The Wish Thief by C.D. Verhoff is an engaging tale about Glory Alley and her adventures in outer space. Glory, an average thirteen-year-old student, lives in Cloverdale on a planet called Tullah. Her best friend is Clash Costola who shares her thirst for knowledge and adventure. Glory used to hear tales about the red eyed monster called the Hoogula that protects Queen’s Mesa, a huge cave near her home. Against her better judgement, Glory decided to explore Queen’s Mesa on her own and encountered the Hoogula. Glory had previously found a beautiful stone known as the Elboni and stole it to add to her vast rock collection. Although Glory managed to escape from the Hoogula unhurt, unfortunately, her theft of the Elboni attracted the attention of the Wybbils, alien creatures with capabilities of crossing planetary dimensions. Glory quickly found out that the magical Elboni stone was responsible for sustaining their world as well as the passage of time.

The Wish Thief is an interesting story. It reveals the age old theme of wishing for better outcomes in life in general. Glory is not satisfied with the events in her life. She literally grabs the opportunity to make a change by using her wits against her opponents. This is important because, in reality, so many of us desire a positive change in our lives but just wallow in self-pity. This story encourages us to take the proverbial bull by the horns and do something to effect change. In essence, the novel instills hope in the average reader. The language used is colloquial and is quite easy to understand. The pace is a bit slow at first, but gradually quickens as the action unfolds. The lovely illustrations are quite effective and enhance the story. I love the fact that the author revealed the camaraderie between the main character and her captors. Ironically, despite the stark differences in both their agendas and physicality, they grew to appreciate each other. The Wish Thief is an entertaining novel. I recommend it to all lovers of intergalactic novels.

Set on the planet Tullah, a young spelunker named Glory Alley from a troubled family sets out to find a priceless gem. Just as the prize appears within reach, interplanetary travelers known as the Star Riders arrive to foil her plans. A battle of wits versus magic ensues, unraveling the order of the universe, and only the girl who started it all can return things back to normal.

The Wish Thief by C.D. Verhoff is a sci-fi fantasy mixed with family drama. Verhoff created a fascinating world similar to our own with some interesting differences in a distant planet. Characterization is solid and has depth. Protagonist Glory Alley is a girl who determines to set everything right in her life. Her mean father is a drunkard and she doesn’t get along with her siblings, except for sweet little George. Readers will root for Glory every step of the way, as her family is as troubled as they come since the death of her mother. That said, I wished Glory had made better decisions in some situations, as her determination to fix her family’s life clouded her judgment. On the other hand, her flaws make her convincing as a character.

Verhoff’s narrative is clear and has a good flow from start to finish. The plot may center on a gloomy family drama, but it’s balanced out with adventure and wit. I found the ending bittersweet but satisfying. On the whole, this is a great read for YA readers with some valuable life lessons that everyone can appreciate.

In a simply lovely story that will take readers to an absolutely magical place, The Wish Thief by C.D. Verhoff is a book that grabs you from the very start and will keep you turning the pages until the very last. Follow the story of 13-year-old Glory, who lives on the planet Tullah, as she embarks upon an adventure that will likely change her world forever. Glory's family is troubled, and when she sets out to find a priceless gem, she has dreams that she will be able to change their future forever. Just as she thinks her goal is within reach, creatures from another world appear on the scene and get in the way of her ultimate goal. Will Glory achieve her mission, or will she find that there might be something even more important that she's meant to accomplish? You'll have to read the book to find out.

I loved The Wish Thief. Loved. It. How's that for a review? Author C.D. Verhoff has done a fantastic job in creating characters that her readers will relate to and care about, as well as think about long after the story is done. Her abilities in world-creation are second to none. The strong and positive Christian messages that she imparts to her young adult readers are excellent, but don't come across as preachy. I very highly recommend The Wish Thief to any young adult reader or any reader simply looking for a great work of Christian fantasy. I certainly hope that author C.D. Verhoff is hard at work on the next installment of this promising new series, as I will be watching for it anxiously!

The Wish Thief by C.D. Verhoff is a young adult fantasy and science fiction story with Christian values and life lessons. Glory is thirteen and lives on the planet Tullah, which resembles Earth. She comes from a rough family, a family that is dealt a tough hand and doesn't know exactly how to deal with all of the hard knocks they've experienced. She loves spelunking or exploring caves and goes on an incredible journey to find a valuable and important gem. Other people want the gem for themselves and a battle of magic, wits, intelligence, and cunning unfolds that threatens the very fabric of the entire universe. Glory is determined to find the gem and put things back to the way they were, but with her unfortunate family setting, she isn't sure that going back to the way things were is her best option. Will she do what is right and save the universe? Or will time run out?

Young adult fans will enjoy this fantasy story full of action and adventure. Parents will appreciate the values and life lessons that the story encourages readers to think about and apply to their lives. Glory is an imaginative character, brave and full of a hunger for adventure that readers will relate to and enjoy. She is passionate, exciting, and fun to root for as she tries her best to make her life better by accomplishing her goals.