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frinsreads's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first Juno Dawson book, so I didn't know what to expect going into it, but I really enjoyed it. I was instantly absorbed in the story, and found the writing and story/mystery so compelling that I found it difficult to stop reading and read it in a few sittings
We follow Alice, a girl on the edge of the elite social circles at the esteemed boarding school she attends. When Bunny, a girl she barely knows, goes missing Alice finds herself tangled up in the world of old money and deep secrets that she's purposefully skirted for so long
This book was like a cross between Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Skins, Cruel Intentions, and Gossip Girl and I was so here for that combination. It made me feel like I was 16 again and watching teenagers take drugs in Skins, and being convinced that that is what sixth form would be like
I loved that Alice is pansexual, and that her sexuality was explored throughout the book. I thought this exploration of, and everyone's fixation on, sex was pretty reflective of teenage parties (at least the teenage parties you see in films)
TW: frequent mention of self harm and suicide, drug/alcohol abuse, mention of ED, attempted rape
*This book was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
We follow Alice, a girl on the edge of the elite social circles at the esteemed boarding school she attends. When Bunny, a girl she barely knows, goes missing Alice finds herself tangled up in the world of old money and deep secrets that she's purposefully skirted for so long
This book was like a cross between Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Skins, Cruel Intentions, and Gossip Girl and I was so here for that combination. It made me feel like I was 16 again and watching teenagers take drugs in Skins, and being convinced that that is what sixth form would be like
I loved that Alice is pansexual, and that her sexuality was explored throughout the book. I thought this exploration of, and everyone's fixation on, sex was pretty reflective of teenage parties (at least the teenage parties you see in films)
TW: frequent mention of self harm and suicide, drug/alcohol abuse, mention of ED, attempted rape
*This book was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
christineandthequeens's review
1.0
As well as just generally not being a very engaging or imaginative retelling, there is a lot of biphobia and ableism presented as fact in this book. There is a difference between a character being shown to have a bad opinion and the author presenting a bad opinion and harmful misinformation as if it's the truth and this book sits firmly in the latter category. Saying a character says it loftily isnt enough to show its incorrect and the result of arrogance/attempted moral superiority. I'm giving the author the benefit of the doubt and saying she was probably just ignorant but really, someone should have pointed it out. A main character can be biphobic and ableist, sure, but it should be in some way challenged in a book thats partly about discrimination.
Edit: Nevermind, the author has spread biphobic information in other books too. Lost it's last star for being intentional.
Edit: Nevermind, the author has spread biphobic information in other books too. Lost it's last star for being intentional.
sherbetlemon05's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
crumbsinurbed's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
i really liked the premise of this book & it was an interesting read. it was slow for me to get into, but after picking it up again this year i flew through it.
strawberry_shortcakez's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Omg I loved it so much. I read it at my library and had to buy my own personal copy because I loved it so much. Love the trans and lesbian representation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Cursing, Drug use, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, and Alcohol
sivukerrallaan's review against another edition
5.0
Ihan täydellinen lukukokemus minulle. Eliittinuoret, mysteeri ja vanhojen tarinoiden uudelleen kerronta toimii minulle. Taitavaa kuvausta mielen syövereistä ja tunteista. Yhtä omituinen, mutta hieno kuin esikuvansa.
laurataylor's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
talesofaliteraryaddict's review against another edition
4.0
"I've been known to visualise killing up to six people each morning before breakfast". We aren't in Kansas anymore, or are we?
Dawson's Wonderland is a mixture of the classic, including direct quotes with bacchanalian teenage high society. Wonderland is a place where anything consensual goes and anything non consensual is largely punished.
Trigger Warnings: Sexual Assault, Substance Abuse, Incest, Bipolar, Suicide, Murder. Essentially one to avoid if you have any triggers.
Alice is a transgender teenager at boarding school when her friend and previous love interest Bunny goes missing she is confused by the lack of concern and begins looking for her. Alice uncovers a world of her school society she never expected and is thrust into some genuinely terrifying experiences. I felt the story line with Paisley was a really interesting one but that the ending felt rushed, there is an inherent sense of her being free to proceed as she wishes. I can only presume that this is all gearing up for a second book.
Dawson's Wonderland is a mixture of the classic, including direct quotes with bacchanalian teenage high society. Wonderland is a place where anything consensual goes and anything non consensual is largely punished.
Trigger Warnings: Sexual Assault, Substance Abuse, Incest, Bipolar, Suicide, Murder. Essentially one to avoid if you have any triggers.
Alice is a transgender teenager at boarding school when her friend and previous love interest Bunny goes missing she is confused by the lack of concern and begins looking for her. Alice uncovers a world of her school society she never expected and is thrust into some genuinely terrifying experiences. I felt the story line with Paisley was a really interesting one but that the ending felt rushed, there is an inherent sense of her being free to proceed as she wishes. I can only presume that this is all gearing up for a second book.