Seeing Redd (The Looking Glass Wars, Book 2)

by Frank Beddor

book data

1,375 ratings, 3.84 average rating, 268 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		30%
4		34%
3		25%
2		7%
1		1%

edit

published

September 3rd 2007 by Egmont Books Ltd

binding

Paperback, 384 pages

isbn

1405209887 (isbn13: 9781405209885)

description

The Myth: Alice was an ordinary girl who stepped through the looking glass and entered a fairy-tale world invented by Lewis Carroll in his famous stor...more

find at: Amazon | Half.com | Barnes & Noble | Abebooks | compare prices…

new topic
discuss this book

topics	posts	views	last activity
The Next Best Boo...: Your Latest Splurge	5975	6313	4 hours, 37 min ago
The Book Challenge: Istoleahalo's 2009 Book Challenges	18	48	16 hours, 1 min ago

friend reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

lists with this book

This book is currently not featured on any Listopia lists. Add this book to your favorite list »

other reviews (showing 1-20 of 2,250)

sort: default (?) | date
filters: all | text-only

02/25/08

Marta rated it:

(review of isbn 0803731558)

bookshelves: 2008, fantasy-sci-fi

Read in March, 2008

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

*SPOILERS* This rating was based more on my enjoyment of the novels as opposed to its merits as a creative piece of English literature. After I read Beddor's first book in this trilogy (pfft@!), I ordered through Seeing Redd, which, in the English literature world, is not offering much - but story-wise has much to offer, yet never reaches its full potential.

Have you ever liked something yet realised it is quite crap or overrated or...not quite there...and thus feel somewhat disgusted...more *SPOILERS* This rating was based more on my enjoyment of the novels as opposed to its merits as a creative piece of English literature. After I read Beddor's first book in this trilogy (pfft@!), I ordered through Seeing Redd, which, in the English literature world, is not offering much - but story-wise has much to offer, yet never reaches its full potential.

Have you ever liked something yet realised it is quite crap or overrated or...not quite there...and thus feel somewhat disgusted by liking it? That's how I feel about Seeing Redd. I feel as if this story was an anime-turned-book, and is probably about to hit the screens and be turned into popcorn boxes and plush toys.

Seriously, though? This book is cool. I love Alice In Wonderland and I am quite liking this spin-off. I wish I could take the story and rewrite it, although, because it has fantastic base essentials - all it requires is a little English grammar, real imagination and an author who is not so obsessed with peripheral details.

Character-wise, there is little improvement from the first story. New ones are introduced and not fleshed out; I was intrigued by King Arch, the neighbouring monarch to Wonderland, yet he doesn't even develop properly. I was again disappointed by Redd (whom I believe holds fantastic potential character-wise, though the last few pages of the novel somewhat destroyed her credibility). I quite liked the development on Hatter Madigan's (aka The Mad Hatter) role in the story, which gave both insight onto a developed character (yet a bit stereotypical) and added great timing to the story.

Some parts were cringe-worthy though. Talking caterpillars (allegedly the wisest of all Wonderland creatures) acting like 5-years old at a kiddie party with clowns when "tarty-tarts' were served. Redd's "evil" and "menacing" battle lines, her bravado act and quite over-the-top acts of violence. For what purpose? It's a very contrary imagery at some points, especially amidst battle scenes and gory brutality on Redd's side. I feel as if Beddor attempts to constantly continue a plotline that could have ended swiftly and far more gracefully in the first book. Oh well.

Recommend for fluffy, light reading. Because it is seriously fun, like being in a video-game or watching the M-rated version of Disney's Alice In Wonderland.(less)

Like this review? yes (2 people liked it)

1 comment

05/07/08

Chris rated it:

(review of isbn 0803731558)

bookshelves: i-own

Read in October, 2008

Ah, Alyss and Wonderland. I first jumped down Beddor's rabbit hole with the Hatter M comics and shortly after that with The Looking Glass Wars. I had just finished reading the 'original' Alice stories by Carroll and had that imagery fresh in my head. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book and had a lot of fun with the new and very creative interpretation of the Wonderland world and the characters and interactions found there. Snippets of Beddor's writing style bugged me a little bit, but I got ...more Ah, Alyss and Wonderland. I first jumped down Beddor's rabbit hole with the Hatter M comics and shortly after that with The Looking Glass Wars. I had just finished reading the 'original' Alice stories by Carroll and had that imagery fresh in my head. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book and had a lot of fun with the new and very creative interpretation of the Wonderland world and the characters and interactions found there. Snippets of Beddor's writing style bugged me a little bit, but I got used to them.

In Seeing Redd, the second book in the Looking Glass saga, I wasn't quite as happily fulfilled. The first book, while it had a handful of issues like most books do, was a tightly woven story with compelling characters and a great story arc. While it obviously left itself open for the potential of a continuing saga, it also tied up most loose ends and left us with a very fulfilling and happy place to leave Alyss and her friends. The second book did not tie things up neatly. Normally that wouldn't be a problem for me. Some of my favorite books have been members of a series and often ended with wildly dramatic cliffhangers.

So what is different about Seeing Redd that leaves me unhappily unsettled? The problem, as I see it, is that the tone and styling of the novel seemed almost ignorant to the fact that it was leaving so much in the air by its end. The writing seemed to believe that everything was going to tie itself off nicely by the end of the final page. Rather than identifying and exposing the suspense of the loose threads, the novel practically disavowed their existence.

In the first book, I found myself turning pages faster and faster as I neared the end and as I did so, I was growing more and more nervous that the author wasn't going to have time to wrap things up. In the first book, the action took on a rip-roaring pace to finish things up neatly in a short amount of time. It moved quickly but didn't become disorienting.

As I neared the end of book two, I was again nervous that things weren't going to wrap up, but I recalled my previous experience and trusted the author to leave me with a satisfactory ending because I had no suggestions from the text that there would be any sort of suspenseful interlude between book 2 and book 3.

As the climax of the final battle wound down, I realized that I was in fact going to have to wait until book 3 for any additional conclusion. I wasn't left with a cliffhanger or any sort of major suspense. Rather, the resulting finish left me in a state of confusion. Most of the major action of book 2 had been nullified completely. There were a few alliances made which could be utilized in future stories. There were some intriguing actions that needed to be re-explored (like the kidnapping of a certain author), but for the most part, I feel like I could probably jump right into book 3 without ever reading book 2 and it's not likely that I would miss anything that a single chapter couldn't recap ("Character X aligns with Character Y. Characters A and B are betrayed and killed by Character X.", etc.).

Still, I am absolutely enjoying this world and the stories and imagination in this new Wonderland. I look forward to the new adventures. Despite my complaints above, I truly did enjoy this book and had a lot of fun with the characters and their struggles and triumphs. I just would have preferred the book to either be more adept in 'wrapping things up' or in adequately portraying a sense of suspense and anticipation for things to come. The current ending left me in a bit of a stupor.

***
2 1/2 stars(less)

Like this review? yes (2 people liked it)

2 comments

12/16/07

Erica rated it:

(review of isbn 0803731558)

Read in December, 2007

The second in an alleged trilogy of the retelling (or correction) of the Alice in Wonderland tale. I was hooked on the first book after a young patron whom I forced to read Phantom Tollbooth in turn suggested I read Looking Glass Wars, which I found immensely enjoyable.

The second was less compelling than the first, and this I found struggled with plot too often resorting to epic violent episodes, which I don't enjoy. Alyce and Dodge are beginning a romance, which will continue in the n...more

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

12/12/07

Gphatty rated it:

(review of isbn 0803731558)

Read in December, 2007

recommends it for: no-one

I found out about this "2nd in a triology" and I was very intrigued by the concept: factions fighting for control of an actual Wonderland, complete with card soldiers and caterpillars, the whole works.

But the author just can't handle more than plot-driven writing. Vivid descriptions of the beauty of wonderland are mixed with leaded prose that practically screams "pay attention: plot point." I didn't even bother to finish, even after giving the 1st book in this...more

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

10/18/07

Wendy Cornelisen rated it:

(review of isbn 1405234016)

Here's an interesting twist on the Lewis Carol classic. Alyss is from Wonderland and the heir to her mother's Queendom. Her Aunt Red, who was banished after killing the previous Queen (yes, her own mother) attacks her sister's throne, and gains control for herself. Alyss escapes to Earth, a crude reflection of her true home.

The story follows Alyss' new life and trials on Earth, and the horrors that Red, Her Imperial Viciousness, rains down on Wonderlanders.

It's a great ...more

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

03/04/09

Sammi rated it:

(review of isbn 0803731558)

I am not going to lie, I liked this book much better than the first. Something about it was so much more interesting, so indefinably more plot oriented, that I just couldn't help but like it more.
By the way, Hatter Madigan is still the bomb.
One of the reasons I think I like t so much better is because of Redd. She is just such a good villain, cruel, merciless...everything a good reader could want. I find nothing more enjoyable than a bad guy who thinks everything else is below them. ...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

04/21/09

Stephanie rated it:

(review of isbn 0803731558)

bookshelves: own

The evil Redd Heart has disappeared into the Heart Crystal, and Alyss is now the rightful queen of Wonderland. But there is lots yet to be done: buildings to repair, morale to strengthen, relationships to mend… And Alyss is so busy with politics and using her White Imagination to make sure the queendom is running smoothly that she barely has any time to spend with Dodge, her best-friend-turned-true-love guardsman.

But people are not going to make her life as queen easy. King Arch of t...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

01/11/09

Jaemi rated it:

(review of isbn 0803731558)

bookshelves: adventure, fantasy, favorite-series, ya-fiction

Read in December, 2007

Picking up were Looking Glass Wars left off, Alyss is now Queen of Wonderland, but all is not wonderful. No one knows what will become of Redd and The Cat, after their leap into the Heart Crystal, Alyss is worried that Dodge's need for revenge will ruin him, she's unsure if a Queen should love one of her guardsman, King Arch of Borderland seems to be planning something, and no one has heard from Hatter Madigan.

There's never a dull moment. Especially once Redd imagines herself back in...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

10/01/07

Kristen rated it:

(review of isbn 0803731558)

bookshelves: own-it, paranormal-fantasy, youngadult

Read in October, 2007

recommends it for: Alice in Wonderland fans

The second in a series that is a very strange, yet cool adaptation of Alice in Wonderland. I can't help but love this series. I love the twist it has on Alyss and Wonderland and all the characters involved. This book delves deeper and involves the start of a full scale war in Wonderland. I can't wait until the last of the trilogy comes out so I can see what will happen next. This book is full of action, good plot, and great characters. It's a series you don't want to miss.

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

12/17/08

Nicole Bunge rated it:

(review of isbn 0803731558)

Read in December, 2008

The continuing adventures of (Queen) Alyss of Wonderland. (began with "The Looking Glass Wars.")
It's a pretty well imagined universe, though don't let much time pass between reading the first and second book - or you'll get confused about what weapons and powers and people are doing what.
There are some gaps in intent occasionally, and sentence structure is a bit ramblely - lots of comas and dashes - kinda like I write, but I'm not writing a novel. It can be irritating, to ...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

04/16/09

Erin rated it:

(review of isbn 0803731558)

Read in April, 2009

This book was extremely engaging. It picks up right where the first book left off, with Alyss as the new queen of Wonderland surrounded by those characters we have grown to love from the last book. And she needs them all as she is facing intrigue from a number of sides. King Arch of Boarderland has a few things up his sleeve and the upstart Diamonds clan are willing to help him every step of the way. Redd makes her return to Wonderland and adds her army to the fray. Hatter spends most of the boo...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

05/19/08

Liwayway rated it:

(review of isbn 0803731558)

bookshelves: frank-beddor

excellent sequel, but i have so many questions and thoughts about what might happen in the next book. alice is a much stronger character, and her relationship with dodge becomes clearer though there is still that awkwardness that we can probably all relate to. redd is a badass.

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

add a comment

05/20/09

Danylle rated it:

(review of isbn 0803731558)

Read in May, 2009

Why are second books in series always the less desirable? I had to give this a three star (Looking Glass wars was a 4) because it was a little too boyish for me when it got caught up in military stategies and movements instead of romance. I had all these expectations of what Alyss and Dodge were going to do once she became Queen and those expectations are put on hold till the next book, I hope.

I did however find myself reading out loud sections of this book to my family members. I m...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

09/26/08

Toni rated it:

(review of isbn 0803731558)

recommended to Toni by: my dad
recommends it for: every1

im reading this book now and i cant beleve how good of a book this is i love reading it i realy love it i raed very little and dont like reading but i like reading this book!!!!!!!!!!!!!:))))

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

1 comment

02/23/09

Samie Foster rated it:

(review of isbn 0803731558)

Bot as good as the first. I mean there's a lot of stuff here. There's a lot of political things. There's the relation ship between Dodge and Alyss. Hatter's realization he has a daughter he must save. A enemy called arch who has bult a gigantic weapon that could destroy wonder land. And Queen red is back in our would building a army. And in all of this Redd and Arches plans clash. I mean it's good but over complicated. I like the story, the characters, but it just all seemed to jumbled and convu...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

02/04/09

Amy rated it:

(review of isbn 0803731558)

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

Like this review? yes

add a comment

04/01/09

Jessica rated it:

(review of isbn 0803731558)

bookshelves: books-emilee-should-read, fantasy, young-adult-lit-

I was so excited to read this book after finishing The Looking Glass Wars which I absolutely fell in love with. However, upon reading about halfway through I completely lost interest. I did eventually finish it if not merely for the fact that I needed to return it to the library and hate to leave things incomplete, but it was nowhere near the caliber of the first installment of this saga. It's unfortunate because I'm not sure if I will read the third book if there is one. It was still decent, bu...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

09/12/08

Jennifer Wardrip rated it:

(review of isbn 0803731558)

bookshelves: trt-reviews

Reviewed by Breanna F. for TeensReadToo.com

SEEING REDD, the second book in THE LOOKING GLASS WARS series, continues off from where the last book ended.

Twenty-year-old Alyss is now queen of Wonderland. Her aunt, Redd, has disappeared into the Heart Crystal along with her sidekick, The Cat, and everything is starting to calm down.

But soon glass eyes start appearing out of nowhere and causing mayhem. Everyone believes that Redd has somehow come back and that th...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

08/19/08

Krystal Heath rated it:

(review of isbn 0803731558)

Read in August, 2008

recommends it for: Dawn, Becky, Vanessa

This certainly isn't as fast-paced as the first book. Actually the ball doesn't really get rolling until the last hundred pages or so. So yeah, it's your typical second story in a trilogy.

My diagnosis: much like the second in a trilogy, it's very fragmented in its storyline. The camera is over the shoulder of one character for only a three-page chapter then we are transported to a character on the other side of enemy lines and far across existence itself...literally. I'm sure it was ...more

Like this review? yes

add a comment

04/16/08

Brittany rated it:

(review of isbn 0803731558)

Read in August, 2008

Seeing Redd is the second installment in the Looking Glass series. I read The Looking Glass Wars (book one) quite awhile ago and wish I would have read the two books closer together just because of the things that I forgot. The series is a retelling of the classic, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. -I personally love fairy tale retellings and have recently been able to find some fabulous ones. If you’re interested in some specific recommendations, contact me.-
Book two, Seeing Redd, ...more

Like this review? yes

1 comment