In the quiet town of Maplewood, where myths blend with reality and secrets are as old as the trees, the Whispering Woods hides more than just shadows. Deep within its ancient roots lies the Sentinel Tree?a towering, scarred oak that watches over the forest and guards a long-forgotten power.
Ellie Harper, an aspiring young artist struggling to find her voice, stumbles upon a mysterious, glowing stone nestled in the roots of the Sentinel Tree. When she touches it, a haunting whisper fills her mind: "Make a wish, if your heart is true." Skeptical but intrigued, Ellie makes a simple wish for her art to be recognized. The next day, her painting is on display in the town gallery?but it's twisted into a garish, neon spectacle, earning her mockery instead of admiration.
Sam Torres, Ellie's lifelong friend and rival, discovers the stone's power and makes his own wish?a wish for an unforgettable invention. The result? A glitter-fueled disaster that turns his garage into a shimmering explosion of chaos.
Realizing the stone grants wishes with unintended consequences, Ellie and Sam engage in an escalating rivalry to outdo each other, pushing the stone's magic further with every wish. What starts as harmless competition soon spirals into chaos as the magic warps the town and threatens to tear their friendship apart. The forest grows restless, the Sentinel Tree groans under the weight of their wishes, and strange forces begin to awaken.
But they're not the only ones drawn to the stone's power. Whispers of the stone's magic spread, and others begin making wishes?some with far darker intentions. As the consequences of their wishes grow more dangerous, Ellie and Sam must decide whether their pride is worth risking everything.
To restore balance, they must uncover the truth behind the Sentinel Tree and the origin of the Wishing Stone. Old legends resurface, revealing that the stone was never meant to grant wishes freely?it was a sealed power, guarded for a reason. Now, that seal is breaking.
Friendship will be tested, alliances will shift, and sacrifices must be made. In a game where every wish has a cost, Ellie and Sam must decide: how far are they willing to go to win?and what are they willing to lose?
The Wishing War is a spellbinding middle-grade fantasy about friendship, rivalry, and the dangers of unchecked desires. Perfect for readers who love magical adventures, mysterious forests, and stories where every choice has a consequence.
