Helpful Score: 2
I got a copy of this book to review through NetGalley(dot)com, so thanks to NetGalley and Amulet books for giving me the opportunity to review this book. I am a huge Alice in Wonderland fan and was super excited to read this book. It was a very good retelling of Alice in Wonderland with a dark feel to it. Think a cross between American McGees Alice and Tim Burtons movie.
The females of Alyssas family have been cursed for generations to go mad when they hit puberty. Alyssa herself has heard flowers and bugs talking to her for years and does her best to ignore them. But when her institutionalized mother gets worse than ever Alyssa is determined to put together the clues and break this curse. Little does she know the twisted plot that awaits her in Wonderland.
This is an excellent and dark retelling of Alice and Wonderland. I love how everything from the original Lewis Carroll story is reflected in this story, but darker and a bit twisted. Many aspects of this story reminded me a lot of Tim Burtons Alice in Wonderland movie. Even down to the fact that the Bandersnatch guards the vorpal blade. There are more elements of faerie in this story than in Burtons reimagining. The story also reflects some of American McGees Alice in Wonderland video game; the white rabid is a truly McGee worthy character in the story.
Alyssa is a believable and engaging character and Jeb is an excellent partner in her journey through Wonderland. Alyssa is dealing with some heavy stuff, yet she is a strong character and does her best to get done what she needs to get done. Jeb supports and respects her, and has that slightly dangerous vibe that a lot of readers will really enjoy.
The story is well done and has some intriguing twists and turns. It was very engaging and kept me guessing. Its a dark retelling, but it never gets too dark as to be disturbing.
Overall I really enjoyed this retelling, it was well written and very well done. Alyssa is a plucky and fun heroine that is dealing with the tough circumstances, but she deals well. Jeb is an excellent support character, a bit dangerous but always supportive of Alyssa. Definitely recommended for anyone who is a fan of Alice in Wonderland...also great for fans of YA novels about dark faerie-type realms.
The females of Alyssas family have been cursed for generations to go mad when they hit puberty. Alyssa herself has heard flowers and bugs talking to her for years and does her best to ignore them. But when her institutionalized mother gets worse than ever Alyssa is determined to put together the clues and break this curse. Little does she know the twisted plot that awaits her in Wonderland.
This is an excellent and dark retelling of Alice and Wonderland. I love how everything from the original Lewis Carroll story is reflected in this story, but darker and a bit twisted. Many aspects of this story reminded me a lot of Tim Burtons Alice in Wonderland movie. Even down to the fact that the Bandersnatch guards the vorpal blade. There are more elements of faerie in this story than in Burtons reimagining. The story also reflects some of American McGees Alice in Wonderland video game; the white rabid is a truly McGee worthy character in the story.
Alyssa is a believable and engaging character and Jeb is an excellent partner in her journey through Wonderland. Alyssa is dealing with some heavy stuff, yet she is a strong character and does her best to get done what she needs to get done. Jeb supports and respects her, and has that slightly dangerous vibe that a lot of readers will really enjoy.
The story is well done and has some intriguing twists and turns. It was very engaging and kept me guessing. Its a dark retelling, but it never gets too dark as to be disturbing.
Overall I really enjoyed this retelling, it was well written and very well done. Alyssa is a plucky and fun heroine that is dealing with the tough circumstances, but she deals well. Jeb is an excellent support character, a bit dangerous but always supportive of Alyssa. Definitely recommended for anyone who is a fan of Alice in Wonderland...also great for fans of YA novels about dark faerie-type realms.
I thought the concept of this book was awesome. I loved the story to start with and all the little details of what the insects and flowers were saying. About 2/3 of the way through it got a bit too weird for me. The fact that the current story ended up not actually being in connection with the original Alice in Wonderland book was a disappointment for me. I will say I was impressed with the quality of writing for a young adult novel. There were some descriptive phrases that I found captivating. I didn't find any of the characters likable and didn't really care what happened to them. I would recommend this book for anyone who generally likes YA or who just wants to read a bizarre story.
MY THOUGHTS
This is my third time reading this book and it was just as amazing this time as it was the other times! This is such an amazing and imaginative series!
Alyssa's mother has been in a mental institution ever since Alyssa was a child and she constantly worries that she will become insane just like her mother. It doesn't help that she can hear the whispers of bugs and flowers, just like her mother. Madness runs in the family. It's been that way since Alice Liddell. In order to help her mother and save her future, Alyssa has to stop her family curse and in order to do that, she has to go done the rabbit hole. She has to pass a series of tests, undoing what Alice did in Wonderland. While doing this, she will discover the truth about Wonderland and her family.
I don't know a whole lot about Alice in Wonderland. Most of my knowledge comes from the original Disney movie. But even with my limited knowledge, I could enjoy this book. And I did! It's so hard for me to review this book without full-on gushing! While this is based on another story, it is still so very imaginative! A.G. Howard completely transformed Wonderland to something completely different and dark. Really, I applaud her world-building!!
This book is also very action-packed and so fact-paced! You really won't want to set this book down! This book is also very surprising and full of twists!
As far as romance, this book does have a mini triangle. Not as much in this book, but there is one. Jeb is a really great guy, and I learn to like him more as the series goes, but he's kind of the average love interest. Then there's Morpheus. Gosh, I love Morpheus, but you can never really tell where his hear lies. That's all I'm saying. Though, I still love him.
IN CONCLUSION
READ IT!! I love everything about this book! If you want an amazing, imaginative, retelling, then you really need to pick up this book! Heck! If you love amazing books, give this one a try!
This is my third time reading this book and it was just as amazing this time as it was the other times! This is such an amazing and imaginative series!
Alyssa's mother has been in a mental institution ever since Alyssa was a child and she constantly worries that she will become insane just like her mother. It doesn't help that she can hear the whispers of bugs and flowers, just like her mother. Madness runs in the family. It's been that way since Alice Liddell. In order to help her mother and save her future, Alyssa has to stop her family curse and in order to do that, she has to go done the rabbit hole. She has to pass a series of tests, undoing what Alice did in Wonderland. While doing this, she will discover the truth about Wonderland and her family.
I don't know a whole lot about Alice in Wonderland. Most of my knowledge comes from the original Disney movie. But even with my limited knowledge, I could enjoy this book. And I did! It's so hard for me to review this book without full-on gushing! While this is based on another story, it is still so very imaginative! A.G. Howard completely transformed Wonderland to something completely different and dark. Really, I applaud her world-building!!
This book is also very action-packed and so fact-paced! You really won't want to set this book down! This book is also very surprising and full of twists!
As far as romance, this book does have a mini triangle. Not as much in this book, but there is one. Jeb is a really great guy, and I learn to like him more as the series goes, but he's kind of the average love interest. Then there's Morpheus. Gosh, I love Morpheus, but you can never really tell where his hear lies. That's all I'm saying. Though, I still love him.
IN CONCLUSION
READ IT!! I love everything about this book! If you want an amazing, imaginative, retelling, then you really need to pick up this book! Heck! If you love amazing books, give this one a try!
