REVIEW: Blood of Wonderland by Colleen Oaks

Dinah has been exiled from Wonderland. The vicious father she always feared has framed her for the brutal murder of her brother and turned the kingdom against her.

Now hiding in the lush and mysterious Twisted Wood with only her war steed at her side, Dinah is faced with a choice. She could leave Wonderland forever or return and fight her father for her throne—a fight she knows would only result in bloodshed.

When a chance encounter with one of her father’s long-lost enemies brings Dinah more allies than she ever could have imagined, war starts to feel inevitable. But before Dinah can lead her people into combat, she must confront certain truths about her heart and her destiny—no matter how dark those truths may be.

Revolution is rising in Wonderland.

Dinah’s battle has begun.

_________________________________

This remains a surprisingly inventive take on the classic Alice in Wonderland tale.  Dinah continues to come into her own as she learns to survive as a hunted fugitive and outcast of her former kingdom.  Warily, she begins to collect allies but it is difficult to surmise the truth and who to trust. One thing she does know for sure is that war in inevitable.

Readers are in store for several shocks that even I didn't see coming.  I am looking forward to the conclusion of the series.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: Untamed by A.G. Howard

Untamed is a story collection meant to be wrap up Howard's Splintered series.

The Moth in the Mirror - Morpheus embarks to delve into Jeb's lost memories following Splintered.  To his dismay, he learns more about the complicated but fiercely loyal human boy who loves his Alyssa.

The Boy in the Web - Alyssa's mother reflects on her own time in Wonderland and the circumstances that led her to meet her own true love and would be husband, Thomas.

Six Impossible Things - A glimpse at Alyssa's life post Ensared as she recalls some of the most important moments of her human life spent with Jeb before her 'rebirth' as Queen of Wonderland and Morpheus' wife.  DISCLAIMER: Jeb fans are probably going to need a tissue! The best way to describe the feeling is if readers have read the end of Cassandra Clare's Infernal Devices trilogy - think Tessa & Will.....sobs!

Overall, I enjoyed the additional book to wrap up this Alice in Wonderland inspired series.  The cover art is just stunning!  Be on the look out for my review of RoseBlood, Howard's 2017 release inspired by the Phantom of the Opera.

Expected publication: January 10, 2017

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Follow the author on Twitter:

#Untamed #Splintered #aliceinwonderland #YAlit #teen #romance #magic 

REVIEW: Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Bestselling author of the Lunar Chronicles, Marissa Meyer, is back with Heartless, a standalone prequel to Alice in Wonderland, taking readers on the journey to how Catherine delved into her dark reign as the Queen of Hearts.

Despite her status as one of the most eligible young women in Wonderland, Cath's only desire is to open her own bakery, certainly not to be engaged to the unmarried King of Hearts. And yet, she is clearly his favorite. The night of a ball where she is expected to receive the king's proposal, Cath meets a mysterious and handsome Jest.

They embark on a secret courtship; however, dark times are about to fall upon Wonderland. Cath remains determined to choose her own destiny but madness, monsters and magic play a crucial part in her fate.

As an "Alice" fan, I enjoyed the story of Heartless and Meyer's ability to weave aspects of the classic into a new narrative which also incorporates other fairy tales. There are rich descriptions, humor and some very dark twists and turns.  I didn't adore this as much as the Lunar Chronicles but there are characters reminiscent of those quirky personalities and I like the darker turn because readers have to remember that as a prequel, we already know that something horrible must have happened to make the queen so vile.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Follow the author on Twitter: @marissa_meyer




#Heartless #MarissaMeyer #aliceinwonderland #offwiththeirheads #YAlit #teen #fantasy

REVIEW: Red Queen by Christina Henry

*Thank you Netgalley and Ace for a copy in exchange for a review*

Expected publication: July 12, 2016

Back with the second entry in the Chronicles of Alice series, Henry continues the dark adventures of Alice and Hatcher in this reimagining of Alice in Wonderland. Having escaped the City, Alice hopes to discover a lush world of green where she can find peace no longer haunted by her past with the Rabbit, Cheshire or the Jabberwocky.  In pursuit of Hatcher's long thought lost daughter, Jenny, they instead find a land charred by ash.

Determined in their quest, they journey deep into a dark and twisted forest into the clutches of the mad White Queen, her goblin and destructive magic of the cruel Black King. Alice must learn to trust herself and hone her own inner magic if she and Hatcher are meant to survive.

Henry builds a complex world and darkly expands on some rather infamous characters while delving into this new and imaginative retelling.  In addition to the Alice overtures, there are echoes of other fairy tales. I love the dark, descriptive imagery and this version of Alice is extremely interesting in her strength despite a horrible past. She and Hatcher are certainly survivors and complement each other in their brokenness.

I look forward to the next chapter of their tale and to see where their journey leads. After certain events, I have my predictions that some villains aren't as forgotten as they would like them to be.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Follow the author: C_Henry_Author




#redqueen #chroniclesofalice #christinahenry #wonderland #fantasy #magic #dark #fairytale #netgalley

REVIEW: After Alice by Gregory Maguire

After Alice supposes how 1860 Oxford, England reacted to Alice's disappearance. Ada, a friend of Alice's mentioned briefly in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, is off to visit her friend, but arrives too late.  Tumbling down the rabbit hole herself, she has her own set of adventures and is constantly one step behind her friend. 

Back in England, readers follow a parallel narrative as friends and family realize both Alice and Ada are missing. Maguire adds characters within the frame of Carroll's original work while also exploring some themes of disability, women's roles and racism.

After several failed attempts, I have to concede that Gregory Maguire and I are never going to be the best of friends.  On the surface you'd think he'd be my author knight in shining armor--with a slew of bestselling works surround my most beloved favorites, The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland. However, try as I might, Maguire's writing style and my personal preferences just aren't a good fit. For me, there is a lack of fluidity and ability to engage with his plots or characters.  As much as I adore the Broadway musical Wicked, I loathed the book and have never read any others in the series. Likewise, I've attempted to read Mirror, Mirror and Confessions of an Ugly Step-Sister to no avail.

I always leave feeling disappointed and underwhelmed.  Furthermore, I often find myself interpreting that the author has a quite negative view of women. Overall, he took a story filled with imagination and made it rather boring.  I trudged through to the end, hoping to find redemption but, for me, there was none. 

Final rating: 2 out of 5 stars

#AfterAlice #AliceInWonderland #GregoryMaguire #classic #retelling #books

REVIEW: The Complete Alice in Wonderland (Graphic Novel)

*Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair review*

The Complete Alice in Wonderland is Lewis Carroll's classic two part tale (Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass) adapted into a graphic novel by Leah Moore and John Reppion with illustrations by Erica Awano.  Alice's adventures are stunningly retold in beautifully artistic panels.

Altogether this upholds the true essence of the classic some 150 years later.

Imaginative. A little creepy. A little weird. However, unforgettable with its famous characters and sense of whimsy.

Recommended for purchase for a public or school library, grades 3 and up.

Final rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Follow Moore on Twitter: @leahmoore

#AliceInWonderland #ThroughTheLookingGlass #graphicnovel #netgalley #classic #review

REVIEW: Hatter Madigan: Ghost in the H.A.T.B.O.X. by Frank Beddor and Adrienne Kress

*Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a review!*

Expected publication: April 19, 2016

Authors Frank Beddor and Adrienne Kress explore the life of a teenage Hatter Madigan as he begins his training at the Millinery Academy.  Readers have grown to love Hatter throughout his role in the Looking Glass Wars series as well as graphic novels.  Ghost in the H.A.T.B.O.X. delves into the first phase of his training. Hatter feels the pressures to live up to expectations set by his parents, his highly successful older brother, Dalton, and other new cadets.

A mystery unfolds as ghosts seem to be lurking in corridors and other cadets begin behaving strangely.  Hatter and a group of cadets must unlock the mystery of these ghostly characters and their connection to their new training device, the H.A.T.B.O.X. before it is too late!

I've been a fan of Beddor's for a while now starting with the discovery of The Looking Glass Wars.  I adored the trilogy and its imaginativeness.  Despite being hard to physically get a hold of, I also sing the praises of the Hatter M centric graphic novels (The Looking Glass Wars, Mad with Wonder, The Nature of Wonder, Zen of Wonder, Love of Wonder). Those who know me best aren't surprised that I'm a sucker of anything inspired by Alice in Wonderland.  Beddor's work is outstanding with unparalleled creativity and high visual appeal.  Kress is equally talented and if you haven't read her steampunk adventure The Friday Society, you are missing out!

This series debut is ideal for middle school readers or as an addition for fans of the other books. The story is fast paced and creative and adds just enough of Carroll's classic to delve into an exciting reimagining of the original. The Mad Hatter as a highly trained and lethal bodyguard/spy who wields his hat as a weapon by the power of imagination is just too cool! I love all the other Wonderland references as well as the hierarchy of the card suits and their specializations.

Despite the surface retelling, there is great depth in the themes which will hold appeal to multiple readers.  This is a coming of age story.  Hatter is searching for his own identity and creating his own story. Another key theme is bullying.  Wonderland sets up a class hierarchy with the 'elite' looking down upon others.  Hatter hasn't grown up with this thinking and surprised by other cadets' behavior has to adjust and decide how he will behave for himself. Ultimately, he allies himself with the underdogs and calls out those who do the bullying.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Follow the authors: @frankbeddor @AdrienneKress


#HatterMadigan #LookingGlassWars #AliceInWonderland #YAlit #netgalley #teen #books

REVIEW: Alice by Christina Henry

Disclaimer: I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a review

Christina Henry's Alice is a decidedly dark retelling of Lewis Carol's classic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Within dilapidated buildings and amongst desperate peoples, there is an asylum in the Old City where the walls echo with the screams of those tortured inside. Alice has been locked away for some ten years, following her reappearance after a prolonged abduction.  All she remembers is a tea party, long ears and blood. However, her parents dismissed ramblings and had her committed.

The asylum in and of itself is a place filled with horrors. Nonetheless, Alice finds solace when she discovers Hatcher, a fellow patient with an equally troubling past.  Troubles escalate when a lethal fire brings their imprisonment to an end; however, it unleashes the Jabberwocky and sets other events in motion.  Alice, with Hatcher at her side, must embark on a series of dark and twisted adventures in hopes of defeating the Jabberwocky, and discovering the truth regarding her new-found abilities and her missing memories at the evil hand of the Rabbit.

I am a huge fan of twisted fairy tales.  Henry's re-envisioning of this classic is uniquely dark and twisted and as such plays homage to the original tale.  The sinister natures of many of our well beloved characters had me on the edge of my seat.  This is certainly a tale for adults with descriptive physical violence as well as sexual assault.

While at present this appears to be a standalone novel, there is significant potential for a continuation of the story. I enjoyed this and would read additional titles in the series.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Follow the author on Twitter: @C_Henry_Author

#review #netgalley #alice #aliceinwonderland #fiction #christinahenry #twistedfairytales

REVIEW: Ensnared by A.G. Howard

Ensnared marks the finale to A. G. Howard's Splintered trilogy, a lush, dark winding urban fantasy foray into Alice in Wonderland.  Alyssa must again battle Red and other foes when she travels to AnyElsewhere in order to save her dueling loves, Jeb and Morpheus, following the disastrous outcome of events in Unhinged. However, such a task is but the tip of the iceberg as Alyssa must also devise a plan to save Wonderland from utter destruction, repair her love life and truly accept her role as the Red Queen.

I won't bore you with a long winded summary. Check out the Ensnared summary on Goodreads for more details. What I will elaborate upon is how much I adore this series.  Those closest to me know there are no two classic tales closer to my heart that The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland. I love all pop culture references, book, film, and television adaptations, and I am an avid collector. That being said, Howard has captured what a modern retelling of Wonderland should be. Alyssa is a admirable female protagonist whose journey will compel readers of any age with her personality, snark, strength and even occasional vulnerability.

As a prolific reader and lover of writing in general, I cannot gush enough regarding Howard's vivid world-building. The intrinsic themes of creativity and imagination, which are imperative behind any incarnation of Wonderland, is finessed in such a way through Howard's words that reader's are literally 'ensnared' by these beautifully crafted, often haunted, and utterly unique descriptions. The adventurous plot, memorable characters, and truly swoon worthy love interests make for a delicious read. While typically a speed reader, I took my time to savor each bit.

I am so sad to see this series come to an end; however, a bonus for series fans is Untamed, a collection of three novellas set in the Splintered world and revolving around all of our favorite characters will be published in late 2015. I can't wait!  In true fashion, Amulet Books has done an amazing job with the cover art. Check it out!

Check out the author on Twitter: @aghowardwrites

#splintered #unhinged #ensnared #YAlit #review #teen  #aliceinwonderland