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Reimagined Fairy Tales Collection #3
The Alice Curse
Wonderland must always have an Alice, and Eliza Carroll is the next.
Eliza flees her parent’s political machinations only to stumble into another world and the arms of a man named Finn, who declares her the next Alice. Finn, nicknamed the White Rabbit for the form he can shift into, was sent to find the new Alice and bring her to court, for only she can declare whether Red or White reigns. Not to mention he’ll lose his head if he fails.
For Eliza to get home and Finn to survive, they’ll have to navigate two treacherous courts and their growing feelings for one another, while trying to unravel the curse that forces the Carroll women to journey to Wonderland. But a path to freedom for them both may be more than the magic of Wonderland can conjure…even for its new Alice.
Eliza flees her parent’s political machinations only to stumble into another world and the arms of a man named Finn, who declares her the next Alice. Finn, nicknamed the White Rabbit for the form he can shift into, was sent to find the new Alice and bring her to court, for only she can declare whether Red or White reigns. Not to mention he’ll lose his head if he fails.
For Eliza to get home and Finn to survive, they’ll have to navigate two treacherous courts and their growing feelings for one another, while trying to unravel the curse that forces the Carroll women to journey to Wonderland. But a path to freedom for them both may be more than the magic of Wonderland can conjure…even for its new Alice.
387 pages, Unknown Binding
First published April 25, 2023
68 people are currently reading
3426 people want to read
About the author
Megan Van Dyke
18 books584 followersMegan Van Dyke is a fantasy romance author with a love for all things that include magic and kissing. Many of her stories include themes of family (whether born into or found) and a sense of home and belonging, which are important aspects of her life as well. Megan also watched way too many Disney movies as a child, and adult, and has a deep love for fairytales and happily-ever-afters.
Megan is a former IT risk and security executive and current stay-at-home mom. When not writing, Megan loves to cook, play video games, explore the great outdoors, and spend time with her family. A southerner by birth and at heart, Megan currently lives with her family in Colorado.
Megan is a former IT risk and security executive and current stay-at-home mom. When not writing, Megan loves to cook, play video games, explore the great outdoors, and spend time with her family. A southerner by birth and at heart, Megan currently lives with her family in Colorado.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
April 6, 2024
Absolutely stunning Alice in Wonderland retelling!
This one beats out Heartless for me!
This one beats out Heartless for me!
May 21, 2024
It is a 4 stars for the surprise alone. I have never read an Alice in the wonderlands retailing, but I am pleasantly surprised by it. It was a good story, lots of adventures in an adult way, and overall entertaining. Nothing groundbreaking, but gold enough.
April 25, 2023
I really enjoyed this version of the famous and much loved Alice stories. The idea of Eliza being descended from the original Alice and having to somehow choose who should rule Wonderland was a cleverly conceived concept. Add in Finn a rabbit who doesn't need batteries ( nudge nudge wink wink) and you begin to see that this is fun and a great way to discover just how delightful this authors ideas are
September 9, 2024
*4.5 stars ✨
Always enjoy an Alice in Wonderland retelling. This was an excellent version. It had all the elements from the original story. Love and adventure awaits.
Always enjoy an Alice in Wonderland retelling. This was an excellent version. It had all the elements from the original story. Love and adventure awaits.
April 21, 2023
Thank you Netgalley for an advance copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
I never thought I would find myself reading a spicy Alice in Wonderland book, but here I am.
So there's a curse, right? Well, Wonderland always has to have an Alice otherwise the two courts devolve into endless wars until she picks which one will reign. It sounded interesting, and that is what pulled me into the story at first. Especially since in Wonderland stories, it's typically the white court that are the "good guys" and the red court is "bad" but.....they are a bit different in this book.
The White Court consists of rigid people that value monogamy and follow their rules. People will be exiled for not honoring their marriage, and the people in the Red Court to find them to be vile. And the Red Court? Well.....they have orgies in the ballroom in the middle of the ball and the Red Queen literally decapitates people that refuse to sleep with her. Uh, yikes. Sounds a little rapey to me.
So....yeah, the courts system is a little weird. I did not think it would be such a sexual book going into it, and if I knew that I probably would not have read this book.
But what really got me was that this book seemed like a typical new adult story in the beginning, but when Finn grabs Eliza there are some weird sexual tension scenes before stuff really heats up. And they were small things too, where I was like 'is this actually happening or am I reading too much into it.' But nope, it turns spicy and there are multiple on page sex scenes. The first one was more drawn out, with quite the attention played to foreplay before Finn turned into a two pump chump. The second one had little to no foreplay with a quick session again.
And something that really bothered me was how this book almost crossed the line into beastiality. So, yeah, that was kind of the start of the end of 'wtf am I reading.'
The story itself? I guess I can talk about that too. It was fine. I didn't hate it, but I kind of found myself indifferent about it. There's mention of "breaking" the Alice Curse, but that really fell to the wayside until the end of the story. I liked the intro when Eliza was first traveling through Wonderland, and the last couple of chapters have a good amount of action too. Otherwise the story consists of her being around an overtly sexualized Court, having sexual thoughts about a man that shifts into a rabbit, or going to the "bad" Court and spending very little time with them.
Overall, this was a wild story and definitely felt like a rollercoaster at times. I am not someone who knowingly picks up spicy reads, and if I knew this book had that I probably would not have read it. But, I am a slave to storytelling and have to know how stuff ends, so I read through it all. I wanted Eliza to spend more time looking for a way to end the curse, and I wish she was able to spend more time with the White Court. It was definitely an imaginative retelling of the story, it just wasn't the right retelling for me.
Content warnings: body shaming, loss of a loved one, violence, war themes, sexual content (on page), domestic abuse
I never thought I would find myself reading a spicy Alice in Wonderland book, but here I am.
So there's a curse, right? Well, Wonderland always has to have an Alice otherwise the two courts devolve into endless wars until she picks which one will reign. It sounded interesting, and that is what pulled me into the story at first. Especially since in Wonderland stories, it's typically the white court that are the "good guys" and the red court is "bad" but.....they are a bit different in this book.
The White Court consists of rigid people that value monogamy and follow their rules. People will be exiled for not honoring their marriage, and the people in the Red Court to find them to be vile. And the Red Court? Well.....they have orgies in the ballroom in the middle of the ball and the Red Queen literally decapitates people that refuse to sleep with her. Uh, yikes. Sounds a little rapey to me.
So....yeah, the courts system is a little weird. I did not think it would be such a sexual book going into it, and if I knew that I probably would not have read this book.
But what really got me was that this book seemed like a typical new adult story in the beginning, but when Finn grabs Eliza there are some weird sexual tension scenes before stuff really heats up. And they were small things too, where I was like 'is this actually happening or am I reading too much into it.' But nope, it turns spicy and there are multiple on page sex scenes. The first one was more drawn out, with quite the attention played to foreplay before Finn turned into a two pump chump. The second one had little to no foreplay with a quick session again.
And something that really bothered me was how this book almost crossed the line into beastiality. So, yeah, that was kind of the start of the end of 'wtf am I reading.'
The story itself? I guess I can talk about that too. It was fine. I didn't hate it, but I kind of found myself indifferent about it. There's mention of "breaking" the Alice Curse, but that really fell to the wayside until the end of the story. I liked the intro when Eliza was first traveling through Wonderland, and the last couple of chapters have a good amount of action too. Otherwise the story consists of her being around an overtly sexualized Court, having sexual thoughts about a man that shifts into a rabbit, or going to the "bad" Court and spending very little time with them.
Overall, this was a wild story and definitely felt like a rollercoaster at times. I am not someone who knowingly picks up spicy reads, and if I knew this book had that I probably would not have read it. But, I am a slave to storytelling and have to know how stuff ends, so I read through it all. I wanted Eliza to spend more time looking for a way to end the curse, and I wish she was able to spend more time with the White Court. It was definitely an imaginative retelling of the story, it just wasn't the right retelling for me.
Content warnings: body shaming, loss of a loved one, violence, war themes, sexual content (on page), domestic abuse
April 17, 2023
Rating: 4.5/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.
Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite books and getting the chance to read Megan's version of this retelling was amazing. I loved how she stuck to the story we all know but changed parts of it and made it something new. The world building was done so well. I loved the attention to details, to see wonderland in a new way with all its beauty and darkness. It felt like a whole new story but at the same time something familiar to it as well and I loved getting to play what court is the bad guys.
I thought the characters were well developed. Eliza, being strong, determined, makes decisions by thinking of all the ways that it could go wrong and right. She is also very caring and puts her faith in people who have earned her trust rather than just going in blindly. Finn is one handsome, charming male, well half male/half white rabbit. He also has a darker side to him but only when the ones that he cares for are in danger. His character growth through the book was done beautifully and I enjoyed watching him handle his feelings for Eliza and what it means for her to become the new Alice. The chemistry between those two is something else, I really liked the banter. I enjoyed that the characters had time to become friends that of course bloom into something more and with that you do get some spicy scenes.
The plot with the red court being fun and a little saucy, of course you will still see the royal pain in the butt red queen with all her “Off with their heads” and with the white court being all stuck up and no fun at all. I really enjoyed the curse of the Alice’s and seeing how that curse became and what the new “Alice” must do for it to be broken.
I would like to say more but really if you have not read any of Megan Van Dyke books, yet you really should. Who doesn’t love a great retelling with politics, action, magic, curses, and romance.
Oh yeah, I think my favorite character would be Finn or Chesa (Chesire cat), I would say why but I don’t want to give anything away.
I want to thank Megan Van Dyke for the opportunity to review this book.
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.
Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite books and getting the chance to read Megan's version of this retelling was amazing. I loved how she stuck to the story we all know but changed parts of it and made it something new. The world building was done so well. I loved the attention to details, to see wonderland in a new way with all its beauty and darkness. It felt like a whole new story but at the same time something familiar to it as well and I loved getting to play what court is the bad guys.
I thought the characters were well developed. Eliza, being strong, determined, makes decisions by thinking of all the ways that it could go wrong and right. She is also very caring and puts her faith in people who have earned her trust rather than just going in blindly. Finn is one handsome, charming male, well half male/half white rabbit. He also has a darker side to him but only when the ones that he cares for are in danger. His character growth through the book was done beautifully and I enjoyed watching him handle his feelings for Eliza and what it means for her to become the new Alice. The chemistry between those two is something else, I really liked the banter. I enjoyed that the characters had time to become friends that of course bloom into something more and with that you do get some spicy scenes.
The plot with the red court being fun and a little saucy, of course you will still see the royal pain in the butt red queen with all her “Off with their heads” and with the white court being all stuck up and no fun at all. I really enjoyed the curse of the Alice’s and seeing how that curse became and what the new “Alice” must do for it to be broken.
I would like to say more but really if you have not read any of Megan Van Dyke books, yet you really should. Who doesn’t love a great retelling with politics, action, magic, curses, and romance.
Oh yeah, I think my favorite character would be Finn or Chesa (Chesire cat), I would say why but I don’t want to give anything away.
I want to thank Megan Van Dyke for the opportunity to review this book.
June 2, 2023
A glorious twist on a tale that I know and love. Eliza and Finn have my whole heart. I devoured this story from page one, taking it all in without a prayer of getting anything else done until I reached the end. The author brings Wonderland to life with vivid settings and characters that are delightfully flawed and wholly wonderful. I need more. Any Alice in Wonderland fan will enjoy this unique spin as Eliza battles the Alice curse amid the Red and White courts where nothing is as it seems and all of Wonderland is at risk of turning topsy-turvy. Don't miss out on this one. Can Chesa get her own book? Her character is all that I've ever wanted from a humanish Cheshire Cat. Those knowing looks and vicious smiles were perfection.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
April 22, 2023
I loved this book. Absolutely loved it. It feels new and familiar all at once and is full of romance and twists and turns and I never really knew what was going to happen next.
This book is a retelling of Alice in Wonderland and it delivers. It is one we all know, a young girl falls down a rabbit hole and ends up in a magical mysterious world very different from our own. However when Eliza arrives in Wonderland she is faced with a dark world twisted by a curse and is presented with a choice that will decide the fate of everyone who lives there.
I love fairy tale retelling and I really like when they are reworked to add more depth to the story. This book does exactly that, the characters, while all very recognizable from the original tale all have new and intricate backstories. The White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat, Red Queen, White Queen all have backstories that connect and add depth to the characters that really makes you feel for them and become invested in the outcome of the story.
Overall a really fun read with lots of romance and exciting twists and turns and I'm definitely going to go and read her other books in this series.
I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley to review for my honest opinion.
This book is a retelling of Alice in Wonderland and it delivers. It is one we all know, a young girl falls down a rabbit hole and ends up in a magical mysterious world very different from our own. However when Eliza arrives in Wonderland she is faced with a dark world twisted by a curse and is presented with a choice that will decide the fate of everyone who lives there.
I love fairy tale retelling and I really like when they are reworked to add more depth to the story. This book does exactly that, the characters, while all very recognizable from the original tale all have new and intricate backstories. The White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat, Red Queen, White Queen all have backstories that connect and add depth to the characters that really makes you feel for them and become invested in the outcome of the story.
Overall a really fun read with lots of romance and exciting twists and turns and I'm definitely going to go and read her other books in this series.
I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley to review for my honest opinion.
June 10, 2023
In this creative retelling, Ms. Van Dyke has brought new life and a lovely bit of romance to the classic tale of Alice in Wonderland, revitalizing and reimagining the story in a whole new way.
Read full review in the 2023 June issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2023 June issue of InD'tale Magazine.
April 16, 2023
Alice in Wonderland was one of my favorite stories growning up and Megan really brought it to life in this reimagined tale. This is a story about Eliza whose family was cursed and tied to Wonderland forced to make a decision between ruling courts or be responsible for chaos and suffering.
Eliza returns to Wonderland with Finn, aka the White Rabbit, who has secrets of his own. Together they have to face some pretty tough challenges.
What I loved about this book were the spin on the original characters as people but also magical beings. This story is a refreshing twist on this classic tale with a little bit of spice mixed in.
I loved the relationship between Eliza and Finn, there were so many heart melting moments.🖤
I do wish the end was a little bit different, maybe standing up to her parents a bit more and not meeting them at their level with societal titles. Otherwise I really enjoyed this story!
There are some darker theme within this book, as always check out the warnings and author before reading!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
I was provided an ARC of this book by @netgalley for my honest review.
Eliza returns to Wonderland with Finn, aka the White Rabbit, who has secrets of his own. Together they have to face some pretty tough challenges.
What I loved about this book were the spin on the original characters as people but also magical beings. This story is a refreshing twist on this classic tale with a little bit of spice mixed in.
I loved the relationship between Eliza and Finn, there were so many heart melting moments.🖤
I do wish the end was a little bit different, maybe standing up to her parents a bit more and not meeting them at their level with societal titles. Otherwise I really enjoyed this story!
There are some darker theme within this book, as always check out the warnings and author before reading!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
I was provided an ARC of this book by @netgalley for my honest review.
April 21, 2023
“Wonderland must always have an Alice and Eliza Carroll is next”
I was lucky enough to receive my first ever ARC a couple of weeks in the form of this beauty from the genius that is Megan Van Dyke.
A retelling of Alice in Wonderland, The Alice Curse follows Eliza, a young woman who is pulled into Wonderland by the white rabbit (who isn’t all who he seems) and told she will be the next Alice, and her first task is to choose who rules Wonderland, the Red Court or White.
With recognisable characters from the original but in a totally unique way, this story was a wonderful mix of magic, love, strength and some amazing world building, I adored this book from the first page to the last.
I feel so privileged to get to read this early and I can’t wait to go back and read more of Megan’s amazing work!
I was lucky enough to receive my first ever ARC a couple of weeks in the form of this beauty from the genius that is Megan Van Dyke.
A retelling of Alice in Wonderland, The Alice Curse follows Eliza, a young woman who is pulled into Wonderland by the white rabbit (who isn’t all who he seems) and told she will be the next Alice, and her first task is to choose who rules Wonderland, the Red Court or White.
With recognisable characters from the original but in a totally unique way, this story was a wonderful mix of magic, love, strength and some amazing world building, I adored this book from the first page to the last.
I feel so privileged to get to read this early and I can’t wait to go back and read more of Megan’s amazing work!
April 15, 2023
I was given an ARC and this is my honest review:
Megan Van Dyke is a master of creating reimagined fairytales that are intriguing and new. The Alice Curse is a great combination of new theme but with Easter eggs from the original Alice.
Eliza is a young girl who just wants her parents to leave her alone, but when her grandmother passes Eliza is thrust into a new world full of handsome men who change forms, crazy tea parties, and a jealous queen. Eliza comes to realize that Wonderland isn’t always so wonderful and must make a devastating choice.
A quick lite read, a little slow to start but the build up is well done. The romance is done very well and the steam is on point! This is a must read!
Megan Van Dyke is a master of creating reimagined fairytales that are intriguing and new. The Alice Curse is a great combination of new theme but with Easter eggs from the original Alice.
Eliza is a young girl who just wants her parents to leave her alone, but when her grandmother passes Eliza is thrust into a new world full of handsome men who change forms, crazy tea parties, and a jealous queen. Eliza comes to realize that Wonderland isn’t always so wonderful and must make a devastating choice.
A quick lite read, a little slow to start but the build up is well done. The romance is done very well and the steam is on point! This is a must read!
March 29, 2023
What a fun read! As is the way in Wonderland, Van Dyke has created an irresistible story filled with characters that feel as familiar as they do new. She has woven together a world filled with call backs to Carroll's original work, while also introducing us to a whole new version of Wonderland that readers won't be able to put down.
Eliza is our curious librarian, who is pulled into Wonderland to be their new Alice and I loved following her journey down the "rabbit hole" with Finn, and I couldn't help but fall in love right along with her. (And had me fanning myself a few times with some of that steam!) The battling courts of Red and White will have readers debating right with Alice on which one should reign, and which of the two are the better evil. If they're evil at all.
I received a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
Eliza is our curious librarian, who is pulled into Wonderland to be their new Alice and I loved following her journey down the "rabbit hole" with Finn, and I couldn't help but fall in love right along with her. (And had me fanning myself a few times with some of that steam!) The battling courts of Red and White will have readers debating right with Alice on which one should reign, and which of the two are the better evil. If they're evil at all.
I received a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
April 25, 2023
Megan Van Dyke's The Alice Curse is a retelling of Lewis Carroll's classic story, Alice in Wonderland. It weaves together a world of danger and adventure, court intrigue and magic—a world of wonder—with the emotional depth and delicacy that made the original so compelling.
Eliza Carroll is thrust into this new world as her grandmother passes away, leaving her to take up the mantle of Wonderland's new Alice. But there are threats to her safety from all sides: the Red Court and White Court each want to claim her as their own; even Chesa, the mysterious woman tasked with protecting Eliza on her journey to become the new Alice, has secrets she won't share.
When Eliza meets Finn, the White Rabbit tasked with bringing her safely to Wonderland, where she must decide which court shall reign, she is initially hesitant to trust him but as she comes to understand him, it seems like everything might finally be alright... until she discovers The Alice Curse: a curse that promises bloodshed and binds future Carroll women to Wonderland. Determined to help her new friends and break the curse, she enlists the help of her enigmatic guardian Chesa and her beloved White Rabbit, Finn.
I loved this book! It's a romantic and unique spin on a classic tale that held my interest from start to finish. Megan Van Dyke has done a fantastic job with this retelling. I adored the notable characters and vibrant world she created. A world you can easily get lost in!
Dual POV
A standalone novel within the Reimagined Fairy Tales Collection
Safety Info / Content Warning:
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Eliza Carroll is thrust into this new world as her grandmother passes away, leaving her to take up the mantle of Wonderland's new Alice. But there are threats to her safety from all sides: the Red Court and White Court each want to claim her as their own; even Chesa, the mysterious woman tasked with protecting Eliza on her journey to become the new Alice, has secrets she won't share.
When Eliza meets Finn, the White Rabbit tasked with bringing her safely to Wonderland, where she must decide which court shall reign, she is initially hesitant to trust him but as she comes to understand him, it seems like everything might finally be alright... until she discovers The Alice Curse: a curse that promises bloodshed and binds future Carroll women to Wonderland. Determined to help her new friends and break the curse, she enlists the help of her enigmatic guardian Chesa and her beloved White Rabbit, Finn.
I loved this book! It's a romantic and unique spin on a classic tale that held my interest from start to finish. Megan Van Dyke has done a fantastic job with this retelling. I adored the notable characters and vibrant world she created. A world you can easily get lost in!
Dual POV
A standalone novel within the Reimagined Fairy Tales Collection
Safety Info / Content Warning:
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 9, 2023
Fairytales are fun for retellings and Alice in Wonderland has to be one of the funnest to do. This book was a great read. The tempo was great for this story. The reading was easy. And there was enough action to keep my interest.
Eliza Carroll or “Alice” is someone who knows how to play the society game even though she rather be in the library surrounded by books. She is observant and quiet, coming across as shy. But once she puts her mind to something, she is a force to be reckoned with. Eliza does not blindly trust people. You have to earn it.
Finn was someone who was afraid to lose the safety of the Red Court. His job was to bring Alice (Eliza) to the Red Court or lose his head. He showed a few sides of himself. There is the soft side he showed Eliza. The respectful side he showed the Red King and Chesa. And the dark side he showed everyone else. Finn had an interesting story and wonderful growth.
Chesa, she has to be my favorite character. Chesa is a very well written side character. I enjoyed every bit of her when she came onto the page. Her weirdness and knowledge unsettles the people of Wonderland.
Wonderland is the primary setting in this story (I mean, where else would an Alice story be?). The author does an amazing job of pulling you into this world. She twists the story in a way where you get the Wonderland you have known and gives you something new. The details in this world are wonderfully written. What I like is, as a reader, you get both sides of Wonderland, the beauty and the darkness.
I can see how Wonderland can be a fun location to write in. Wonderland was not a story I have read, so I only have the movies to go by. I enjoyed this story very much. Megan Van Dyke does a wonderful job in retellings, and I cannot wait to read more from her.
I recommend this story to all who likes fairytales, retellings, romance, fantasy, and magic.
*I received an ARC from the author, and this is my honest opinion.
You can find this and other reviews on my website:
https://www.charliadamswriter.com
Eliza Carroll or “Alice” is someone who knows how to play the society game even though she rather be in the library surrounded by books. She is observant and quiet, coming across as shy. But once she puts her mind to something, she is a force to be reckoned with. Eliza does not blindly trust people. You have to earn it.
Finn was someone who was afraid to lose the safety of the Red Court. His job was to bring Alice (Eliza) to the Red Court or lose his head. He showed a few sides of himself. There is the soft side he showed Eliza. The respectful side he showed the Red King and Chesa. And the dark side he showed everyone else. Finn had an interesting story and wonderful growth.
Chesa, she has to be my favorite character. Chesa is a very well written side character. I enjoyed every bit of her when she came onto the page. Her weirdness and knowledge unsettles the people of Wonderland.
Wonderland is the primary setting in this story (I mean, where else would an Alice story be?). The author does an amazing job of pulling you into this world. She twists the story in a way where you get the Wonderland you have known and gives you something new. The details in this world are wonderfully written. What I like is, as a reader, you get both sides of Wonderland, the beauty and the darkness.
I can see how Wonderland can be a fun location to write in. Wonderland was not a story I have read, so I only have the movies to go by. I enjoyed this story very much. Megan Van Dyke does a wonderful job in retellings, and I cannot wait to read more from her.
I recommend this story to all who likes fairytales, retellings, romance, fantasy, and magic.
*I received an ARC from the author, and this is my honest opinion.
You can find this and other reviews on my website:
https://www.charliadamswriter.com
April 14, 2023
4.5 stars
Thank you to the author for an e-ARC copy. All thoughts are my own.
Initial Thoughts
I really enjoyed this. As a fan of Alice in Wonderland retellings, Megan Van Dyke has done a great job in creating her own world of wonder that ties well to both the original story and her ongoing Reimagined Fairy Tales series.
What's great about this book?
- I enjoyed the weaving of the original tale into this world. Through the cleverly named characters and some of the more iconic happenings that we know from Lewis Carroll's version, The Alice Curse is constructed well, with solid imagery that feels as enchanting as Wonderland usually does. This is something the author has accomplished in all of her retellings, and it is an observation I enjoy making. This feels like its own world, yet the Easter eggs hidden within are truly delightful to uncover.
- The world-building is superb. Guiding my above statement, Van Dyke's ability to weave magical worlds together as she does is fantastic. I felt immersed in the strange world along with Eliza and enjoyed both the charming and ghastly parts of Wonderland. No detail was left untouched in setting the scene for every part of this story. I appreciated the distinction between the red and white courts being not just how the characters from either acted, but their differences in setting - red is passionate and freer, with opulence overflowing from every inch of the space, whilst white is more utilitarian and strict. Both courts were represented distinctively by the imagery described and Eliza's experience in them. Equally, I liked how the wild lands between were certainly just that. The overall feel for this book was achieved through world-building being effortlessly described along the journey.
- I enjoyed both Eliza and Finn as characters. Eliza is a strong-minded female protagonist who isn't about to let people make decisions for her but I appreciated her ability to listen and decide who to trust, rather than recklessly go jumping into situations that could have ended poorly. The couple of times that she does do something impulsive, the consequences are handled well in teaching her more about this strange place and how she can act there, along with reminding her that she is still a human, despite the tremendous level of expectation held upon her to decide who reigns in Wonderland. Finn, on the other hand, is deeply charming yet has darker concerns for his well-being, especially when his feelings for Eliza threaten his status in the Red palace. I liked how he navigated his growing feelings for Eliza with his loyalty to the red court.
- Of course, much like all fairytales, the romance does come with a healthy dose of instalust, but the progression of friendship into something more is well developed and lessens the lack of a long timeframe to fall in love more naturally.
- Side characters, especially Chesa, added more dimension to this story which I appreciated.
- There is some gentle weaving of the previous books (more so Second Star to the Left) into this through mentioning which I enjoyed.
Things I didn't quite enjoy
- Waiting until the end for the reason of the curse was a bit lacklustre for me. The question of why Eliza's family was cursed to decide who ruled in Wonderland stood out to me the entire time, and I got frustrated when the curse would be talked about, but no one would ever indicate to Eliza why. I had hoped she demanded some explanation more than what was given to her, so she could figure out a way to break the curse. The actual answer to the curse, by the time it was revealed, made sense, but I do feel there could have been other ways to tell Eliza more without leaving the reader pondering to the very end.
- The ending was very weak once Eliza left Wonderland. I wanted to see where things would go next after the resolutions there, and it was all too conveniently wrapped up with her parents when she returned.
Final thoughts
I think this was a great addition to the Reimagined Fairytales Collection, and am eager to see what's next in store from this author.
Thank you to the author for an e-ARC copy. All thoughts are my own.
Initial Thoughts
I really enjoyed this. As a fan of Alice in Wonderland retellings, Megan Van Dyke has done a great job in creating her own world of wonder that ties well to both the original story and her ongoing Reimagined Fairy Tales series.
What's great about this book?
- I enjoyed the weaving of the original tale into this world. Through the cleverly named characters and some of the more iconic happenings that we know from Lewis Carroll's version, The Alice Curse is constructed well, with solid imagery that feels as enchanting as Wonderland usually does. This is something the author has accomplished in all of her retellings, and it is an observation I enjoy making. This feels like its own world, yet the Easter eggs hidden within are truly delightful to uncover.
- The world-building is superb. Guiding my above statement, Van Dyke's ability to weave magical worlds together as she does is fantastic. I felt immersed in the strange world along with Eliza and enjoyed both the charming and ghastly parts of Wonderland. No detail was left untouched in setting the scene for every part of this story. I appreciated the distinction between the red and white courts being not just how the characters from either acted, but their differences in setting - red is passionate and freer, with opulence overflowing from every inch of the space, whilst white is more utilitarian and strict. Both courts were represented distinctively by the imagery described and Eliza's experience in them. Equally, I liked how the wild lands between were certainly just that. The overall feel for this book was achieved through world-building being effortlessly described along the journey.
- I enjoyed both Eliza and Finn as characters. Eliza is a strong-minded female protagonist who isn't about to let people make decisions for her but I appreciated her ability to listen and decide who to trust, rather than recklessly go jumping into situations that could have ended poorly. The couple of times that she does do something impulsive, the consequences are handled well in teaching her more about this strange place and how she can act there, along with reminding her that she is still a human, despite the tremendous level of expectation held upon her to decide who reigns in Wonderland. Finn, on the other hand, is deeply charming yet has darker concerns for his well-being, especially when his feelings for Eliza threaten his status in the Red palace. I liked how he navigated his growing feelings for Eliza with his loyalty to the red court.
- Of course, much like all fairytales, the romance does come with a healthy dose of instalust, but the progression of friendship into something more is well developed and lessens the lack of a long timeframe to fall in love more naturally.
- Side characters, especially Chesa, added more dimension to this story which I appreciated.
- There is some gentle weaving of the previous books (more so Second Star to the Left) into this through mentioning which I enjoyed.
Things I didn't quite enjoy
- Waiting until the end for the reason of the curse was a bit lacklustre for me. The question of why Eliza's family was cursed to decide who ruled in Wonderland stood out to me the entire time, and I got frustrated when the curse would be talked about, but no one would ever indicate to Eliza why. I had hoped she demanded some explanation more than what was given to her, so she could figure out a way to break the curse. The actual answer to the curse, by the time it was revealed, made sense, but I do feel there could have been other ways to tell Eliza more without leaving the reader pondering to the very end.
- The ending was very weak once Eliza left Wonderland. I wanted to see where things would go next after the resolutions there, and it was all too conveniently wrapped up with her parents when she returned.
Final thoughts
I think this was a great addition to the Reimagined Fairytales Collection, and am eager to see what's next in store from this author.
June 11, 2023
As usual, Megan is retelling queen.
I adore the way she spins tales and makes it her own. She knows how to make you fall in love with characters and the spice is always great.
I’ve been purchasing her books ever since I read Second Star and I’ve loved every moment. This book is no exception.
I really loved the spin Megan took with wonderland with the curse and the love interest being the rabbit. I adored the feuding courts, the secret royals and the way Chesa led them down the garden path. The opening had me hooked and it was just such a fun read!
I absolutely ADORED Chesa and the twists were great!
Why it didn’t quite hit five stars for me was because of some of the repetitions. The term ‘for the woman I love.’ Is used a lot but in no way does it deter from the story. I also wanted to learn more about the grandma, so some flashbacks or a few stories about her time in wonderland would have just given it that extra bit for me.
The tropes in this are fantastic, so if you’re looking for something fun, sweet and different this is the book for you.
Read for:
- Magic
- Curses
- True Love
- Lost Royals
- Spice
- Retellings
- Court Intrigue
- Monsters
I adore the way she spins tales and makes it her own. She knows how to make you fall in love with characters and the spice is always great.
I’ve been purchasing her books ever since I read Second Star and I’ve loved every moment. This book is no exception.
I really loved the spin Megan took with wonderland with the curse and the love interest being the rabbit. I adored the feuding courts, the secret royals and the way Chesa led them down the garden path. The opening had me hooked and it was just such a fun read!
I absolutely ADORED Chesa and the twists were great!
Why it didn’t quite hit five stars for me was because of some of the repetitions. The term ‘for the woman I love.’ Is used a lot but in no way does it deter from the story. I also wanted to learn more about the grandma, so some flashbacks or a few stories about her time in wonderland would have just given it that extra bit for me.
The tropes in this are fantastic, so if you’re looking for something fun, sweet and different this is the book for you.
Read for:
- Magic
- Curses
- True Love
- Lost Royals
- Spice
- Retellings
- Court Intrigue
- Monsters
April 26, 2023
"The Alice Curse" by Megan Van Dyke is a delightful read that throws its readers into a world of magic and adventure. The book is a fun and exciting retelling of Alice in Wonderland. The story follows Eliza Carroll, who, after unexpectedly being made the sole heir to her grandmother's estate, is pulled into Wonderland by Finn, or, the White Rabbit, who informs her that she is to be the next Alice, and that it is her duty as the next Alice to choose the next Ruler. Together, they navigate the red and white kingdoms, both of whom seek power, and both of whom rule by fear. The pair realize their feelings for each other along the way, and work together to break the Alice curse. The book was a fun read, and the author did an amazing job building the world and developing the main characters. While this retelling is very different from its predecessor, it maintains its heart and sense of adventure. A great read for anyone who enjoys romance and fantasy!
April 19, 2023
Rating: 4.5/5
Spice: 2/5
When I saw this book available as an ARC, I knew I had to read it. Fairytale retellings are some of my FAVORITES, especially when they’re Wonderland inspired. Megan Van Dyke did a BRILLIANT job in retelling this story with its own little twist. Eliza may have been the next Alice and Fin the white rabbit who is at the Red Queen’s mercy, but as you find out, there is a lot more that meets the eye to them, the White and Red Courts, and the story of Alice of Wonderland.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. If you’re a Wonderland lover like me, I definitely suggest you read it! Thank you so much Megan Van Dyke and NetGalley for allowing me the chance to read this ARC!
Spice: 2/5
When I saw this book available as an ARC, I knew I had to read it. Fairytale retellings are some of my FAVORITES, especially when they’re Wonderland inspired. Megan Van Dyke did a BRILLIANT job in retelling this story with its own little twist. Eliza may have been the next Alice and Fin the white rabbit who is at the Red Queen’s mercy, but as you find out, there is a lot more that meets the eye to them, the White and Red Courts, and the story of Alice of Wonderland.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. If you’re a Wonderland lover like me, I definitely suggest you read it! Thank you so much Megan Van Dyke and NetGalley for allowing me the chance to read this ARC!
April 24, 2023
I love this retelling/ book inspired by Alice in Wonderland even more than I loved Heartless by Merissa Meyer, and I loved that book!
The world building and way things are described are phenomenal I had a movie playing in my head the entire time!
And then the fmc Eliza just falls perfectly in her role as the next "Alice", she was sent to fancy boarding schools and was taught how to be a lady of society and she hates it, but it works in her advantage and its cool to see how she adapts to Wonderland.
Finn.... the mc.... I like him a lot, he fall first which I love! His pov is *chefs kiss*, and he tries to stay away from Eliza but it just doesn't work and I love him more for it!
Seriously go read this book because you're missing out
The world building and way things are described are phenomenal I had a movie playing in my head the entire time!
And then the fmc Eliza just falls perfectly in her role as the next "Alice", she was sent to fancy boarding schools and was taught how to be a lady of society and she hates it, but it works in her advantage and its cool to see how she adapts to Wonderland.
Finn.... the mc.... I like him a lot, he fall first which I love! His pov is *chefs kiss*, and he tries to stay away from Eliza but it just doesn't work and I love him more for it!
Seriously go read this book because you're missing out
April 19, 2023
I loved this Alice in Wonderland retelling. Disney's Alice in Wonderland was one of my favorite movies growing up and I can see the similarities when reading this story. I loved how the characters are similar to the original but more relatable. For example: Finn is a man, unlike the fairytale, but can transform into the white rabbit. Chesa will disappear and appear randomly but unlike the Cheshire cat it's her whole body not parts, like a smile or stripes. :)
I love the world building of Wonderland and the stories behind the White and Red Courts. I really enjoyed watching the relationship between Eliza and Finn grow throughout the story. They start out at odds because he pulls her into Wonderland and demands she go to the Red Court. Eliza soon realizes that she will have to trust Finn because he is protecting her from the strange happenings in Wonderland. As the story continues, you get more information on characters from both the Red and White Courts, as Eliza tries to determine which side she will choose to rule Wonderland. Chesa is always popping in to protect and guide Eliza but also only giving her half of the information she needs.
I really enjoyed this story and if you like fairytale retellings then I highly recommend this story.
I love the world building of Wonderland and the stories behind the White and Red Courts. I really enjoyed watching the relationship between Eliza and Finn grow throughout the story. They start out at odds because he pulls her into Wonderland and demands she go to the Red Court. Eliza soon realizes that she will have to trust Finn because he is protecting her from the strange happenings in Wonderland. As the story continues, you get more information on characters from both the Red and White Courts, as Eliza tries to determine which side she will choose to rule Wonderland. Chesa is always popping in to protect and guide Eliza but also only giving her half of the information she needs.
I really enjoyed this story and if you like fairytale retellings then I highly recommend this story.
May 6, 2023
My rating for this book is 4.5 stars, rounded to 5.
Although I wasn’t fond of the steam, I enjoyed the uniqueness of the story, its twists and turns, indirect references to the original, and simple but wonderful answer to the core plot issue. The characters had depth, and their romance developed naturally and realistically. However, some characteristics were not consistent — Eliza starts as pretty decent at navigating political maneuvering but gets less and less practical as the story goes on. Still, the story was engrossing, enough that I was worried whether the characters would really make it to the end alive, and I read it in two settings. I would recommend!
Although I wasn’t fond of the steam, I enjoyed the uniqueness of the story, its twists and turns, indirect references to the original, and simple but wonderful answer to the core plot issue. The characters had depth, and their romance developed naturally and realistically. However, some characteristics were not consistent — Eliza starts as pretty decent at navigating political maneuvering but gets less and less practical as the story goes on. Still, the story was engrossing, enough that I was worried whether the characters would really make it to the end alive, and I read it in two settings. I would recommend!
December 9, 2024
4.5 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed the read as a person who LOVED the original book of Alice in wonderland and through the looking glass. I loved seeing the interpretations of the characters and monsters. They included so much of the stories i couldn’t help but smile every time a minor part of the original novel was put within this new storyline. The villains were loathsome, the plot was intriguing, and the spice wasn’t too bad eitherI would have given it 5 stars if it wasn’t for the ending which I believe fell flat
April 2, 2024
As someone who generally doesn’t care for Alice in Wonderland things, I actually thoroughly enjoyed the book.
I thought it was fun how all the usual suspects were there but they had been twisted to better flesh them out and fit them better to this story.
There were parts in the middle that felt a tad tedious but they were there for a reason.
The smut in this book is grade A and my only real complaint is that there wasn’t more smut!
I thought it was fun how all the usual suspects were there but they had been twisted to better flesh them out and fit them better to this story.
There were parts in the middle that felt a tad tedious but they were there for a reason.
The smut in this book is grade A and my only real complaint is that there wasn’t more smut!
April 20, 2023
I'm not a huge Alice in Wonderland, but I have loved this author and series so I gave it a go anyways. And I am so glad I did. This is a great addition to the Reimagined Fairy Tales series and as always the author takes the tale in new and compelling directions. The creativity is the perfectly balance to faithfulness to the story with the new world flawlessly blended in with the original Carrol story (and enough nods to the original to satisfy almost all levels of fans of the the original). The characters too all have those familiar notes, but feel new and compelling. As I'm sure will be the case, Chesa (the Cheshire Cat) shines in this Alice retelling, but all the characters, plotlines, and setting feel fun and fully developed.
Although technically part of a series this book can stand alone easily - new readers won't be lost in this world (well, no more than Alice is). I can't wait to see what tale will be next in this series, but I know I will devour it just as quickly as the previous.
Although technically part of a series this book can stand alone easily - new readers won't be lost in this world (well, no more than Alice is). I can't wait to see what tale will be next in this series, but I know I will devour it just as quickly as the previous.
May 8, 2023
this book was so much fun to read! I don’t think Finn could be any sweeter. I absolutely fell in love with this book!
December 15, 2023
Not enough of Wonderland.
Lot of repetitive language.
There are many better retellings out there.
Lot of repetitive language.
There are many better retellings out there.
May 10, 2024
Such a fun read! The way the story of Alice in wonderland was updated and reworked to form the basis of the romance was super interesting and original. I listened to the audiobook for this one and the narration was great as well!
April 25, 2023
I loved this take on Alice in wonderland, I loved the white rabbit and wished for the death of the red queen. I definitely enjoyed the shifter aspect of it, it gave it a very nice twist.
May 6, 2023
i didn't know I needed an alice in wonderland retelling, but apparently I did. And this? Delivered. Minus the weird part with Finn as a rabbit, like chill my man.
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