The Looking Glass Wars (edition 2006)

It wasn't the most immediatly engaging book, but I enjoyed it over all. ( )

Rating: 3 of 5

In this fantasy, it's not magic, it's imagination. Imagination is power, and Alyss must learn to use her imagination only for good. Fun twists on most of the original characters.

Last 10-ish chapters started to drag, even though they contained lots of action and the climax. I never really "connected" with Alyss. Not much interested in reading the sequels. ( )

The Looking Glass Wars is a different take on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. In this book, Alyss is the princess of Wonderland who has to flee to our world when her evil aunt Redd takes over the throne. The rest of the story is about Alyss learning to adapt to our world and trying to regain her lost throne.

So, I have to confess that I read this when I was home from work with a mild stomach bug and some very sleepy-making anti-nausea meds in my system. But through that haze, it was still a decent book. I'll probably re-read it sometime though. The story, although based on another book, still manages to be very original. The characters are very one-dimensional, and some things aren't explained all that well, but the originality and the action do save it. I don't know if this is actually aimed at young adults, but it did have that feel to it. So, keeping that in mind, it's just a decent fantasy novel. I'll probably give this author one or two more chances. ( )

Ah, teen fiction, it's been so long. An intriguing and dark take on the beloved tale. Since this is for teens, it's rather simply written. Many of the sentences are oddly structured which interrupted the flow of words, almost Yoda-like in its rearranging of verbs and nouns. Very vague on certain key people or situations that seem very important and had better pop up in the next books. Enjoyable and fast read. ( )

While I love the concept of this book, there are points where I feel like the author wasn’t sure what audience he was writing for. Thematically, it’s a very dark take on the Alice books, complete with elements of steam and cyber-punk and I love the descriptions of the various weaponry. However, Redd and Jack of Diamonds don’t really work as viable antagonists. Redd either evil laughs at every turn and while her childish personality works well for a take on the Red Queen, it comes off as quite childish at points. Jack of Diamonds only exists as a comically fat aristocrat to point and laugh at his ineptitude. However, the setting and thematic elements were enough for me to enjoy the book and even pick up the first sequel. ( )