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kimib79's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Violence, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, and Cursing
vgdesigns's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Muchness
L.L. McKinney transports the reader into an entertaining and refreshing retelling of Alice in Wonderland in A Blade So Black. After the sudden death of her father, Alice Kingston awakens to the world of human fears turned into monsters. The mysterious Addison Hatta does his best to train her in how to defeat these nightmares. Wonderland is a land of dreams, but the reality of the endless battle before her may be too much to handle. Alice must work through her hurt, to save the world from its own horror.
L.L. McKinney jumps right into the action, laying down the world building foundation of the story quickly. After the death of her father, Alice is left with sadness, anger, and a “billion other emotions”. She struggles a lot with these consuming feelings, and repurposes them into fighting monsters. Though, she finds that she cannot fight fear with anger. And the choices she makes effect not only her, but her family and friends. Alice has an edgy and serious tone of voice. So brief warning for strong language, as well as throwing up, and nausea when she travels to Wonderland.
The handsome Addison adds some levity to all the seriousness, who Alice calls a “punk rock Prince Charming”. Addison speaks in Wonderland terms, which gives him a whimsical and slightly mad personality. He is a great encourager, showing Alice that she can be more than her fears. Alice’s friend Cortney Marrone’ keeps her grounded in reality, aka gossip, with the help of the handsome Chess.
This book is full of all the nostalgia, quirks, and characters needed in an Alice in Wonderland retelling. L.L. McKinney creates even more places and creatures inspired by Wonderland. Which gives this story some fun moments in between the darker aspects of the dream inspired world. With plenty of fun nerdy pop culture references.
L.L. McKinney transports the reader into an entertaining and refreshing retelling of Alice in Wonderland in A Blade So Black. After the sudden death of her father, Alice Kingston awakens to the world of human fears turned into monsters. The mysterious Addison Hatta does his best to train her in how to defeat these nightmares. Wonderland is a land of dreams, but the reality of the endless battle before her may be too much to handle. Alice must work through her hurt, to save the world from its own horror.
L.L. McKinney jumps right into the action, laying down the world building foundation of the story quickly. After the death of her father, Alice is left with sadness, anger, and a “billion other emotions”. She struggles a lot with these consuming feelings, and repurposes them into fighting monsters. Though, she finds that she cannot fight fear with anger. And the choices she makes effect not only her, but her family and friends. Alice has an edgy and serious tone of voice. So brief warning for strong language, as well as throwing up, and nausea when she travels to Wonderland.
The handsome Addison adds some levity to all the seriousness, who Alice calls a “punk rock Prince Charming”. Addison speaks in Wonderland terms, which gives him a whimsical and slightly mad personality. He is a great encourager, showing Alice that she can be more than her fears. Alice’s friend Cortney Marrone’ keeps her grounded in reality, aka gossip, with the help of the handsome Chess.
This book is full of all the nostalgia, quirks, and characters needed in an Alice in Wonderland retelling. L.L. McKinney creates even more places and creatures inspired by Wonderland. Which gives this story some fun moments in between the darker aspects of the dream inspired world. With plenty of fun nerdy pop culture references.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing and Vomit
caseythereader's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Dementia, Gore, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Police brutality, and Violence
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