end...? Places the typical villain of the story - the most popular girl in school - as the complex protagonist, full of female rage, with Taylor-Swift-coded themes of Karma and being the Antihero...
 
Not supernatural, but respectfully taps into the 'baby witch' world of manifestation, crystals and spirituality. Features an unlikely sapphic romance between Morgana and her mysterious new friend Celeste.
 
Miniature Review

I loved this book it felt like all my favourite things rolled into one. A fun, fast-paced plot, interesting characters, and a magical twist on teen drama made it impossible to put down. The Arthurian legend meets modern high school setting reminded me a little of Avalon High, and the witchy elements like the Book of Shadows, crystals, and manifestation spells were so well done.

Morgana Merrick is Avalon Academy’s most powerful and popular girl and a witch. But popularity and magic both require balance, and when she starts to lose control, strange things begin to happen. New girl Celeste might just hold the key to understanding it all.

The romance was sweet, even if I wanted a little more, but it fit with Morgana’s personal journey. The book really shines in its summer setting between beach scenes, eerie forests, and legends of long-dead witches, everything felt so vivid. And the final twist? So good! I was guessing until the end.

Wish You Dead is a sapphic, witchy coming-of-age thriller with The Craft and Heathers vibes. It’s sharp, atmospheric, and full of heart. If you love magical teen stories with a dark twist, don’t miss this one.

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