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cwatson1234's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Transphobia, Violence, Toxic friendship, and Suicide
enmcurrie's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I personally really enjoyed this book. It was certainly out there, and the plot was quite gritty and dark, dealing with tough themes. I loved the modern spin on the classic, Alice in Wonderland, I thought it was very clever. Dawson’s writing is also great at being able to lighten very dark topics with her humour in an appropriate way. It was very interesting to read about the path of self-destruction that these privileged characters go through as part of society’s (and specifically London’s) elite. The pace is fast, as the plot happens in one weekend. The main character is transgender, which is great as it adds diversity and provides representation. It was so interesting to have a further insight into the life of a trans young woman and how difficult it can be, such as how easy it is for her to be sexualised.
I think this novel is great, and tackles a lot of important topics. I would recommend to anyone that’s interested!
I think this novel is great, and tackles a lot of important topics. I would recommend to anyone that’s interested!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, and Transphobia
alexa_bmn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Transphobia, Mental illness, Self harm, Death, Sexual assault, and Drug use
Moderate: Incest and Deadnaming
thepretentiouspoet's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
When I began this book, I was expecting a modern retelling of Alice In Wonderland. What I got instead was a dark, messy, whirlwind adventure exploring sexuality, gender, womanhood, class, social privilege and mental health viscerally and honestly.
There is no way to prepare yourself for this book - it comes right at you. Alice was an immediately likeable protagonist; she's smart and morally sound, but just unstable enough that you have to keep your wits about you as she enters the bacchanel-like party of Wonderland in search of her one-night-stand who goes missing the next day. Her inner monologue is incredibly engaging, and there are so many incredibly wise and introspective one-liners or passing comments about gender presentation and femininity that shook me.
Then there are the discussions of privilege and social class that occur throughout the plot. Alice is a trans woman who goes to a very elite private school that is dominated by the upper classes. All those Gatsby-esque conversations about Old Money and New Money come into play as she navigates the party, and she begins to see just how deeply class loyalty and wealth run. The people she is rubbing elbows with are all deeply, deeply flawed, and most of that is as a result of their privilege. From the tortured genius stoner that replaces the Caterpillar to the YouTube star twins with no boundaries and even fewer morals to Paisley Hart herself, it is clear that you don't actually want to be a part of their cult-like class. How can a book manage to grip you on all levels?
I will say though, that I would not recommend this book to everyone. Just as Alice In Wonderland is bizarre and messy at points, this book is all of those things tenfold. Check those trigger warnings carefully, as there is a lot of messed-up stuff that happens and is discussed in this book, and it was almost too much for me at times. I will also add, although it isn't a registered content warning, that Alice experiences hallucinations at various points in the book - some are as a result of her excessive drug use, and others are as a result of her not taking the anti-psychotic medication that is prescribed to her.
However, if you can stomach the content warnings, I cannot recommend this enough. I read this book over a month ago and I can't stop thinking about it.
There is no way to prepare yourself for this book - it comes right at you. Alice was an immediately likeable protagonist; she's smart and morally sound, but just unstable enough that you have to keep your wits about you as she enters the bacchanel-like party of Wonderland in search of her one-night-stand who goes missing the next day. Her inner monologue is incredibly engaging, and there are so many incredibly wise and introspective one-liners or passing comments about gender presentation and femininity that shook me.
Then there are the discussions of privilege and social class that occur throughout the plot. Alice is a trans woman who goes to a very elite private school that is dominated by the upper classes. All those Gatsby-esque conversations about Old Money and New Money come into play as she navigates the party, and she begins to see just how deeply class loyalty and wealth run. The people she is rubbing elbows with are all deeply, deeply flawed, and most of that is as a result of their privilege. From the tortured genius stoner that replaces the Caterpillar to the YouTube star twins with no boundaries and even fewer morals to Paisley Hart herself, it is clear that you don't actually want to be a part of their cult-like class. How can a book manage to grip you on all levels?
I will say though, that I would not recommend this book to everyone. Just as Alice In Wonderland is bizarre and messy at points, this book is all of those things tenfold. Check those trigger warnings carefully, as there is a lot of messed-up stuff that happens and is discussed in this book, and it was almost too much for me at times. I will also add, although it isn't a registered content warning, that Alice experiences hallucinations at various points in the book - some are as a result of her excessive drug use, and others are as a result of her not taking the anti-psychotic medication that is prescribed to her.
However, if you can stomach the content warnings, I cannot recommend this enough. I read this book over a month ago and I can't stop thinking about it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Deadnaming, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, and Vomit
Moderate: Incest, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Transphobia, and Violence
hazel_t23's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Transphobia, Suicide, and Self harm
Minor: Death
Also includes a scene where a character commits arson.morebedsidebooks's review against another edition
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, Violence, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide, Transphobia, and Vomit
Minor: Deadnaming, Death of parent, Incest, Animal death, and Alcoholism
Also drugging and mentions of an overdose death occur in the book.honestlyholly's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I think this book needed to be longer to fully appreciate the topics it touched upon. There was a sense of quickness, of urgency, which meant some of the points were skimmed over in too little detail.
The concept would have worked better with 18-22yos as well, rather than 14-18yos. It seemed too adult for the people to be actual children.
I was expecting a wacky read as it's an Alice in Wonderland retelling, but it was mad! The ending wasn't really an ending as well... There was no resolution???
The concept would have worked better with 18-22yos as well, rather than 14-18yos. It seemed too adult for the people to be actual children.
I was expecting a wacky read as it's an Alice in Wonderland retelling, but it was mad! The ending wasn't really an ending as well... There was no resolution???
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Suicide attempt
elliecs3's review
Not for me, I might try again soon
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Mental illness, and Transphobia
kellyinbookland's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Transphobia, Drug use, and Suicide
that_bookworm_guy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A clever modern day retelling of Alice in Wonderland featuring a trans main character, yes please!!
Throughout the book, there are quotes from Alice in Wonderland woven throughout and characters that share similarities to the original characters.
The story is interesting and strange, and honestly wild. But very enjoyable.
It's dark, and it's messy and focuses a lot on mental health. But as a trans person, I could see a lot of similarities in mine and Alice's experiences. I love being able to see parts of myself in fictional characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Death of parent, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Hate crime, Vomit, Violence, Transphobia, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Self harm, and Mental illness
Minor: Incest