Throwback Thursday (1): The Looking Glass Wars

It’s the nature of book blogging to focus mainly on new releases, but there are thousands of great books out there that haven’t seen the “New Releases” shelf in years. We hope to be able to bring attention to some older titles that may not be at the top of the current bestseller list, but still deserve a spot in your To-Be-Read pile.

And a big thanks to Janita at Book Interrupted because I'd never heard of this meme before seeing it on her blog! :)

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The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor

Alyss of Wonderland?

When Alyss Heart, heir to the Wonderland throne, must flee through the Pool of Tears to escape the murderous aunt Redd, she finds herself lost and alone in Victorian London. Befriended by an aspiring author named Lewis Carrol, Alyss tells the violent, heartbreaking story of her young life. Alyss trusts this author to tell the truth so that someone, somewhere will find her and bring her home. But he gets the story all wrong. He even spells her name incorrectly!

Fortunately, Royal Bodyguard Hatter Madigan knows all too well the awful truth of Alyss' story and he is searching every corner of our world to find the lost princess and return her to Wonderland so she may eventually battle Redd for her rightful place as the Queen of Hearts.

The Looking Glass Wars unabashedly challenges our Wonderland assumptions surrounding mad tea parties, grinning Cheshire cats, and a curious little blond girl to reveal an epic battle in the endless war for Imagination.

I've always loved Alice in Wonderland stories, but I've had even more Alice on the brain that usual since I heard that ABC's ONCE UPON A TIME is doing a Wonderland spin-off. The show, which starts in September, looks like it's going to be AMAZING. Well, judging from the trailer that is.

The first book in Frank Beddor's Alyss series, THE LOOKING GLASS WARS, was released in 2006. I first read it in 2009 and fell completely in love with the world and characters. This isn't the Wonderland Disney showed us. This Wonderland is full of much more sinister danger and evil and romance. I love, love, love these books. If you haven't read them, make time because it's definitely worth it!

Here's the ONCE UPON A TIME IN WONDERLAND trailer that I mentioned above... SO GOOD.

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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Review: The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor

Title: The Looking Glass Wars
Author: Frank Beddor
Publisher: Dial Books
Date Published: 2006
Genre: YA
Main themes: love, friendship, orphans, fantasy worlds, murder, imagination
Pages: 358
Plot (from book jacket):
"Alyss of Wonderland?
When Alyss Heart, heir to the Wonderland throne, must flee through the Pool of Tears to escape her murderous aunt Redd, she find herself lost and alone in Victorian London. Befriended by an aspiring author named Lewis Carroll, Alyss tells the violent, heartbreaking story of her young life. Alyss trusts this author to tell the truth so that someone, somewhere will find her and bring her home. But he gets teh story all wrong. He even spells her name incorrectly!
Fortunately, Royal Bodyguard Hatter Madigan knows all too well the awful truth of Alyss' story and he is searching every corner of our world to find the lost princess and return het to Wonderland so she may eventually battle Redd for her rightful place as Queen of Hearts."

Why did I wait so long to read this book!? I haven't read a YA fantasy novel that was this amazing in FOREVER! Alice in Wonderland has always been one of my absolute favorite stories and Frank Beddor's version is no exception! I loved the original Alice in Wonderland, but, gosh, this version is totally fighting for favorite.

The world of Wonderland and its inhabitants were so wonderfully imagined. Hatter Madigan was one of my favorite characters - he was just so intriguing and interesting. I was amazed by the characters and landscapes of Beddor's Wonderland.

Alyss was an awesome main character. I found myself rooting for her and the Alyssians in their fight against her crazy Aunt Redd and the bullying people from the other side of the Pool of Tears.

And, oh my goodness, Dodge! I seriously loved childhood friend turned jaded man. I can't wait to find out more about him and his and Alyss' relationship in the next novel, Seeing Redd (which is totally on the table right now begging me to open it and dive in!).

I can't say enough good things about The Looking Glass Wars! My dreams would come true if Beddor decided to rewrite Peter Pan as well - eeek!

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

Read it! I'm totally in shock of its awesomeness right now!