Ever had one of those "be careful what you wish for" moments? We all have. But for a twelve-year-old girl named Nizhoni, that cliché becomes a literal, high-stakes reality. As You Wish by Nashae Jones isn't just another fantasy book taking up space on a library shelf. It’s a sharp, deeply felt exploration of what happens when the universe gives you exactly what you asked for, even when you aren't ready for the consequences.
Honestly, middle-grade fiction can sometimes feel a bit "samey." You've got the hero's journey, the magical McGuffin, and the lessons learned. But Jones does something different here. She anchors the magic in the very real, often painful transition from childhood to the "tweens." It’s messy.
The Core of As You Wish by Nashae Jones
The story centers on Nizhoni, a girl who feels like she’s constantly fading into the background. She lives in a world where wishes can be granted, but there’s a catch. There is always a catch. When her father disappears, Nizhoni has to navigate a landscape where her own desires might be her biggest enemy.
What makes As You Wish by Nashae Jones stand out is the cultural texture. Jones weaves in elements of Navajo (Diné) mythology and culture, but she doesn't treat it like a museum exhibit. It's alive. It’s the air the characters breathe. You see this in the way Nizhoni interacts with her brother, Mac, and how their family dynamics are strained by grief and the pressure of legacy.
It's a fast read. Some chapters fly by in three pages. Others linger, forcing you to sit with Nizhoni’s internal monologue as she realizes that "fixing" her life with magic might just be breaking it further.
Why the Magic System Hits Different
In most fantasy, magic is a tool. In As You Wish by Nashae Jones, magic is more of a mirror. It reflects the user's insecurities.
Think about it. If you could wish away your loneliness, would you? Most people would say yes in a heartbeat. But Jones asks: what do you lose when you skip the hard part of being human?
The book introduces us to "The Collector." This isn't your standard mustache-twirling villain. The antagonist functions as a personification of greed and the shortcut-culture we see everywhere today. The "wish" isn't a gift; it's a transaction. And the currency is usually something the character can't afford to lose.
Characters That Feel Like Real People
- Nizhoni: She’s flawed. She’s stubborn. Sometimes, she’s actually kind of annoying, which is why she’s great. Real twelve-year-olds aren't perfect icons of virtue.
- Mac: The younger brother who provides the emotional ballast. His relationship with Nizhoni is the heartbeat of the book.
- The Dad: His absence drives the plot, but his influence is felt in every decision the kids make.
Jones avoids the "chosen one" trope by making Nizhoni’s journey about choices rather than destiny. You aren't special because a prophecy said so. You're special because you chose to do the right thing when the easy thing was right there for the taking.
Addressing the "Middle Grade" Label
Don't let the "middle grade" tag fool you into thinking this is "kids' stuff."
Adults reading As You Wish by Nashae Jones will find a lot of resonance in the themes of ancestral trauma and the weight of expectations. It’s about the stories we are told versus the stories we tell ourselves. There’s a specific nuance in how Jones handles the "Intertribal" experience—showing that Indigenous identity isn't a monolith.
The pacing is relentless. You get these short, punchy sentences that mirror a heartbeat during a chase scene. Then, Jones will drop a paragraph that’s ten lines long, detailing the specific smell of the desert or the weight of a traditional piece of jewelry. This variation keeps the brain engaged. It prevents that "zoning out" feeling you get with overly polished, AI-generated-sounding prose.
The Cultural Impact of Jones's Work
Nashae Jones is part of a vital wave of authors bringing authentic Indigenous voices to the forefront of speculative fiction. For a long time, Navajo stories in mainstream media were either relegated to "folklore" collections or used as window dressing for Western adventures.
As You Wish by Nashae Jones flips the script.
The setting is contemporary. The problems are modern. The magic is ancient.
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By blending these things, Jones creates a bridge. She shows young readers—Indigenous and otherwise—that their heritage isn't something that lived in the past. It’s something that can help them navigate a world of cell phones, school bullies, and complicated family trees.
Dealing With Grief and Loss
A major chunk of the narrative deals with how we handle "missing pieces." Whether it's a missing parent or a missing sense of self, the book doesn't offer easy answers. It doesn't say "make a wish and it'll all be fine." In fact, it says the opposite.
It says that the only way through the woods is to walk through them.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Book
Some reviewers focus purely on the "fantasy" aspect. They want to talk about the monsters and the magic spells. They're missing the point.
The magic in As You Wish by Nashae Jones is a secondary character. The primary story is a psychological one. It’s about a girl learning to take up space.
People also tend to overlook the humor. Despite the heavy themes, there’s a lot of wit here. The banter between siblings is spot-on. It’s that specific brand of "I would die for you, but also I can't stand the sound of you breathing" that only siblings truly understand.
Technical Craft: How Jones Builds Tension
Jones uses a "ticking clock" mechanism that isn't just a plot device; it's a thematic one. The urgency of finding their father forces Nizhoni to make snap judgments. This is where the "As You Wish" element becomes dangerous.
When you're in a rush, you make bad wishes.
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The prose reflects this. The sentences get shorter as the stakes get higher.
"She ran. The ground gave way. The wish felt like lead."
Then, when the danger passes, the descriptions expand. We see the dust motes dancing in the light. We feel the texture of the sand. This ebb and flow is what gives the book its "human" quality. It feels like someone is telling you a story over a campfire, catching their breath during the scary parts and leaning in during the quiet ones.
Actionable Takeaways for Readers and Educators
If you're picking up As You Wish by Nashae Jones, or if you're a teacher looking to add it to a curriculum, here is how to get the most out of it:
- Analyze the "Cost" of Magic: Don't just look at what the characters gain. Map out what they lose with every wish. This is a great way to discuss trade-offs and consequences in real life.
- Explore the Cultural Context: Take the time to look up the Diné concepts mentioned. Understanding the significance of specific symbols makes the reading experience 10x richer.
- Discuss the Concept of "Identity": Use Nizhoni’s journey to talk about how we define ourselves. Are we defined by our mistakes, our wishes, or our actions?
- Pay Attention to the Sibling Dynamic: Use the book to explore how crisis can either bond a family together or tear it apart.
- Look for the "Unspoken": Jones is a master of the subtext. Notice what the characters don't say to each other.
The brilliance of As You Wish by Nashae Jones lies in its refusal to be a simple "magic wish" story. It’s a gritty, beautiful, and sometimes terrifying look at the power of the human will. It reminds us that while we might want a shortcut to happiness, the long way around is where the actual growth happens.
Next time you find yourself wishing for a quick fix to a hard problem, think of Nizhoni. Think of the Collector. And maybe, just maybe, decide to handle it the hard way instead. It’s usually worth it.