The Wishing Game

　　《幻色闇倫敦》V. E.舒瓦盛讚：「這本書富含對閱讀的熱愛，及兒時故事對讀者一生的長遠影響。」
 
　　兒時喜愛的故事，竟然成了改變人生的契機！
 
　　神隱多年的傳奇作家傑克．麥特森，宣布了令書迷瘋狂的消息：有四位幸運兒將能踏上他的私人小島，參加一場「許願遊戲」！冠軍可獲得這位傳奇作家尚未出版的新書手稿，不過參賽者必須破解一系列的謎題，還得面對自己內心的創傷。
 
　　露西在幼兒園擔任助教，今年26歲，非常希望能夠領養某位孤兒學生—克里斯多佛，因為沒有人比她更了解在成長歲月中，沒有雙親的陪伴是什麼滋味。從小只能在孤單和被忽視下成長的露西，喜歡在書裡找到歸屬感，尤其是一個由知名作家傑克．麥特森創作，名為Clock Island的系列小說。長大之後的她，也很喜歡和孩子們分享書中的美好，特別喜歡唸故事給克里斯多佛聽。可惜沒有經濟基礎的露西遲遲無法獲得領養克里斯多佛的資格。
 
　　就在露西準備放棄領養念頭的時候，消失多年的傑克．麥特森竟然公告自己又完成了一本新作，而且準備在自己的私人小島舉辦一場競賽，冠軍獎品就是這本獨一無二的新書！露西認為這個消息對自己來說有如天降甘霖，相信只要自己能夠贏得這場比賽，對她自己和克里斯多佛而言都很意義重大。幸運的她成為這場比賽唯四的參賽者。然而她要贏得這本書，必須先打敗無情的蒐藏家、狡詐的對手，以及富有魅力的插畫家雨果。除此之外，等著露西的，還有來自作者本人的更大考驗…

　　(文／博客來外文館)

　　Years ago, a reclusive mega-bestselling children’s author quit writing under mysterious circumstances. Suddenly he resurfaces with a brand-new book and a one-of-a-kind competition, offering a prize that will change the winner’s life in this absorbing and whimsical novel.

　　“Clever and hopeful . . . a love letter to reading and the power that childhood stories have over us long after we've grown up.”—V. E. Schwab, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

　　Make a wish.

　　Lucy Hart knows better than anyone what it’s like to grow up without parents who loved her. In a childhood marked by neglect and loneliness, Lucy found her solace in books, namely the Clock Island series by Jack Masterson. Now a twenty-six-year-old teacher’s aide, she is able to share her love of reading with bright, young students, especially seven-year-old Christopher Lamb, who was left orphaned after the tragic death of his parents. Lucy would give anything to adopt Christopher, but even the idea of becoming a family seems like an impossible dream without proper funds and stability.

　　Just when Lucy is about to give up, Jack Masterson announces he’s finally written a new book. Even better, he’s holding a contest at his home on the real Clock Island, and Lucy is one of the four lucky contestants chosen to compete to win the one and only copy.

　　For Lucy, the chance of winning the most sought-after book in the world means everything to her and Christopher. But first she must contend with ruthless book collectors, wily opponents, and the distractingly handsome (and grumpy) Hugo Reese, the illustrator of the Clock Island books. Meanwhile, Jack “the Mastermind” Masterson is plotting the ultimate twist ending that could change all their lives forever.