The Looking Glass Wars [Library Binding]

I admit to being a pretty big Alice fan, but I don't think it's a purist's heart that makes me dislike the book. I was completely up for a bloody, gorey, almost unrecognizable Wonderland. I was absolutely ready to admit that Beddor had some pretty interesting ideas, like the politics of the card-suit families and the horror of 'black imagination'. I was even okay with the total concentration on action sequences with little richness of character. And then the 'real life' Alice became engaged to 'real life' Prince Leopold, which I am pretty darn sure is far from historically accurate, and I lost all hope.
The genuinely imaginative premise was wasted with equally genuine bad writing. The plot thumps along, sprinkling bizarre killing machines wherever it can and sending Alice into twist-of-fate situations that ultimately lead no where (why the street orphans?). The naming scheme in the book is equally questionable and even distracting. Hatter Madigan, Redd Heart, Bibwit Harte (that's White Rabbit scrambled, folks): it had me guessing whether a Hera March or Dido Byrd was going to turn up.
My problem is not that Looking Glass Wars messed with a classic, it's just that it did it so badly.
Still, the book isn't a complete waste of time. It's clearly written from a Hollywood point of view, and very suggestive of strange visuals. It would doubtless make a great movie or video game. Although, come to think of it, that video game has already been made in the form of American McGee's Alice, which Looking Glass Wars seems to draw from.
The action is exciting and the characters, though under-developed, are theoretically interesting. Kids who like the Artemis Fowl books will probably like this.

I have a confession to make. I have never particularly cared for Lewis Carroll's (aka the Reverend Charles Dodgson's) ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND. Although I've read that story, once, it has never even come close to being one of my favorites. With Frank Beddor's THE LOOKING GLASS WARS, however, I can easily say that I was drawn into the story from the first page--and have found a new book to add to my list of favorites.

THE LOOKING GLASS WARS begins in 1863, in Oxford England, with eleven-year-old Alyss Heart having told her story to the Rev. Charles Dodgson over a matter of months. After four years of living in this world, Alyss is sure her story is about to be told. Unfortunately, the "liberties" that college scholar Dodgson took with her telling of her life in Wonderland have been turned into a parody, a fictional tale that resembles nothing like the life she had previously led. The events that led to her living in England have become nothing but a foolish story, something to be read to privileged children by their pampered parents.

Alyss's story actually begins long before that day she is given a bound copy of ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND by Dodgson. While Alyss was celebrating her seventh birthday in Wonderland, plans were being put into action to overthrow the Queen, Genevieve, Alyss's mother. Genevieve's evil sister, Redd, has grown tired of being exiled from Wonderland--and her powers have grown strong. She stages a coup that begins with the death of the King, Genevieve's husband, Nolan. And it doesn't end until Genevieve is dead, as well, and Alyss is forced to escape through the Pool of Tears.

This is only the beginning of Alyss's toils, and the troubles and woes that come to all Wonderlanders who refuse to recognize the new queen. As the other houses (Spades, Diamonds, and Clubs) take sides, as battles are waged, Wonderland fades from the beautiful, prosperous city that it once was. And Alyss, who was destined to be Queen, is forced to live a life of lies in an alternate world.

Frank Beddor has come up with a wonderful story that draws upon Lewis Carroll's original characters and turns them around to bring them to vivid life. From the Chessboard Desert to the bodyguard Hatter Madigan, from the scholar Bibwit Harte to the young Dodge Anders, from the Generals Doppel and Ganger to The Cat and the Glass Eyes and The Cut, it's all there, in wonderful, splendid glory. This is definitely one story that will stay with you, and have you turning pages long into the night. If you're like me, you'll also be eagerly awaiting the second book in the series, SEEING RED, which, unfortunately, is still being written. The good news, though, is that once you've finished THE LOOKING GLASS WARS, you'll be happy to start reading it all over again.

Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"

I loved The Looking Glass Wars! It was exciting, well written, clever and sad. I was dissapointed when it finished! I think the writer of the review which gave only one star is mad! I also think he/she should be reading books for his/her own age. I am writing from a 12 year old's point of view, whereas they are obviously to old for the book. Bravo Frank Beddor! What a brilliant book!