bookswrotemystory's review
2.0
I really wanted to like this one. But it was pretty meh. Like.... I just finished last week and I can't even really tell you most of what happened. Because it did not leave a lasting impression. So I'm torn. Part of me wants to continue the series just to know how this Queen of Hearts becomes THE Queen of Hearts. But the other part of me isn't invested enough to care.
trin_ney18's review
3.0
2.5/5
Dinah is less than a year away from taking her spot on the throne as the Queen of Hearts. As she starts to uncover the dark truths of her kingdom, that spot is threatened.
I did like this story. It wasn't my favorite of all time but I will definitely be reading the next one as soon as I can get my hands on it.
+1
Alice in Wonderland was never one of my favorite stories growing up as a kid. However, I truly enjoyed this story. This take on an origin story for the characters in Wonderland was completely new and not what I was expecting.
+1
I was a little hesitant when the synopsis said that a heartbreaking betrayal would threaten her crown. Usually this means that a love interest has turned on her. I'm not a big fan of romance. But, like I said, it wasn't what I expected. No spoilers though.
+1
The way the story unfolded had me dropping my jaw. It kind of took my breath away but that could be the crippling anxiety. Or the fact that I ate a whole bag of skittles. Anyway, it was a really good ending and just the right amount of cliffhanger to make me want to read the next book but not so extreme that it upset me.
-.5
I kind of found Dinah, the main character, flat. She didn't feel genuine when expressing her emotions. That could just be because she was a very angry and hotheaded person. I won't relate to someone like that because I don't like to get angry and I'm generally calm. I still loved the choices she made but her mindset and thoughts were a little lacking for me.
Dinah is less than a year away from taking her spot on the throne as the Queen of Hearts. As she starts to uncover the dark truths of her kingdom, that spot is threatened.
I did like this story. It wasn't my favorite of all time but I will definitely be reading the next one as soon as I can get my hands on it.
+1
Alice in Wonderland was never one of my favorite stories growing up as a kid. However, I truly enjoyed this story. This take on an origin story for the characters in Wonderland was completely new and not what I was expecting.
+1
I was a little hesitant when the synopsis said that a heartbreaking betrayal would threaten her crown. Usually this means that a love interest has turned on her. I'm not a big fan of romance. But, like I said, it wasn't what I expected. No spoilers though.
+1
The way the story unfolded had me dropping my jaw. It kind of took my breath away but that could be the crippling anxiety. Or the fact that I ate a whole bag of skittles. Anyway, it was a really good ending and just the right amount of cliffhanger to make me want to read the next book but not so extreme that it upset me.
-.5
I kind of found Dinah, the main character, flat. She didn't feel genuine when expressing her emotions. That could just be because she was a very angry and hotheaded person. I won't relate to someone like that because I don't like to get angry and I'm generally calm. I still loved the choices she made but her mindset and thoughts were a little lacking for me.
baggednbasic's review
5.0
So, I love this book. Its definitely a page turner. I picked it up because it was the book of the month in a book club. The book club on fbook is called books between strangers. I joined it to read more books and make friends with book people. It was a quick read. I read it in about a month.
This book is about the queen of hearts but before she becomes the queen. She has a brother that is the mad hatter and cant take the Thorne. So, her dad is hateful and basically shows no love towards his kids at all. When she was 10 her mother died. Now she is 17 and this girl shows up and apparently is the bastard child of her father that is 15. He announces it to everyone in the court and expects everyone to welcome this girl. Like he has no remorse for cheating on his wife so long ago.
So, now she has to navigate through all of this. The story is well written. It has a lot of plot twists and will keep you guessing.
This book is about the queen of hearts but before she becomes the queen. She has a brother that is the mad hatter and cant take the Thorne. So, her dad is hateful and basically shows no love towards his kids at all. When she was 10 her mother died. Now she is 17 and this girl shows up and apparently is the bastard child of her father that is 15. He announces it to everyone in the court and expects everyone to welcome this girl. Like he has no remorse for cheating on his wife so long ago.
So, now she has to navigate through all of this. The story is well written. It has a lot of plot twists and will keep you guessing.
drowningfaithh's review
2.0
2.5/5
Was very so-so for me. Wasn’t that bad, but nothing that good happened either. Easy to read because the writing was straightforward and was more like simple narrating. More telling, less showing. Though, I’m guilty of skimming some passages because it just had too many adjectives.
Also, the author wrote it in 3rd person limited for our main character Dinah, yet the last chapter suddenly switches to a 3rd person limited for the king, which slightly put me off. I’m not too fond of it when books suddenly change POVs.
As for the plot, political intrigue was excellent; I just wanted more critical events to happen. I felt like nothing much happened in the book. The casting of characters piqued my interest; Chesire as the king’s adviser, and especially Charles as the Mad Hatter - a very nice touch. The romance, well, there isn’t much to say. It was so-so for me. Not much chemistry, though I did enjoy their friendship. Plus, the we have to kiss as a cover-up trope, I’m a sucker for it, sorry.
I disliked that Dinah just had clues falling on her lap, or something convenient happens for her to be out of trouble suddenly. For instance, when she and Wardley were going to get caught in the Black Tower, a guard conveniently helps them out, or when this stranger wakes her up from her sleep to save her from being murdered. Very convenient and suspicious. Also, don’t get me started on Dinah being naive, believing anything, or anyone. The eat me paper, and yes, the stranger who gave her some goods before she escaped.
Alright, didn’t expect this to be this long, so I’ll end the review now. Will probably read the next book to see where the plot (wait, what plot?) goes.
Was very so-so for me. Wasn’t that bad, but nothing that good happened either. Easy to read because the writing was straightforward and was more like simple narrating. More telling, less showing. Though, I’m guilty of skimming some passages because it just had too many adjectives.
Also, the author wrote it in 3rd person limited for our main character Dinah, yet the last chapter suddenly switches to a 3rd person limited for the king, which slightly put me off. I’m not too fond of it when books suddenly change POVs.
As for the plot, political intrigue was excellent; I just wanted more critical events to happen. I felt like nothing much happened in the book. The casting of characters piqued my interest; Chesire as the king’s adviser, and especially Charles as the Mad Hatter - a very nice touch.
Spoiler
However, I am still so upset that they killed Charles off so easily. I wanted more of him!I disliked that Dinah just had clues falling on her lap, or something convenient happens for her to be out of trouble suddenly. For instance, when she and Wardley were going to get caught in the Black Tower, a guard conveniently helps them out, or when this stranger wakes her up from her sleep to save her from being murdered. Very convenient and suspicious. Also, don’t get me started on Dinah being naive, believing anything, or anyone. The eat me paper, and yes, the stranger who gave her some goods before she escaped.
Alright, didn’t expect this to be this long, so I’ll end the review now. Will probably read the next book to see where the plot (wait, what plot?) goes.
teabooks_magic's review
3.0
Of course I’m going to enjoy anything that is based off Alice in Wonderland. I loved how the author twisted some of the original aspects. However, the book was very slow and kind of dull up until around the last 100 pages. But, those last pages were super intriguing!
iowabibliobibuli's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This book is the right fit for someone out there, I'm just not sure it's me. The idea of this book was fabulous, and it could have gone so far but it fell flat to me. I am going to hold out for the rest of this series, and hope it improves.
carleydanielle's review
2.0
2.5 stars
I'm really underwhelmed by this. It wasn't a terrible book, but it was almost boring? I dunno, I just wish it was more, because I liked the premise of it.
I'm really underwhelmed by this. It wasn't a terrible book, but it was almost boring? I dunno, I just wish it was more, because I liked the premise of it.
aceofsphades_reads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Spoiler
why does the brother die!!! text
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Violence, Torture, Murder, Injury/injury detail, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Child death, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and War
rheamsbrittany's review
5.0
I can not WAIT for the next book to come out in this series. I absolutely loved it
lavender07's review
4.0
3.75⭐
I definetly enjoyed reading this book, it was entertaining. However I didn't feel like the characters had a lot of depth, and Dinah wasn't an all that interesting MC. But that could absolutely be overlooked since it did have an interesting and intriguing plot.
I do think I would have liked it even more if I had read it at a little younger age though.
I definetly enjoyed reading this book, it was entertaining. However I didn't feel like the characters had a lot of depth, and Dinah wasn't an all that interesting MC. But that could absolutely be overlooked since it did have an interesting and intriguing plot.
I do think I would have liked it even more if I had read it at a little younger age though.