Scan barcode
chemicalpink's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Rape, Classism, Toxic friendship, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Child abuse, Cannibalism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
baileyloveless's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
EDIT 2021: when I first read this book in 2016, I gave it four stars and as you can see from the review below I really enjoyed it. Since that time, the book has stayed with me in a strange way. I never forgot it and thought often of how dark and wonderfully creative the author was. Having re read it again, I found myself still surprised by the story and characters but once again appreciative of the creativity. I think that is a mark of a truly resonant book, dare I say a favorite so I have altered my rating from 4 to 5 stars.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | STORE
For details on entering my giveaway for a copy of the first book Alice, click here by July 31st, 2016
Wow. I almost don’t even know where to begin. This retelling of Alice in Wonderland is one crazy, dark, wild ride. And I loved every minute of it. Even the parts that made me squirm.
First, I’d like to thank the staff at Ace for allowing me to review this. The Chronicles of Alice is a duology, the first part entitled Alice and the second part entitled Red Queen. I requested Red Queen on Netgalley, not realizing it was the 2nd part. Ace was kind enough to mail me a physical copy of Alice and will be partnering with me for a giveaway. They’re amazing! And I’m so grateful because this story was brilliant.
Picture this: Alice is a patient in an asylum with a cruel scar running from mouth to ear. She doesn’t remember why she’s there or how she got the scar. Just something about a rabbit, a tea party, and a lot of blood. Hatter is not a hatter, but Hatcher, the axe murderer who’s room in the asylum is adjacent to Alice’s. Cheshire, Rabbit, Caterpillar, and Walrus are all underground bosses terrorizing the streets of the crumbling Old City.
Alice begins with Hatcher and Alice’s escape from the asylum. As the hospital is ravaged by a fire, they watch it burn to see a dark shadow rise from the ashes. “The Jabberwocky!” cries Hatcher. Alice and Hatcher are forced into the dangerous streets of the Old City to find the one the one thing that can stop the Jabberwocky and where the Rabbit waits for her return.
“RABBITS DON’T FORGET.”
This first book is creepiness to the max. I am not entirely sure how I got through it being a squeamish person. Perhaps it was the morbid curiosity that took hold of me as I read. I was horrified, but I couldn’t put it down. If you’re looking for the whimsical Wonderland, you will not find it here. I will fully disclose what you’re about to get into: this book is adult, dark, and horrifying. But if you can get through it, it is worth the read. I just wouldn’t recommend reading it alone at night.
The characters come to life in new and interesting ways. Making Hatcher an axe murderer was a brilliant choice. The relationship between him and Alice is amazing. This passage to me really speaks for the intensity between the two of them, yet the tenderness despite their utter madness:
“I WON’T LET ANYTHING HAPPEN TO YOU, ALICE. I WILL KILL YOU BEFORE I LET THE WALRUS OR ANYONE ELSE TAKE YOU AWAY FROM ME.”
SHE GAVE A CHOKE THROUGH HER TEARS, A GRIM AND NOT-SO-MERRY SOUND. “MOST MEN GIVE A GIRL A RING YOU KNOW, NOT THREATEN THEM WITH MURDER.”
HATCHER PUT HIS HANDS ON HER FACE SO HE COULD LOOK INTO HER EYES. “A RING WON’T SAVE YOU FROM THE MEN WHO WOULD USE YOU AND BREAK YOU. I DON’T WANT YOU TO SUFFER, ALICE, NOT ONE MOMENT. I WON’T LET THEM TAKE YOU.”
Cheshire is my favorite character, and I thought the characterization was perfectly done. He still retains the mad qualities of the original character while retaining the poise and grace of a cat.
I must offer a trigger warning for this first book though. Feminism is none existence. Male dominance and objectification of women are a huge theme throughout this first book, and the subject of rape is prevalent. It is not fun to read, though I can understand why it was included.
This book is disturbing. Period. But it’s also so well done that it’s hard to put down.
Tootle loo, darlings! Till next time!
BLOG | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | STORE
For details on entering my giveaway for a copy of the first book Alice, click here by July 31st, 2016
Wow. I almost don’t even know where to begin. This retelling of Alice in Wonderland is one crazy, dark, wild ride. And I loved every minute of it. Even the parts that made me squirm.
First, I’d like to thank the staff at Ace for allowing me to review this. The Chronicles of Alice is a duology, the first part entitled Alice and the second part entitled Red Queen. I requested Red Queen on Netgalley, not realizing it was the 2nd part. Ace was kind enough to mail me a physical copy of Alice and will be partnering with me for a giveaway. They’re amazing! And I’m so grateful because this story was brilliant.
Picture this: Alice is a patient in an asylum with a cruel scar running from mouth to ear. She doesn’t remember why she’s there or how she got the scar. Just something about a rabbit, a tea party, and a lot of blood. Hatter is not a hatter, but Hatcher, the axe murderer who’s room in the asylum is adjacent to Alice’s. Cheshire, Rabbit, Caterpillar, and Walrus are all underground bosses terrorizing the streets of the crumbling Old City.
Alice begins with Hatcher and Alice’s escape from the asylum. As the hospital is ravaged by a fire, they watch it burn to see a dark shadow rise from the ashes. “The Jabberwocky!” cries Hatcher. Alice and Hatcher are forced into the dangerous streets of the Old City to find the one the one thing that can stop the Jabberwocky and where the Rabbit waits for her return.
“RABBITS DON’T FORGET.”
This first book is creepiness to the max. I am not entirely sure how I got through it being a squeamish person. Perhaps it was the morbid curiosity that took hold of me as I read. I was horrified, but I couldn’t put it down. If you’re looking for the whimsical Wonderland, you will not find it here. I will fully disclose what you’re about to get into: this book is adult, dark, and horrifying. But if you can get through it, it is worth the read. I just wouldn’t recommend reading it alone at night.
The characters come to life in new and interesting ways. Making Hatcher an axe murderer was a brilliant choice. The relationship between him and Alice is amazing. This passage to me really speaks for the intensity between the two of them, yet the tenderness despite their utter madness:
“I WON’T LET ANYTHING HAPPEN TO YOU, ALICE. I WILL KILL YOU BEFORE I LET THE WALRUS OR ANYONE ELSE TAKE YOU AWAY FROM ME.”
SHE GAVE A CHOKE THROUGH HER TEARS, A GRIM AND NOT-SO-MERRY SOUND. “MOST MEN GIVE A GIRL A RING YOU KNOW, NOT THREATEN THEM WITH MURDER.”
HATCHER PUT HIS HANDS ON HER FACE SO HE COULD LOOK INTO HER EYES. “A RING WON’T SAVE YOU FROM THE MEN WHO WOULD USE YOU AND BREAK YOU. I DON’T WANT YOU TO SUFFER, ALICE, NOT ONE MOMENT. I WON’T LET THEM TAKE YOU.”
Cheshire is my favorite character, and I thought the characterization was perfectly done. He still retains the mad qualities of the original character while retaining the poise and grace of a cat.
I must offer a trigger warning for this first book though. Feminism is none existence. Male dominance and objectification of women are a huge theme throughout this first book, and the subject of rape is prevalent. It is not fun to read, though I can understand why it was included.
This book is disturbing. Period. But it’s also so well done that it’s hard to put down.
Tootle loo, darlings! Till next time!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Blood, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Slavery, Trafficking, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic friendship
More...