Review: Seeing Redd by Frank Beddor

Title: Seeing Redd
Author: Frank Beddor
Publisher: SPEAK
Pub. Date: 2007
Genre: YA
Main Themes: Retelling, Alice in Wonderland, Love, Family, Good vs. Evil
Pages: 371
Plot (from back):
"Wonderland under attack.
Alyss of Wonderland's rule has only just begun, and already those who prefere chaos to peace are threatening to destroy everything worth imagining. With her life now a mix of duty, love, and tough decisions, Alyss is doing her best to keep pace with the nonstop demands. And then a series of phantom sighting set fire to an urban myth. The people think Her Imperial Viciousness has returned. And everyone is seeing Redd.
But has Redd somehow freed herself and her chief assassin, The Cat, from the confines of the Heart's Crystal? If not, then who has resurrected Redd's brutal foot soldiers, the Glass Eyes, ans et them loose to attack Wonderland on all sides? Can Alyss unite her country and her people to defend White Imagination, or will Wonderland be lost?"

Seeing Redd is a wonderful continuation of the story Frank Beddor began with The Looking Glass Wars. As a little girl I was in love with Disney's Alice in Wonderland, but I've found a new love in Beddor's Alyss.

I am constantly surprised by the intricacy of Alyss' world. Beddor perfectly weaves fantasy elements with more concrete elements, like mechanical fighting machines. I can honestly say that I've never read anything like The Looking Glass Wars books.

I love the fact that Beddor claims that he is telling Alyss' true story, and proves his point by using characters and places that were present in Carrol's version of Alice in Wonderland, but with a dark twist.

There is an added character and plot line in Beddor's version of the story: Alyss has a beau. Readers saw bit of Alyss and Dodge's relationship in the first installment, but Seeing Redd allowed for further development of their story. Their love story is epic in ways, yet absolutely real at the same time. Alyss and Dodge are so absolutely perfect for one another - they just can never seem to find the right time or place to be together - life and politics always seem to get in the way. Their story is not to be missed and  one of my favorite parts of the story.

There were quite a few secondary characters in book one that were discussed much more in the second book, which made for an interesting read because you see how all the characters lives are intertwined.

Ratings (Out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 10
Writing: 10
Romance: 10
Originality: 10
Total: 50/50 (A!)

I highly recommend The Looking Glass Wars trilogy! As a fan of the original Alice in Wonderland and as a fantasy reads, Frank Beddor's books have all the elements I appreciate in a book!

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