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A review by caughtbetweenpages
A Dream So Dark by L.L. McKinney
adventurous
emotional
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
4.0
The SG app on my phone deleted my detailed review so I'll just do a tiny elaboration on my note bullet points, because this does deserve a good review! It's my favorite of the series.
- ADSD is an absolute success as a sequel for me. McKinney expands on the world not only in the sense that we see more of the Wonderland setting physically, but we also learn more about the local customs and mores (Wonderland is WAY more medieval-ish fantasy than I expected based on the source material and based on the characters we'd already seen! But also super not?) the introduction of the In Between as the space between Wonderland and Earth where both worlds bleed into each other and it acting as kind of a fairy ring that you need a guide to get through is quite cool! We also get expansion on the characters we know and love, with not only more backstory from Maddi and Hatta but actually seeing some POV chapters from Hatta's perspective. It delves into his madness, and into his history, which enriches the backstory of all of wonderland from a POV Alice has no tangible way of accessing. Plus, we get more Duchess, Courtney, Dee and Dem, Xelon, and Odabeth, all of whom I adore.
- I'm thrilled that Alice's family is being brought further into the story. It's so easy to make parents seem absent or stupid in YA urban fantasy where the protagonist has to constantly duck them, and while that worked well as a device in book one, by this book things get complicated enough that I don't know how it would succeed. Alice's mom being thrust into the world by Humphrey attacking Alice at her own house and having a hard-introduction into the world felt true to the world (where Wonderland is bleeding into the real world) and to the raising stakes of the plot. Plus it felt necessary for Alice to have a parent there to support her as much as possible, and Tina's struggle with her baby being constantly put in danger while Tina can't do anything to help... the emotional charge of that was great. Also, Nana K giving Alice an heirloom necklace that has a connection to Wonderland?? I know what roses mean in the Alice in Wonderland mythos. Does Nana K have a connection to Wonderland? Was she a dreamwalker? Is she a descendant of one of the missing queens? Is that why Alice has so much Muchness?? it raises so many questions, and gives more reason for Nana to be in the story, which I love, because she's a great character. I love all the Kingston women's interrelationships. The three generations of them are simply god tier.
- We get introduced to cool new characters alongside the new elements of Wonderland, specifically Romi the Eastern Gate guardian and Haruka, her Dreamwalker. Alice as a big anime nerd getting to go to Japan felt simply right, and I wish she got to stay there longer. I do wish we got more characterization of Haruka, but I bet that will happen in book 3 given the creation of the Dreamwalker group chat where she, Alice, Dee and Dem are all becoming real life friends and keeping in touch with folks who get their exact weird life circumstances. AND THE DRAGONS <3333
- Ok more on the dragons because I really do love them. I love the gentle Wonderland twist to them (they were called furies, and I wish it'd been bandersnatches or jabberwocks, or even mock turtles, to really get that Carroll-esque wonderland back in there), and the introduction of what felt like an upcoming plot point with the dragon that used to belong to a queen who won't take a rider anymore... idk, I think maybe it'll come through for Alice when she needs it someday soon!
- And then we have the characters we do know, but with a twist. The Black Knight getting backstory reveals as his memory of his life as the Red Knight/Humphrey/Hatta's boyfriend coming back in pieces is so fun and fraught and incredibly messy. I love a reformed villain arc, but he's going to have a lot of work to do to win over Alice. And dark!Chess after the slithe takeover from the last book! Nothing gets me so much as a character losing themselves to something but being called back to themselves by someone they love... and then that calling back not working. So much tension and drama interpersonally, on top of a fast paced plot and a big bad who just won't quit??
- Speaking of, the Bloody Lady is a formidable foe, and the final battle scene was an absolute delight. Alice really leveled up in this installment, and I can't wait for book 3!
- ADSD is an absolute success as a sequel for me. McKinney expands on the world not only in the sense that we see more of the Wonderland setting physically, but we also learn more about the local customs and mores (Wonderland is WAY more medieval-ish fantasy than I expected based on the source material and based on the characters we'd already seen! But also super not?) the introduction of the In Between as the space between Wonderland and Earth where both worlds bleed into each other and it acting as kind of a fairy ring that you need a guide to get through is quite cool! We also get expansion on the characters we know and love, with not only more backstory from Maddi and Hatta but actually seeing some POV chapters from Hatta's perspective. It delves into his madness, and into his history, which enriches the backstory of all of wonderland from a POV Alice has no tangible way of accessing. Plus, we get more Duchess, Courtney, Dee and Dem, Xelon, and Odabeth, all of whom I adore.
- I'm thrilled that Alice's family is being brought further into the story. It's so easy to make parents seem absent or stupid in YA urban fantasy where the protagonist has to constantly duck them, and while that worked well as a device in book one, by this book things get complicated enough that I don't know how it would succeed. Alice's mom being thrust into the world by
- We get introduced to cool new characters alongside the new elements of Wonderland, specifically Romi the Eastern Gate guardian and Haruka, her Dreamwalker. Alice as a big anime nerd getting to go to Japan felt simply right, and I wish she got to stay there longer. I do wish we got more characterization of Haruka, but I bet that will happen in book 3 given the creation of the Dreamwalker group chat where she, Alice, Dee and Dem are all becoming real life friends and keeping in touch with folks who get their exact weird life circumstances. AND THE DRAGONS <3333
- Ok more on the dragons because I really do love them. I love the gentle Wonderland twist to them (they were called furies, and I wish it'd been bandersnatches or jabberwocks, or even mock turtles, to really get that Carroll-esque wonderland back in there), and the introduction of what felt like an upcoming plot point with
- And then we have the characters we do know, but with a twist. The Black Knight getting backstory reveals as
- Speaking of, the Bloody Lady is a formidable foe, and the final battle scene was an absolute delight. Alice really leveled up in this installment, and I can't wait for book 3!