When You Wish upon a Star

A Twisted Tale

By: Elizabeth Lim

Narrated by: Carlotta Brentan

Length: 11 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

What if the Blue Fairy wasn't supposed to help Pinocchio? This New York Times best-selling series twists another Disney classic into a harrowing story in which the Blue Fairy defies fairy law, setting off a dramatic chain of events.

"Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight . . . "

So begins the wish that changes everything—for Geppetto, for the Blue Fairy, and for a little puppet named Pinocchio. The Blue Fairy isn't supposed to grant wishes in the small village of Pariva, but something about this one awakens some long-buried flicker within. Perhaps it's the hope she senses beneath the old man's loneliness. Or maybe it's the fact that long ago, before she was the Blue Fairy, she was a young woman named Chiara from this very village, one with a simple wish: to help others find happiness.

Her sister, Ilaria, always teased her for this, for Ilaria had big dreams to leave their sleepy village and become a world-renowned opera singer. The two were close, despite their differences. While Ilaria would have given anything to have a fairy grant her wish, Chiara didn't believe in the lore for which their village was famous.

Forty years later, Chiara, now the Blue Fairy, defies the rules of magic to help an old friend. But she's discovered by the Scarlet Fairy, formerly Ilaria, who, amid a decades-long grudge, holds the transgression against her sister. They decide to settle things through a good old-fashioned bet, with Pinocchio and Geppetto's fate hanging in the balance. Will the sisters find a way back to one another? Or is this, like many matters of the heart, a gamble that comes with strings?

©2023 Elizabeth Lim (P)2023 Disney Hyperion

In depth backstory 

This was never one of my favorite Disney stories, but with a new perspective, I think it will become one.

Cute Story

A very sweet read for a short afternoon. A cute retelling for anyone who wants to.

The Blue fairy’s version of “Wicked”

This reimagined story of Pinocchio was phenomenal and really brought back many memories. It was a good light read.

I loved this story!

This story gave answers to so many unanswered questions from the original Disney telling of the story, all while building on old characters and introducing us to new ones. For such a short story all of the characters won me over and I was hooked. While a bit predictable it was still such a sweet and yet sad tale.

When you wish upon a star

I love the book is this series it’s a great story about family and responsibility in your life and to know what is right and wrong

Emotionally invested

This is way more about the Blue Fairy and her intertwining with the story of Pinocchio. I found myself deeply emotionally invested, it almost gave me anxiety. This is beautifully written and it kept me listening.

I love this story!

It was a good book won’t spoil it the story but I enjoyed it a lot.

Another Splendid Tale

Another splendid tale to add to this series. Heartfelt, engaging, beautiful narration, and a bit of an edge to make it grim*.

*but not too grim to frighten younger readers

Great listen!

I’m an avide reader of the Twisted Tales series but this is actually my first time diving into the world of audio books. The story line surprisingly doesn’t really follow the blue fairy but her sister, which I thought was an interesting twist. I live how the speaker had different voices for each of the characters and rolled her R’s for a nice Italian feel. :)

Great story

Great all the way! Loved listening and wish there were more. Hands down amazing. Great job!