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starry2013's review against another edition
4.0
This was a solid debut and short, which worked in its favor because it could have felt a lot more unfocused than it already did. It was very meandering which fit with the Alice in Wonderland theme so it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. I liked the premise twist and Alys was fine as a hero though her arc felt quite rushed and the end was a little unsatisfying because of it. I look forward to what else is to come though!
readingrenbo's review
5.0
I want more and I want it now.
And that right there is the highest piece of praise I can ever give a book. Even if I had no more to say about it that would be enough I would think. I love the original Lewis Carroll Alice stories, I've said that several times in every other review I've written of an Alice adaptation, I've read many of those, and I've enjoyed them very much. I thoroughly enjoyed Kiri's adaptation, not only did she beautifully render a new modernised vision of Alice and Wonderland, she also skillfully wove in not only one of my favourite Shakespeare plays, but also found a way to mention King Arthur! And I must say I absolutely adore Smoke as a reinterpretation on the Cheshire Cat, who has always been a particularly favourite character of mine.
I really hope that a second book in this series is forthcoming soon because I want to see what happens, with as optimistic a cliffhanger as this book ended on how could I not?
And that right there is the highest piece of praise I can ever give a book. Even if I had no more to say about it that would be enough I would think. I love the original Lewis Carroll Alice stories, I've said that several times in every other review I've written of an Alice adaptation, I've read many of those, and I've enjoyed them very much. I thoroughly enjoyed Kiri's adaptation, not only did she beautifully render a new modernised vision of Alice and Wonderland, she also skillfully wove in not only one of my favourite Shakespeare plays, but also found a way to mention King Arthur! And I must say I absolutely adore Smoke as a reinterpretation on the Cheshire Cat, who has always been a particularly favourite character of mine.
I really hope that a second book in this series is forthcoming soon because I want to see what happens, with as optimistic a cliffhanger as this book ended on how could I not?
pogue's review
4.0
First a disclaimer: I know Kiri, however she does not know that I am writing this review. Knowing Kiri I also know that she would want my honest opinion, and not some fluff that I were to write just to make her happy.
Many people who will read this book will see the Alice in Wonderland\Midsummer Night’s Dream theme in it. I loved all of the Shakespeare references in this book, they tied in very well with the world that had been built to tell the story. The blending of the Fae and of the dream world fit seamlessly. Her idea of what the Fae world looks like sounds like somewhere I would want to go for a vacation.
I am not so sure about Terra Mirum, that is the land that Alys goes to where she meets the prince Oswin, Smoke, Robin, and a few others. I would like to know more about the characters of Smoke and Robin, from what little we find out about them, I bet they had a most fascinating life in the Fae. I want to know how Robin met Basir, how Smoke got away from the Fae.
I should talk a bit about Alys and Oswin, but I am not sure that I can without giving away the plot of the book. Oswin comes into his own in this book, but he has more room to grow. Alys seems to be about the age of 19 or 20 when all of this takes place and she overcomes much in this book.
I do have a confession to make – I read Alice in Wonderland and did not like it. I tried to read Through the Looking Glass and managed to get just a few chapters into it but they are not my favorite. I read Alys in a day and enjoyed it very much. This book has a subtitle that included the word “Chronicles,” that means there will be more. I want them out now so I can read them now.
Many people who will read this book will see the Alice in Wonderland\Midsummer Night’s Dream theme in it. I loved all of the Shakespeare references in this book, they tied in very well with the world that had been built to tell the story. The blending of the Fae and of the dream world fit seamlessly. Her idea of what the Fae world looks like sounds like somewhere I would want to go for a vacation.
I am not so sure about Terra Mirum, that is the land that Alys goes to where she meets the prince Oswin, Smoke, Robin, and a few others. I would like to know more about the characters of Smoke and Robin, from what little we find out about them, I bet they had a most fascinating life in the Fae. I want to know how Robin met Basir, how Smoke got away from the Fae.
I should talk a bit about Alys and Oswin, but I am not sure that I can without giving away the plot of the book. Oswin comes into his own in this book, but he has more room to grow. Alys seems to be about the age of 19 or 20 when all of this takes place and she overcomes much in this book.
I do have a confession to make – I read Alice in Wonderland and did not like it. I tried to read Through the Looking Glass and managed to get just a few chapters into it but they are not my favorite. I read Alys in a day and enjoyed it very much. This book has a subtitle that included the word “Chronicles,” that means there will be more. I want them out now so I can read them now.
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