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hookerkitty's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I mostly enjoyed this book (obv minus when the above kept getting brought up). I don’t remember if I ever actually read the original book, and it’s been a long time since I’ve even seen the movies, so that may be a factor in why I enjoyed it more lol. I say “mostly” though, because I thought the end was rather anti-climactic, which was hella disappointing. I don’t know if the author ran out of steam and time before the deadline, but I was hoping for much more than there was.
However I really enjoyed how they showed Alice learning to find herself again after a deeply traumatic event. I’ve been through a lot of similar events that Alice went through, and found that the representation of being deeply scarred and the struggles of trying break out of that cocoon you placed yourself in to be rather accurate. I would’ve been annoyed if they instantly made her a girlboss™️ once she escaped the institution. I find it incredibly frustrating when stories (books/movies/anything) force toxic positivity down our throats like that actually solves all our problems, so this was a refreshing (albeit triggering) change.
Anyway, hopefully this makes sense. I not only have a migraine, but even rehashing this stuff is taxing mentally and emotionally. So keep your furry friends (or stuffed animals) nearby to help you through those portions if it’s triggering (and it’s totally okay to skip this book for now, or ever, if you don’t want to encounter those parts of the storyline), and check in with your body to see if you need a break. I’m now curious to read the original book(s) to compare different aspects of the storylines.
Graphic: Gore, Rape, Murder, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Mental illness, Blood, Sexual assault, and Confinement
Moderate: Abandonment, Forced institutionalization, Trafficking, Animal death, Torture, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Minor: Slavery, Kidnapping, and Gun violence
erinreadstoomuch's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Death and Gun violence
Moderate: Trafficking and Rape
consistentlyinconsistent's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Sexual violence, Rape, Mental illness, Kidnapping, and Gore
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death, Body horror, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Rape, Gun violence, Cannibalism, Physical abuse, Gore, Murder, Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, and Violence
lily_777's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Gun violence, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Rape, Murder, Trafficking, Child abuse, Slavery, Gore, Violence, Blood, Mental illness, Death, and Body horror
bectothebooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexual violence, Trafficking, Violence, Blood, Death, Forced institutionalization, Sexism, Sexual assault, Confinement, Murder, and Rape
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Torture, Cannibalism, Grief, Mental illness, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Gun violence, and Classism
desertdwellingbibliophile's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Classism, Confinement, Murder, Toxic friendship, Trafficking, Animal cruelty, Blood, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, and Vomit
hlhayes7's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Mental illness, and Violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Cannibalism, Kidnapping, Trafficking, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexual violence
Minor: Gun violence
justme12xx's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I went into reading this book with little to no knowledge about it at all and it was a shock and a wild ride and although I enjoyed it. It messed with my head a bit. As soon as I finished it I went out and brought the sequel and even though I haven't started the sequel yet I've been dreaming about where Alice and Hatchers story goes next.
(Possible slight spoliers in this paragraph) The book follows the story of Alice and Hatcher as they escape from a mental hospital and sneak through the old city but they run into a couple if people from their past, learns secrets about each other and themselves and make some helpful acquaintances along the way.
(No more spoliers) Christina Henry had me in the palm of her hand. I was eating up everything she told me in this book. It's a story to delve into but I beg of you to read the content warnings because it topples with alot of dark themes
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Rape, Trafficking, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Cursing, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Medical content, and Mental illness
the_art_of_reading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Gore, Grief, Rape, Cursing, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Murder, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, and War
baileyloveless's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
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For details on entering my giveaway for a copy of the first book Alice, click here by July 31st, 2016
Wow. I almost don’t even know where to begin. This retelling of Alice in Wonderland is one crazy, dark, wild ride. And I loved every minute of it. Even the parts that made me squirm.
First, I’d like to thank the staff at Ace for allowing me to review this. The Chronicles of Alice is a duology, the first part entitled Alice and the second part entitled Red Queen. I requested Red Queen on Netgalley, not realizing it was the 2nd part. Ace was kind enough to mail me a physical copy of Alice and will be partnering with me for a giveaway. They’re amazing! And I’m so grateful because this story was brilliant.
Picture this: Alice is a patient in an asylum with a cruel scar running from mouth to ear. She doesn’t remember why she’s there or how she got the scar. Just something about a rabbit, a tea party, and a lot of blood. Hatter is not a hatter, but Hatcher, the axe murderer who’s room in the asylum is adjacent to Alice’s. Cheshire, Rabbit, Caterpillar, and Walrus are all underground bosses terrorizing the streets of the crumbling Old City.
Alice begins with Hatcher and Alice’s escape from the asylum. As the hospital is ravaged by a fire, they watch it burn to see a dark shadow rise from the ashes. “The Jabberwocky!” cries Hatcher. Alice and Hatcher are forced into the dangerous streets of the Old City to find the one the one thing that can stop the Jabberwocky and where the Rabbit waits for her return.
“RABBITS DON’T FORGET.”
This first book is creepiness to the max. I am not entirely sure how I got through it being a squeamish person. Perhaps it was the morbid curiosity that took hold of me as I read. I was horrified, but I couldn’t put it down. If you’re looking for the whimsical Wonderland, you will not find it here. I will fully disclose what you’re about to get into: this book is adult, dark, and horrifying. But if you can get through it, it is worth the read. I just wouldn’t recommend reading it alone at night.
The characters come to life in new and interesting ways. Making Hatcher an axe murderer was a brilliant choice. The relationship between him and Alice is amazing. This passage to me really speaks for the intensity between the two of them, yet the tenderness despite their utter madness:
“I WON’T LET ANYTHING HAPPEN TO YOU, ALICE. I WILL KILL YOU BEFORE I LET THE WALRUS OR ANYONE ELSE TAKE YOU AWAY FROM ME.”
SHE GAVE A CHOKE THROUGH HER TEARS, A GRIM AND NOT-SO-MERRY SOUND. “MOST MEN GIVE A GIRL A RING YOU KNOW, NOT THREATEN THEM WITH MURDER.”
HATCHER PUT HIS HANDS ON HER FACE SO HE COULD LOOK INTO HER EYES. “A RING WON’T SAVE YOU FROM THE MEN WHO WOULD USE YOU AND BREAK YOU. I DON’T WANT YOU TO SUFFER, ALICE, NOT ONE MOMENT. I WON’T LET THEM TAKE YOU.”
Cheshire is my favorite character, and I thought the characterization was perfectly done. He still retains the mad qualities of the original character while retaining the poise and grace of a cat.
I must offer a trigger warning for this first book though. Feminism is none existence. Male dominance and objectification of women are a huge theme throughout this first book, and the subject of rape is prevalent. It is not fun to read, though I can understand why it was included.
This book is disturbing. Period. But it’s also so well done that it’s hard to put down.
Tootle loo, darlings! Till next time!
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Blood, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Slavery, Trafficking, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic friendship