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annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
5.0
It's hard to describe my feelings while reading this book. It was as if I got lost, lost in a book to never return anymore, lost in that other wonderland, with red and white queens and chessboards, with goblins and giants and monsters, with magic and wolves and wishes that are more powerful than anything else in the world.
Christina Henry has a mesmerizing writing style, that makes me read slower because I want to make sure to let it sink in. I want to feel the rhythm of the words, the power of their meaning, the way they are used and phrased and put together. I want to enjoy the beautiful mixture between a fairytale and a gruesome story about all the horrors in the world.
She combines this writing style with intriguing characters that are complicated, layered, conflicted and more grey than anything. Because the world is not black and white and neither are the characters in this story. Alice, especially Alice, therefore becomes a strangely realistic person, vivid inside my mind while I read about her adventures in this monstrous and scary wonderland, where nothing is what it seems and death can lurk around every corner.
As the very last ingredient of this brilliant retelling, we can add the clever plot. Where it's mostly about the journey, but also a little about the destination. Where it's mostly about finding the power within yourself, but also a little about the help from others you should always accept. Where it's mostly about Wonderland, but also a little about the real worlds where monsters are often pretending to be at our aide.
And now I really need the other Henry books!
Christina Henry has a mesmerizing writing style, that makes me read slower because I want to make sure to let it sink in. I want to feel the rhythm of the words, the power of their meaning, the way they are used and phrased and put together. I want to enjoy the beautiful mixture between a fairytale and a gruesome story about all the horrors in the world.
She combines this writing style with intriguing characters that are complicated, layered, conflicted and more grey than anything. Because the world is not black and white and neither are the characters in this story. Alice, especially Alice, therefore becomes a strangely realistic person, vivid inside my mind while I read about her adventures in this monstrous and scary wonderland, where nothing is what it seems and death can lurk around every corner.
As the very last ingredient of this brilliant retelling, we can add the clever plot. Where it's mostly about the journey, but also a little about the destination. Where it's mostly about finding the power within yourself, but also a little about the help from others you should always accept. Where it's mostly about Wonderland, but also a little about the real worlds where monsters are often pretending to be at our aide.
And now I really need the other Henry books!
jodie34's review
4.0
3.5 stars. Drags on a bit. But it's intriguing and I love the different take on this fairytale.
emialexa's review
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
sstuermer93's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
mind_altering_reads's review
The first book was weird but I didn’t want to give up. The second book doesn’t have chapters and was overall hard to get into for me.
mllynne's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
pbraue13's review
3.0
Sped through this sequel and found myself wanting. Wanting more from the plot, more from the characters, and more OF certain characters. It was ok. The writing is still superb, but the story itself didn't match the quality of the writing.
shalini_gunnasan's review
4.0
I read the first book and enjoyed it, and I enjoyed this one. But I did notice that the writing hasn't exactly improved in a certain aspect - a mechanical tone, and some perspectives that don't work. Like the docks from little Alice's perspective. How in the world would a child know or care about businessmen and investments? So, I guess the author needs to divorce more clearly the exposition sections and the character perspectives.
That's my only gripe though. I liked the horror, beautifully done, and very primal. Waiting for the next instalment eagerly and hope the Jabberwock makes an appearance!
That's my only gripe though. I liked the horror, beautifully done, and very primal. Waiting for the next instalment eagerly and hope the Jabberwock makes an appearance!