Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
There is nearly nothing about this book that I saw as anything below amazing. While it is a definite spin on Alice in Wonderland, the storyline and characters are entirely different, making them feel realistic in an otherwise totally fictional world.
I read this book to acquaint myself with the Looking Glass War series prior to a presentation by the author at my workplace. I love the writings of Lewis Carroll and was surprised that I had never heard of these reworkings of the Alice story. A few chapters into the book I understood why I was unfamiliar with the book: it is clearly targeted to a teenage audience. As such, the author caters a bit too often to the lowest common denominator with misplaced slang, poor grammar, and a reliance on action and ideas rather than character development. Having said that, I will read the other two books in the trilogy. In speaking with the author today, I found him to be polite and excited about his work. I feel a certain obligation to see his story to it's conclusion.
I love fairy tale reinterpretations and adaptations, but this was just a big ol' 'meh' for me. Everyone uses the power of imagination? Really?
this book was totally unsuccessful in getting me to care about anything or anyone in it. however, it earns two stars because i like how Beddor entwines his fantasy with Alice Liddell's real life.
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
One of the better books I've read this year. I really like the fantasy remix with historical fiction. Hoping the next book in the trilogy holds up.
This book was FABULOUS! I enjoyed every second of it. I didn't know what to expect, but I was thinking it would be more like Alice in Wonderland. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised by a fantastical take on a classic story. The setting was less fantasy and more sci-fi but I loved it much more than I thought I would. I adored all the characters. Redd was so well-written! She wasn't a comical villain or one that gives you nightmares, but she was right in the middle. I liked how at the beginning the plot shifted between Hatter and Alyss so that you could understand how they both ended up back in Wonderland. I think Alyss' time on earth was amazingly well-written and the whole part of the book where she met the orphans and helped them get food using her imagination was so sweet. Speaking of imagination, I loved seeing how after hard work and effort, Alyss was able to gain her imaginative powers again and use them to help defeat Redd. My favorite character was Dodge at the beginning because he was such a fun loveable kid. When he grew up, I was a bit worried he would end up with negative character development and end up against the Allysians, but he seemed fine in the end. So instead of Dodge, my favorite character was the Cat. The Cat was an interesting take on the Chesire Cat, and I loved the way he and Jack of Diamonds brought a bit of light-hearted comedy to the book in their rivalry. I also thought it was absolutely genius of the author to give the cat nine lives. What a perfect way to keep Redd's assassin alive and healthy! The Cat had just the right mixture of terror, humor, and cat-like nonchalantness. I really enjoyed this book, and I can't wait to read the next one!
I’m one of those people that can read or watch retellings or remakes and appreciate the creativity that went into it and I see them as a “separate “ story and not simply as a retelling.
Now that being said I thought this was a really fun read. Alice in Wonderland retelling that just brought me back to my childhood.
Now that being said I thought this was a really fun read. Alice in Wonderland retelling that just brought me back to my childhood.