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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide
Moderate: Self harm
Having read Clean and really enjoyed it, I was intrigued to go back into the world Dawson created there. This is not a sequel, but it does allude to characters and incidents in Clean and is set in the same social circles. It's a clever, modern retelling of Alice in Wonderland through the medium of drugs, clubs, parties and the ever changing kaleidoscope of the high class party scene. Alice, who is the main character here, is trans and it is fascinating to read her thoughts and feelings, particularly given that Dawson herself is a highly visible and well known Trans figure. It was interesting that Alice finds herself literally and metaphorically in a world in which the normal rules don't apply and this window into a chaotic fantasy land is, at this point, the only one in which she can come to a true understanding of herself and find an acceptance that is not so readily available in 'reality'. I am in awe of the way that Dawson consistently writes about difficult subjects in such an accessible and readable way. I think she is the natural heir to Melvyn Burgess' mantle in terms of subject matter and style, but I like her work considerably more.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Trigger warnings:
I have to admit: I'm a little disappointed. I loved Clean and Meat Market by the author and was so eager for more, but Wonderland may have been a little too strange for my taste. Full review coming soon! :)
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Spoiler
drug use, sex, attempted rape, self-harm, suicide (attempted and witnessed), murder, transphobia, grief, overdose, death, implied incest, body dysmorphia, dead naming, suicidal thoughts, arson.I have to admit: I'm a little disappointed. I loved Clean and Meat Market by the author and was so eager for more, but Wonderland may have been a little too strange for my taste. Full review coming soon! :)
My Blog - Drizzle & Hurricane Books - Twitter - Bookstagram - Bloglovin'
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*
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.
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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:
Complicated
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.