Alice by Christina Henry
Published by ACE
Published on: August 4 2015
Genres: Fantasy, Horror
Pages: 292
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Amazon | Book Depo | Kobo | B&N | GoodReads
A mind-bending new novel inspired by the twisted and wondrous works of Lewis Carroll...
In a warren of crumbling buildings and desperate people called the Old City, there stands a hospital with cinderblock walls which echo the screams of the poor souls inside.
In the hospital, there is a woman. Her hair, once blond, hangs in tangles down her back. She doesn’t remember why she’s in such a terrible place. Just a tea party long ago, and long ears, and blood…
Then, one night, a fire at the hospital gives the woman a chance to escape, tumbling out of the hole that imprisoned her, leaving her free to uncover the truth about what happened to her all those years ago.
Only something else has escaped with her. Something dark. Something powerful.
And to find the truth, she will have to track this beast to the very heart of the Old City, where the rabbit waits for his Alice.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The first thing you should know is that I bloody hate ALICE IN WONDERLAND.
In fact, with the exception of THE JABBERWOCKEY, which I appreciate for English nerd reasons (nonsense words that make sense b/c masterful command of grammar), I bloody hate Lewis Carroll.
Too weird. #sorrynotsorry
I’ve also read an installment or two of Henry’s BLACK WINGS series, and I wasn’t terribly impressed. My top two least favorite subjects in urban fantasy are: dead things and angels. BLACK WINGS is basically about angels dealing with dead things.
SO. A book from an author I’ve previously not had much luck with, on a subject I’ve loathed since childhood . . .
You’re probably wondering why on earth I bothered with ALICE.
Honestly, so did I.
And if it hadn’t immediately captured my attention, I doubt I’d’ve stuck with it.
But it did. And I did.
The second thing you should know is that this book isn’t for the faint of heart.
This Alice is an adult who’s spent the last ten years institutionalized after stumbling out of the Old City with blood on her thighs, raving about a rabbit.
YES. That means exactly what you think it means.
And what happened to Alice isn’t uncommon in this world.
Usually this kind of thing has me running, screaming in the opposite direction, but ALICE is a perfect example of the difference between dark and crude.
Dark means real life Bad Things happen. It’s awful, it’s presented as awful, but you’re mostly seeing the aftermath of the awful, not a play-by-play account in real time.
It’s realistic, but not shockingly so.
Crude means your face is shoved in the awful b/c this-is-life-suck-it-up-and-deal-with-it-you-pansy-suburban-housewife. Crude means deliberately crass terminology used for the express purpose of making something already awful even more awful.
I have zero tolerance for crude.
Dark I can handle.
And if the perpetrators get what’s coming to them, my bloodthirstiness comes out to play and rolls around in the darkness. Like some kind of fiery-eyed hellhound.
ALICE is darrrrrrrrrk.
But it’s also a perfect blend of old school Carroll strangeness and modern urban fantasy (albeit in a more Victorian setting) that I could not put down. I read the whole thing on a Saturday afternoon.
I loved the characters, especially our two MCs Alice and Hatcher, who were each other’s only solace for eight years in the hospital where they were held. Despite the shared experience and insanity, they are as different as two people can be, their disparate strengths and weaknesses making them that much stronger together.
The world was bleak, yet fascinating. Make no mistake, Bad Things happen here. BUT. There is also justice, and that makes all the difference.
ALICE by Christina Henry is hopefully the first of many installments in this new weirdly fantastic series—definitely my most surprising read of the year so far. Henry’s Alice knows that sometimes you have to hurt people before they can hurt you, and she doesn’t hesitate to do exactly that. And even if she did, her mad companion Hatcher, thusly named for the killing frenzy that resulted in at least six deaths-by-ax, would not. They’re on a mission, and if they’re coming for you . . . Run, Rabbit, run.
Was this review helpful to you? If so, please consider voting for it on Amazon or like it on Goodreads!
My name is Jessica and I live in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I’m trying my hand at writing, but mostly I read. My favorite genres are Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, and the YA versions of those genres, but if there is a book of a different color getting lots of buzz, I’ll read it too, just to be informed. If I’m not reading or writing, I’m probably on Goodreads or Pinterest or baking blueberry pies because I love them.
I’ve seen this book around and had been debating about it. While I’m not a huge fan of the Alice in Wonderland books (I don’t think there is really a coherent thought in either book, the man really proved that he was high as a kite when he wrote them), but I do like the overall since of the stories. I guess it goes back to I loved the Disney animated movie as a child and still do to this day. You have intrigued me. It is a shame it isn’t on audio. 🙁
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: Visions of Heat by Nalini Singh (@Mollykatie112, @NaliniSingh, @BerkleyRomance)
Hmmm, so I wonder if I might like this book. I hate Alice in Wonderland but I admit to being curious about this mainly because of the blood splatted on it..lol. I like dark. I have tried other retellings but wasn’t interested, but this sounds so interesting. Maybe I should put it on my list just in case. 🙂
Stormi recently posted…Tuesday Teaser: Threads of Evidence
I was curious about this one when I saw it right before release. I’m really glad to hear you had a good time with it! I think I’ll have to get it now 😀
LilyElement recently posted…WoW [169] – Even Vampires Get the Blues
I had to laugh as I was reading because my first thought was ‘why did she read this?’ and then you have that in your review! 😀 I appreciated your explanations of the difference between dark and crude. And I’m actually very intrigued with the premise of Alice, Jessica. I like dark. And this one seems like it’d feed that particular part of me. 😉 I’m glad it was such a surprise read for you! Fantastic review, my dear!!
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…Review ~ The Secret Sister ~ Brenda Novak
I’ve got this one on my Kindle and plan to read it soon. It may be an October read for me with it being horror. I’ve never read Alice in Wonderland but I’ve watched a few movies about it. And I’ve never read this author before so it will all be new for me. I’m glad you enjoyed Alice.
I love the cover and would grab it for that reason alone, but I am so glad you enjoyed the read. Thanks for the wonderful review.
sherry fundin recently posted…Giveaway – Dragon’s Future by @kandijwyatt
I just saw another review of this the other day and it sounds fascinating. I like the IDEA of Alice and Wonderland, but I’ve never read the original. This one sounds really good – dark, but fascinating.
-lauren
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday and More!
I liked her UF series, it was fun 🙂
But like you, Carroll, ugh
blodeuedd recently posted…The Dark Divine – Bree Despain
I’ve been wanting to read this one and you have me wanting to read it more! I don’t hate Alice as it has it’s interesting moments, but I’ve always loved the potential of Alice in Wonderland. I’ve always felt that it would be a great counterpoint for the imagination. All these retellings show me that I was right! 😉 Yep, adding this one to my wishlist!
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…On My Wishlist: Ice Like Fire by Sara Raasch
I feel the same way about Alice in Wonderland! I’m glad you clarified the crude vs dark thing because I was afraid of that here and I needed to know there was justice. This doesn’t sound like me at all, but now I’m curious. Nice review!
Molly Mortensen recently posted…Nice Dragons Finish Last By Rachel Aaron
I haven’t read Alice in Wonderland to be honest – I’m thinking of reading it, but knowing how I hate classics…
I procrastinate a lot.
I do love the idea of a dark retelling though – Alice being dark? TOTALLY.
Sophia recently posted…DNF ARC Review: The Last of the Firedrakes by Farah Oomerbhoy (The Newest Damsel in Distress)
Alice in Wonderland wasn’t one of fave books growing up but it’s grown on me as an adult. Your review is making me want to read this ASAP, even with your warnings! LOL Knowing that the story is dark but has some kind of redemption factor is just another reason for me to pick this up, thanks for sharing Jessica!
Lori recently posted…Book Spotlight: WOLF TROUBLE by Paige Tyler {Ask Xander + Giveaway}
Alice sounds positively scary and freaky, Jessica! Not sure what I’d think of it, but you’re not the only blogger I’ve seen who actually loved this while not completely enjoying Alice in Wonderland.
Great review!
Lexxie recently posted…Review: The Distance Between Us – Kasie West