Title: Ever Alice
Author: H J Ramsay
Page Count: 347
Genre: Fiction / Fantasy / YA
Rating: ★★★★✰
I got this as a preview copy from the nice people at Netgalley . I will always be honest about a book no matter if I paid for it or not. There are also affiliate links in here, too 💜
Well, well, well. You’re quite the little beauty, ain’tcha? You take one of my favourite stories in the whole world and keep it going without it feeling forced. That, friendos, is quite impressive because I am picky AF. Let me tell you why Ever Alice should be on your TBR pile.
1. It’s the re-imagined sequel to Alice in Wonderland.
I mean that should honestly be enough right there. Alice has grown up to the ripe ol’ age of 15 and, much to her parent’s annoyance, she still talks of this magical place called Wonderland.
Before long, she’s forced to stay within an asylum for ‘treatment’ whilst her mother and father play happy families thanks to her sister’s engagement announcement. Her incarceration soon escalates and results in her being shipped off to a different medical centre for more, how shall we say it… radical treatment to banish her delusions.
Who should save her from her life-altering treatment? None other than the White Rabbit aka Ralph. He’s here to give her a mission: kill the Queen of Hearts.
2. The Queen of Hearts is hilarious.
This isn’t a book that takes itself seriously. Characters are bat-shit insane (albeit that’s normal behaviour in Wonderland) and you’ll find yourself chuckling away in public. The Queen of Hearts (Rosamund) is no different. She’s ready to chop off a head at a moments notice, but you know what? I think she’s just a little misunderstood.
3. It’s the same cast but evolved.
Those people you loved in the old book are still very much there along with a few new ones for good measure.
Humpty-Dumpty had a great fall, but you’ve got his cousin, Marco Polo, to take his place.
Tweedledee and Tweedledum died in the Great War of Turnips and the Queen promises to look after their daughters, Mary Anne Tweedledee and Mary Lou Tweedledum.
It’s things like that that keep me interested in the book. It’s an evolution of the story that feels very natural rather than wedged in for the sake of it.
Whilst this book kept me hooked, I was a bit blah about the romance element. Like did he like her? Why was he even there? Who even ARE YOOOOU?!
This book is refreshing. With nods to original and a truly bizarre world, it’s pretty hard not to fall down the rabbit hole with this one.
Has a sequel already been told? Yes
Will more appear over the years? Probably
Should you give this one a damn good chance? Absolutely.
Ever Alice will be published on 1st August 2019.