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The Dark Kings #1
The Mad King
A new world in chaos, and a legendary love that never was… Hatter and Alice. Alice and Hatter. Two parts making up one whole. Their love was legend, until a curse came and ripped them apart forever. Rewriting their past, present, and future. But a couple of powerful fairy godmothers and one taciturn god are determined that curse or no, the lives of two of Kingdom’s most famous inhabitants will be set to rights. Only problem is, one of them has just died and time is now running out for the other. Can Kingdom ever be restored again? Only time will tell…
181 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 2, 2017
445 people are currently reading
1590 people want to read
About the author
Jovee Winters
37 books504 followersJovee Winters is the pen name for a USAT Bestselling author of twisted fairy tale romances.
Jovee Winters loves fairy tales. But she especially loves twisting up the fairy tales you thought you knew. You can visit her on the web at
https://www.facebook.com/joveewinters...
Jovee Winters loves fairy tales. But she especially loves twisting up the fairy tales you thought you knew. You can visit her on the web at
https://www.facebook.com/joveewinters...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
October 9, 2018
The adventures of Alice continues but rather dropping in a hole she dropped into the u dwrworld. If you wanna know more read the book. You will love it. It's full of lunacy and dont forget the mad hatter.
Read
June 3, 2017
Oke. I guess, i have to stop reading, well, at least, till i read the fairy queen. #shrug
October 9, 2017
This felt like a rehash of Her Mad Hatter. Different timeline, what is or isn’t, etc. I thought the storyline was okay, although having a sane Hatter was really strange. It will be interesting to see how things start to pan out in The Centaur Queen.
January 3, 2017
The Mad King, Oh My. I was on the edge of my seat with my heart in my throat through most of this story. Alice and Hatter are so dear to so many that wish they could move to kingdom and that being the case, this book was a very brave move for Jovee Winter's but oh it so paid off. If you love their story even half as much as I do then be prepared for a bit of a roller coaster.
To really understand what has happened proceeding the events told in this book you really need to have read Fairy Queen but Her Mad Hatter (written by Marie Hall) would also be a bonus
If you haven't dipped your toe in kingdom yet, then what on earth and in kingdom are you waiting for?
To really understand what has happened proceeding the events told in this book you really need to have read Fairy Queen but Her Mad Hatter (written by Marie Hall) would also be a bonus
If you haven't dipped your toe in kingdom yet, then what on earth and in kingdom are you waiting for?
May 26, 2017
It was ok.... I guess. Seems to be a bit of a rehash but was well written.
April 19, 2019
Why? Just, why?
February 5, 2017
I love the series. Not just the Dark Queens and Kings, but the Kingdom series that started it all. But even I have to admit I don't absolutely love every book in the series. This unfortunately happens to be one of those I found disappointing.
Overall, it was too rushed and I felt that this ended up being drama for the sake of drama. And nothing of the book was really spent to hint as to why history changed itself. Just a a few weak mentions of noticing not all couples were split, etc. I found the references to the dilemma and the explanations about Alice and Hatter's own story were weak and unfulfilling.
I remember Alice and Hatter and this book didn't represent them at all, in my opinion. Although they are technically different in the beginning due to the time shift, I expected to see something of their original selves by the end of the book. Even the dialogue was off and I have to say I thought Alice's dialogue was too flowery from the girl I first met. Do things change? Yeah, even without a time shift. But it felt generic, and not reminiscent to the girl with backbone from Hawaii who baked a fantastic cupcake.
Despite all that, I still plan on continuing the series because I have faith that it will bounce right back up.
Overall, it was too rushed and I felt that this ended up being drama for the sake of drama. And nothing of the book was really spent to hint as to why history changed itself. Just a a few weak mentions of noticing not all couples were split, etc. I found the references to the dilemma and the explanations about Alice and Hatter's own story were weak and unfulfilling.
I remember Alice and Hatter and this book didn't represent them at all, in my opinion. Although they are technically different in the beginning due to the time shift, I expected to see something of their original selves by the end of the book. Even the dialogue was off and I have to say I thought Alice's dialogue was too flowery from the girl I first met. Do things change? Yeah, even without a time shift. But it felt generic, and not reminiscent to the girl with backbone from Hawaii who baked a fantastic cupcake.
Despite all that, I still plan on continuing the series because I have faith that it will bounce right back up.
January 5, 2017
Couldn't stop reading!!!
I didn't know how Jovee was going to get these two back together after Kingdom went boom, but she did it in the most awesome way!! I cried, I laughed, I cried again & I cheered for my favorite Kingdom couple! Can't wait for the rest of the HEA for the rest!! Great story!!!
I didn't know how Jovee was going to get these two back together after Kingdom went boom, but she did it in the most awesome way!! I cried, I laughed, I cried again & I cheered for my favorite Kingdom couple! Can't wait for the rest of the HEA for the rest!! Great story!!!
February 11, 2019
A quick friendly disclaimer before I launch into a review:
For anyone who hasn't read this series before, do not start with this book. At the very least, start with The Fairy Queen. Of course, it's way more fun if you read them chronologically, 17.5 books back, from Her Mad Hatter.
Now for the review:
I was both excited and scared to read this book. After everything that happened in The Fairy Queen, I was seriously concerned for my favorite couple in the Kingdom series, the Hatter and Alice. I'm glad I eventually decided to toughen up and read it. I love Jovee Winters' Kingdom series and I love it because she writes about real people. Yes, you heard me, Real People. Strip away the fantasy and myth and her tales are still about people. About damaged and lost souls trying to find their way in their world and wanting to be loved. I like my fairy tales and fantasy and I want my HEAs, but if I can't relate to the characters, despite their fantastical world and powers, I lose interest in the book. That's never the case with a Jovee Winters' (aka Marie Hall) books. I never fail to understand, feel for, and or relate to a single character in her stories, regardless of the literal fatasy world they live in.
One of the really cool things about this story and this new version of Kingdom is that you get to fall in love with your favorite characters all over again. Those characters have to find new ways to win back their lost HEAs. What probably concerned me the most about this book was not understanding how Hatter and Alice would get together if Danika had never introduced them. Still, Jovee managed to find a way to do what I felt was damn near impossible. She, like the literary magician she is, found a way to write a new love story for this famous pair and make me just as happy with this story as I was with their first.
It was a fantastic crazy rollercoaster ride. I can't wait to see more of the Hatter and his family in books to come. And I definitely can't wait to see all my Kingdom favorites win back their lost loves. I'm off to read The Centaur Queen, which is the next book in the series, not The Jaded King. Trust me, the back and forth between the Kings and Queens makes sense. Only if you've read all the books before in order. So, please enjoy this book and I'll see you on the other side...
For anyone who hasn't read this series before, do not start with this book. At the very least, start with The Fairy Queen. Of course, it's way more fun if you read them chronologically, 17.5 books back, from Her Mad Hatter.
Now for the review:
I was both excited and scared to read this book. After everything that happened in The Fairy Queen, I was seriously concerned for my favorite couple in the Kingdom series, the Hatter and Alice. I'm glad I eventually decided to toughen up and read it. I love Jovee Winters' Kingdom series and I love it because she writes about real people. Yes, you heard me, Real People. Strip away the fantasy and myth and her tales are still about people. About damaged and lost souls trying to find their way in their world and wanting to be loved. I like my fairy tales and fantasy and I want my HEAs, but if I can't relate to the characters, despite their fantastical world and powers, I lose interest in the book. That's never the case with a Jovee Winters' (aka Marie Hall) books. I never fail to understand, feel for, and or relate to a single character in her stories, regardless of the literal fatasy world they live in.
One of the really cool things about this story and this new version of Kingdom is that you get to fall in love with your favorite characters all over again. Those characters have to find new ways to win back their lost HEAs. What probably concerned me the most about this book was not understanding how Hatter and Alice would get together if Danika had never introduced them. Still, Jovee managed to find a way to do what I felt was damn near impossible. She, like the literary magician she is, found a way to write a new love story for this famous pair and make me just as happy with this story as I was with their first.
It was a fantastic crazy rollercoaster ride. I can't wait to see more of the Hatter and his family in books to come. And I definitely can't wait to see all my Kingdom favorites win back their lost loves. I'm off to read The Centaur Queen, which is the next book in the series, not The Jaded King. Trust me, the back and forth between the Kings and Queens makes sense. Only if you've read all the books before in order. So, please enjoy this book and I'll see you on the other side...
October 30, 2018
We've read The Mad King in my online book club, The Otherworld.
At first, I was worried about a remake of this story, as so many have been done. Soon, I discovered that the storyline was completely unique and different than any other "whimsical Alice in Wonderland" story I'd read before. We are thrust in the middle of a crisis in Wonderland. Magic is gone and so is Alice. This turmoil affects every single character living there, including mythological people such as Hades and the other Gods. Everyone's love stories have been torn apart due to this magic catastrophe, and Danika, a fairy, tries to restore order.
The best quality of this book is the Winters's ability to actually break your heart and make you feel the love Hatter and Alice share in every fiber of your being. There is a lot of passion in this book, but all done in a refreshing and heartwarming way. WInters delivers a wonderful tale that immerses you into the story, the perils, the yearnings, and the love.
My one complaint and reason for not giving the book 5 stars: The actual book, The Mad King, ends at 54%. The rest isn't part of this book, just padding of other stories. I didn't like that, as when I finish a story I like it to be done and then it's up to me if I want to go pick up other books in the series. It almost felt like there was a need to stuff several more stories into one. Because this series is so vast, there is a lot of confusion trying to keep up with the characters. I feel that focusing more on the main characters and not include more stories at the end, would have been less confusing.
Still, this is one book I highly recommend. :)
At first, I was worried about a remake of this story, as so many have been done. Soon, I discovered that the storyline was completely unique and different than any other "whimsical Alice in Wonderland" story I'd read before. We are thrust in the middle of a crisis in Wonderland. Magic is gone and so is Alice. This turmoil affects every single character living there, including mythological people such as Hades and the other Gods. Everyone's love stories have been torn apart due to this magic catastrophe, and Danika, a fairy, tries to restore order.
The best quality of this book is the Winters's ability to actually break your heart and make you feel the love Hatter and Alice share in every fiber of your being. There is a lot of passion in this book, but all done in a refreshing and heartwarming way. WInters delivers a wonderful tale that immerses you into the story, the perils, the yearnings, and the love.
My one complaint and reason for not giving the book 5 stars: The actual book, The Mad King, ends at 54%. The rest isn't part of this book, just padding of other stories. I didn't like that, as when I finish a story I like it to be done and then it's up to me if I want to go pick up other books in the series. It almost felt like there was a need to stuff several more stories into one. Because this series is so vast, there is a lot of confusion trying to keep up with the characters. I feel that focusing more on the main characters and not include more stories at the end, would have been less confusing.
Still, this is one book I highly recommend. :)
January 9, 2017
The Mad King. The Mad King. Oh what can I possibly say..? Kingdom is in shambles but what do you expect when time has been rewritten? You must read The Fairy Queen to understand anything in this book. In all honesty you just need to read The Kingdom and The Dark Queens series. Because they're just that good! In the beginning of The Mad King the story is just everywhere. But it kinda has to be to reflect on everything that has changed. It brings you current on what is going on with all of our beloved characters. Then we launch in Hatter and Alice's story. And while it is not the same as before it is just as touching. Just as poignant as the first. Wonderland is bare and dull and not at all what we have come to know but Hatter and Alice's Love bring it back to all of it's former glory. Hatter and Alice get their Happily Ever After but now what about the rest of the couples that have been torn from each other..? I need to know what happens next! I will be waiting with bated breath to find out if Kingdom will ever be the same.
October 18, 2021
I never pass on a Wonderland retelling. I’m so happy Jovee did not disappoint.
A curse seems to plague a place called the “Kingdoms” which is only one of the realms that has been ripped apart by it. Alice is Hatter’s heart, and she is his. But what happens when you forget the very person your heart beats for, time is rewritten, and you never meet to fall into your happily ever after?
You’d have to read this book to find out.
I was pulled in to this book so much I bought the paperback. She had lyrical writing that is just beautiful. She’s definitely on my “must read” list now!
Can’t wait to start book two!
A curse seems to plague a place called the “Kingdoms” which is only one of the realms that has been ripped apart by it. Alice is Hatter’s heart, and she is his. But what happens when you forget the very person your heart beats for, time is rewritten, and you never meet to fall into your happily ever after?
You’d have to read this book to find out.
I was pulled in to this book so much I bought the paperback. She had lyrical writing that is just beautiful. She’s definitely on my “must read” list now!
Can’t wait to start book two!
May 16, 2017
I have only one thing to say: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
I am not a giant fan of Marie Hall/Jovee Winters' writing style, but I liked her ideas in her original series so I haven't complained so far. It was a cute concept, and I like how feisty Danika is. However, there is literally no point in retconning a world you have already squeezed 10 books out of just to squeeze out another 5 books. It literally feels like reading fan fiction of her own works, and I can't say I enjoyed it at all.
I am not a giant fan of Marie Hall/Jovee Winters' writing style, but I liked her ideas in her original series so I haven't complained so far. It was a cute concept, and I like how feisty Danika is. However, there is literally no point in retconning a world you have already squeezed 10 books out of just to squeeze out another 5 books. It literally feels like reading fan fiction of her own works, and I can't say I enjoyed it at all.
May 23, 2017
I loved it
I absolutely loved it! This author does the most amazing things to twist these fairytales! Hatter and Alice have a love like no other and I was so heartbroken when it was stripped from them...the mystery and suspense of unraveling this curse has gained my total focus. I seriously freaking love all of these series of books this author puts out and it's an instant easy one-click for me. Highly recommend them and starting from the very beginning if this author is new to you...you will become very invested in these characters and stories.
I absolutely loved it! This author does the most amazing things to twist these fairytales! Hatter and Alice have a love like no other and I was so heartbroken when it was stripped from them...the mystery and suspense of unraveling this curse has gained my total focus. I seriously freaking love all of these series of books this author puts out and it's an instant easy one-click for me. Highly recommend them and starting from the very beginning if this author is new to you...you will become very invested in these characters and stories.
June 13, 2022
This was my first book I have read by Jovee Winters. I instantly feel in love with her writing. I know she has many character point of views but I started to fall in love with them all. Hatter and Alice has always been a story I wish there was more of when Alice grew older. This story gave me that and the story of true devoted love between two people even when their whole world was turned topsy turvy. Cannot wait to dive into the other Kings but I am going to go back and actually read the Queens series first.
September 26, 2023
Hatter isn't mad anymore.
The Mad Hatter and Alice is a love story for the ages. But few know what really happened. Her trip to Wonderland wasn't the only story to be told and here we have a new and exciting take on their love. What would Wonderland be without magic, I never want to see and yet here we get a glimpse. Hatter needs his Alice, his happily ever after, to keep things as they should be. But what would he do to find her? Read on and see. Spectacularly written, I'm off to the next one. Enjoy.
The Mad Hatter and Alice is a love story for the ages. But few know what really happened. Her trip to Wonderland wasn't the only story to be told and here we have a new and exciting take on their love. What would Wonderland be without magic, I never want to see and yet here we get a glimpse. Hatter needs his Alice, his happily ever after, to keep things as they should be. But what would he do to find her? Read on and see. Spectacularly written, I'm off to the next one. Enjoy.
April 24, 2024
I was gifted this book by my grandma when I was 10.
Quite the sentence starter right?
Anyways she didn’t look at reviews or anything and didn’t know and I never read it because I thought it looked weird and boring.
I was right about the weird part but not the boring part! I picked it up 6 years later and thought “huh this looks way pornier than I remembered” it was!!!
1 star rating for the weird ass storyline and smut.
Extra star gained because it entertained me and my friends for the afternoon. At least this book isn’t just a fancy coaster!
Quite the sentence starter right?
Anyways she didn’t look at reviews or anything and didn’t know and I never read it because I thought it looked weird and boring.
I was right about the weird part but not the boring part! I picked it up 6 years later and thought “huh this looks way pornier than I remembered” it was!!!
1 star rating for the weird ass storyline and smut.
Extra star gained because it entertained me and my friends for the afternoon. At least this book isn’t just a fancy coaster!
February 17, 2018
Fantastic
I couldn't put it down. I loved these stories. The storyline was fantastic and the fact that you get thd original after the dark followed by a surprise was terrific. The Hatter is fun to read and it was great to see him find his true love, not once but twice. Alice was persistent and tenacious. Her love is the best, especially as she chooses to love in the mad king. A series I want more of.
I couldn't put it down. I loved these stories. The storyline was fantastic and the fact that you get thd original after the dark followed by a surprise was terrific. The Hatter is fun to read and it was great to see him find his true love, not once but twice. Alice was persistent and tenacious. Her love is the best, especially as she chooses to love in the mad king. A series I want more of.
November 12, 2018
A Wonderland story you never imagined. What ever happened in the life of a grown up Alice? Do You believe in fated love? Join Jovee Winters on a trip to Wonderland that is joyful, funny, tragic and heart wrenching.
What if Hatter and Alice had an epic love that could crumble worlds if they were parted. This is that love story. They are the victims of a cursewhich has separated. To save themselves and Wonderland they must be reunited!
Kindle Unlimited edition
What if Hatter and Alice had an epic love that could crumble worlds if they were parted. This is that love story. They are the victims of a cursewhich has separated. To save themselves and Wonderland they must be reunited!
Kindle Unlimited edition
September 6, 2019
Really loved this book! Definitely for a more mature audience, as it goes into some detail on the carnal side of things, but still a blast to read. I love this set up for Alice and Hatter. My only wish would be to change around the order of the books and have the second be first and first be second - I feel like it would have made more sense. But overall loved the writing and was great fun to read!
August 17, 2017
Had this been the 1st book of Hatter and Alice I read, it would've been wonderful... but this was such an amazing improvement from the original story. I'm so pleased with this. I always felt that thwir original story didn't get the time and love it deserved.... this was a fantastic way to revisit it.
June 13, 2019
Confusing
The explanations for what is going on are so confusing and really make you want to stop reading. The explanations are so garbled like the author is stressing. The really dark aspects of the characters are depressing and hard to line up with characters we are supposed to like.
The explanations for what is going on are so confusing and really make you want to stop reading. The explanations are so garbled like the author is stressing. The really dark aspects of the characters are depressing and hard to line up with characters we are supposed to like.
January 24, 2021
What is wonderland without Alice?
Enjoyable read. Wonderland is no longer thriving, and neither is the mad batter. His Alice is in wonderland with him so what is wrong? Is it the wrong Alice or true Alice? Good, easy read that keeps you captivated. Nice little twist to an old tale.
Enjoyable read. Wonderland is no longer thriving, and neither is the mad batter. His Alice is in wonderland with him so what is wrong? Is it the wrong Alice or true Alice? Good, easy read that keeps you captivated. Nice little twist to an old tale.
March 18, 2021
This series took an interesting turn in The Fairy Queen and this book picks up after those events. With that being said, I was underwhelmed with this story. The overall story is what I'm remotely interested in because I'm curious how things will work out with the other stories. I'm slightly disappointed because I feel like with Alice and Hatter they deserved more than what they got in this story, but that's just me. Check this series out if you like fairytale retellings and made it this far and would like see what happens.
April 25, 2018
The cover are beautiful I like the art that I will purchase the book, after what happen when galetea the blue fae and the son of the dragon king and the queen of hearts mated everything change the course of the story, I just love the mad hatter when it comes to alice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2018
What a great binge read! I could not put this book down. The ending was a bit cheesy, even with me being a romantic but, I was thoroughly entertained. And my Wonderland obsession has once again been satisfied.
July 8, 2024
Love throughout time
I cannot believe I forgot about the Kingdom. Hatter will go to the end of the world for his Alice. Definitely read the Dark Queens first to understand the storyline. Now it’s time for me to go back and re-read to help me understand what happened before.
I cannot believe I forgot about the Kingdom. Hatter will go to the end of the world for his Alice. Definitely read the Dark Queens first to understand the storyline. Now it’s time for me to go back and re-read to help me understand what happened before.
October 7, 2018
I haven’t read any of the other Kingdom Books before this one. But now I’m definitely going to be reading more of them! Loved this book a lot! The author knows how to put emotions to words!
March 10, 2019
I just want everything to be fixed. The messed up timeline is really not good for my poor heart.
April 22, 2019
I laughed, cried, cussed, hoped and rejoiced
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews