Queens of Wonderland: A Thrilling Portal Fantasy Where Alice Leads Knights Against Hook and Warring Queens

Defender of Lore #2

by Gama Ray Martinez

Enter through the looking glass into Queens of Wonderland, Book Two in the Defenders of Lore series, in which Knights of the Round Vanessa and Michael must follow Captain Hook into Wonderland alongside Alice to crush his treacherous plan and deal with an ongoing war between power-hungry queens

After saving reality and overcoming the numerous challenges that Neverland threw at her, Vanessa has been tasked to save Michael Darling from himself: he's grown obsessed in his role as a Knight of the Round and will stop at nothing to find the ghost of James Hook, nearly getting expelled from the Knights in the process. It's up to Vanessa to keep him safe, she can't lose her partner to Hook's sword.

So together it's off to Wonderland in pursuit of the pirate.

Except, unlike Neverland, neither Vanessa nor Michael have ever been there before. But someone they know has: the Lady who leads the Knights...who turns out to be none other than the legendary Alice. Her extensive knowledge about the land could change the game and bring them one step closer to finding Captain Hook...and in a world where games are taken quite seriously--and no less than six queens are vying for power--it will take them putting all their heads together to make it through.

Or they just might find them lopped off.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Retellings, Fiction, Fairy Tale Retellings

311 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 9, 2023

Reviews

[Melany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the thrilling moments with all of the twists. However, the characters really lacked depth or development for me. It just didn't sustain it enough for the plot to carry me along the journey, I was wanting more from the characters themselves. It lacked for me in the character aspect, hence the 3 star review. The story itself and plot had great promise though, was just left feeling "meh". This is book 2 of the series, I heard this book was better than the 1st book, however it lacked depth.

I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

In the words of Ramona Quimby, "cats, dogs, people… and I can't believe I read the whole thing!"

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this ARC in a Goodreads giveaway. I haven't read the first book in the series yet.

First off I didn't read the first book in the series, but that is not an impediment when reading this book however, I think not reading this book will cause problems in reading the third book in the series (I am anxiously awaiting the 3rd book). What can you say about a book that uses familiar characters setting them on a new path and dumping you right into the action? The characters are great and in the case of a number of them very familiar. The plot is interesting and the pacing is fast. The story telling is wonderful. I will pick up the first book when I get a chance and I look forward to the 3rd installment.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Voyager for allowing me this arc copy of the book.

This takes places months to a year after the first book. Michael has been on a solo mission to find and destroy Hook to the detriment of his standing in the Knights. Soon after, Vanessa, Michael, and Will discover a murdered white rabbit. But this isn’t an ordinary rabbit; this is a denizen of Wonderland. And so begins the next adventure with the three Knights into the realms of madness and reflection.

Okay, this book was better than the first book in my opinion. There was so much more substance and action and less of Michael - not whining per se - being angry petulant Michael. We get to see Wonderland in the dark tones of ridiculousness. The subterfuge and treacherousness of all the characters is intense. Who do they trust? Can they trust anyone?

The illogic of the place has its own logic but twisted on its head. Horseflies and rocking horseflies, the Cheshire Cat, the cards, Queens everywhere. It’s a ginormous cast of characters that paint their worlds in twisted fun.

Be warned its ends in a semi-cliffhanger! I was reading and then it was over! I was like ‘WHAT?!’

Thank you again NetGalley and Harper Voyager for this book.

[Charles · Rating 2 out of 5]

The second book in this series, the focus shifts away from Michael Darling to no one in particular. Technically one could argue it's Vanessa Finch. Yet, the book never slows down enough to truly do that. The character deserves a lot more development than she received. We learn more about the Lady, one of the Knights of the Court, than we do Vanessa. Overall, a little disappointing after the first book in the series.

[Lovely Loveday]

Queens of Wonderland is a thrilling and fast-paced novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat with its twisted plot and unexpected turns. The story culminates in a semi-cliffhanger, leaving me eager for more. Martinez's writing style is engaging, making the novel easy to understand and enjoy.

[James T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the first book, with more interesting twists, though it did suffer from the feeling that the plot mostly carried the characters along. The strongest point: The characters have to deal with the consequences of actions they took in this and the previous book.

[Danielle Urban · Rating 5 out of 5]

Queens of Wonderland by Gama Ray Martinez is the second installment to this series. I did not read this first book. No, I did not have any problems following the cast of characters in this intense battle between queens and Captain Hook. Vanessa and Michael fight together in this epic battle. I found this as entertaining and captivating as the original story of Peter Pan. It is like a time traveling journey but much better. Fans of fantasy, Disney original films, and love a good adventure will enjoy this read as much as I have. I cannot wait to read what Gama Ray Martinez pens up next!

I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.

[David Petersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series. It was quite creative. In the first book the story took place in Neverland and the antagonist was James Hook. Now the ghost of James Hook is in Wonderland as in Alice in Wonderland and our heroes, knights of the round, Michael, William and Vanessa (?) must stop him. The book is very fanciful and also includes trips into the Looking Glass realm. I was pleasantly surprised with the originality of the story that had some many tie ins to famous previous fiction. So far I am enjoying the series. There is at least another book still to come. I wonder what world it will take place in.

[Cecilia Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

After nearly escaping Neverland, Michael is ignoring his duties as Knight of the Round, to pursue the ghost of Captain Hook.
When the trail leads to Wonderland, the Lady has Sir Vanessa and Will join Michael in his dangerous quest.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Queens of Wonderland is an action-packed fantasy in which Michael Darling searches for Hook and works with Knight of the Round Vanessa to save Wonderland. It's an interesting tale of Neverland and Wonderland, uniquely and captivatingly mixing the tales of Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland.

[Alexia Chantel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover caught my eye, so I picked it up without realizing it was the second book in a series. No matter, I was able to slide into this Wonderland world without issue and enjoy its crazy ride.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 - Pure nonstop plot, no real time for character, but hey—sometimes that makes for a fun quickie of a read. I’m not mad at the vibes of this series, though it definitely won’t be for everyone.

[Jessica Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly adventurous.

[Nic · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story in its own right, but I really liked that it set up the greater conflict. I look forward to the next in the series!

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book. I love fairy tales, retellings, all of it This book for one is not a stand alone book. You need to read the first one or you will have a hard time getting into this story.
This started out so slow for me. It was hard to get into the story, hard to care about what was happening. I wish I could give this book more stars but I just didn't enjoy it.

.Description
Enter through the looking glass into Queens of Wonderland, Book Two in the Defenders of Lore series, in which Knights of the Round Vanessa and Michael must follow Captain Hook into Wonderland alongside Alice to crush his treacherous plan and deal with an ongoing war between power-hungry queens

After saving reality and overcoming the numerous challenges that Neverland threw at her, Vanessa has been tasked to save Michael Darling from himself: he’s grown obsessed in his role as a Knight of the Round and will stop at nothing to find the ghost of James Hook, nearly getting expelled from the Knights in the process. It’s up to Vanessa to keep him safe, she can’t lose her partner to Hook’s sword.

So together it’s off to Wonderland in pursuit of the pirate.

Except, unlike Neverland, neither Vanessa nor Michael have ever been there before. But someone they know has: the Lady who leads the Knights…who turns out to be none other than the legendary Alice. Her extensive knowledge about the land could change the game and bring them one step closer to finding Captain Hook…and in a world where games are taken quite seriously—and no less than six queens are vying for power—it will take them putting all their heads together to make it through.

Or they just might find them lopped off.

Available Editions
EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9780063014688
PRICE $30.00 (USD)
PAGES 320

I just reviewed Queens of Wonderland by Gama Ray Martinez. #QueensofWonderland #NetGalley